USCG Navigation Problems: Master's License

This is an interactive test. Read each question and select the proper answer by clicking on the appropriate answer. If a "Y" appears, your choice is correct. If a "N" appears, more study may be in order.

75: What is your ETA at the Memphis Highway Bridge?
145: As you approach Joseph Henry Light (mile 445.2 AHP) which daymark would you see?
274: At what approximate distance would you expect Bartlett Reef Light to break the horizon, if the visibility is 27 nautical miles?
297: What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass in order to navigate down the center of York River Entrance Channel (ignore set and drift)? 

    N a. 149°psc
    N b. 145°psc
    Y c. 141°psc
    N d. 139°psc
386: From your 0715 position, you set a course of 085°T. At 0745 you take the following bearings:

Race Rock Light 278°pgc
Watch Hill Light 049°pgc
Fisher's Island East Harbor Cupola 010°pgc

What was the current encountered between 0715 and 0745? 

    N a. Set 030°T, drift 0.4 knot
    N b. Set 216°T, drift 0.3 knot
    N c. Set 238°T, drift 0.9 knot
    Y d. Set 070°T, drift 0.6 knot
437: At 0227, you are on course 087°T at 10 knots. What course per standard magnetic compass should you steer to make good your true course? 

    N a. 109°psc
    Y b. 105°psc
    N c. 102°psc
    N d. 099°psc
474: You are on a great circle track departing from LAT 25°50.0'N, LONG 77°00.0'W and your initial course is 061.7°T. The position of the vertex is LAT 37°35.6'N, LONG 25°57.8'W.

What is the distance along the great circle track between the point of departure and the vertex? 

    N a. 2735.1 miles
    Y b. 2664.9 miles
    N c. 2583.2 miles
    N d. 2420.0 miles
736: On 6 March , your 1854 zone time DR position is LAT 23°51.5'N, LONG 73°14.0'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 24°16.5'. The chronometer time of the sight is 11h 52m 40s, and the chronometer error is 01m 56s slow. The index error is 5.0' on the arc, and the height of eye is 43.5 feet (13.3 meters.) What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    N a. 23°29.5'N
    Y b. 23°36.3'N
    N c. 23°49.9'N
    N d. 24°02.9'N
737: On 29 July , your 1930 zone time DR position is LONG 164°26.0'E. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 23°46.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 08h 32m 18s, and the chronometer error is 02m 26s fast. The index error is 2.7' on the arc, and the height of eye is 56.0 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    N a. 24°01.9'N
    Y b. 24°19.5'N
    N c. 24°31.7'N
    N d. 25°19.6'N
746: On 16 January , at 1804 zone time, you take a sextant observation of Polaris. Your vessel's DR position is LAT 36°12'N, LONG 124°36'W, and your sextant reads (hs) 37°16.4'. Your chronometer reads 02h 02m 12s, and is 01m 36s slow. Your height of eye is 60 feet, and the index error is 1.5' on the arc. From your observation of Polaris, what is the latitude of your vessel? 

    N a. 36°12.6'N
    N b. 36°14.4'N
    Y c. 36°17.9'N
    N d. 36°20.2'N
846: On 22 February , your 0612 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 27°16.2'S, LONG 37°41.6'W. Your vessel is on course 298°T, and your speed is 14.2 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1147 zone time, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 73°33.3'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN? 

    Y a. 26°31.4'S
    N b. 26°29.5'S
    N c. 26°27.1'S
    N d. 26°24.8'S
987: On 17 January , your 0730 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 22°26.0'S, LONG 152°17.0'E. Your vessel is steaming on a course of 116°T at a speed of 17 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 1015 zone time. The chronometer reads 00h 13m 23s, and the chronometer error is 01m 49s slow. The observed altitude (Ho) is 66°02.1'. LAN occurs at 1152 zone time and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made. The observed altitude (Ho) is 87°54.2'. Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position. 

    Y a. LAT 22°53.8'S, LONG 153°25.6'E
    N b. LAT 22°53.8'S, LONG 153°28.8'E
    N c. LAT 22°56.3'S, LONG 153°25.6'E
    N d. LAT 22°56.3'S, LONG 153°28.8'E
1076: On 25 Mar , your 0500 ZT DR position is LAT 28°14.0'S, LONG 93°17.0'E. You are on course 291°T at a speed of 16.0 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0550 running fix. NP-0006

    Y a. LAT 28°15.9'S, LONG 92°56.9'E
    N b. LAT 28°19.3'S, LONG 92°59.0'E
    N c. LAT 28°06.4'S, LONG 93°02.5'E
    N d. LAT 27°53.2'S, LONG 93°17.6'E
1207: On 10 July , your 0930 zone time DR position is LAT 26°31.0'S, LONG 4°41.0'E. Your vessel is on course 308°T at a speed of 22.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    N a. 1144
    Y b. 1149
    N c. 1153
    N d. 1159
1272: At 1800 zone time, on 7 December , your DR position is LAT 22°48'S, LONG 91°26'W. You are steering 320°T at a speed of 14.0 knots. What is the zone time of sunset? 

    N a. 1830
    N b. 1836
    Y c. 1842
    N d. 1852
1283: On 5 May , your 1800 ZT DR position is LAT 26°11.5'N, LONG 65°35.0'W. You are on course 270°T at a speed of 12 knots. What will be the ZT of sunset at your vessel? 

    N a. 1825
    N b. 1840
    Y c. 1857
    N d. 1901
1416: Which company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Madison Parish (mile 457.0 AHP)? 

    N a. Complex Chemical Co.
    N b. Delta Southern Railroads
    N c. Mid-Delta Helena, LLC
    Y d. Baxter Wilson
1424: You pass Springfield Bend Lt. (mile 244.8 AHP) at 1242, on 17 October, and estimate the current will average 2.5 mph for the remainder of your trip. What is your ETA at the mouth of the Ohio River if you are making turns for 10.5 mph? 

    N a. 1905, 19 October
    N b. 2122, 19 October
    Y c. 0519, 21 October
    N d. 0847, 21 October
1485: On 6 October , your 0416 zone time DR position is LAT 25°16.0'N, LONG 130°25.0'E. At that time, you observe Mars bearing 083°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 16m 22s, and the chronometer error is 00m 10s fast. The variation is 1.5°E. What is the deviation of the standard compass? 

    N a. 0.4°E
    Y b. 1.2°W
    N c. 3.5°E
    N d. 19.0°E
1622: Which of the following statements concerning the buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE? 

    N a. The position of river buoys can be determined by consulting the latest Light List - Vol. V.
    N b. A preferred channel mark is a lateral mark indicating a channel junction which must always be passed to starboard.
    N c. Buoys should be passed as close as possible.
    Y d. Setting a buoy is the act of placing a buoy on assigned position in the water.
1860: On 22 March , your 1834 ZT DR position is LAT 26°13.5'S, LONG 108°36.5'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 077°T, at an observed altitude (Ho) of 43°10.5'. The chronometer reads 01h 32m 37s and is 01m 50s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Regulus
    N b. Menkar
    N c. Rigel
    Y d. Alphard
1882: On 2 October , your 1845 DR position was LAT 28°09.2'S, LONG 167°48.1'E. You observe a faint star through a hole in the clouds at a sextant altitude (hs) of 20°45.6' T, bearing 201.5°T. The index error is 1.3' off the arc, and the height of eye is 42 feet. The chronometer reads 07h 46m 19s and is 00m 51s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Cor Caroli
    N b. Muhlifain
    Y c. Alpha Muscae
    N d. Beta Corvi
2151: On 16 June , 0612 zone time, morning stars were observed. The vessel's position was LAT 27°23.0'S, LONG 56°22.0'W. The vessel is steaming at 16.0 knots on a course of 212°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0850 zone time. The chronometer reads 00h 53m 19s, and the sextant altitude is 22°58.6'. The index error is 2.0' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 02m 43s fast. Your height of eye is 61.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position? 

    Y a. 044.3°
    N b. 052.6°
    N c. 136.1°
    N d. 148.4°
2163: On 1 April , at 0515 zone time, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 27°05.0'N, LONG 16°30.0'W. Your vessel is steaming at 19.0 knots on a course of 022°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0930 zone time. The chronometer reads 10h 28m 25s, and the sextant altitude is 46°20.3'. The index error is 4.5' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 02m 15s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 57.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position? 

    N a. 121.6°T
    N b. 117.9°T
    Y c. 115.0°T
    N d. 112.2°T
2176: On 9 November , at 0426 ZT, your position was LAT 25°17.0'S, LONG 154°16.0'E. Your vessel is steaming at 14.0 knots on course 066°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0837 ZT. The chronometer reads 10h 35m 21s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 50°26.9'. The index error is 1.5' on the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 48s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 56.0 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho) and azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position? 

    N a. 50°18.1',  086.3°T
    N b. 50°18.1',  093.7°T
    Y c. 50°33.5',  085.9°T
    N d. 50°33.5',  093.7°T
2179: On 22 June , at 0906 EDT (ZD +4), your position is LAT 24°36'N, LONG 69°30'W. You are on course 165°pgc at a speed of 14.8 knots. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 42°44.0' with an index error of 0.8' off the arc. At this time the chronometer reads 01h 10m 12s, and is 2m 42s slow. If your height of eye is 70 feet, what is the azimuth (Zn) of the sight using the assumed position? 

    Y a. Zn 080.4°
    N b. Zn 081.6°
    N c. Zn 129.0°
    N d. Zn 130.5°
2206: What is the distance in river miles, from the new mouth of the White River to the RR and Hwy bridge at Baton Rouge, LA? 

    N a. 338 miles
    Y b. 365 miles
    N c. 400 miles
    N d. 454 miles
2531: When you pass under the Jefferson Barracks Highway Bridge (mile 168.6 UMR) what will be your vertical clearance if the highest point on your towboat is 55 feet and the St Louis Gage reads 21 feet? 

    Y a. 11.8 feet
    N b. 14.6 feet
    N c. 19.7 feet
    N d. 25.8 feet
2577: On 23 July, you take a time tick using the 0900 GMT Cape Town broadcast. You hear a repeating series of 59 dots followed by a dash. At the beginning of the fifth dash you start your stopwatch. The chronometer reads 08h 39m 16s at the time the stopwatch reads 01m 42s. The chronometer error at 0900 GMT, 22 July, was 22m 24s slow. What is the chronometer rate? 

    Y a. 00m 02s losing
    N b. 01m 02s gaining
    N c. 22m 24s losing
    N d. 22m 26s slow
2699: You are underway on course 137°T at a speed of 16.2 knots. You sight a rock bearing 134°T at a radar range of 4.6 miles at 1508. If you change course at 1514, what is the course to steer to leave the rock abeam to port at 1.5 miles? 

    Y a. 162°T
    N b. 158°T
    N c. 154°T
    N d. 151°T
3057: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 25.3 feet and a pitch of 23.2 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 515 miles in a 23 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 93? 

    N a. -3.6%
    N b. +3.6%
    Y c. -5.2%
    N d. +5.2%
3078: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 17.8 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 24.7 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 7% positive slip? 

    N a. 67
    N b. 71
    N c. 75
    Y d. 79
3087: If the pitch of the propeller is 20.6 feet, and the revolutions per day are 107,341, calculate the day's run allowing 3% positive slip. 

    Y a. 352.7 miles
    N b. 363.6 miles
    N c. 374.5 miles
    N d. 389.1 miles
3095: If the pitch of the propeller is 21.3 feet, and the revolutions per day are 126,214, calculate the day's run allowing 4% positive slip. 

    Y a. 424.5 miles
    N b. 442.1 miles
    N c. 459.9 miles
    N d. 477.3 miles
3451: You are underway and intend to make good a course of 040°T. You experience a current with a set and drift of 190°T at 1.4 knots, and a northwest wind produces a leeway of 3°. You adjust your course to compensate for the current and leeway, while maintaining an engine speed of 10 knots. What will be your speed made good over your intended course of 040°T? 

    N a. 7.8 knots
    Y b. 8.8 knots
    N c. 9.8 knots
    N d. 11.0 knots
3636: You desire to make good a true course of 279°. The variation is 8°W, magnetic compass deviation is 3°E, and gyrocompass error is 1°E. A north-northwesterly wind produces 3° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to make the true course good? 

    N a. 281°psc
    N b. 284°psc
    Y c. 287°psc
    N d. 290°psc
3759: Your vessel is proceeding up a channel, and you see a pair of range lights that are in line ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 147°T, and the variation is 5°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 148° per standard magnetic compass,
what is the correct deviation? 

    N a. 1°E
    N b. 1°W
    N c. 6°E
    Y d. 6°W
10301: Determine the course per standard magnetic compass from Cerberus Shoal Buoy 9 (LAT 41°10.4'N, LONG 71°57.1'W) to the entrance to Quonochontaug Pond (LAT 41°19.8'N, LONG 71°43.2'W). 

    N a. 030°psc
    N b. 036°psc
    Y c. 059°psc
    N d. 067°psc
10906: What correction should be applied to the charted depths of the Poquoson River at York Point at the PM low water on 18 December 1983? 

    N a. +1.9 feet
    N b. -0.1 feet
    Y c. -0.4 feet
    N d. No correction is necessary
11503: At 1016 your GPS position is LAT 41°07.6'N, LONG 71°37.9'W. At 1104 your position is LAT 41°00.2'N, LONG 71°29.4'W. What was the true course made good between the two positions? 

    N a. 134°T
    Y b. 139°T
    N c. 143°T
    N d. 145°T
12610: You are on course 061° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Bartlett Reef Light 070°psc Saybrook Breakwater Light 010°psc Horton Pt. Light 218°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°10.4'N, LONG 72°19.6'W
    Y b. LAT 41°11.2'N, LONG 72°20.6'W
    N c. LAT 41°13.7'N, LONG 72°23.9'W
    N d. LAT 41°15.4'N, LONG 72°24.3'W
13102: At 2330 your position is LAT 41°16.9'N, LONG 71°38.2'W. You are turning for 9.3 knots. What is your ETA at the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island? 

    N a. 2355
    Y b. 0005
    N c. 0012
    N d. 0019
13409: You plan to anchor your vessel at LAT 41°00.5'N, LONG 73°02.8'W. What type of bottom should you expect at this position? 

    N a. Gray sand
    Y b. Soft mud
    N c. Hard sand
    N d. Gray mud
13502: The four soundings in the vicinity of LAT 41°12.2'N, LONG 71°33.0'W, that are underlined with a bracket indicate __________. 

    N a. that no bottom was found at the sounding depth indicated
    N b. a submerged rock not dangerous to surface navigation
    N c. the height a rock uncovers at low water springs
    Y d. a submerged danger that is cleared to the indicated depth by a wire drag
15013: At 2020, what is the course to steer to enter the inbound lane of North Chesapeake Entrance traffic separation scheme if a northwesterly wind causes 3° of leeway? 

    N a. 227°pgc
    N b. 224°pgc
    Y c. 221°pgc
    N d. 215°pgc
15117: At 1930, you take a fix using the following radar ranges:

York Spit Light - 3.6 miles
New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" - 2.0 miles
York Spit Swash Channel Light "3" - 2.5 miles

Your longitude is __________. 

    N a. 76°16.5'W
    Y b. 76°16.8'W
    N c. 76°17.0'W
    N d. 76°17.2'W
15268: Your vessel is proceeding up New London Harbor Channel, and you are in line with the range. What would be your course per standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 352°
    N b. 354°
    N c. 002°
    Y d. 007°
15411: From your 1830 fix, you continue south on a course of 150°T turning RPMs for 6 knots. You encounter a flood current in the direction of 330°T at 2 knots. Adjusting your course for set and drift, which course would you steer to make good a course of 150°T while turning RPMs for 6 knots? 

    N a. 144°T
    Y b. 150°T
    N c. 158°T
    N d. 162°T
15614: From your 1920 position, you change course to enter Chesapeake Channel between buoys 9 and 10. What is the course per standard magnetic compass (psc) ? 

    N a. 286°psc
    Y b. 283°psc
    N c. 280°psc
    N d. 274°psc
15870: What is the approximate distance from a point three miles south of Stratford Point to Perth Amboy, NJ? 

    N a. 53 miles
    N b. 62 miles
    Y c. 73 miles
    N d. 136 miles
15907: At 0720, you are in the outer channel between buoy "1" and buoy "2" and change course to pass Townshend Ledge Lighted Gong Buoy "10A" abeam to port at 200 yards. What is your ETA off the buoy? 

    N a. 0734
    Y b. 0738
    N c. 0741
    N d. 0745
16264: Which statement about your 0400 position is true? 

    N a. You are governed by the Inland Rules of the Road.
    N b. Anchoring, trawling and fishing are prohibited.
    N c. The ocean floor is composed of shingle.
    Y d. You are within the Territorial Sea and the contiguous zone.
16314: At 0820, you take the following bearings:

Branford Reef Light bearing 307° true
Falkner Island Light bearing 052° true

What are the set and drift since 0730? 

    N a. Set 052°T, drift 1.1 knots
    N b. Set 052°T, drift 1.3 knots
    N c. Set 236°T, drift 1.1 knot
    Y d. Set 236°T, drift 1.3 knots