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.


122: From Baton Rouge to Cairo, what is the maintained minimum channel depth during low water?


158: Which daymark should you see as you approach French Point Light (mile 915.4 AHP)?


160: How far is it to the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis, TN?


164: The Helena Gage reads 9.4 feet. The high point on your towboat is 42 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge?

    N a. 53.0 feet
    N b. 64.2 feet
    Y c. 68.0 feet
    N d. 110.0 feet

213: From your 1915 position, you come left and set a course for Gardiners Point. At 1930, your position is LAT 41°12.7'N, LONG 71°56.8'W. What type of bottom is charted at this position?

    N a. Blue mud, gritty shells
    N b. Buried mussels, gritty shells
    N c. Bumpy muck with grainy surface
    Y d. Blue mud, gray sand

272: At 0925, you plot the following bearings:

Falkner Island Light bearing 251°true
Kelsey Point BW Light bearing 075°true

If you correct for a current setting 215°T at 0.5 knot, what course will you steer from the 0925 position to arrive at a position 0.5 mile south of Long Sand Shoal West End Horn Buoy "W"?

    N a. 102°T
    N b. 096°T
    N c. 093°T
    Y d. 089°T

365: You sighted Trestle "A" in line at 0707 and are steering 108°T. At 0731, Cape Henry Light bears 136°T; Cape Charles Light bears 032.5°T; and Thimble Shoal Tunnel South Light bears 282°T. What was the speed made good between 0707 and 0731?

    N a. 9.4 knots
    N b. 9.2 knots
    Y c. 8.8 knots
    N d. 8.3 knots

425: At 0730, your position is LAT 41°10.5'N, LONG 72°32.2'W. From this position you steer course 286°psc with an engine speed of 9.0 knots. What is the approximate depth of water under your keel?

    N a. 67 feet (20.3 meters)
    N b. 62 feet (18.8 meters)
    N c. 57 feet (17.3 meters)
    Y d. 52 feet (15.8 meters)

463: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 37°47.5'N, LONG 122°27.8'W to LAT 33°51.7'S, LONG 151°12.7'E.

    N a. 6324.2 miles, 310.3°T
    N b. 6345.3 miles, 301.7°T
    N c. 6398.0 miles, 298.3°T
    Y d. 6445.2 miles, 240.3°T

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

482: The great circle distance from LAT 25°50'N, LONG 77°00'W to LAT 35°56'N, LONG 06°15'W is 3616 miles, and the initial course is 061.7°T. Determine the longitude of the vertex, given the latitude of the vertex as 37°34.9'N.

    N a. 25°49.8'W
    N b. 25°53.2'W
    Y c. 25°59.0'W
    N d. 26°03.4'W

512: At 0200, you take the following bearings:

Falkner Island Light 004.5°T
Kelsey Pt. Breakwater Lt. 054.0°T
Horton Point Light 115.0°T

What were the set and drift from 0130?

    Y a. 260° at 1.0 knot
    N b. 080° at 0.5 knot
    N c. 260° at 0.5 knot
    N d. There is no current.

542: You observe the planet Saturn at a sextant altitude (hs) of 63°05.1' on 25 May . The index error is 4.5' off the arc. The height of eye is 62 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 63°00.6'
    Y b. 63°01.5'
    N c. 63°02.9'
    N d. 63°04.1'

574: If you are making 10 knots, what is your ETA at York Spit Channel Buoys "19" and "20"?

    N a. 0959
    N b. 1002
    N c. 1004
    Y d. 1006

594: After you get underway, what is the first river gage you will pass?

    N a. Head of Passes
    Y b. Donaldsonville
    N c. Baton Rouge
    N d. Red River Landing

641: At 1032 on 24 June, you pass Carolina Landing Light(508.8 AHP). What has been the average current since 2350, 23 June, if you have been making turns for 9.0 mph?

    Y a. 0.5 mph
    N b. 1.5 mph
    N c. 5.7 mph
    N d. 8.5 mph

807: On 12 February your 0542 zone time (ZT) fix gives you a position of LAT 26°42.0'N, LONG 60°18.0'W. Your vessel is on course 300°T, and your speed is 9.8 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1220 ZT at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 49°10.0'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN?

    N a. 27°13.5'N
    Y b. 27°16.3'N
    N c. 27°17.6'N
    N d. 27°19.2'N

1186: On 16 November , your 0800 zone time DR position is LAT 25°11.0'N, LONG 117°41.0'W. Your vessel is on course 252°T at a speed of 14.5 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1131
    N b. 1135
    Y c. 1139
    N d. 1144

1211: It is 15 July and you are keeping +7 zone time. You are on course 095°, speed 16 knots. Your 0800 DR position is LAT 25°39.4'N, LONG 129°46.2'W. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks?

    N a. 13h 40m 17s
    Y b. 13h 38m 26s
    N c. 12h 42m 20s
    N d. 12h 38m 20s

1406: Which of the following describes the river at Cypress Bend, mile 569.0 AHP?

    N a. There are revetments on both banks.
    Y b. The river is three tenths of a mile wide.
    N c. There is dredge spoil on both banks.
    N d. There is a turning basin located on the LDB.

1666: On 23 October , your vessel's 1722 zone time DR position is LAT 27°36'S, LONG 96°16'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's lower limb is about 20 minutes of arc above the visible horizon and bears 246° per standard compass. Variation in the area is 14.0°E. The chronometer reads 11h 24m 19s and is 01m 43s fast. What is the deviation of the standard compass?

    N a. 2.3°E
    N b. 2.7°E
    N c. 2.7°W
    Y d. 3.1°W

1749: Which light characteristics does Black Hawk Light (mile 318.3 AHP) have?

    N a. 1 red flash every 4 seconds
    N b. 1 green flash every 4 seconds
    Y c. 1 white flash every 4 seconds
    N d. 2 white flashes every 5 seconds

1911: On 22 February , your 1857 DR position is LAT 23°46.0'S, LONG 93°16.5'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 150°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 42°15.0'. The chronometer reads 01h 00m 35s, and is 03m 25s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Adhara
    N b. Miaplacidus
    Y c. Avior
    N d. Suhail

2279: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 58°06.6' on 5 April . The index error is 1.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 55 feet (16.8 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 58°14.2'
    Y b. 58°15.8'
    N c. 58°16.9'
    N d. 58°18.1'

2656: You are steering 257°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 13.3 miles at 2016. You change course to pass the light 4 miles off abeam to starboard. If you are making 18.5 knots, what is your ETA at the position 4 miles off the light?

    Y a. 2057
    N b. 2100
    N c. 2103
    N d. 2113

3108: You are turning 105 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 17 feet, and an estimated slip of -1%. What is the speed of advance?

    N a. 15.3 knots
    N b. 16.9 knots
    N c. 17.4 knots
    Y d. 17.8 knots

3470: You are underway on course 000°Tat 9.5 knots. The current is 082°T at 1.1 knots. What is the speed being made good?

    N a. 9.2 knots
    N b. 9.5 knots
    Y c. 9.8 knots
    N d. 10.1 knots

3763: Your vessel is proceeding up a channel, and you see a pair of range lights that are in line dead ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 178°T, and the variation is 9°W. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 180° per standard magnetic compass, what is the deviation?

    N a. 2°E
    N b. 2°W
    Y c. 7°E
    N d. 7°W

10504: At 1354 your GPS indicates a position of LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°45.8'W. You are on course 088° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 9.5 knots. At 1500 your GPS indicates your position as LAT 37°01.6'N, LONG 75°31.7'W. What were the set and drift?

    N a. 273°T at 0.8 knot
    N b. 241°T at 1.1 knots
    N c. 061°T at 1.3 knots
    Y d. 092°T at 0.9 knot

10507: At 0919 your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. You are on course 270°T at 10.5 knots. At 1020 your position is LAT 36°59.5'N, LONG 75°44.9'W. What was the current?

    N a. 026° at 0.7 knot
    N b. 046° at 1.0 knot
    N c. 226° at 0.8 knot
    Y d. 246° at 1.4 knots

11103: Point Judith Harbor of Refuge (LAT 41°22'N, LONG 71°30'W) __________.

    N a. is used only by tows
    N b. has moorings for small craft along the breakwater
    N c. is easily entered in all sea conditions
    Y d. is entered through either the East Gap or the West Gap

11107: What is the time (Daylight Savings Time) of the first high tide on 1 July 1983 at Great Salt Pond on Block Island?

    Y a. 0027
    N b. 0448
    N c. 1158
    N d. 1203

11301: At 1256 your GPS position is LAT 36°57.0'N, LONG 75°41.0'W. At 1331 your position is LAT 37°07.5'N, LONG 75°39.1'W. What was the speed made good between the fixes?

    N a. 14.6 knots
    N b. 15.2 knots
    N c. 16.6 knots
    Y d. 18.3 knots

11904: What is the true course to steer between the entrance to Winnapaug Pond (LAT 41°19.6'N, LONG 71°45.8'W) and the entrance to Lake Montauk (LAT 41°04.8'N, LONG 71°56.3'W), if you are turning for 6.5 knots, allow for a current of 295°T at 0.9 knot, and an easterly wind is causing 4° of leeway?

    Y a. 196°T
    N b. 200°T
    N c. 213°T
    N d. 217°T

12101: You sight Thimble Shoal Light in line with Old Point Comfort Light bearing 267° per standard magnetic compass. You are on course 182°psc. Based on this, you know __________.

    Y a. the existing deviation is correct for that heading
    N b. you should adjust your compass
    N c. the compass error is 2°W
    N d. the variation is 11°W

12207: You sight Stratford Pt. Light in line with the Igor I. Sikorsky Airport Aero Beacon bearing 319° per standard magnetic compass. What is the compass deviation?

    Y a. 4°W
    N b. 4°E
    N c. 18°W
    N d. 18°E

12508: You are on course 319° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: New Point Comfort Light "2" 244°psc Horn Harbor Entrance Light "HH" 267°psc Wolf Trap Light 335°°psc What is the position of the fix?

    N a. LAT 37°20.9'N, LONG 76°09.7'W
    N b. LAT 37°21.0'N, LONG 76°09.2'W
    N c. LAT 37°21.0'N, LONG 76°09.9'W
    Y d. LAT 37°21.1'N, LONG 76°09.5'W

12607: You are on course 240° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Old Field Point Light 253°psc New Haven Light 357°psc Mattituck Inlet Light 126°psc What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41°04.5'N, LONG 72°49.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°05.7'N, LONG 72°50.2'W
    Y c. LAT 41°05.9'N, LONG 72°53.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°08.6'N, LONG 72°53.5'W

14300: What is the height above the water of Government Island Upper Range, lower light?

    Y a. 20 feet
    N b. 24 feet
    N c. 38 feet
    N d. 42 feet

15009: At 1930, your position is LAT 37°16.7'N, LONG 75°37.7'W. The depth of water is approximately __________.

    N a. 30 feet ( 9.1 meters)
    N b. 40 feet (12.1 meters)
    Y c. 50 feet (15.1 meters)
    N d. 60 feet (18.1 meters)

15207: What is the maximum allowable speed of vessels underway up river from Tue Marshes Light?

    N a. 6 knots
    N b. 8 knots
    N c. 10 knots
    Y d. 12 knots

15241: At 1155 your vessel's position is LAT 41°09.0'N, LONG 72°34.4'W. If you make good a course of 282°T and a speed of 10.0 knots, when will you arrive at New Haven Harbor Lighted Whistle Buoy "NH"?

    N a. 1315
    N b. 1320
    Y c. 1325
    N d. 1330

15359: Based on your running fix, you __________.

    N a. have a head current
    Y b. have a following current
    N c. are being set to the north
    N d. are not affected by a current

15517: From your 1915 position, you come left and set a course for Gardiners Point. At 1930, your position is LAT 41°12.7'N,
LONG 71°56.8'W. What type of bottom is charted at this position?

    N a. Blue mud, gritty shells
    N b. Buried mussels, gritty shells
    Y c. Blue mud, gray sand
    N d. Bumpy muck with grainy surface

15720: The red sector of New London Harbor Light covers from __________.

    N a. 040° - 310°
    Y b. 000° - 041°
    N c. 208° - 220°
    N d. 204° - 239°

15761: From point "A", you lay out an intended track line to a point where Block Island North Light bears 180°T at 2.9 miles (Point "B"). What is the length of this leg of the voyage?

    N a. 20.4 miles
    N b. 23.7 miles
    Y c. 24.4 miles
    N d. 25.3 miles

15761: From point "A", you lay out an intended track line to a point where Block Island North Light bears 180°T at 2.9 miles (Point "B"). What is the length of this leg of the voyage?

    N a. 20.4 miles
    N b. 23.7 miles
    Y c. 24.4 miles
    N d. 25.3 miles

16007: If the visibility is 11 miles, what is the earliest time you can expect to see New Haven Light?

    N a. The light is visible at 0352.
    N b. 0414
    Y c. 0443
    N d. You will not sight the light.

16040: At 0847 you take a round of bearings as follows:

Middle Ground Shoal Light - 237° pgc
Stratford Point Light - 289° pgc
New Haven Light - 019° pgc

What were the set and drift since your 0820 position?

    N a. Set 180°T, drift 0.6 kt
    N b. Set 360°T, drift 0.3 kt
    N c. Set 180°T, drift 0.3 kt
    Y d. Set 360°T, drift 0.6 kt

16261: At 0400 you take the following bearings:

Sand Shoal Inlet South Light bearing 299°pgc
Cape Charles Light bearing 242°pgc

What is your 0400 position?

    N a. LAT 37°14.2'N, LONG 75°39.2'W
    Y b. LAT 37°14.4'N, LONG 75°39.3'W
    N c. LAT 37°14.4'N, LONG 75°39.0'W
    N d. LAT 37°14.6'N, LONG 75°39.2'W

16370: The wind is westerly and will cause 2° of leeway. The current is 180° at 0.5 knot. If your engines are turning for 8.0 knots, what should you steer to remain in York River Entrance Channel?

    N a. 304°T
    N b. 307°T
    Y c. 311°T
    N d. 314°T

16840: Visibility is exceptionally clear. At approximately what distance did Chesapeake Light become visible?

    N a. 19.2 miles
    Y b. 21.0 miles
    N c. 22.7 miles
    N d. 24.0 miles