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.


59: You pass Warnicott Bar Lt. at 1146, 24 May. What is your ETA off the Mhoon Landing Gage if you average 6.5 mph?


285: At 1845, you plot the following bearing lines:

Old Plantation Flats Light bearing 251°true
New Point Comfort Light bearing 335°true

Your latitude is __________.


415: A vessel at LAT 33°45'N, LONG 118°30'W, heads for a destination at LAT 21°15'N, LONG 157°36'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.


510: You observe the star Deneb at a sextant altitude (hs) of 48°34.8' on 16 December . The index error is 4.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 58 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 48°02.9'
    Y b. 48°30.5'
    N c. 48°31.4'
    N d. 48°46.5'

521: The coastline between Point Judith and Watch Hill is __________.

    N a. steep with rocky bluffs
    Y b. sandy and broken by rocky points
    N c. low and marshy
    N d. heavily forested

536: Determine the distance from LAT 63°54.0'N, LONG 04°52.0'E to LAT 63°54.0'N, LONG 18°24.0'W by parallel sailing.

    N a. 608.6 miles
    N b. 610.9 miles
    N c. 612.3 miles
    Y d. 614.2 miles

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

806: On 15 November , your 0913 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 22°30.0'N, LONG 68°28.0'W. Your vessel is on course 164°T, and your speed is 13.5 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1118 zone time at which time meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 49°46.0'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN?

    N a. 21°36.1'N
    N b. 21°37.7'N
    Y c. 21°39.3'N
    N d. 21°40.9'N

830: On 23 August , in DR position LAT 24°22.0'S, LONG 64°55.3'E, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Moon's upper limb at upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 02h 15m 04s, and the chronometer error is 01m 06s fast. The sextant altitude (hs) is 48°03.6'. The index error is 2.0' on the arc, and your height of eye is 60 feet (21.0 meters). What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    Y a. 24°20.5'S
    N b. 24°22.8'S
    N c. 24°24.8'S
    N d. 24°49.5'S

1099: On 6 April , your 0300 DR position is LAT 27°42'S, LONG 128°58'W. You are on course 097°T at a speed of 18 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix. NP-0029

    N a. LAT 27°15.5'S, LONG 128°12.4'W
    Y b. LAT 27°44.7'S, LONG 127°47.5'W
    N c. LAT 27°52.4'S, LONG 127°49.4'W
    N d. LAT 28°15.2'S, LONG 128°11.6'W

1196: On 14 October your 0800 zone time (ZT) dead reckoning position is LAT 28°22.0'N, LONG 161°17.0'E. Your vessel is on course 116°T at a speed of 17.5 knots. What is the ZT of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1148
    N b. 1151
    Y c. 1156
    N d. 1202

1243: What is the width of the widest span of the Cairo Highway Bridge (Upper Mississippi River mile 1.3)?

    N a. 800 feet
    Y b. 675 feet
    N c. 625 feet
    N d. 503 feet

1246: Which of the following statements are TRUE?

    N a. Oil well structures are listed in the Light List.
    N b. All aids to navigation with lights have lateral significance.
    Y c. On the Western Rivers, crossing marks may exhibit white lights.
    N d. None of the above.

1265: On 22 November , your 1400 ZT DR position is LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 136°37.0'E. You are on course 038°T at a speed of 22 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel?

    Y a. 1705
    N b. 1710
    N c. 1714
    N d. 1718

1303: On which map would you find Redman Point, Arkansas?

    Y a. 20
    N b. 38
    N c. 45
    N d. 60

1363: You are taking a time tick using the 1400 signal from Buenos Aires, Argentina. You hear a 0.4 second dash followed by a series of dots, noting that the 29th and the 56th to 59th dots are omitted. At the start of the following 0.4 second dash (which is followed by an 8 second pulse), the comparing watch reads 02h 00m 15s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 02h 01m 29s, and the chronometer reads 01h 59m 50s. What is the chronometer error?

    N a. 0m 15s fast
    N b. 1m 14s fast
    Y c. 1m 24s slow
    N d. 1m 54s slow

1642: From your 2129 position you reduce engine speed to 14 knots. What is the course to make good from your 2129 position to arrive 0.3 mile north of Lighted Whistle Buoy "NCA" (LL#375) assuming no set and drift?

    N a. 216°T
    N b. 219°T
    Y c. 222°T
    N d. 225°T

1672: On 11 May , your vessel's 1839 ZT position is LAT 17°30'N, LONG 63°55'W, when an amplitude of the Sun's center is observed on the celestial horizon bearing 301° per standard magnetic compass. Variation for this area is 10.5°W. The chronometer reads 10h 37m 10s and is 02m 08s slow. What is the deviation of the compass?

    N a. 2.5°W
    N b. 2.0°W
    Y c. 1.5°W
    N d. 2.0°E

1702: You are upbound approaching Springfield Bend Lt. (mile 244.8 AHP) downriver from Profit Island. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    Y a. Profit Island Chute is closed to navigation.
    N b. Tow length must not exceed 600 feet to use Profit Island Chute.
    N c. Tows must navigate toward left ascending bank when passing Profit Island Chute.
    N d. Profit Island Chute is open to navigation and is a shortcut for single barge tows.

1727: You pass under the Natchez bridge (mile 363.3 AHP) at 1300, on 27 March, and estimate the current to be 3.3 mph. What is your ETA at St. Louis if you continue to turn for 7.5 mph?

    N a. 0617, 4 April
    Y b. 0316, 4 April
    N c. 1153, 30 March
    N d. 1253, 31 April

1740: On what river is Ghent, Kentucky located?

    N a. Tennessee
    N b. Mississippi
    N c. Missouri
    Y d. Ohio

1782: At 2043 ZT, on 13 October , in DR position LAT 43°57.3'S, LONG 147°16.0'E, you observe an amplitude of Venus. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the horizon and bears 236.2°pgc. The variation is 15°E. What is the gyro error?

    Y a. 0.0°
    N b. 0.9°E
    N c. 1.8°E
    N d. 0.4°W

1895: On 22 June , your 0424 DR position is LAT 26°18.5'N, LONG 124°18.2'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 195°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 03°30.7'. The chronometer reads 00h 23m 24s, and is 01m 32s slow. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Peacock
    N b. Schedar
    N c. Ankaa
    N d. Alioth

2049: What is the length of the trip?

    N a. 405.8 miles
    Y b. 904.0 miles
    N c. 1002.0 miles
    N d. 1136.8 miles

2296: If your vessel is making turns for 7.5 mph with an estimated average current of 1.5 mph, what is your ETA at the dock in Angelina, LA?

    Y a. 1621, 28 Dec
    N b. 2203, 28 Dec
    N c. 0516, 29 Dec
    N d. 1621, 29 Dec

2341: You have steamed 1175 miles at 19 knots, and consumed 257 tons of fuel. If you have to steam 1341 miles to complete the voyage, how many tons of fuel will be consumed while steaming at 18 knots?

    N a. 293 tons
    Y b. 263 tons
    N c. 202 tons
    N d. 172 tons

2586: At 2100 Branford Reef Light bears 347°psc and Falkner Island Light bears 059°psc. You also get a radar range of 5.3 miles from Branford Reef Light. What are your LORAN readings?

    N a. 14994.0, 26473.0, 43982.0
    N b. 14994.5, 26482.0, 43982.0
    Y c. 14996.0, 26477.5, 43981.0
    N d. 14997.5, 26479.5, 43981.0

2588: At 2130 New Haven buoy "NH" bears 337° per gyro compass and Middle Ground Lt bears 254° per gyro compass. You must arrive 0.3 miles off Port Jefferson buoy "PJ" at 2300. What speed will you have to make good, for arrival at 2300?

    N a. 9.0 knots
    Y b. 9.3 knots
    N c. 9.6 knots
    N d. 10.7 knots

2686: While on a course of 034°pgc, a light bears 8° on the port bow at a distance of 8.8 miles. What course should you steer to pass 2.5 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port?

    N a. 035°pgc
    Y b. 043°pgc
    N c. 051°pgc
    N d. 059°pgc

2786: At 1030, 13 January, you are passing Columbus Point Lt. (mile 936.1 AHP). What has been your average speed since leaving St. Louis (mile 181 UMR) on the 12th of January at 1400 hours?

    N a. 10.4 mph
    Y b. 9.7 mph
    N c. 9.4 mph
    N d. 9.1 mph

3607: You desire to make good 152°T. The magnetic compass deviation is 4°E, the variation is 5°E, and the gyro error is 3°E. A southwesterly wind produces a 4° leeway. Which course would you steer per standard compass to make good the true course?

    N a. 137°psc
    N b. 141°psc
    N c. 143°psc
    Y d. 147°psc

3654: You are taking a time tick using the 2000 signal from Kekaha-Kauai, Hawaii (WWVH). You hear a series of 1 second dashes followed by a 9 second silent period, then a long 1.3 second dash. At the beginning of the long dash, your comparing watch reads 07h 59m 54s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 08h 00m 00s, and the chronometer reads 08h 00m 06s. What is the chronometer error?

    N a. 0m 06s slow
    N b. 0m 06s fast
    N c. 0m 12s fast
    Y d. No error

3766: Your vessel is proceeding down 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 229°T, and variation is 6°W. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 232° per standard magnetic compass, what is the deviation?

    Y a. 3°E
    N b. 9°E
    N c. 3°W
    N d. 9°W

10108: What is the base course per standard magnetic compass while southbound in the middle leg of York Spit Channel?

    N a. 161.0°psc
    N b. 165.5°psc
    N c. 180.0°psc
    Y d. 184.0°psc

12107: You sight Tue Marshes Light (LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 76°23.2'W) in line with Goodwin Thorofare Light "16" (LAT 37°13.7'N, LONG 76°25.0'W) bearing 267° per standard magnetic compass. What is TRUE if your vessel's heading is 056°psc?

    N a. The compass error is 13°E.
    Y b. The deviation table is in error and should be corrected.
    N c. The deviation is 4°E.
    N d. The deviation table is correct for a heading of 056°psc.

12902: Your 1312 position is LAT 37°10.9'N, LONG 75°29.6'W. You are turning for 8.3 knots. What is your ETA at LAT 37°21.9'N, LONG 75°42.6'W?

    N a. 1449
    N b. 1456
    Y c. 1502
    N d. 1511

14002: At 1630 your vessel exits Bonneville Lock steaming in a westerly direction. What speed must you average to arrive at the Interstate 5 highway bridge with an ETA of 2120?

    N a. 6 mph
    N b. 7 mph
    Y c. 8 mph
    N d. 9 mph

14204: The mooring float at Beacon Rock State Park is restricted to pleasure boats and to periods not to exceed __________.

    N a. 12 hours
    N b. 24 hours
    Y c. 36 hours
    N d. 48 hours

15069: During extreme low water, the soundings near Saybrook may require corrections up to __________.

    N a. 1 foot (+.3 meters)
    N b. -2 feet (-.6 meters)
    Y c. -3.5 feet (-1.1 meters)
    N d. The sounding datum is based on extreme low water and no correction is necessary

15165: At 2000, your position is LAT 37°04.1'N, LONG 76°05.6'W. You change course for the Eastern Shore. At 2037, Old Plantation Flats Light bears 033°pgc, and York Spit Light bears 282°pgc. The course made good from your 2000 position was __________.

    Y a. 006°T
    N b. 014°T
    N c. 020°T
    N d. 028°T

15209: At 1800, Tue Marshes Light bears 264.5°pgc, York Spit Swash Channel Light "3" bears 007°pgc. Your position is __________.

    N a. LAT 37°15.5'N, LONG 76°19.8'W
    N b. LAT 37°15.2'N, LONG 76°20.3'W
    N c. LAT 37°15.0'N, LONG 76°20.0'W
    Y d. LAT 37°14.5'N, LONG 76°20.1'W

15320: Inbound, the color of Cape Henry Light will __________.

    Y a. change before you reach Chesapeake Channel Lighted Bell Buoy "2C"
    N b. change after you reach Chesapeake Channel Lighted Bell Buoy "2C"
    N c. remain the same
    N d. alternate regardless of your position

15368: At 0705, the gyro loses power. At 0730, you are on course 092° per standard magnetic compass (psc). Falkner Light bears 356°psc, Horton Point Light bears 123°psc, and Kelsey Point Breakwater Light bears 048°psc. What is the position of your 0730 fix?

    N a. LAT 41°06.7'N, LONG 72°36.1'W
    N b. LAT 41°06.8'N, LONG 72°36.0'W
    Y c. LAT 41°07.0'N, LONG 72°36.2'W
    N d. LAT 41°07.2'N, LONG 72°36.1'W

15608: At 1630, you reach point A and come right to 204°T. Your engine speed is 12 knots. Your 1715, position is LAT 37°09.8'N, LONG 75°37.4'W. The current was __________.

    N a. 067°T at 1.1 knots
    N b. 246°T at 1.1 knots
    Y c. 067°T at 1.5 knots
    N d. 246°T at 1.5 knots

15708: Which structure should you look for while trying to locate Southwest Ledge Light?

    N a. White conical tower with a brown band midway of height
    Y b. White octagonal house on a cylindrical pier
    N c. Conical tower, upper half white, lower half brown
    N d. Black skeleton tower on a granite dwelling

15716: At 1210, you are in position LAT 41°14.3'N, LONG 72°16.5'W. What is the depth of water below your keel?

    Y a. 97 feet (29.4 meters)
    N b. 108 feet (32.7 meters)
    N c. 119 feet (36.1 meters)
    N d. 125 feet (37.9 meters)

15746: Which nautical chart would you use to navigate into New London, CT?

    N a. 13209
    N b. 13211
    Y c. 13212
    N d. 13214

15943: At 2038 Block Island North Light bears 065°T and Montauk Point Light bears 216°T

Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Your speed made good between your 1959 fix and 2038 fix is 11.0 knots.
    N b. Your course made good between your 1959 fix and 2038 fix is 102°T.
    N c. At your 2038 fix, your vessel is governed by the Inland Rules of the Road.
    Y d. Block Island Sound South Entrance Obstruction Lighted "BIS"
    Buoy is located 3.6 miles off your starboard bow.


16270: The wind is northerly and will cause 2° leeway. The current is 018° 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. 306°T
    Y c. 309°T
    N d. 314°T

16357: The coast between Great Machipongo Inlet and Cape Charles is __________.

    N a. composed of high rocky bluffs and wooded uplands
    N b. marked by prominent isolated barren hills
    N c. broken by the mouths of several major rivers
    Y d. low with sandy beaches bordered by marshes

16713: At 0600 you take the following bearings:

Point Judith Light bearing 063°pgc
Block Island North Reef Light bearing 144°pgc

What is your 0600 position?

    N a. LAT 41°18.1'N, LONG 71°38.3'W
    Y b. LAT 41°18.3'N, LONG 71°38.7'W
    N c. LAT 41°18.4'N, LONG 72°38.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°18.5'N, LONG 71°38.9'W

16717: At 0705, you take the following bearings:
Watch Hill Light 030.5°pgc
Latimer Reef Light 329.0°pgc
Race Rock Light 262.0°pgc

What was the true course made good between 0645 and 0705?

    N a. 252°T
    Y b. 256°T
    N c. 263°T
    N d. 266°T