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.

60: What town is located at mile 389.8 AHP?
188: 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?
245: On chart 12354, the datum from which heights of objects are taken is __________.
327: At 0315, you obtain the following bearings:

Wolf Trap Light bearing 091° true
Old Plantation Flats Light bearing 179° true

What is the true course from this position to the entrance of York Spit Channel? 

    N a. 217°
    N b. 211°
    Y c. 208°
    N d. 203°
446: At 1345, you depart from a position 1 mile due east of Montauk Point Light and set course for Block Island Southeast Light at 9 knots. At 1430, your position is:

Latitude 41° 06.3' North
Longitude 071° 41.9' West

What was the current encountered since 1345? 

    N a. Set 015°, drift 0.5 knot
    N b. Set 195°, drift 0.7 knot
    N c. Set 015°, drift 0.7 knot
    Y d. Set 195°, drift 0.5 knot
465: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 34°51.0'N, LONG 115°01.2'E to LAT 10°16.0'S, LONG 51°42.6'E. 

    N a. 4436 miles, 245.3°T
    N b. 4598 miles, 245.6°T
    Y c. 4493 miles, 245.6°T
    N d. 4582 miles, 245.6°T
484: You are on a great circle track departing from position LAT 25°50'N, LONG 77°00'W. The position of the vertex is LAT 37°35.6'N, LONG 25°57.8'W. The distance along the great circle track from the vertex to a point (X) is 600 miles westward. Determine the position of point (X) on the great circle track. 

    N a. LAT 36°47.5'N, LONG 38°21.8'W
    N b. LAT 36°50.4'N, LONG 38°25.6'W
    Y c. LAT 36°55.6'N, LONG 38°30.0'W
    N d. LAT 37°02.3'N, LONG 38°34.4'W
598: At 1132, 24 July, you pass Natchez Beam Lt. (mile 364.8 AHP). What is your ETA off the Memphis Gage if you average 8.0 mph? 

    N a. 2345, 25 July
    N b. 0525, 26 July
    Y c. 0947, 26 July
    N d. 2215, 26 July
674: What are the dimensions of the Port Allen Lock at Baton Rouge, LA? 

    N a. 75 feet x 1188 feet
    Y b. 84 feet x 1188 feet
    N c. 84 feet x 1180 feet
    N d. 75 feet x 1180 feet
751: On 16 July , at 2000 zone time, you take a sextant observation of Polaris. Your vessel's DR position is LAT 27°22.0'N, LONG 148°35.0'W, and your sextant reads 26°57.5'. Your chronometer reads 05h 59m 16s, and your chronometer error is 01m 28s slow. Your height of eye is 48 feet, and the index error for your sextant is 1.3' off the arc. What is the latitude of your vessel from your observation of Polaris? 

    N a. 26°52.1'N
    N b. 26°58.8'N
    Y c. 27°36.1'N
    N d. 27°43.4'N
1006: On 30 July , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 19°02'N, LONG 138°12'W. You are on course 309°T, speed 24 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.
ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1220 138°25.0' N 18°22.3' 88°43.3'
1226 139°55.0' N 18°22.2' 88°24.0' 

    N a. LAT 19°28.0'N, LONG 138°35.2'W
    Y b. LAT 19°29.7'N, LONG 138°42.0'W
    N c. LAT 19°32.6'N, LONG 138°49.4'W
    N d. LAT 19°34.5'N, LONG 138°40.9'W
1093: On 22 Nov. , your vessel is enroute from Accra, Ghana to Montevideo, Uruguay. You are on course 240°T and making a speed of 15.0 knots. Your 1129 DR position is LAT 28°25.0'S, LONG 42°40.0'W. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1137 running fix. NP-0023

    Y a. LAT 28°27.0'S, LONG 42°38.0'W
    N b. LAT 28°25.2'S, LONG 42°40.0'W
    N c. LAT 28°25.0'S, LONG 42°36.0'W
    N d. LAT 28°23.4'S, LONG 42°42.0'W
1136: The Arkansas City Yellow Bend revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________. 

    Y a. 555.0-549.7 RDB
    N b. 549.0-548.5 RDB
    N c. 556.9-554.9 LDB
    N d. 548.5-546.5 LDB
1146: The Linwood Bend revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________. 

    N a. 828.1-823.1 RDB
    N b. 831.7-829.4 RDB
    N c. 845.4-842.5 LDB
    Y d. 841.3-838.7 LDB
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
1464: On 17 May , your 1554 zone time DR position is LAT 26°33.0'N, LONG 65°46.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 269°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 55m 47s, and the chronometer error is 01m 14s fast. The variation is 3°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 0.6°E
    N b. 1.6°W
    N c. 4.6°W
    Y d. 7.6°E
1547: At 0509, on 26 December, you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge (mile 661.7 AHP). What has been the average speed of the current since departing Memphis Harbor, McKellar Lake, if you have been making turns for 7.5 mph? 

    N a. 5.6 mph
    Y b. 4.4 mph
    N c. 2.1 mph
    N d. 1.8 mph
2016: On 23 March , your 1600 ZT DR position is LAT 27°16.3'N, LONG 156°48.2'W. You are on course 063°T at a speed of 18.0 knots. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three stars best suited for a fix at star time? 

    N a. Arcturus, Regulus, Sirius
    N b. Procyon, Sirius, Capella
    Y c. Hamal, Rigel, Alphard
    N d. Betelgeuse, Dubhe, Regulus
2113: From your 0130 position, you change course to adjust for set and drift, and you later obtain the following bearings:


Mattituck Inlet Light bearing 104.5°true
Falkner Island Light bearing 001°true

What is the latitude and longitude of your fix? 

    N a. LAT 41°00.8'N,  LONG 72°40.8'W
    N b. LAT 41°01.2'N,  LONG 72°40.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°01.6'N,  LONG 72°40.0'W
    Y d. LAT 41°02.0'N,  LONG 72°39.5'W
2187: At which of the following times would you be able to listen to lower Mississippi River conditions on VHF Channel 22? 

    N a. 0900 hours
    N b. 1100 hours
    Y c. 1300 hours
    N d. 1600 hours
2404: At 0812, you are on course 132°T. The standard magnetic compass reads 135°. What should you conclude? 

    N a. The deviation table is correct for that heading.
    Y b. Your compass may be influenced by a local magnetic disturbance.
    N c. You should adjust the magnetic compass.
    N d. The deviation is increasing as you go south.
2536: You have steamed 463 miles at 19 knots and burning 440 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 200 barrels per day with 410 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel? 

    N a. 12.1
    Y b. 13.6
    N c. 15.2
    N d. 17.5
2674: You are steaming on course 126°T at 14.8 knots. At 1022 you sight a buoy bearing 128°T, at a range of 4.8 miles. If you change course at 1026, what true course will you steer to leave the buoy 0.5 mile abeam to port? 

    Y a. 136°
    N b. 133°
    N c. 122°
    N d. 119°
2709: If the highest point of your towboat is 54 feet above the water and the Natchez Gage reads 24.8 feet, what will be your vertical clearance when passing under the Natchez-Vidalia westbound Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 35.9 feet
    Y b. 47.2 feet
    N c. 49.6 feet
    N d. 57.5 feet
2875: Your vessel is on a course of 316°T at 12 knots. At 2326 a light bears 289.5°T, and at 2354 the light bears 271°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    N a. 0014, 4.8 miles
    N b. 0018, 5.2 miles
    Y c. 0022, 5.6 miles
    N d. 0026, 6.4 miles
3061: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 20.2 feet and a pitch of 19.0 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 367 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 84? 

    Y a. +2.9%
    N b. -2.9%
    N c. +5.2%
    N d. -5.2%
3064: The propeller of a vessel has a pitch of 19.0 feet. If the vessel traveled 183.5 miles (observed distance) in 24 hours at an average of 44 RPM, what was the slip? 

    Y a. +7.4%
    N b. -7.4%
    N c. +11.6%
    N d. -11.6%
3070: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 19.6 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 24.6 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 5% positive slip? 

    N a. 76
    Y b. 85
    N c. 97
    N d. 106
3099: The propellers on your twin screw vessel have a pitch of 16'04". What is the distance in a day's run if the average RPM is 94, and you estimate 7% positive slip? 

    Y a. 338.3 miles
    N b. 389.3 miles
    N c. 676.6 miles
    N d. 778.6 miles
3268: Your vessel arrives in port with sufficient fuel to steam 595 miles at 14 knots. If you are unable to take on bunkers, at what speed must you proceed to reach your next port, 707 miles distant? 

    N a. 12.2 knots
    N b. 12.5 knots
    Y c. 12.8 knots
    N d. 14.4 knots
3604: You wish to make good a course of 258°T, allowing 4° leeway for northerly winds. The variation is 21°W. What should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good 258°T?
DEVIATION TABLE
MAGNETIC HDG DEVIATION
285° 5°E
270° 3°E
255° 1°E
240° 1°W 

    N a. 242°psc
    N b. 271°psc
    Y c. 278°psc
    N d. 288°psc
3753: 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 343°T, and the variation is 5° west. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 344° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation? 

    N a. 1°E
    N b. 1°W
    Y c. 4°E
    N d. 4°W
10309: You are 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to LAT 41°00.0'N, LONG 71°30.0'W? 

    N a. 108°psc
    Y b. 122°psc
    N c. 124°psc
    N d. 130°psc
12601: You are on course 062° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Branford Reef Light 060°psc Stratford Point Light 272°psc New Haven Light 324°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°07.1'N, LONG 72°53.4'W
    Y b. LAT 41°10.5'N, LONG 72°52.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°11.6'N, LONG 72°50.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°13.3'N, LONG 72°48.7'W
12602: You are on course 087° per standard magnetic compass (psc) when you take the following bearings: Falkner Island Light - 022.0°psc Horton Point Light - 111.5°psc Mt. Sinai Breakwater Light - 254.0°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°13.6'N, LONG 72°46.6'W
    N b. LAT 41°10.5'N, LONG 72°40.5'W
    N c. LAT 41°07.0'N, LONG 72°44.5'W
    Y d. LAT 41°06.8'N, LONG 72°40.7'W
14200: What is the length of the city wharf at The Dalles on the Columbia River? 

    N a. 20 feet
    Y b. over 1000 feet
    N c. 800 feet
    N d. 600 feet
14203: What is the vertical clearance of the fixed bridge across the entrance to Rock Creek at Stevenson, Washington? 

    Y a. 18 feet
    N b. 36 feet
    N c. 54 feet
    N d. 70 feet
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
15346: At 1942 Point Judith bears 030°T and has a range of 3.6 miles and Sandy Point has a range of 5.3 miles. What was your speed made good from your 1850 position? 

    N a. 12.5 knots
    Y b. 13.0 knots
    N c. 13.5 knots
    N d. 14.0 knots
15465: What is indicated by the dashed magenta line crossing York Spit Channel between buoys "20" and "22"? 

    N a. You are crossing the demarcation line between the COLREGS and the Inland Rules.
    Y b. The line marks the limits of a regulated area.
    N c. The line indicates a submarine cable, and you should not anchor in the area.
    N d. It marks the range between Hampton Roads and Cherrystone Channel.
15646: At 2229 the gyro fails. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make good 206°T, if you allow 3° leeway for southeasterly winds? 

    N a. 187°
    N b. 191°
    Y c. 217°
    N d. 220°
15864: At 0200, you take the following bearingss:

Mattituck Inlet Light bearing 125°pgc
Falkner Island Light bearing 355°pgc

What is the position of your 0200 fix? 

    Y a. LAT 41°03.9'N, LONG 72°38.9'W
    N b. LAT 41°03.8'N, LONG 72°39.1'W
    N c. LAT 41°03.7'N, LONG 72°38.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°03.5'N, LONG 72°38.8'W
16044: At 1038 Branford Reef Light bears 019°pgc, Falkner Island Light bears 075°pgc, and the radar range to Branford Reef Light is 3.0 miles. Which statement is TRUE of your 1038 position? 

    N a. You are required by regulation to change course to avoid steaming through the dumping ground.
    N b. You are making more speed over the ground, since your 1022 fix, than indicated by your engine RPM.
    N c. You are abeam of Townshend Ledge
    Y d. Your fathometer reads about 25 feet.
16307: Which statement regarding the wreck 0.2 mile south of buoys "1" and "2" at the entrance to New London Harbor is TRUE? 

    N a. The wreck presents a danger to all vessels with drafts in excess of 30 feet (9.1 meters).
    N b. The wreck is visible above the sounding datum between the months of March and June.
    Y c. The wreck is shown on the chart, but its actual existence is doubtful.
    N d. The wreck was cleared by wire drag in 1982 and will not appear on future charts.
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
16339: Based on your 2209 fix, which would be a warning that you are being set down on Block Island Sound South Entrance Obstruction Lighted "BIS" Buoy? 

    Y a. Decreasing loran readings on 9960-W
    N b. Visual bearings of Montauk Point Lt. changing to the left
    N c. Increasing bearings of Southeast Point Light
    N d. Decreasing soundings