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.

64: What is the length of the trip?
161: At 1923, on September 21, you pass Bixby Towhead Light (mile 873.7 AHP). What was your average speed since leaving Cairo?
236: From your 0830 position, you wish to make good 097°T. There is no current, but a southerly wind is producing 3° leeway. What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass in order to make good your true course?
245: On chart 12354, the datum from which heights of objects are taken is __________. 

    N a. lowest low water
    N b. mean low water
    Y c. mean high water
    N d. mean lower low water
279: At 1752, your position is LAT 37°04.3'N, LONG 76°06.4'W. On a flood current you should expect to be set to the __________. 

    N a. south southeast
    N b. south southwest
    N c. east southeast
    Y d. north northwest
303: A vessel steams 576 miles on course 260°T from LAT 40°36'N, LONG 50°24'W. What are the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by mid-latitude sailing? 

    N a. LAT 39°12'N, LONG 62°28'W
    N b. LAT 39°06'N, LONG 62°34'W
    N c. LAT 39°02'N, LONG 62°37'W
    Y d. LAT 38°56'N, LONG 62°42'W
414: A vessel at LAT 49°45'N, LONG 6°35'W, heads for a destination at LAT 25°50'N, LONG 77°00'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing. 

    Y a. 246.5°T, 3597 miles
    N b. 253.0°T, 3648 miles
    N c. 268.6°T, 3483 miles
    N d. 066.4°T, 3602 miles
559: At 0615, Stratford Point Light bears 292°pgc, Falkner Island Light bears 052°pgc, and Branford Reef Light bears 018°pgc. What was the current since 0530? 

    N a. 083° at 0.9 knots
    Y b. 083° at 1.2 knots
    N c. 263° at 1.2 knots
    N d. 263° at 0.9 knots
597: Which daymark will you see as you approach Natchez Beam Lt. (mile 364.8 AHP)? 

    N a. Red diamond
    N b. White square
    N c. Green square
    Y d. Red triangle
658: You are planning a voyage by great circle from LAT 59°00'N, LONG 07°00'W via LAT 38°00'N, LONG 61°30'W. Which of the following statements is TRUE? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5274) 

    N a. You are to the east of the Northern Hemisphere vertex.
    N b. When plotted on a Mercator chart the track line will be concave to Cape Farwell (Kap Farvel).
    Y c. All courses are in the southwest quadrant of the compass.
    N d. Distance is measured by using the length of a degree of latitude at the midpoint of the track line.
833: On 17 November , in DR position LAT 01°14.4'S, LONG 148°45.5'E, you take an ex-meridian observation of the planet Venus at upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 05h 31m 42s, and the chronometer error is 01m 50s fast. The sextant altitude (hs) is 64°41.1'. The index error is 1.8' off the arc, and your height of eye is 50 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit? 

    N a. LAT 01°14.4'S
    N b. LAT 01°16.3'S
    Y c. LAT 01°18.0'S
    N d. LAT 01°20.2'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
1149: As you approach Dean Island Light (mile 754.8 AHP), which type of daymark will be observed at the light? 

    N a. Green triangle
    Y b. Green diamond
    N c. Green square
    N d. Red-and-green banded square
1191: On 14 October , your 0800 ZT DR 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. 1142
    N b. 1148
    N c. 1152
    Y d. 1156
1206: Your 0900 DR position is LAT 23°16'N, LONG 146°12'E. Your vessel is on a course of 286°T, at a speed of 14.5 knots. Determine the zone time of LAN on 14 March . 

    N a. 1151
    N b. 1209
    N c. 1223
    Y d. 1228
1220: Anchorage regulations for this area may be obtained from __________. 

    N a. Chesapeake Bay Port Authority, Hampton VA
    N b. Virginia - Maryland Pilots Association
    Y c. Office of the Commander 5th Coast Guard District
    N d. Commanding General, Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C.
1257: On 5 May , your 1300 ZT DR position is LAT 25°16.0'S, LONG 12°30.0'W. You are on course 012°T at a speed of 14 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel? 

    N a. 1702
    Y b. 1719
    N c. 1730
    N d. 1741
1286: As you pass under the Vicksburg Bridges, you estimate the current as 3.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground, if your vessel is making turns for 10.5 mph? 

    N a. 16.5 mph
    Y b. 13.5 mph
    N c. 10.5 mph
    N d. 7.5 mph
1366: On which river is New Providence, TN located? 

    N a. Allegheny
    N b. Upper Mississippi
    N c. Ohio
    Y d. Cumberland
1503: On 30 July , your 0200 zone time (ZD +4) DR position is LAT 43°48'N, LONG 78°00 W. At that time, you observe Polaris bearing 008.7°psc. The chronometer time of the observation is 05h 58m 07s, and the chronometer is 0m 23s slow. The variation is 10.5°W. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass? 

    N a. 0.5°E
    Y b. 3.0°E
    N c. 7.5°W
    N d. 18.0°W
1748: As you approach Walnut Point Light (mile 522.5 AHP),
which type of daymark would you see on the light structure? 

    N a. Red triangle
    N b. Green diamond
    N c. Green square
    Y d. Red diamond
1951: As you approach Ashland Light (mile 378.1 AHP) which daymark would you see? 

    Y a. Red triangle
    N b. Red diamond
    N c. Green square
    N d. Green diamond
2003: On 20 June , your 1742 zone time DR position is LAT 24°55.0'S, LONG 8°19.6'E. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which three stars are best suited for a fix at star time? 

    Y a. Regulus, Canopus, Antares
    N b. Spica, Arcturus, Alioth
    N c. Arcturus, Achernar, Pollux
    N d. Avior, Sabik, Fomalhaut
2024: On 3 December , evening twilight for your vessel will occur at 1901 zone time. Your vessel's DR position for this time will be LAT 24°18.5'S, LONG 110°30.6'W. Considering their magnitude and location, what are the three stars best suited to observe for a fix at star time? 

    N a. Canopus, Hamal, Deneb
    Y b. Alpheratz, Achernar, Nunki
    N c. Antares, Fomalhaut, Mirfak
    N d. Rigel, Canopus, Regulus
2031: After passing Wilkinson Lt. (mile 310.0 AHP) you see a flashing amber light on the right descending bank ahead. The flashing light indicates that you should __________. 

    N a. stay in the deepest water
    N b. slow down due to dredging operations
    N c. keep as close to the right descending bank as safety permits
    Y d. keep as close to the left descending bank as safety permits
2581: At 1732, Bartlett Reef Lt bears 016°psc. Race Rock Lt bears 125.5°psc with a radar range of 4.4 miles. What is the set and drift? 

    N a. 116°,  0.4 knot
    N b. 116°,  1.0 knot
    N c. 296°,  0.4 knot
    Y d. 296°,  1.0 knot
2590: You have maneuvered for traffic and at 2215 you obtain the following radar information:

Middle Ground Light bearing 287° pgc @ 6.65 nm


What course must you steer to arrive at buoy "PJ", passing 0.5 nm off "Mt Misery Shoal"? 

    N a. 237° psc
    N b. 257° psc
    Y c. 261° psc
    N d. 265° psc
2687: While on a course of 321°T, a light bears 7° on the starboard bow at a distance of 9.7 miles. What course should you steer to pass 3.5 miles abeam of the light leaving it to starboard? 

    N a. 297°T
    N b. 300°T
    N c. 303°T
    Y d. 307°T
2881: Your vessel is steering 049°T at 15 knots. At 1914 a light bears 078°T, and at 1951 the same light bears 116°T. What will be your distance off abeam? 

    Y a. 6.7 miles
    N b. 7.1 miles
    N c. 7.5 miles
    N d. 8.3 miles
3084: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 18.6 knots, and the pitch of the propeller is 26.2 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 4% negative slip? 

    Y a. 69
    N b. 72
    N c. 75
    N d. 78
3110: You are turning 78 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 21 feet, and an estimated slip of -7%. What is the speed of advance? 

    N a. 14.9 knots
    N b. 15.7 knots
    Y c. 17.3 knots
    N d. 17.8 knots
3297: Your vessel consumes 236 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 16.5 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 13.0 knots? 

    N a. 102 bbls
    Y b. 115 bbls
    N c. 147 bbls
    N d. 186 bbls
3623: Your vessel is steering course 166°psc, variation for the area is 8°W, and deviation is 3°W. The wind is from the west-southwest, producing a 2° leeway. What true course are you making good? 

    Y a. 153°T
    N b. 157°T
    N c. 175°T
    N d. 179°T
4007: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°E. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a gyro heading of 166°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 350° 122.5° - 110° 239.5° - 230°
030.5° - 020° 152.0° - 140° 269.0° - 260°
061.5° - 050° 181.0° - 170° 298.0° - 290°
092.0° - 080° 210.0° - 200° 327.5° - 320° 

    Y a. 1.0°W
    N b. 1.0°E
    N c. 0.5°W
    N d. 0.5°E
11106: What is the height of the tide at Great Salt Pond, on Block Island, at the morning high water (daylight savings time) on 1 July 1983? 

    N a. 1.3 feet
    Y b. 2.3 feet
    N c. 3.2 feet
    N d. There is no morning high water
11304: At 1422 your GPS position is LAT 37°07.5'N, LONG 75°39.1'W. At 1549 your position is LAT 36°57.0'N, LONG 75°41.0'W. What was the course made good between the fixes? 

    N a. 185°T
    Y b. 188°T
    N c. 194°T
    N d. 198°T
12302: You are on course 203° per standard magnetic compass when you sight Block Island North Light in line with the Block Island Aero Beacon bearing 194° per standard magnetic compass. Based on this you __________. 

    N a. know the correct deviation is 3°W
    Y b. should swing your vessel to check the deviation table
    N c. should apply 15°W compass error to all compass readings
    N d. know you are steering a true course of 185°
15024: Which of the following statements regarding buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE? 

    N a. The positions of river buoys can be found in the latest edition of Light List-Vol. V.
    Y b. Buoy positions on the chart are approximate.
    N c. The buoys are maintained on station year round.
    N d. The buoys do not shift positions due to permanent moorings.
15043: At 0811 your vessel's position is 37°04.9'N, 75°39.7'W. You are steering a course of 220° true at a speed of 14.0 knots. At what time would you expect the buoys in the northeasterly traffic scheme to line up, if you do not correct for a southwesterly current of 1.8 knots? 

    N a. 0826
    N b. 0831
    Y c. 0837
    N d. 0846
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
15216: Which of the following concerning Thimble Shoal Channel is TRUE? 

    N a. Only deep-draft passenger ships and large naval vessels may use the main channel.
    N b. The channel is 14.5 miles in length.
    Y c. A tow drawing 20 feet is excluded from the main channel.
    N d. Thimble Shoal Channel is in international waters.
15262: At 0910, your DR position is LAT 41°11.9'N, LONG 72°47.8'W. Your vessel is on course 097°T at 9.5 knots, and the weather is foggy. At 0915, Branford Reef Light is sighted through a break in the fog bearing 318°T. At 0945,
Falkner Island Light is sighted bearing 042°T. What is your 0945 running fix position? 

    N a. LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 72°41.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 72°41.0'W
    Y c. LAT 41°11.5'N, LONG 72°40.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°11.6'N, LONG 72°41.0'W
15264: At 1100, your position is LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 72°28.0'W. You are steering a course of 069°T to leave Black Point one mile off your port beam. It has been reported that the Long Sand Shoal Buoys and Hatchett Reef Buoys are off station. What will serve to keep your vessel in safe water and away from these hazards? 

    N a. Maintaining a 7 nm range off Orient Point
    Y b. Danger bearing to Black Point of not more than 064°T
    N c. A bearing to Little Gull Island Light of not less than 090°
    N d. A distance to Saybrook Breakwater Light of not less than 1.3 miles
15416: At 2200, you are in position LAT 36°57.5'N, LONG 76°02.5'W. You intend to travel up the Thimble Shoals auxiliary Channel to Hampton Roads. According to the Coast Pilot,
what is the depth of the auxiliary channel on either side of the main channel? 

    N a. 28 feet (8.5 meters)
    Y b. 32 feet (9.8 meters)
    N c. 36 feet (11.0 meters)
    N d. 45 feet (13.7 meters)
15512: At 1850, you obtain the following bearings and distances:

Montauk Point 189°pgc 8.7 miles
Watch Hill Light 340°pgc 5.7 miles

What true course did you make good between 1830 and 1850? 

    N a. 289°T
    Y b. 294°T
    N c. 299°T
    N d. 307°T
15519: As an option to heading into Long Island Sound, you consider anchoring in the vicinity of the Gardiners Point Ruins approximately one mile off the north end of Gardiners Island. What is the minimum recommended distance from the ruins for fishing,
trawling, or anchoring? 

    Y a. 300 yards (91 meters)
    N b. 1.0 mile
    N c. 0.5 mile
    N d. No distance is prescribed since any such activities in the area are prohibited.
15538: At 2127 you take the following round of bearings:

Old Field Point Light 224.0°pgc
Middle Ground Light 320.5°pgc
Stratford Point Light 348.0°pgc

Based on the above fix, which statement is TRUE? 

    Y a. At 2127, your fathometer reads about 17 fathoms.
    N b. You are south of Mt. Misery Shoal.
    N c. You will experience a 1 knot westward setting ebb current
    N d. You have lost sight of the red light at Old Field Point.
15544: At 2310 your position is LAT 41°05.5'N, LONG 72°33.7'W and you change course to make good 068°T. A radar speed check using Twenty Eight Foot Shoal Buoy indicates your speed over the ground is 13.6 knots. At 2325 Horton Point Light bears 129°T. At 2341 the same light bears 194°T. What is the position of your 2341 running fix? 

    N a. LAT 41°07.9'N, LONG 72°25.9'W
    N b. LAT 41°08.3'N, LONG 72°25.8'W
    Y c. LAT 41°08.5'N, LONG 72°25.6'W
    N d. LAT 41°08.8'N, LONG 72°25.2'W
15759: You calculate that the current will be flooding at the Race at 0700. You should expect to be set in which general direction at the Race? 

    Y a. West
    N b. East
    N c. Northeast
    N d. Southwest
15827: As you approach Giles Bend Cutoff Light (mile 367.7 AHP), what type of daymark would you see on the light structure? 

    N a. Green diamond
    N b. Green triangle
    Y c. Red triangle
    N d. Red diamond
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
15917: At what approximate distance would you expect Bartlett Reef Light to break the horizon, if the visibility is 27 nautical miles? 

    N a. 5.9 nm
    N b. 6.9 nm
    N c. 12.0 nm
    Y d. 12.8 nm
16358: What is the distance from the anchorage to point "A"? 

    N a. 13.9 miles
    Y b. 15.1 miles
    N c. 15.9 miles
    N d. 17.0 miles
16511: At 0728, you change course to 080°T. When steady on course, the standard magnetic compass reads 097°. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. The gyro course is 083°pgc.
    N b. The magnetic heading is 090°.
    N c. The deviation is 1.0°E.
    Y d. The magnetic compass error is 17°W.