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.

82: If the Rosedale Gage reads -0.5 feet, what is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane? The low water reference plane (LWRP) for Rosedale, MS. is 3.0 feet.
82: If the Rosedale Gage reads -0.5 feet, what is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane? The low water reference plane (LWRP) for Rosedale, MS. is 3.0 feet.
184: At 1930, your position is LAT 37°16.7'N, LONG 75°37.7'W. The depth of water is approximately __________.
326: Your 0200 position is LAT 37°23.5'N, LONG 76°09.2'W. Your speed is 8 knots, and your course is 095°T. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. The depth of the water in your vicinity is about 38 to 40 fathoms (69.1 meters to 72.7 meters).
    N b. The closest major aid to navigation is  New Point Comfort.
    Y c. You are less than a mile from a sunken wreck which could interfere with your tow.
    N d. You will pass through a disposal area on your present course.
358: From your 0410 fix, what is the course per standard magnetic compass to the entrance to York Spit Channel between buoys "37" and "38"? 

    N a. 152°
    N b. 156°
    Y c. 176°
    N d. 178°
380: A vessel at LAT 21°18.5'N, LONG 157°52.2'W, heads for a destination at LAT 8°53.0'N, LONG 79°31.0'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 081°T, 4617.5 miles
    N b. 081°T, 4915.8 miles
    Y c. 099°T, 4617.5 miles
    N d. 099°T, 4915.8 miles
381: At 1540, your position is LAT 37°18.4'N, LONG 76°10.5'W. Which course should you steer per gyrocompass to head for the entrance to Cape Charles City? 

    Y a. 129°pgc
    N b. 123°pgc
    N c. 117°pgc
    N d. 109°pgc
508: Branford Reef is __________. 

    N a. a hard sand shoal marked with a light
    Y b. completely submerged at all stages of the tide
    N c. surrounded by rocks awash at low water spring tides
    N d. a small, low, sandy islet surrounded by shoal water
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
656: You are planning a voyage by great circle to Reykjavik, Iceland, via Cape Race, Newfoundland, LAT 46°30'N, LONG 53°00'W. Which statement is TRUE? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5274) 

    N a. The track line will be concave to Cape Farewell (Kap Farvel) when plotted on a Mercator chart.
    Y b. You will reach the northernmost latitude in the vicinity of Reykjavik.
    N c. The distance is measured using the length of a degree of latitude at the mid-latitude and mid-longitude position.
    N d. The Northern Hemisphere vertex is in the vicinity of 49°W  longitude.
818: On 30 December , in DR position LAT 28°24.0'S, LONG 32°15.0'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Sun's lower limb. The chronometer time of the sight is 02h 09m 16s, and the chronometer error is 00m 00s. The sextant altitude (hs) is 84°03.3'. The index error is 3.5' off the arc, and your height of eye is 62.0 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit? 

    N a. LAT 28°50.6'S
    Y b. LAT 28°51.9'S
    N c. LAT 28°54.2'S
    N d. LAT 28°56.6'S
988: On 29 June , your 0800 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 26°16.0'S, LONG 61°04.0'E. Your vessel is steaming a course of 079°T at a speed of 15.5 knots. An observation of the Sun's upper limb is made at 0905 zone time, and the observed altitude (Ho) is 25°20.1. The chronometer reads 05h 08m 12s, and the chronometer error is 02m 27s fast. Local apparent noon occurs at 1154 zone time, and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 40°44.2'. Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position. 

    Y a. LAT 26°02.0'S, LONG 62°05.0'E
    N b. LAT 26°02.0'S, LONG 62°23.2'E
    N c. LAT 26°05.1'S, LONG 62°06.3'E
    N d. LAT 25°56.0'S, LONG 62°03.0'E
1086: On 15 July , your vessel is enroute from Portland, OR, to Singapore, Malaysia. You are steering course 243°T and making a speed of 16 knots. Your 1845 zone time DR is LAT 27°42.0'N, LONG 167°02.0'E. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1945 running fix. NP-0016

    Y a. LAT 27°31.1'N, LONG 166°43.0'E
    N b. LAT 27°38.5'N, LONG 166°45.1'E
    N c. LAT 27°45.3'N, LONG 166°32.2'E
    N d. LAT 28°18.1'N, LONG 166°39.8'E
1095: On 25 Oct. , your 0430 ZT DR position is LAT 24°48'N, LONG 65°31'W. Your vessel is on course 030°T at a speed of 18 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0455 running fix. NP-0025

    Y a. LAT 24°53'N, LONG 65°28'W
    N b. LAT 24°53'N, LONG 65°12'W
    N c. LAT 24°54'N, LONG 65°17'W
    N d. LAT 25°03'N, LONG 65°18'W
1144: What is the brown colored tint shown at Bordeaux Point Dykes (mile 681.0 AHP)? 

    N a. river gage
    N b. fish hatchery
    Y c. dredge material
    N d. levee
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
1254: On 19 July , your 1500 ZT DR position is LAT 28°25.0'N, LONG 120°28.0'W. You are on course 233°T at a speed of 10 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel? 

    N a. 1842
    N b. 1853
    Y c. 1901
    N d. 1909
1863: On 14 January , your 1922 ZT DR position is LAT 27°18.5'S, LONG 67°18.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 029°T, at an observed altitude (Ho) of 29°35.0'. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 43s and is 03m 15s fast. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Elnath
    N b. Fomalhaut
    N c. Pollux
    N d. Markab
1870: On 12 June , your 1845 DR position is LAT 21°47'N, LONG 46°52'W when you observe a faint unidentifiable star through a break in the clouds. The star bears 313°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 14°56.3'. The index error is 0.5' on the arc, and the height of eye is 45 feet. The chronometer reads 09h 43m 27s, and the chronometer error is 1m 46s slow. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Menkalinan
    N b. Mirzam
    N c. Theta Aurigae
    N d. Alnitak
2119: At 1622 ZT, on 15 June , in DR position LAT 10° 15.2' N, LONG 135° 10' W, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The center of the Moon is on the visible horizon, bearing 101.2°psc. The variation is 5° E. What is the deviation? 

    Y a. 1.5°E
    N b. 1.5°W
    N c. 0.5°E
    N d. 0.5°W
2120: At 1502 ZT, on 4 August , in DR position LAT 11° 21.6' S, LONG 088° 14.3' E, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The upper limb of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 289° psc. The variation is 15° W. What is the deviation? 

    N a. 1.1°E
    Y b. 1.1°W
    N c. 1.9°E
    N d. 1.9°W
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
2202: After entering Milliken Bend (mile 455 AHP) you wish to locate the river service in Madison Parish, Louisiana. The river service is indicated by the square containing which number? 

    N a. 5
    Y b. 4
    N c. 3
    N d. 2
2292: In addition to those found in the Coast Pilot, information concerning anchorage regulations for this area may be obtained from __________. 

    N a. Chesapeake Bay Port Authority, Hampton VA
    N b. Virginia - Maryland Pilots Association
    N c. Commanding General, Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C.
    Y d. Office of the Commander 5th Coast Guard District
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.
2589: From the 2130 position, you steer 236°T at 10 knots. A strong northerly wind is causing 4° of leeway. What course must you steer per standard compass, to make good 236°T? 

    N a. 232° psc
    N b. 240° psc
    N c. 244° psc
    Y d. 252° psc
2658: You are steering 202°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 14.6 miles at 2234. You change course to pass the light 5 miles off abeam to starboard. If you are making 21 knots, what is your ETA at the position 5 miles off the light? 

    N a. 2310
    Y b. 2313
    N c. 2316
    N d. 2319
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
3284: While steaming at 18.9 knots, your vessel consumes 386 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 251 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for? 

    N a. 11.6 knots
    N b. 12.3 knots
    N c. 15.2 knots
    Y d. 16.4 knots
3620: Your vessel is steering course 197°psc, variation for the area is 7°E, and deviation is 4°W. The wind is from the west, producing a 2° leeway. Which true course are you making good? 

    N a. 192°T
    N b. 196°T
    Y c. 198°T
    N d. 202°T
3757: 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 311°T, and the variation is 8°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 305° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation? 

    N a. 2°E
    Y b. 2°W
    N c. 6°E
    N d. 6°W
3757: 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 311°T, and the variation is 8°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 305° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation? 

    N a. 2°E
    Y b. 2°W
    N c. 6°E
    N d. 6°W
3773: Which numbered box indicates the ExxonMobil Refining & Supply Co. in Baton Rouge? 

    Y a. 1
    N b. 2
    N c. 3
    N d. 4
10203: Your present position is LAT 41°05.5'N, LONG 72°38.0'W. Assuming there is no set and drift, what course must you steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to arrive at a position 3 miles due north of Horton Point Light? 

    N a. 077°psc
    N b. 081°psc
    Y c. 085°psc
    N d. 088°psc
12309: You sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light (LAT 41°18.2'N, LONG 71°56.0'W) bearing 089° per standard magnetic compass. If your vessel was heading 297° per standard magnetic compass at the time, which of the following is TRUE? 

    N a. The deviation table is correct for that heading.
    N b. The deviation equals the variation.
    Y c. You should swing your vessel to check the deviation table.
    N d. The compass error is 13°W for all bearings of 089°psc.
14602: Where would you tune your radio to receive a VHF-FM weather broadcast for the Columbia River in the vicinity of Government Island? 

    N a. KIH-32 - 162.40 MHz
    N b. KBA-99 - 162.40 MHz
    Y c. KEB-97 - 162.55 MHz
    N d. KEC-62 - 162.55 MHz
14702: At 2200 your vessel is at mile 95 proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. At 0400 the following morning, you pass the 125 mile mark. How many nautical miles have you traveled since 2200? 

    N a. 22.6
    N b. 24.3
    Y c. 26.1
    N d. 34.5
15160: At 1815, your position is LAT 37°01.0'N, LONG 75°42.7'W. If there is no current, what is the course per standard magnetic compass to arrive at a point 0.3 mile due north of North Chesapeake Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy "NCA"? 

    N a. 249.0°psc
    N b. 251.5°psc
    N c. 255.0°psc
    Y d. 257.0°psc
15168: Which chart provides more detail of Cape Charles harbor and its approaches? 

    N a. 12238
    N b. 12225
    Y c. 12224
    N d. 12222
15340: At 1718, Bartlett Reef Light bears 050°T at a distance of 1.5 miles. From this position, you change course to 128°
T. At 1750 Race Rock Light bears 336°T, Little Gull Island Light bears 285°T, and Montauk Point Light bears 134°T. What were the set and drift of the current you encountered since 1718? 

    N a. 245°T at 0.9 knots
    N b. 245°T at 1.7 knots
    Y c. 065°T at 1.7 knots
    N d. 065°T at 0.9 knots
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
15418: At 2205, you are in Thimble Shoal North Auxiliary Channel abeam of lighted gong buoy "4". At this time the visibility decreases to 5 miles. You continue to turn RPMs for 6 knots and experience no set and drift. What time would you expect Old Point Comfort Light (white sector) to become visible? 

    N a. 2230
    Y b. 2240
    N c. 2246
    N d. 2258
15506: You are underway in the vicinity of Block Island and obtain the following lines of position:

Montauk Point Light 263°pgc
Block Island Southeast Light 026°pgc
Radar Bearing to Block Island Southwest Point 348°pgc

What is your position at the time of these sightings? 

    N a. LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 71°36.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°05.1'N, LONG 71°36.0'W
    Y c. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 71°35.8'W
    N d. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 71°35.5'W
15510: From your 1800 position you steer a course of 350°psc at a speed of 10.0 knots. At 1830, your position is LAT 41°11.7'N, LONG 71°45.8'W. What are the set and drift of the current? 

    N a. 029°T, 0.7 knot
    Y b. 029°T, 1.4 knots
    N c. 209°T, 0.7 knot
    N d. 209°T, 1.4 knots
15719: On chart 12354, the datum from which heights of objects are taken is __________. 

    Y a. mean high water
    N b. mean low water
    N c. lowest low water
    N d. mean lower low water
15762: What is the course per standard magnetic compass between points "A" and "B"? 

    N a. 090.5°
    N b. 093.0°
    N c. 095.5°
    Y d. 098.5°
15963: At 1845, you obtain the following Radar Ranges:

Old Plantation Flats Light @ 7.45nm
New Point Comfort Light @ 7.35nm

Your latitude is __________. 

    N a. 37°11.4'N
    Y b. 37°11.2'N
    N c. 37°10.9'N
    N d. 37°10.7'N
16460: At 0250, Great Machipongo Inlet Light "5" (37°21.8'N,
75°43.7'W) bears 279°pgc. At 0320, the light bears 320°
pgc. If you are making good 6.5 knots, what is the position of your 0320 running fix? 

    N a. LAT 37°17.95'N, LONG 75°39.95'W
    N b. LAT 37°18.00'N, LONG 75°39.75'W
    N c. LAT 37°18.10'N, LONG 75°39.30'W
    Y d. LAT 37°18.10'N, LONG 75°39.55'W