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.


180: On 4 July you observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 25°29.8'. The index error is 3.1' off the arc. The height of eye is 48 feet (14.6 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?


331: You leave York Spit Channel at buoy "14" at 0600 with an engine speed of 12 knots. You receive orders to rendezvous with the tug "Quicksilver" and her tow at Hog Island Bell Buoy "12". What is your ETA at the rendezvous point, if you pass through Chesapeake Channel to buoy "CBJ", through the outbound traffic separation lane to buoy "NCA" (LL#375), and then to the rendezvous point?


377: You depart LAT 22°35.0'N, LONG 157°30.0'W, and steam 4505.0 miles on course 135°T. What are the latitude and longitude of your arrival by Mercator sailing?


407: You depart LAT 34°22'S, LONG 18°23'E, and steam 3174 miles on course 282°T. What is the longitude of your arrival by Mercator sailing?

    Y a. LONG 40°33.5'W
    N b. LONG 40°19.5'W
    N c. LONG 40°18.2'W
    N d. LONG 40°17.3'W

435: Which course should you change to per standard magnetic compass as you pass SW Ledge Light to remain in the channel?

    N a. 026°psc
    Y b. 022°psc
    N c. 014°psc
    N d. 007°psc

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

497: At 0845, Montauk Pt. Light is bearing 205°T at a radar distance of 6.6 miles. What is your speed made good from your 0815 position?

    N a. 10.5 knots
    N b. 10.0 knots
    N c. 9.2 knots
    Y d. 8.4 knots

997: On 20 November , your 0612 zone time (ZT) position was LAT 25°38.0'N, LONG 166°54.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 126°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0854 ZT. The chronometer read 07h 51m 14s and was slow 02m 52s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 27°58.3'. LAN occurred at 1147 ZT. The observed altitude (Ho) was 45°35.0'. What was the longitude of your 1147 ZT running fix?

    N a. 165°20.2'W
    N b. 165°18.4'W
    N c. 165°15.8'W
    Y d. 165°12.5'W

1131: At 1923, you increase speed to make good 9.2 mph. What is the first Gage you will pass after your speed change?

    N a. Cottonwood Point
    Y b. Caruthersville
    N c. Fulton
    N d. New Madrid

1179: On 26 September , your 0830 zone time DR position is LAT 26°04.0'N, LONG 129°16.0'W. Your vessel is on course 119°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    Y a. 1124
    N b. 1127
    N c. 1130
    N d. 1133

1225: You estimate the current at 2.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground?

    N a. 9.5 mph
    Y b. 5.5 mph
    N c. 5.0 mph
    N d. 4.5 mph

1225: You estimate the current at 2.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground?

    N a. 9.5 mph
    Y b. 5.5 mph
    N c. 5.0 mph
    N d. 4.5 mph

1225: You estimate the current at 2.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground?

    N a. 9.5 mph
    Y b. 5.5 mph
    N c. 5.0 mph
    N d. 4.5 mph

1252: On 13 August , your 0345 ZT DR position is LAT 21°35.0'
N, LONG 135°26.0'W. You are on course 052°T at a speed of 14 knots. What will be the zone time of sunrise at your vessel?

    N a. 0443
    N b. 0449
    Y c. 0536
    N d. 0540

1284: On 10 November , your 1630 zone time DR position is LAT 25°10.0'N, LONG 71°12.0'W. You are on course 335°T at a speed of 24 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel?

    N a. 1650
    Y b. 1700
    N c. 1715
    N d. 1730

1365: You estimate the current as 2.5 mph. What is the speed over the ground?

    N a. 11.0 mph
    N b. 8.0 mph
    Y c. 6.0 mph
    N d. 5.5 mph

1415: The highest point on your towboat is 52 feet above the water, and the Helena Gage reads +9.6 feet. What will be the vertical clearance when you pass under the A-span of the Helena Highway Bridge?

    N a. 49.8 feet
    N b. 53.9 feet
    Y c. 57.8 feet
    N d. 73.1 feet

1741: You have received orders to proceed to the Amoco Pipeline Co. (mile 253.6 AHP) above Baton Rouge. If your vessel is making turns for 9 mph with an estimated average current of 1.5 mph, what is your ETA at the Amoco docks?

    N a. 2044, 25 Aug
    N b. 0214, 26 Aug
    N c. 0745, 26 Aug
    Y d. 0845, 26 Aug

1916: On 14 January , your 1922 DR position is LAT 27°18.5'S, LONG 67°18.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 250°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 31°01.2'. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 43s, and is 03m 15s fast. Which star did you observe?

    N a. Elnath
    Y b. Fomalhaut
    N c. Pollux
    N d. Markab

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

2370: 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

2531: When you pass under the Jefferson Barracks Highway Bridge (mile 168.6 UMR) what will be your vertical clearance if the highest point on your towboat is 55 feet and the St Louis Gage reads 21 feet?

    Y a. 11.8 feet
    N b. 14.6 feet
    N c. 19.7 feet
    N d. 25.8 feet

3066: The observed noon to noon run for a 24 hour period is 489 miles. The average RPM for the day was 95. The pitch of the wheel is 22.5 feet. What is the slip of the wheel?

    N a. +3.2%
    Y b. +3.4%
    N c. +3.7%
    N d. +3.9%

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

3306: You have steamed 264 miles and consumed 22.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 521 miles?

    N a. 31.7 tons
    N b. 38.6 tons
    Y c. 43.4 tons
    N d. 85.7 tons

3761: 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 283°
T, and the variation is 13°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 278° per standard compass, what is the deviation?

    N a. 5°E
    N b. 5°W
    N c. 8°E
    Y d. 8°W

4000: 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 magnetic compass heading of 057°.
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°

    N a. 1.0°E
    N b. 1.5°E
    Y c. 1.5°W
    N d. 0.5°W

10605: At 0620 your GPS position is LAT 41°01.8'N, LONG 72°48.40'W. You are steering course 274° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 10 knots. At 0735 you fix your position by plotting several compass bearings on nearby known fixed objects. These result in a position of LAT 40°59.50'N, LONG 73°06.50'W. What were your set and drift?

    N a. 304°T at 0.8 knot
    Y b. 276°T at 1.2 knots
    N c. 099°T at 0.5 knot
    N d. 094°T at 1.3 knots

10905: You wish to anchor and fish in the regulated navigation area in the vicinity of LAT 37°02'N, LONG 76°01'W. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. Anchoring is prohibited in this area due to the danger of unexploded mines on the bottom.
    N b. You may anchor in this area only in the event of an emergency such as loss of main propulsion.
    Y c. You may anchor in this area if your vessel is less than 65 feet in length or if you have the Captain of the Port's permission.
    N d. Any vessel can anchor without restriction as the regulations only apply to vessels underway.

11109: What is the velocity of the maximum ebb current approximately 1.1 miles ENE of Little Gull Island in the afternoon of 25 April 1983?

    Y a. 5.5 knots
    N b. 4.7 knots
    N c. 4.2 knots
    N d. 1.3 knots

11804: Your engines are making turns for 8 knots and a northerly wind is causing 3° of leeway. There is a current of 220°T at 1.5 knots. What is the course to steer between Branford Reef Light and Faulkner Island Light?

    Y a. 084°T
    N b. 095°T
    N c. 102°T
    N d. 108°T

12300: You are on course 244° per standard magnetic compass when you sight Block Island Southeast Point Light in line with Block Island Aero Beacon bearing 326° per standard magnetic compass. Based on this you __________.

    N a. should swing your vessel to check the deviation table
    N b. know the compass error is 12°W
    N c. should suspect that there is a local magnetic disturbance
    Y d. should apply 3°W deviation to any bearing (psc) while on a heading of 244°psc

12605: You are on course 209° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: New Haven Light - 331.5°psc Branford Reef Light - 066.5°psc Old Field Point Light - 240.5°psc What is your position?

    Y a. LAT 41°10.5'N, LONG 72°52.8'W
    N b. LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 72°49.9'W
    N c. LAT 41°13.6'N, LONG 72°53.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.5'N, LONG 72°48.8'W

12704: You are on course 137° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Watch Hill Point Light - 051°psc Montauk Point Light - 184°psc Race Rock Light - 279°psc What is your position?

    Y a. LAT 41°15.2'N, LONG 71°54.4'W
    N b. LAT 41°15.1'N, LONG 71°53.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°15.1'N, LONG 71°54.9'W
    N d. LAT 41°15.0'N, LONG 71°53.7'W

12905: At 0919 you are in Chesapeake Channel between Trestle B and Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. What is your ETA to a point between York Spit Channel Buoys "35" and "36" if you are making 11.3 knots and follow the buoyed channel?

    N a. 1025
    N b. 1028
    N c. 1033
    Y d. 1037

13100: Your position is LAT 41°15.2'N, LONG 71°50.1'W at 1347. You are turning for 6.9 knots. What is your ETA at Shagwong Reef Buoy "7SR"?

    Y a. 1506
    N b. 1515
    N c. 1521
    N d. 1527

13108: At 1103 you are in the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island with buoy "5" close aboard. What is your ETA at light "1" at the mouth of the approaches to Lake Montauk if you make good 8.2 knots?

    N a. 1249
    N b. 1254
    N c. 1259
    Y d. 1310

13307: The soundings on the chart are based on the depth of water available at __________.

    N a. mean low water
    Y b. mean lower low water
    N c. mean high water
    N d. mean high water springs

13708: A note on the chart indicates that currents in excess of how many knots can be expected in the vicinity of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel?

    Y a. 3.00 knots
    N b. 2.20 knots
    N c. 1.75 knots
    N d. 1.50 knots

13900: The trapezoidal shaped areas enclosed by a thin broken magenta line and located along the south coast of Long Island are __________.

    N a. designated training areas for Navy amphibious craft
    N b. disposal areas for unexploded munitions
    Y c. fish trap areas
    N d. anchorage areas for small craft

13906: When approaching Block Island Sound from Long Island Sound, you will enter waters governed by the International Rules of the Road when you __________.

    Y a. pass through The Race
    N b. cross the territorial sea boundary
    N c. exit Block Island Sound to the east or south
    N d. None of the above, as Long Island Sound is governed by the International Rules of the Road

14515: At 2150, your position is LAT 36°57.2'N, LONG 76°01.3'W. In this position on the chart, you note a light magenta line running in a direction of 030°T. This line indicates the limits of __________.

    N a. a precautionary area
    Y b. a pilotage area
    N c. the Cape Henry Light red sector
    N d. chart 12222

15044: At 0841 Chesapeake Light bears 164° true, Cape Charles Light bears 312° true, and Cape Henry Light bears 247°
true. What was your course made good since 0811?

    Y a. 226°true
    N b. 230°true
    N c. 233° true
    N d. 237°true

15514: From your 1850 fix, you come left to a course of 280°T,
while maintaining a speed of 10 knots. Which of the following combinations of available Loran-C lines would give the best cross for position determining?

    Y a. 9960-Y and 9960-W
    N b. 9960-X and 9960-Y
    N c. 9960-W and 9960-X
    N d. All are equally good.

15810: You alter course from your 0045 position to head for a point 0.5 mile north of Mattituck Breakwater Light "MI". If the visibility is 10 miles and you make good 9 knots, at approximately what time will you lose sight of Saybrook Breakwater Light?

    N a. You have already lost sight at 0045
    Y b. 0055
    N c. 0120
    N d. The light is visible all the way to Mattituck Inlet

16009: The maximum ebb current at a location 4.3 miles south of Stratford Point will occur at 0413. The predicted current will be 1.0 knot at 075°. What will be your course made good if you steer 082°T at 8 knots?

    Y a. 081°T
    N b. 083°T
    N c. 085°T
    N d. 087°T

16108: 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. 178°
    Y b. 176°
    N c. 156°
    N d. 152°

16512: At 0748, you take the following bearings:

Watch Hill Point Light bearing 020.5°pgc
Race Point Light Light bearing 269.5°pgc

What is the approximate depth of water at this position?

    N a. 325 feet
    N b. 175 feet
    Y c. 130 feet
    N d. 104 feet

16609: What was the speed made good between 2114 and 2142?

    N a. 12.3 knots
    N b. 12.0 knots
    N c. 11.7 knots
    Y d. 11.4 knots

16645: At 0630 you increase speed to 12.0 knots. At 0645 Race Rock Light bears 294°pgc. At 0700 Race Rock Light bears 293°pgc. Based on this, you should __________.

    Y a. alter course to port
    N b. maintain course and speed
    N c. alter course to starboard
    N d. maintain course and reduce speed

16741: At 2346 Montauk Point Light bears 285°pgc, and the radar range to Montauk Point is 5.9 miles. You are steering to make good 034°T. In order to remain westward of Southwest Ledge you should __________.

    Y a. come left when South East Point Light bears 057° true
    N b. remain on your present course and you will clear Southwest Ledge
    N c. keep Block Island North Light bearing 033°T or less
    N d. alter course to the right when Block Island Aerobeacon bears 055°T