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.


54: What is the length of the trip?


61: What is the width of the navigable channel at Grand Gulf Island Light (mile 404.9 AHP) ?


70: What is the vertical clearance of the Natchez-Vidalia Highway Bridge (westbound) when the river level is the same as the Low Water Reference Plane (6.5 feet)?


124: At 1000, on May 11th, you are passing George Prince Lt. (mile 364.1 AHP) in Natchez, Mississippi and must send an ETA to the Monsanto Terminal in St. Louis (mile 178.0 UMR). Your engines are still turning for 8.5 mph and you estimate the current at 2.5 mph. What will be your arrival time in St. Louis?

    N a. 1919 on 15 May
    N b. 2344 on 15 May
    Y c. 1757 on 16 May
    N d. 2236 on 16 May

324: The mean high water level at Old Point Comfort is __________.

    N a. 3.3 feet (1.1 meters)
    Y b. 2.6 feet (0.8 meters)
    N c. 1.2 feet (0.4 meters)
    N d. 0.0

329: The engineer has advised that it will be necessary to secure the gyrocompass and the electronic equipment. From your 0315 position, what is your course per standard magnetic compass to York Spit Channel Buoy "38", if there is no current?

    N a. 218°psc
    Y b. 216°psc
    N c. 214°psc
    N d. 212°psc

429: At 0820, you take the following bearings:

Falkner Island Light bearing 052°true
Branford Reef Light bearing 307°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
    Y c. Set 232°T, drift 1.3 knot
    N d. Set 232°T, drift 1.1 knots

565: If visibility permits, Little Gull Island Light will break the horizon at a range of approximately __________.

    N a. 18.0 miles
    Y b. 15.6 miles
    N c. 12.8 miles
    N d. 11.1 miles

566: Your cargo vessel is berthed near Lamberts Point in Norfolk. You are on a voyage to Baltimore, Maryland. Which larger scale chart should you use to show the area from Lamberts Point to Hampton Roads?

    N a. 12224
    N b. 12241
    Y c. 12245
    N d. 12256

704: As you approach Giles Bend Cut-off Light (mile 367.7 AHP), what type of daymark would you see on the light structure?

    N a. Green square
    N b. Green diamond
    Y c. Red triangle
    N d. Red diamond

825: On 15 August , an ex-meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb at upper transit was observed at 1130 ZT. Your DR position is LAT 26°24.0'S, LONG 155°02.0'E, and your sextant altitude (hs) is 48°45.9'. The index error is 2.6' on the arc, and your height of eye is 51.5 feet. The chronometer time of the observation is 01h 27m 38s, and the chronometer error is 02m 14s slow. Find the latitude at meridian transit from the ex-meridian observation.

    N a. LAT 26°32.6'S
    Y b. LAT 26°51.6'S
    N c. LAT 26°57.0'S
    N d. LAT 27°09.9'S

978: On 11 November , your 0730 zone time position was LAT 19°58.0'N, LONG 143°54.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 084°T at a speed of 15.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0931 ZT. The chronometer read 07h 29m 22s and was slow 02m 22s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 44°17.6'. LAN occurred at 1125 zone time (ZD +10). The observed altitude (Ho) was 52°17.4'. What was the longitude of your 1200 zone time running fix?

    N a. 142°34.7'W
    N b. 142°37.1'W
    Y c. 142°40.2'W
    N d. 142°44.2'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

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

1410: What is the distance from the Amoco Docks at Baton Rouge, LA, to Pittsburgh, PA?

    Y a. 1681 miles
    N b. 1575 miles
    N c. 981 miles
    N d. 727 miles

1420: What company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Helena (mile 661 to 665 AHP)?

    N a. Helena Port Terminal, Inc.
    Y b. Riceland Food Corps..
    N c. Quincy Soybean Co.
    N d. Texas Eastern Pipeline Co.

1652: On 16 April , in DR position LAT 28°07.0'N, LONG 81°47.0'W, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 073.5°psc. The chronometer reads 10h 53m 41s and is 02m 23s slow. Variation in the area is 11°E. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

    N a. 4.5°E
    N b. 4.9°W
    N c. 6.1°E
    Y d. 6.5°W

1754: At 0715, on 24 May, you are abreast the St. Catherine Bar Lt. (mile 348.6 AHP). If you are turning for 8.0 mph, what has been the average current since you left Baton Rouge?

    N a. 1.0 mph
    N b. 1.4 mph
    Y c. 3.8 mph
    N d. 4.4 mph

1915: On 14 January , your 0550 DR position is LAT 25°26.0'N, LONG 38°16.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 043°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 37°12.1'. The chronometer reads 08h 48m 51s, and is 01m 22s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Gienah
    N b. Kochab
    N c. Gacrux
    Y d. Eltanin

1917: On 14 January , your 1922 DR position is LAT 27°18.5'S, LONG 67°18.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 054°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 07°52.1'. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 43s, and is 03m 15s fast. What star did you observe?

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

1928: On 17 March , your 0520 DR position is LAT 27°23.0'N, LONG 39°42.0'W. At this time you observe an unidentified star bearing 270°T with an observed altitude of 46°30.2'. The chronometer reads 08h 22m 15s, and is 01m 45s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Altair
    N b. Alkaid
    Y c. Arcturus
    N d. Deneb

2087: At your current speed of 21 knots you only have enough fuel remaining to travel 404 miles. You must travel 731 miles to reach your destination. What should you reduce your speed (knots) to in order to reach your destination?

    N a. 18.9
    N b. 17.8
    N c. 16.7
    Y d. 15.6

2116: At 0300, your position is LAT 41°01.7'N, LONG 72°55.1'W. From this position you steer a course of 289° per standard magnetic compass at an engine speed of 10.0 knots. At what time can you first expect to see Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light if the luminous range is 8.0 miles?

    Y a. 0303
    N b. 0309
    N c. 0312
    N d. 0318

2204: The Clinch River empties into which river?

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

2241: At 1318 ZT, on 10 September , in DR position LAT 24° 05.8' N, LONG 058° 08.3' E, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The upper limb of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 254° psc. Variation is 2° W. What is the deviation?

    N a. 8.0°W
    N b. 8.0°E
    Y c. 4.0°W
    N d. 4.0°E

2327: After you enter Thimble Shoal Channel, you will alter course to pass between Trestle "A" and "B". Based upon your present position, passing buoy "12" to port, what is TRUE?

    N a. You are required to proceed outbound in the North Auxiliary Channel to avoid ferry traffic
    N b. You may proceed outbound in Thimble Shoal Channel
    Y c. You should cross the main channel and proceed outbound in the South Auxiliary Channel
    N d. Water depth is 38 feet.

2425: You are taking a time tick using the 2100 signal from Callao, Peru. 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 09h 00m 07s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 09h 01m 12s, and the chronometer reads 08h 59m 32s. What is the chronometer error?

    Y a. 1m 33s slow
    N b. 0m 28s slow
    N c. 1m 05s fast
    N d. 0m 07s fast

2712: What is the length of the trip?

    N a. 720.8 miles
    N b. 777.4 miles
    Y c. 897.2 miles
    N d. 906.3 miles

3096: If the pitch of the propeller is 20.1 feet, and the revolutions per day are 118,178, calculate the day's run allowing 6% negative slip.

    N a. 367.2 miles
    N b. 381.6 miles
    N c. 398.4 miles
    Y d. 414.1 miles

10604: At 2245 your GPS position is LAT 41°01.75'N, LONG 72°48.40'W. You are steering course 086° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 6.0 knots. At 2400 you fix your position by plotting several compass bearings on nearby known fixed objects. These result in a position of LAT 41°04.20'N, LONG 72°38.85'W. What were your set and drift?

    N a. 162°T at .2 knot
    N b. 180°T at .4 knot
    N c. 339°T at .5 knot
    Y d. 007°T at .4 knot

11808: What is the true course to steer from a position 2 miles due south of Branford Reef Light to Horton Pt. Light, if the set and drift of the current are 247°T at 3 knots, and a southwesterly wind will cause 3° of leeway? (Your engines are making turns for 10 knots.)

    Y a. 104°T
    N b. 100°T
    N c. 095°T
    N d. 087°T

11909: Your position is 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the true course to steer to arrive one mile due south of Block Island Southeast Point Light, if you are turning for 6.8 knots, the current is 330° at 1.2 knots, and a southerly wind causes 3° of leeway?

    N a. 081°T
    Y b. 084°T
    N c. 087°T
    N d. 090°T

12509: You are on course 027° per magnetic compass when you take the following bearings per magnetic compass: New Point Comfort Light "2" 253°
Horn Harbor Entrance Light HH 282°
Wolf Trap Light 348°
What is the position of the fix?

    N a. LAT 37°19.4'N, LONG 76°09.5'W
    N b. LAT 37°19.4'N, LONG 76°09.8'W
    N c. LAT 37°19.7'N, LONG 76°10.3'W
    Y d. LAT 37°19.7'N, LONG 76°09.9'W

14102: Your vessel is awaiting lockage at Bonneville Locks when you notice that the lock is displaying an amber signal light. What type of vessel is allowed to enter the chamber under this signal?

    N a. Vessels owned or operated by the United States
    N b. Passenger vessels
    Y c. Commercial freight and log-tow vessels
    N d. All vessels

15065: At 0925, you plot the following:

Falkner Island Light bearing 252° true @ 1.8 nm

If you correct for a current setting 035°T at 0.5 knot,
what true course will you steer from the 0925 position to arrive at a position 0.5 mile south of Long Sand Shoal West End Horn Buoy "W"?

    N a. 089°T
    N b. 092°T
    Y c. 095°T
    N d. 102°T

15068: Long Sand Shoal __________.

    N a. shoals gradually on the north and south sides
    Y b. is hard and lumpy
    N c. shows breakers when northerly winds exceed 10 knots
    N d. has gray sand with scattered shells

15166: At 2037, you change course and wish to make good a course of 016°T. There is no current, but an easterly wind is causing 3° leeway. What course per standard magnetic compass should you steer to make good the course 016°T?

    N a. 022°psc
    N b. 025°psc
    Y c. 028°psc
    N d. 031°psc

15666: At 0815, visibility is excellent and you can see Montauk Point. Montauk Point Light is __________.

    N a. shown from a brown tower
    N b. equipped with a fog diaphone
    Y c. lighted 24 hours
    N d. is 79 feet (24 meters) high

15756: You are steering 087°pgc and turning for 6.8 knots. At 0600, you take the following bearings:

Little Gull Island Light bearing 085.5°pgc
Bartlett Reef Light bearing 043°pgc

What is your 0600 position?

    Y a. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°13.8'W
    N b. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°14.6'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.3'N, LONG 72°14.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.5'N, LONG 71°14.9'W

16020: If visibility permits, Orient Point Light will break the horizon at a range of about __________.

    N a. 9.3 miles
    N b. 10.8 miles
    Y c. 13.9 miles
    N d. 17.0 miles

16046: The visibility is excellent. When Race Rock Light Tower breaks the horizon, how far will you be from the Tower?

    N a. 8.5 miles
    N b. 9.6 miles
    N c. 14.0 miles
    Y d. 17.9 miles

16363: At 0405, you increase speed and at 0500 your position is LAT 37°06.0'N, LONG 75°41.1'W. What is the approximate depth of water?

    N a. 46 feet (13.9 meters)
    Y b. 54 feet (16.4 meters)
    N c. 62 feet (18.8 meters)
    N d. 66 feet (20.0 meters)

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

16712: The two wavy magenta lines running to Green Hill Point represent __________.

    N a. recommended approaches to Green Hill Point
    N b. the red sector of Point Judith Light
    N c. prohibited fishing areas
    Y d. submarine cables