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.


56: The Red River Landing Gage reads 5.2 feet. The Low Water Reference Plane for the Red River is 10.6 ft. Which of the following statements is TRUE?


59: You pass Warnicott Bar Lt. at 1146, 24 May. What is your ETA off the Mhoon Landing Gage if you average 6.5 mph?


68: The river will be temporarily closed to navigation at mile 531.3 AHP due to repairs to the bridge. This will occur at 1300, 5 January, and last for six hours. What minimum speed over the ground must you make from Red River Landing Gage in order not to be delayed?


139: What is the distance to Caruthersville Gage from Cape Girardeau?

    N a. 54.4 miles
    Y b. 160.4 miles
    N c. 793.4 miles
    N d. 899.4 miles

192: At 2100, Cape Charles Light bears 321°pgc, and Cape Henry Light bears 247°pgc. Your latitude is __________.

    N a. 37°00.6'N
    N b. 37°00.0'N
    N c. 36°59.7'N
    Y d. 36°59.4'N

215: As an option to heading into Long Island Sound, you consider anchoring in the vicinity of the Gardiners Point Ruins at the north end of Gardiners Island. What is the minimum recommended distance from the ruins for fishing, trawling, or anchoring?

    N a. 1.0 mile
    N b. 0.8 mile
    N c. 0.5 mile
    Y d. 300 yards (91 meters)

318: From your 1915 fix you come right and steer a course of 200°T. At 2000, your position is LAT 37°05.5'N, LONG 76°07.0'W. Your intention is to pass through Chesapeake Channel. If there are no set and drift, what course would you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good a course of 145°T?

    Y a. 156°
    N b. 151°
    N c. 139°
    N d. 134°

370: 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.
    N b. You should adjust the magnetic compass.
    N c. The deviation is increasing as you go south.
    Y d. Your compass may be influenced by a local magnetic disturbance.

430: At 0820, you change course to 301°psc and reduce speed to 7.5 knots. At 0900, you take the following visual bearings:

Branford Reef Light 023°psc
New Haven Light 293°psc
Tweed Airport Aerobeacon 332°psc

Your 0900 position is __________.

    N a. LAT 41°11.9'N, LONG 72°50.6'W
    Y b. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°48.6'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.3'N, LONG 72°47.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.5'N, LONG 72°44.3'W

519: At 0520 you are on course 243°pgc at 12 knots. What is the course per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 227°psc
    N b. 233°psc
    N c. 258°psc
    Y d. 262°psc

638: What is the mile point of the Fulton Gage?

    Y a. 778 AHP
    N b. 687 AHP
    N c. 632 AHP
    N d. 598 AHP

727: On 11 February , your 1832 zone time DR position is LONG 110°52.6'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 26°19.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 01h 34m 56s, and the chronometer error is 02m 16s fast. The index error is 2.7' off the arc, and the height of eye is 60.2 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris?

    Y a. 25°27.2'N
    N b. 25°34.2'N
    N c. 26°27.2'N
    N d. 26°34.2'N

819: On 27 March , in DR position LAT 32°31.0'N, LONG 76°25.0'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Sun's lower limb. The chronometer time of the sight is 05h 23m 32s, and the chronometer error is 01m 30s fast. The sextant altitude (hs) is 59°59.0'. The index error is 1.8' off the arc, and your height of eye is 52 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    N a. LAT 32°21.6'N
    Y b. LAT 32°29.5'N
    N c. LAT 32°37.6'N
    N d. LAT 32°46.2'N

836: On 16 June , in DR position LAT 50°57.0'S, LONG 53°03.9'W (ZD+4), you take an ex-meridian observation of Acrux at lower transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 10h 08m 18s, and the chronometer error is 02m 12s fast. The sextant altitude (hs) is 23°49.0'. The index error is 1.1' off the arc, and your height of eye is 26 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    Y a. 50°41.2'S
    N b. 51°02.2'S
    N c. 51°33.0'S
    N d. 51°41.2'S

982: On 15 August , your 0512 zone time position was LAT 29°18.0'N, LONG 57°24.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 262°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0824 ZT. The chronometer read 00h 22m 24s and was slow 01m 34s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 38°16.7'. LAN occurred at 1204 zone time.
The observed altitude (Ho) was 74°58.0'. What was the longitude of your 1204 zone time running fix?

    N a. LONG 59°52.0'W
    N b. LONG 59°54.0'W
    Y c. LONG 59°58.5'W
    N d. LONG 60°02.0'W

1117: 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

1192: On 3 October , your 0830 ZT position is LAT 26°15.0'S, LONG 73°16.0'E. Your vessel is on course 280°T at a speed of 19.0 knots. What is the ZT of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1151
    N b. 1154
    N c. 1158
    Y d. 1201

1248: What is the distance in river miles, from the new mouth of the White River to the Petroleum Fuel & Terminal Co. (mile 144.6 AHP)?

    Y a. 454 miles
    N b. 427 miles
    N c. 384 miles
    N d. 370 miles

1468: On 17 April , your 1516 zone time DR position is LAT 27°24.0'N, LONG 115°24.0'E. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 247°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 16m 26s, and the chronometer error is 00m 32s slow. The variation is 4.5°E. What is the deviation of the standard compass?

    N a. 4.5°W
    Y b. 5.4°E
    N c. 6.2°E
    N d. 6.2°W

1765: The river will be temporarily closed to navigation at mile 531.3 AHP due to repairs to the bridge. This will occur at 1530, 5 January, and last for six hours. What minimum speed over the ground must you make from Red River Landing Gage in order not to be delayed?

    Y a. 6.2 mph
    N b. 6.4 mph
    N c. 6.8 mph
    N d. 7.3 mph

1852: On 26 November , at 0535 ZT, while taking sights for a morning fix, you observe an unidentified planet bearing 074°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 38°29.8'. Your DR position is LAT 27°18.9'S, LONG 30°18.4'E. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 33m 16s, and the chronometer is 01m 48s slow. What planet did you observe?

    Y a. Saturn
    N b. Jupiter
    N c. Mars
    N d. Venus

2368: At 2100, January 12, you are passing Cherokee Landing Lt. (mile 112.5 UMR). What has been your speed over the ground since leaving St. Louis, MO (mile 181 UMR).

    N a. 10.4 mph
    Y b. 9.8 mph
    N c. 9.2 mph
    N d. 8.8 mph

2677: You sight a light 9° on your starboard bow at a distance of 21 miles. Assuming you make good your course, what will be your distance off the light when abeam?

    Y a. 3.3 miles
    N b. 3.7 miles
    N c. 4.0 miles
    N d. 4.3 miles

2911: What is indicated by the two light gray shaded areas that cross the river above False River Lt. (mile 251.0 AHP)?

    N a. Ferry crossings
    Y b. Utility crossings
    N c. Aerial cable crossings
    N d. Bridge construction

3050: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 23.7 feet and a pitch of 24.8 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 442 miles in a 23 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 89?

    N a. -7.6%
    N b. +7.6%
    N c. -11.8%
    Y d. +11.8%

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

3100: The pitch of the propeller on your vessel is 19'09". You estimate the slip at -3%. If you averaged 82 RPM for the day's run, how many miles did you steam?

    N a. 370.8
    N b. 373.6
    N c. 393.7
    Y d. 395.3

3303: You have steamed 174 miles and consumed 18.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 416 miles?

    N a. 34.9 tons
    N b. 38.4 tons
    Y c. 43.0 tons
    N d. 46.2 tons

3311: You have steamed 162 miles and consumed 14.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 285 miles?

    Y a. 24.6 tons
    N b. 34.7 tons
    N c. 43.3 tons
    N d. 54.8 tons

3756: 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 093°T, and the variation is 6°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 097° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation?

    N a. 5°E
    N b. 5°W
    N c. 10°E
    Y d. 10°W

11302: At 1614 your GPS position is LAT 37°01.6'N, LONG 75°31.7'W. At 1703 your position is LAT 36°57.0'N, LONG 75°41.0'W. What was the course made good between the fixes?

    Y a. 238°T
    N b. 242°T
    N c. 247°T
    N d. 250°T

12206: You sight Bartlett Reef Light (LAT 41°16.5'N, LONG 72°08.2'W) in line with New London Harbor Light (LAT 41°19.0'N, LONG 72°05.4'W) and bearing 059° per standard magnetic compass. What is the compass deviation?

    N a. 4°E
    Y b. 4°W
    N c. 10°E
    N d. 10°W

12700: You are on course 073° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Watch Hill Point Light 037°psc Montauk Point Light 179°psc Race Rock Light 289°psc What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41°13.6'N, LONG 71°54.6'W
    N b. LAT 41°13.7'N, LONG 71°53.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°13.7'N, LONG 71°54.9'W
    Y d. LAT 41°13.8'N, LONG 71°54.3'W

12702: You are on course 282° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Point Judith Light - 073°psc Block Island North Light - 156°psc Watch Hill Point Light - 293°psc What is your position?

    Y a. LAT 41°17.0'N, LONG 71°38.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°17.1'N, LONG 71°39.1'W
    N c. LAT 41°17.2'N, LONG 71°38.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°17.2'N, LONG 71°37.8'W

13210: At 0943, your position is LAT 41°14.8'N, LONG 71°54.3'W. You are turning for 12.2 knots. What is your ETA at the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island?

    Y a. 1054
    N b. 1048
    N c. 1040
    N d. 1032

13306: In the northern quadrant of the circle surrounding Chesapeake Bay Entrance Junction Buoy CBJ the number 20 over a bracket appears 5 times. What do these indicate?

    N a. Markers or piles are 20 feet above mean low water.
    N b. The maximum draft permitted in this area is 20 feet.
    Y c. Obstructions have been cleared by a wire drag to 20 feet.
    N d. Bench marks used to measure channel depths while dredging.

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

14303: What is the height above the water of light No. 84 on the Columbia River below Bonneville lock & dam?

    N a. 10 feet
    Y b. 14 feet
    N c. 18 feet
    N d. 24 feet

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.

15615: At 2000, your position is LAT 37°04.1'N, LONG 76°05.6'W. You change course for the Eastern Shore. At 2037, Old Plantation Flats Light bears 033°pgc, and York Spit Light bears 282°pgc. The course made good from your 2000 position is __________.

    Y a. 359°T
    N b. 006°T
    N c. 014°T
    N d. 020°T

15942: At 1959 Watch Hill Point Light bears 030°T, Montauk Point Light bears 146°T, and Little Gull Light bears 283°T. What is the approximate fathometer reading?

    Y a. 51 feet
    N b. 73 feet
    N c. 95 feet
    N d. 111 feet

16007: If the visibility is 11 miles, what is the earliest time you can expect to see New Haven Light?

    N a. The light is visible at 0352.
    N b. 0414
    Y c. 0443
    N d. You will not sight the light.

16056: At 1730, your position is LAT 37°13.9'N, LONG 76°26.4'W. What is your distance off Tue Marshes Light?

    N a. 2.2 miles
    Y b. 2.6 miles
    N c. 3.0 miles
    N d. 3.4 miles

16262: What was the speed made good from 0240 to 0400?

    N a. 5.2 knots
    N b. 5.6 knots
    Y c. 6.0 knots
    N d. 6.4 knots

16346: After passing through the Race, enroute to Bridgeport, CN,
and Race Rock Light is 2 miles astern you notice an equal interval flashing red light on the starboard side. This light is __________.

    N a. New London Airport Aerobeacon
    Y b. New London Harbor Light
    N c. New London Ledge Light
    N d. Bartlett Reef Light

16407: At 0227, you are on course 087°T at 10 knots. What course per standard magnetic compass should you steer to make good your true course?

    N a. 099°psc
    N b. 102°psc
    Y c. 105°psc
    N d. 109°psc