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.


271: At 0844, the range to the north end of Falkner Island is 2.0 miles and the left tangent bearing is 102°T. What is the approximate charted depth of the water?


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?


528: You depart LAT 38°12'S, LONG 12°06'W and steam 1543 miles on course 270°. What is the Longitude of arrival?


541: You depart LAT 16°24'S, LONG 169°38'W, for LAT 16°24'S, LONG 174°52'E. What are the course and distance by parallel sailing?

    N a. 090°T, 301 miles
    N b. 090°T, 892 miles
    N c. 270°T, 301 miles
    Y d. 270°T, 892 miles

544: From your 0600 position, what is the course per gyrocompass to leave Watch Hill Light abeam to starboard at 2.0 miles if a southerly wind is producing 3° of leeway?

    N a. 262°pgc
    N b. 258°pgc
    N c. 256°pgc
    Y d. 252°pgc

561: At 0615 you change course to 078°T. If there is no current, when will Falkner Island Light be abeam?

    Y a. 0730
    N b. 0735
    N c. 0743
    N d. 0750

661: Your voyage commences off Cape May, NJ, at LAT 38°40'N, LONG 74°00'W, for LAT 44°00'N, LONG 10°00'W. Sea ice is north of 45°N and west of 45°W. Extensive naval exercises will be conducted within a 150-mile radius of LAT 50°00'N,
LONG 35°00'W. Which statement about a direct great circle route is TRUE? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5274.)

    N a. The latitude of the great circle vertex is above 50°N.
    Y b. You must plot a composite sailing to remain south of the ice limits.
    N c. The naval exercises will interfere with the direct great circle route.
    N d. The shifting shoals northwest of Sable Island will be a navigational hazard on the track line.

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

1004: On 15 November , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 19°41'S, LONG 41°37'W. You are on course 239°T, speed 22 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.

ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1128 40°50.4' S 18°33.6' 88°18.4'
1133 42°05.4' S 18°33.6' 88°37.7'

    Y a. LAT 20°01.0'S, LONG 42°05.9'W
    N b. LAT 20°04.3'S, LONG 42°09.8'W
    N c. LAT 20°06.7'S, LONG 42°06.1'W
    N d. LAT 20°08.1'S, LONG 42°00.7'W

1092: On 3 April , your vessel's 1400 ZT DR position is LAT 20°08.0'N, LONG 147°45.0'W. You are steering course 023°T at 18.0 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1900 running fix. NP-0022

    N a. LAT 21°39.8'N, LONG 146°59.7'W
    Y b. LAT 21°40.0'N, LONG 147°03.2'W
    N c. LAT 21°41.8'N, LONG 147°05.5'W
    N d. LAT 21°41.8'N, LONG 147°01.5'W

1100: Charles Island (LAT 41°11.5'N, LONG 73°03.4'W) is __________.

    N a. a high, rocky pinnacle with steep cliffs
    N b. a low, sandy island barren of all vegetation
    N c. identified by a tall prominent flagpole
    Y d. low and partly covered by trees

1188: On 9 February , your 0830 zone time DR position is LAT 22°19.0'N, LONG 64°37.0'E. Your vessel is on course 128°
T at a speed of 19.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    Y a. 1152
    N b. 1156
    N c. 1201
    N d. 1205

1215: It is 9 February and you are keeping zone time -6. You are on course 258°T, speed 19 knots. Your 0840 DR position is LAT 26°21.0'S, LONG 78°39.0'E. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks?

    N a. 12h 05m 21s
    N b. 12h 37m 12s
    N c. 13h 13m 40s
    Y d. 13h 05m 44s

1273: At 1544 zone time, on 5 October , your DR position is LAT 25°00'N, LONG 60°15'W. You are steering 270°T at a speed of 6.8 knots. What is the zone time of sunset?

    N a. 1728
    N b. 1737
    N c. 1741
    Y d. 1745

1423: You pass Ratcliff Light (mile 289.8) at 1650. What was your average speed since leaving Baton Rouge?

    N a. 7.3 mph
    Y b. 7.6 mph
    N c. 8.0 mph
    N d. 8.3 mph

1642: From your 2129 position you reduce engine speed to 14 knots. What is the course to make good from your 2129 position to arrive 0.3 mile north of Lighted Whistle Buoy "NCA" (LL#375) assuming no set and drift?

    N a. 216°T
    N b. 219°T
    Y c. 222°T
    N d. 225°T

1776: At 2231 ZT, on 14 July , in DR position LAT 34°06'S, LONG 149°47'W you observe an amplitude of Jupiter. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 257.1°psc. The variation is 15°E. What is the deviation?

    N a. 0.5°E
    N b. 0.5°W
    N c. 1.5°W
    Y d. 2.5°W

2106: At 0005, on 26 January, your position is LAT 41°11.8'N,
LONG 72°20.5'W. From this position, you plot a course to steer to a point one half mile north of Mattituck Breakwater Light "MI" with an engine speed of 9.0 knots. If there are no set and drift, what course should you steer?

    N a. 207°psc
    N b. 213°psc
    N c. 220°psc
    Y d. 235°psc

2244: At 1435 ZT, on 27 April , in DR position LAT 51° 56.8' N, LONG 150° 37.7' E, the Moon’s upper limb is observed on the visible horizon, bearing 242.2° psc. Variation is 2° W. What is the deviation?

    Y a. 2.2°W
    N b. 2.2°E
    N c. 6.2°E
    N d. 6.2°W

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

2668: Your vessel is on a course of 255°T, at 14 knots. At 2116 a lighthouse is sighted dead ahead at a distance of 11 miles. You change course at this time to pass the lighthouse 3 miles abeam to port. What will be your ETA at this position off the lighthouse?

    N a. 2149
    Y b. 2201
    N c. 2212
    N d. 2228

3088: If the pitch of the propeller is 21.5 feet, and the revolutions per day are 96,666, calculate the day's run allowing 9% negative slip.

    N a. 311.1 miles
    N b. 341.8 miles
    N c. 357.9 miles
    Y d. 372.6 miles

3267: Your vessel arrives in port with sufficient fuel to steam 726 miles at 16 knots. If you are unable to take on bunkers, at what speed must you proceed to reach your next port, 873 miles distant?

    Y a. 14.6 knots
    N b. 15.1 knots
    N c. 16.3 knots
    N d. 16.8 knots

3462: You are underway on course 160°T at 10 knots. The current is 210°T at 0.9 knots. What is the course made good?

    N a. 156°T
    N b. 160°T
    Y c. 164°T
    N d. 169°T

10101: Your GPS position is LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 75°48.6'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to a position one mile east of Cape Charles Buoy "14" (LAT 37°07.4'N, LONG 75°41.0'W)?

    N a. 040°psc
    Y b. 045°psc
    N c. 049°psc
    N d. 053°psc

11101: Great Salt Pond on Block Island is __________.

    Y a. entered through a dredged cut
    N b. not accessible in easterly gales
    N c. available for vessels up to a maximum draft of 8 feet (2.4m)
    N d. not affected by the tide

11806: What course should you steer by standard magnetic compass between Mattituck Inlet and Branford Reef Light, if the set and drift of the current are 027° at 2.5 knots, and a northeasterly wind will cause 1° of leeway? Your engines are turning for 12 knots.

    N a. 295°psc
    N b. 305°psc
    N c. 317°psc
    Y d. 320°psc

12208: You sight Stratford Pt. Light in line with the Igor I. Sikorsky Airport Aero Beacon bearing 319° per standard magnetic compass. What is the compass error?

    N a. 4°E
    N b. 10°W
    N c. 14°E
    Y d. 18°W

12210: You sight New Haven Outer Channel Range Rear Light in line with the Outer Channel Range Front Light bearing 343° per standard magnetic compass. What is your compass error?

    N a. 5°E
    N b. 5°W
    N c. 9°E
    Y d. 9°W

13109: At 1113 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 9.6 knots?

    N a. 1310
    Y b. 1301
    N c. 1254
    N d. 1249

14005: At 0800 your vessel is at mile 110 on the Columbia River. You are steaming in an easterly direction. At 0854 Lady Island Range is in line dead astern and Government Island Upper Range is in line on your port quarter. What speed have you averaged?

    N a. 8.1 mph
    N b. 8.5 mph
    Y c. 9.4 mph
    N d. 10.2 mph

14203: What is the vertical clearance of the fixed bridge across the entrance to Rock Creek at Stevenson, Washington?

    Y a. 18 feet
    N b. 36 feet
    N c. 54 feet
    N d. 70 feet

14301: What are the characteristics of Washougal Light on the Columbia River?

    N a. Equal interval green, 6 seconds
    N b. Quick flashing red, 2 seconds
    N c. Flashing green, 4 seconds
    Y d. Flashing red, 2.5 seconds

15027: You are passing the Memphis Gage at 0405, 18 March. If you are turning for 8 mph and estimate the current at 0.9 mph, what is your ETA at Cairo Point, IL (mile 954.5 AHP)?

    N a. 0447, 19 Mar
    Y b. 1052, 19 Mar
    N c. 1518, 19 Mar
    N d. 1808, 19 Mar

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

15241: At 1155 your vessel's position is LAT 41°09.0'N, LONG 72°34.4'W. If you make good a course of 282°T and a speed of 10.0 knots, when will you arrive at New Haven Harbor Lighted Whistle Buoy "NH"?

    N a. 1315
    N b. 1320
    Y c. 1325
    N d. 1330

15265: Orient Point Light is __________.

    N a. lighted only during daytime when the sound signal is in operation
    N b. maintained only from May 1 to Oct 1
    N c. 64 feet (19.4 meters) above mean low water
    Y d. lighted throughout 24 hours

15420: You are entering Norfolk Harbor and have just passed Craney Island. Which chart should you use for your final approach into Norfolk Harbor?

    N a. 12223
    N b. 12238
    N c. 12248
    Y d. 12253

15567: Point Judith Harbor of Refuge __________.

    N a. is used mostly by towing vessels
    N b. has a maximum depth of 14 feet (4.3 meters) at MHW
    N c. West Gap has a controlling depth of 24 feet
    Y d. is entered through the East Gap or the West Gap

15617: Your height of eye is 25 feet (7.6 meters). If the visibility is 5.5 nautical miles, what is the luminous range of Wolf Trap Light?

    Y a. 7.5 miles
    N b. 12.0 miles
    N c. 16.0 miles
    N d. 17.0 miles

15809: At 0045, you obtain the following bearings:

Rocky Point lookout tower 072°T
Horton Point lighthouse 213°T

What were the set and drift between 0005 and 0045?

    N a. 272°true, 0.9 knot
    N b. 272°true, 1.4 knots
    N c. 092°true, 0.9 knot
    Y d. 092°True, 1.4 knots

15816: At 0209, your position is LAT 41°01.8'N, LONG 72°40.8'W.
What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good 278° magnetic? (assume no set and drift)

    N a. 262.0°psc
    N b. 265.0°psc
    Y c. 275.5°psc
    N d. 280.5°psc

15868: Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light is __________.

    N a. 13 foot high
    N b. a fixed white light
    N c. shown from a white tower
    Y d. equipped with a HORN

15910: At 0802, Branford Reef Light bears 348°T at 0.75 mile,
and the north point of Falkner Island bears 088°T at 6.7 miles. What were the set and drift since 0740?

    N a. Set 040°T, drift .3 knot
    Y b. Set 220°T, drift .9 knot
    N c. Set 220°T, drift .3 knot
    N d. You are making good your intended course and speed.

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

16018: At 0550, engineering repairs are complete and speed is increased to 9.6 knots. At 0630, Falkner Island Light bears 023°pgc and Horton Point Light bears 097°pgc. From your 0630 fix you steer to make good a course of 086°T while turning for 9.6 knots. At 0700, Falkner Island Light bears 336.0°pgc and Horton Point Light bears 105.5°pgc. The radar range to the south tip of Falkner Island is 5.7 miles. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Your course made good from 0630 to 0700 was 082°T.
    N b. The speed made good from 0630 to 0700 was 10.1 knots.
    N c. The current from 0630 to 0700 was 279°T at 0.6 knot.
    Y d. You are making good your intended speed.