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.


48: The Clinch River empties into which river?


52: You are downbound when you observe on your Mississippi River map a white square with a number inside located on either bank. This indicates __________.


153: What is the minimum maintained depth of the channel from Cairo to Baton Rouge during low water?


216: NOAA VHF-FM weather broadcasts from New London, CT are on __________.

    Y a. 162.55 MHz
    N b. 162.40 MHz
    N c. 162.30 MHz
    N d. 162.25 MHz

242: At 1210, you are in position LAT 41°14.3'N, LONG 72°16.5'W. What is the depth of water below your keel?

    N a. 92 feet (28.0 meters)
    Y b. 97 feet (29.4 meters)
    N c. 108 feet (32.7 meters)
    N d. 115 feet (35.0 meters)

246: The red sector of New London Harbor Light covers from __________.

    N a. 040° - 310°
    N b. 000° - 031°
    N c. 208° - 220°
    Y d. 000° - 041°

267: 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 .2 knot
    N b. Set 220°T, drift .2 knot
    Y c. Set 220°T, drift .6 knot
    N d. You are making good your intended course and speed.

295: At 1750, your position is LAT 37°14.5'N, LONG 76°22.9'W. What was the course made good between 1730 and 1750?

    N a. 081°T
    Y b. 078°T
    N c. 075°T
    N d. 072°T

361: Which publication contains the specific information about navigating in York Spit Channel?

    Y a. Coast Pilot
    N b. Light List
    N c. Chesapeake Bay Harbor- master's Regulations Manual
    N d. Navigator's Manual - Chesapeake Bay

403: You receive a distress call from a vessel reporting her position as LAT 30°21'N, LONG 88°34'W. Your position is LAT 24°30'N, LONG 83°00'W. Determine the true course and distance to the distress scene by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 317°T, 470 miles
    Y b. 320°T, 460 miles
    N c. 322°T, 455 miles
    N d. 324°T, 460 miles

428: At 0730, visibility is 5.5 miles. At what time will you lose sight of Horton Point Light?

    N a. It is not visible at 0730
    N b. 0733
    Y c. 0751
    N d. 0812

600: What is the brown colored tint shown at Bordeaux Point Dykes (mile 681.0 AHP)?

    N a. river gage
    N b. fish hatchery
    N c. levee
    Y d. dredge material

626: You are on a voyage from St. John, Canada, to Galveston, TX. The distance is 2280 miles, and the speed of advance is 15.0 knots. You estimate 16.5 hours for bunkering enroute at Ft. Lauderdale, FL. If you sailed at 1642 hours (ZD +4), 27 February , what was your ETA (ZD +6) at Galveston?

    Y a. 1512, 6 March
    N b. 0812, 6 March
    N c. 0712, 6 March
    N d. 2312, 5 March

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

    N a. 3.5 mph
    N b. 4.5 mph
    Y c. 5.5 mph
    N d. 9.5 mph

737: On 29 July , your 1930 zone time DR position is LONG 164°26.0'E. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 23°46.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 08h 32m 18s, and the chronometer error is 02m 26s fast. The index error is 2.7' on the arc, and the height of eye is 56.0 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris?

    N a. 24°01.9'N
    Y b. 24°19.5'N
    N c. 24°31.7'N
    N d. 25°19.6'N

812: On 28 July , your 0800 zone time (ZT) fix gives you a position of LAT 25°16.0'N, LONG 71°19.0'W. Your vessel is on course 026°T, and your speed is 17.5 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1150 ZT, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 82°28.7'. What is the latitude at 1200 ZT?

    N a. 26°25.0'N
    Y b. 26°27.6'N
    N c. 26°29.8'N
    N d. 26°32.0'N

1084: On 4 Dec. , your 1500 ZT DR position is LAT 18°06.0'N, LONG 75°42.0'W. You are on course 020°T at a speed of 15.0 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1548 running fix.

    N a. LAT 18°10.3'N, LONG 75°34.5'W
    N b. LAT 18°12.6'N, LONG 75°42.0'W
    N c. LAT 18°14.0'N, LONG 75°40.0'W
    Y d. LAT 18°17.3'N, LONG 75°37.7'W

1178: On 27 August , your 0900 zone time DR position is LAT 24°25.0'N, LONG 94°20.0'W. Your vessel is on course 071°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    Y a. 1214
    N b. 1208
    N c. 1206
    N d. 1158

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

1202: Your 0830 DR position is LAT 27°33'S, LONG 79°17'E. Your vessel is on a course of 066°T, at a speed of 19.5 knots. Determine the time of LAN on 10 December .

    Y a. 1131
    N b. 1136
    N c. 1153
    N d. 1215

1419: Which light will you be passing at 0059, on 22 September, if you make good 9.2 knots?

    Y a. Obion Bar Lt.
    N b. Kate Aubrey Lt.
    N c. Trotter Lt.
    N d. Quaker Oats Lt.

1457: On 25 August , your 1926 zone time DR position is LAT 24°17.0'S, LONG 05°47.0'W. At that time, you observe Fomalhaut bearing 117°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 26m 52s, and the chronometer error is 00m 15s fast. The variation is 1.5°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 0.2°W
    N b. 0.4°E
    N c. 1.3°W
    Y d. 2.8°W

1676: On 10 June , your vessel's 0519 zone time DR position is LAT 27°07.0'N, LONG 92°10.0'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 063.6° per standard magnetic compass. The variation in the area is 4.8°E. The chronometer reads 11h 17m 32s and is 01m 18s slow. What is the deviation of the compass?

    N a. 5.6°E
    N b. 4.8°E
    N c. 4.2°W
    Y d. 4.8°W

1678: On 2 January , your vessel's 1948 zone time position is LAT 21°42'S, LONG 39°12'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 260° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 19°W. The chronometer reads 10h 44m 36s and is 03m 24s slow. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    Y a. 4.3°E
    N b. 4.3°W
    N c. 5.1°E
    N d. 5.1°W

1723: You will pass the first gage at __________.

    N a. Profit Island
    N b. Bayou Sara
    N c. Baton Rouge
    Y d. Red River Landing

1929: You are taking a time tick using the 1930 signal from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. You hear the preparatory signal "CQ DE PPE" repeated several times followed by a short dash (0.4 sec), 60 dots (0.1 sec each) and another short dash. At the beginning of the last dash, the comparing watch reads 07h 30m 13s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 07h 31m 56s, and the chronometer reads 07h 30m 21s. What is the chronometer error?

    N a. 0m 13s fast
    N b. 1m 43s fast
    Y c. 1m 22s slow
    N d. 1m 48s slow

2076: 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

2152: On 25 June , at 0612 zone time, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 28°13.0'S, LONG 49°34.0'E. Your vessel is steaming at 17.0 knots on a course of 066°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 1022 zone time. The chronometer reads 07h 19m 17s, and the sextant altitude is 35°26.3'. The index error is 1.5' on the arc, and the chronometer error is 02m 51s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 58.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    Y a. 021.5°T
    N b. 157.5°T
    N c. 201.5°T
    N d. 338.5°T

2161: On 28 April , your vessel's 0515 zone time position is LAT 23°26'S, LONG 95°30'E. At this time, the observed altitude (Ho) of the star Rigil Kentaurus is 24°51.4'. Your chronometer reads 11h 16m 36s and is 01m 18s fast. What is the intercept (a) based on the assumed position method?

    N a. 30.9 miles
    N b. 32.3 miles
    N c. 33.1 miles
    Y d. 34.4 miles

2595: At 0145 you take on the pilot and are inbound Port Jefferson. The ship's heading is 147°pgc when lined up on the Port Jefferson range. What is your gyro error?

    Y a. 1° W
    N b. 1° E
    N c. 2° E
    N d. 0°

2691: While on a course of 159°T, a light bears 11° on the starboard bow at a distance of 10.6 miles. What course should you steer to pass 2 miles abeam of the light leaving it to starboard?

    Y a. 159°T
    N b. 163°T
    N c. 167°T
    N d. 171°T

3095: If the pitch of the propeller is 21.3 feet, and the revolutions per day are 126,214, calculate the day's run allowing 4% positive slip.

    Y a. 424.5 miles
    N b. 442.1 miles
    N c. 459.9 miles
    N d. 477.3 miles

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

11507: At 1014 you depart the entrance to Lake Montauk with light "1" close aboard. Your course is 066° per standard magnetic compass, and the speed is 8.6 knots. At 1222 your position is LAT 41°20.0'N, LONG 71°40.0'W. What is the speed made good?

    N a. 8.4 knots
    N b. 8.6 knots
    Y c. 9.2 knots
    N d. 9.6 knots

12101: You sight Thimble Shoal Light in line with Old Point Comfort Light bearing 267° per standard magnetic compass. You are on course 182°psc. Based on this, you know __________.

    Y a. the existing deviation is correct for that heading
    N b. you should adjust your compass
    N c. the compass error is 2°W
    N d. the variation is 11°W

12103: You sight Wolf Trap Light in line with New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" bearing 048° per standard magnetic compass. You are on course 203°psc. Based on this, you know __________.

    N a. the compass error is 12°W
    N b. the deviation is 9°W
    Y c. that the deviation table is in error
    N d. the deviation is 3°E for bearings of 048° per standard magnetic compass

12109: You sight Tue Marshes Light (LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 76°23.2'W) in line with Goodwin Thorofare Light "16" (LAT 37°13.7'N, LONG 76°25.0'W) dead ahead bearing 264° per standard magnetic compass. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The compass error is 11°W.
    N b. The deviation table must be corrected for the change in date.
    N c. The deviation is 1°W for a bearing of 264° only.
    N d. The variation is 9°W for a bearing of 264° only.

12204: You sight Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground) Light and Old Field Pt. Light in line and bearing 200° per standard magnetic compass. What is the deviation of the compass?

    N a. 7°E
    N b. 7°W
    Y c. 3°E
    N d. 3°W

12305: You sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light (LAT 41°18.2'N, LONG 71°56.0'W) bearing 095° per standard magnetic compass. If your vessel was heading 056° per standard magnetic compass at the time, which of the following is TRUE?

    N a. You should subtract 15°Compass error for bearings of 095°.
    N b. The deviation table is correct for all bearings of 095°.
    Y c. The vessel should be swung, and the deviation table checked.
    N d. The compass error is 19°W for all headings.

12505: You are on course 056°psc, when you take the following bearings:
New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" 260°psc Horn Harbor Entrance Light "HH" 285°psc Wolf Trap Light 336°psc What is the position of the fix?

    Y a. LAT 37°19.3'N, LONG 76°08.5'W
    N b. LAT 37°19.3'N, LONG 76°08.8'W
    N c. LAT 37°19.2'N, LONG 76°08.2'W
    N d. LAT 37°19.2'N, LONG 76°08.7'W

15026: The highest point on your towboat is 53 feet above the water, and the Helena Gage (mile 663 AHP) reads 6.7 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge in Helena?

    Y a. 59.9 feet
    N b. 62.5 feet
    N c. 64.1 feet
    N d. 65.5 feet

15163: Which statement concerning your 1920 position is TRUE?

    Y a. You are entering a restricted area.
    N b. You are governed by the Inland Rules of the Road.
    N c. You are within the Chesapeake Bay Entrance traffic separation scheme.
    N d. On your present course Trestle "C" of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge - Tunnel is dead ahead.

15257: At 0725, Stratford Point Light bears 327°pgc at 3.1 miles.
At this time, you wish to change course to 048°T. The current is 135°T at 1.8 knots. Your engine speed is 8 knots. What course must you steer to make good 048°T?

    Y a. 035°T
    N b. 038°T
    N c. 041°T
    N d. 044°T

15445: As you proceed up York Spit Channel, what are the three base courses that you must steer to conform to the channel,
if steering by standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 337.5°, 359.5°, 028.0°
    N b. 337.5°, 357.5°, 026.0°
    N c. 324.0°, 352.5°, 009.5°
    Y d. 340.0°, 000.5°, 025.0°

15566: At 0520 you take the following observations:

Point Judith Light 036°pgc
Point Judith Harbor of Refuge
Main Breakwater Center Light 312°pgc

What is the position of your 0520 fix?

    Y a. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°29.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°30.0'W
    N c. LAT 41°20.6'N, Long 71°30.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°20.5'N, Long 71°29.8'W

15820: You are northwest of Port Jefferson Harbor steering 242° per standard magnetic compass. As you continue westward, you see that the Port Jefferson Range Front Light and Rear Light come into line. If the deviation table is correct, the bearing of the range should be __________.

    N a. 140°psc
    N b. 146°psc
    Y c. 157°psc
    N d. 160°psc

15946: At 2132 you sight Block Island Southest Point Light in line with the Aerobeacon (rotating white and green) bearing 308.5°pgc. The helmsman reports he was heading 106°pgc and 119°psc. What is the deviation on that heading?

    N a. 4°W
    N b. 2°W
    Y c. 2°E
    N d. 4°E

15965: If the visibility is 5 miles, what is the luminous range of New Point Comfort Spit Light "4"?

    N a. 0.5 mile
    Y b. 3.4 miles
    N c. 4.8 miles
    N d. 5.0 miles

16016: At 0430, you change course and speed to make good 090°T at 10 knots. At 0433, you slow due to an engineering casualty and estimate you are making good 5.5 knots. At what time will Branford Reef Light bear 000°T?

    N a. 0601
    Y b. 0609
    N c. 0620
    N d. 0624

16340: If you make good your intended course and speed, at what time will you cross the 150-foot curve?

    N a. 2237
    N b. 2249
    Y c. 2256
    N d. 2301

16406: At 0227, you take the following radar ranges and bearings:

Bartlett Reef Light 359°T at 2.4 miles
Race Rock Light 083°T at 4.1 miles

What is your 0227 position?

    Y a. LAT 41°14.1'N, LONG 72°08.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°14.2'N, LONG 72°08.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°14.0'N, LONG 72°08.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.3'N, LONG 72°08.5'W

16511: At 0728, you change course to 080°T. When steady on course, the standard magnetic compass reads 097°. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The gyro course is 083°pgc.
    N b. The magnetic heading is 090°.
    N c. The deviation is 1.0°E.
    Y d. The magnetic compass error is 17°W.