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.

157: At 1710 on 27 November, you are abeam of Kings Point Lt. (mile 439.8 AHP). At this time you receive a message that there will no be space for you at the Redneb Services Dock until after 1200 on the 29 November. What speed over the ground will you have to slow to so as not to arrive before this time?
162: At 1923, you decrease speed to make good 9.2 mph. What is the first Gage you will pass after your speed change?
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)?
218: If there is no current, what is the course per gyro compass from your 1600 position to point A located 0.5 mile due east of Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy "12"? 

    N a. 199°pgc
    N b. 196°pgc
    Y c. 193°pgc
    N d. 190°pgc
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)
249: 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 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. 225.0°psc
    N b. 230.5°psc
    Y c. 233.0°psc
    N d. 236.0°psc
279: At 1752, your position is LAT 37°04.3'N, LONG 76°06.4'W. On a flood current you should expect to be set to the __________. 

    N a. south southeast
    N b. south southwest
    N c. east southeast
    Y d. north northwest
325: 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. 12263
    Y b. 12253
    N c. 12248
    N d. 12238
451: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 27°51.0'N, LONG 71°41.0'W to LAT 49°45.0'N, LONG 06°14.0'W. 

    N a. 3196 miles, 313.1°T
    Y b. 3214 miles, 046.9°T
    N c. 3219 miles, 042.5°T
    N d. 3231 miles, 041.4°T
615: Your vessel departs Yokohama from position LAT 35°27.0'N, LONG 139°39.0'E (ZD -9), at 1330 ZT, on 23 July, bound for Seattle at position LAT 47°36.0'N, LONG 122°22.0'W (ZD +8). The distance by great circle is 4,245 miles, and you estimate that you will average 13.6 knots. What is your estimated ZT of arrival? 

    N a. 0438, 4 August
    Y b. 2038, 4 August
    N c. 0438, 5 August
    N d. 1238, 5 August
633: The Linwood Bend revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________. 

    N a. 828.1-823.1 RDB
    N b. 831.7-829.4 RDB
    Y c. 841.3-838.7 LDB
    N d. 845.4-842.5 LDB
732: On 3 January , your 1759 zone time DR position is LONG 60°53.2'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 22°55.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 09h 57m 10s, and the chronometer error is 02m 26s slow. The index error is 2.9' off the arc, and the height of eye is 52.5 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    N a. 21°35.2'N
    N b. 21°52.5'N
    Y c. 22°03.6'N
    N d. 22°22.6'N
989: On 2 April , your 0830 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 20°16.0'S, LONG 004°12.0'E. Your vessel is steaming a course of 143°T at a speed of 18.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's upper limb is made at 0903 zone time, and the observed altitude (Ho) is 42°39.6'. The chronometer reads 09h 05m 40s, and the chronometer error is 02m 15s fast. Local apparent noon occurs at 1145 zone time,
and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made.
The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 63°46.2'.
Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position. 

    N a. LAT 21°10.1'S, LONG 004°53.9'E
    N b. LAT 21°14.0'S, LONG 004°55.0'E
    Y c. LAT 21°18.0'S, LONG 005°00.5'E
    N d. LAT 22°42.0'S, LONG 004°57.0'E
1008: On 27 March , your 0730 zone time position is LAT 28°16'N, LONG 56°37'W. Your vessel is on course 158°T at a speed of 15.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0915 zone time. The chronometer reads 01h 14m 11s, and the chronometer error is 00m 53s slow. The observed altitude (Ho) is 45°10.7'. LAN occurs at 1150 zone time, and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made. The observed altitude (Ho) is 65°32.8'. Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position. 

    Y a. LAT 27°08.8'N, LONG 56°04.2'W
    N b. LAT 27°08.8'N, LONG 56°10.3'W
    N c. LAT 27°11.6'N, LONG 56°04.2'W
    N d. LAT 27°11.6'N, LONG 56°10.3'W
1094: On 12 Oct. , your vessel is on course 081°T, speed 20 knots. Your 1800 zone time DR position is LAT 26°11.0'S, LONG 77°18.0'E. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1835 running fix. NP-0024

    N a. LAT 26°05.5'S, LONG 77°14.5'E
    N b. LAT 26°07.5'S, LONG 77°34.0'E
    N c. LAT 26°09.0'S, LONG 77°27.5'E
    Y d. LAT 26°12.0'S, LONG 77°31.0'E
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
1241: At 1554, on 25 May, you pass Huntington Point Light (mile 555.2 AHP). What was your average speed since departing Amoco Pipeline Co. DockS (253.6 AHP)? 

    N a. 6.9 mph
    Y b. 6.2 mph
    N c. 4.8 mph
    N d. 4.3 mph
1290: You are at mile 230.0 AHP and see on the map a large rectangle outlined with a broken line . This indicates a __________. 

    N a. revetment
    N b. dredge material
    Y c. fleeting area
    N d. dike
1421: What is your ETA at the Helena Highway Bridge? 

    Y a. 1335, 24 Sept
    N b. 1109, 24 Sept
    N c. 0926, 24 Sept
    N d. 0458, 24 Sept
1426: What is the total length of the trip? 

    N a. 910.6 miles
    N b. 901.4 miles
    N c. 900.7 miles
    Y d. 873.7 miles
1685: As you approach Buckridge Light (mile 412.5 AHP), which type of daymark would you see on the light structure? 

    N a. Red square
    N b. Green square
    N c. Red diamond
    Y d. Green diamond
1735: As you pass under the Natchez-Vidalia Dual Bridge, the gage on the bridge reads 3.6 feet. If the highest point on your vessel is 62 ft. above the water, what is your vertical clearance? 

    Y a. 60.4 feet
    N b. 63.6 feet
    N c. 67.2 feet
    N d. 122.0 feet
1870: On 12 June , your 1845 DR position is LAT 21°47'N, LONG 46°52'W when you observe a faint unidentifiable star through a break in the clouds. The star bears 313°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 14°56.3'. The index error is 0.5' on the arc, and the height of eye is 45 feet. The chronometer reads 09h 43m 27s, and the chronometer error is 1m 46s slow. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Menkalinan
    N b. Mirzam
    N c. Theta Aurigae
    N d. Alnitak
1872: On 12 June , your 1845 DR position is LAT 21°47'N, LONG 46°52'W when you observe a faint unidentifiable star through a break in the clouds. The star bears 031°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 70°10.3'. The index error is 0.5' on the arc, and the height of eye is 45 feet. The chronometer reads 09h 43m 27s, and the chronometer error is 1m 46s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Sheratan
    N b. Ruchbah
    N c. Mimosa
    Y d. Cor Caroli
1910: On 22 February , your 1857 DR position is LAT 23°46.0'S, LONG 93°16.5'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 126°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 40°21.5'. The chronometer reads 01h 00m 35s and is 03m 25s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Adhara
    N b. Miaplacidus
    N c. Avior
    Y d. Suhail
1926: On 23 September , your 1836 DR position is LAT 25°18'S, LONG 162°36'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 022°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 13°16'. The chronometer reads 07h 34m 12s, and is 01m 54s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Antares
    Y b. Deneb
    N c. Achernar
    N d. Sirius
2089: At your current speed of 18 knots you only have enough fuel remaining to travel 316 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. 10.4
    Y b. 11.8
    N c. 13.2
    N d. 14.6
2158: On 26 May , your vessel's 1906 zone time position is LAT 27°16.0'N, LONG 24°37.0'W. At that time, a sextant observation of the planet Jupiter was made. The sextant altitude is 63°27.6', and the chronometer reads 09h 05m 16s. The index error is 5.2' on the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 25s slow. Your height of eye is determined to be 52.6 feet. What is the (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position? 

    N a. 011.3°T
    Y b. 168.7°T
    N c. 191.3°T
    N d. 348.7°T
2167: On 4 July , at 0630 ZT, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 21°15.0'S, LONG 21°20.0'W. Your vessel is steaming at 13.0 knots on a course of 146°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0915 ZT. The chronometer reads 10h 14m 27s, and the sextant altitude is 25°29.8'. The index error is 3.1' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 0m 53s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 48.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position? 

    Y a. 049.5°T
    N b. 052.6°T
    N c. 054.3°T
    N d. 058.9°T
2277: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 41°29.8' on 11 January . The index error is 2.4' off the arc. The height of eye is 68 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)? 

    N a. 41°36.4'
    Y b. 41°39.4'
    N c. 41°42.0'
    N d. 41°44.5'
2536: You have steamed 463 miles at 19 knots and burning 440 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 200 barrels per day with 410 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel? 

    N a. 12.1
    Y b. 13.6
    N c. 15.2
    N d. 17.5
3293: Your vessel consumes 274 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 17.5 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 13.5 knots? 

    Y a. 126 bbls
    N b. 163 bbls
    N c. 211 bbls
    N d. 253 bbls
3464: You are underway on course 315°T at 14 knots. The current is 135°T at 1.9 knots. What is the course being made good? 

    N a. 130°T
    Y b. 315°T
    N c. 317°T
    N d. 322°T
3639: You desire to make good a true course of 132°. The variation is 10°W, magnetic compass deviation is 5°E, and gyrocompass error is 5°W. A northeast by east wind produces a 5° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good? 

    Y a. 132°psc
    N b. 135°psc
    N c. 137°psc
    N d. 142°psc
10204: Your present position is LAT 41°05.5'N, LONG 72°38.0'W. Assuming that there is no set and drift, what course must you steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to arrive at a position 5 miles due south of Saybrook Breakwater Light? 

    N a. 089°psc
    Y b. 080°psc
    N c. 077°psc
    N d. 066°psc
10301: Determine the course per standard magnetic compass from Cerberus Shoal Buoy 9 (LAT 41°10.4'N, LONG 71°57.1'W) to the entrance to Quonochontaug Pond (LAT 41°19.8'N, LONG 71°43.2'W). 

    N a. 030°psc
    N b. 036°psc
    Y c. 059°psc
    N d. 067°psc
10309: You are 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to LAT 41°00.0'N, LONG 71°30.0'W? 

    N a. 108°psc
    Y b. 122°psc
    N c. 124°psc
    N d. 130°psc
10501: At 0939 your GPS position is LAT 36°57.0'N, LONG 75°41.0'W. You are on course 119° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 12.8 knots. At 1017 your GPS indicates your position as LAT 36°54.2'N, LONG 75°33.1'W. What were the set and drift? 

    N a. 280°T at 1.0 knot
    Y b. 275°T at 1.8 knots
    N c. 091°T at 1.6 knots
    N d. 103°T at 1.1 knots
11013: What will be the height of the tide at Horton Pt., New York, on 16 June 1983, at 1845 DST (ZD +4)? 

    N a. 0.2 foot
    Y b. 2.7 feet
    N c. 4.1 feet
    N d. 5.5 feet
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
14600: What is the length of The Dalles Lock on the Columbia River? 

    N a. 475 feet
    N b. 500 feet
    Y c. 675 feet
    N d. 1200 feet
15058: At 0740, you obtain the following radar data:

Branford Reef Light bears 248° true @ 3.0 nm

What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°12.0'N, LONG 72°51.3'W
    N b. LAT 41°12.0'N, LONG 72°51.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°51.5'W
    Y d. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°52.0'W
15118: What was the speed made good from 1845 to 1930? 

    N a. 6.2 knots
    N b. 7.5 knots
    Y c. 8.3 knots
    N d. 9.4 knots
15461: At 0908, you change course to 010°T. What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 003°
    N b. 017°
    Y c. 021°
    N d. 359°
15644: At 2045 You take the following set of bearings:

Watch Hill Point Light bears 005° true
Montauk Point Light bears 350° true

Determine your 2103 fix. 

    Y a. LAT 41°09.2'N, LONG 71°52.5'W
    N b. LAT 41°09.1'N, LONG 71°52.2'W
    N c. LAT 41°09.0'N, LONG 71°52.9'W
    N d. LAT 41°08.8'N, LONG 71°52.5'W
15663: At 0748, you change course to 160°T. Which loran reading will insure you clear Great Eastern Rock? 

    Y a. Nothing more than 9960-W-14645
    N b. Nothing more than 9960-X-25970
    N c. Nothing more than 9960-Y-43850
    N d. Nothing more than 9960-Y-43960
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
15818: 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
15867: You anticipate a maximum flood current north of Stratford Shoal. You will be set in which general direction? 

    N a. Northerly
    N b. Easterly
    N c. Southerly
    Y d. Westerly
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
16440: What course per gyrocompass would you need to steer from the anchorage to York Spit Channel buoy "29"? 

    Y a. 172°  pgc
    N b. 175°  pgc
    N c. 178°  pgc
    N d. 181°  pgc
16564: If your height of eye is 45 feet (13.7 meters), what is the approximate geographic range of Block Island North Light? 

    N a. 7.8 nm
    N b. 8.9 nm
    N c. 13.0 nm
    Y d. 16.7 nm
16615: At 0112, the radar range to Branford Reef Light is 2.9 miles. At 0125, the range is 3.6 miles. What is the position of your 0125 running fix if you are steering 124°T at 12 knots? 

    Y a. LAT 41°09.7'N, LONG 72°48.1'W
    N b. LAT 41°09.7'N, LONG 72°48.7'W
    N c. LAT 41°09.8'N, LONG 72°47.2'W
    N d. LAT 41°10.2'N, LONG 72°47.7'W