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.


36: You pass Springfield Bend Lt. (mile 244.8 AHP) at 1242, on 17 October, and estimate the current will average 2.5 mph for the remainder of your trip. What is your ETA at the mouth of the Ohio River if you are making turns for 10.5 mph?


167: The Arkansas City Yellow Bend revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________.


171: At 2015, your vessel is at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel midway between buoys "13" and "14". If the height of tide is -1 foot (-0.3 meters), what is the approximate depth of water?


220: From your 1715 fix, you steer 214°T at 12 knots. At 1800,
you take the following bearings:

Chesapeake Light bearing 175°pgc
Cape Henry Light bearing 239°pgc
Cape Charles Light bearing 293°pgc

Your 1800 position is __________.

    N a. LAT 37°02.7'N, LONG 75°42.7'W
    Y b. LAT 37°02.9'N, LONG 75°43.1'W
    N c. LAT 37°03.0'N, LONG 75°43.3'W
    N d. LAT 37°03.1'N, LONG 75°42.8'W

303: A vessel steams 576 miles on course 260°T from LAT 40°36'N, LONG 50°24'W. What are the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by mid-latitude sailing?

    N a. LAT 39°12'N, LONG 62°28'W
    N b. LAT 39°06'N, LONG 62°34'W
    N c. LAT 39°02'N, LONG 62°37'W
    Y d. LAT 38°56'N, LONG 62°42'W

307: A vessel at LAT 28°00'N, LONG 116°00'W is to proceed to LAT 34°00'N, LONG 123°40'W. What is the course and distance by mid-latitude sailing?

    N a. 323°T, 428 miles
    N b. 324°T, 453 miles
    Y c. 312°T, 533 miles
    N d. 302°T, 539 miles

598: At 1132, 24 July, you pass Natchez Beam Lt. (mile 364.8 AHP). What is your ETA off the Memphis Gage if you average 8.0 mph?

    N a. 2345, 25 July
    N b. 0525, 26 July
    Y c. 0947, 26 July
    N d. 2215, 26 July

611: At 0600 zone time, on 22 October , you depart Manila, LAT 14°35.0'N, LONG 120°58.0'E (ZD -8). You are bound for Los Angeles, LAT 33°46.0'N, LONG 118°11.0'W, and you estimate your speed of advance at 20.2 knots. The distance is 6,385.9 miles. What is your estimated zone time of arrival at Los Angeles?

    Y a. 1808, 3 November
    N b. 0208, 4 November
    N c. 1008, 4 November
    N d. 0208, 5 November

672: What is the total length of the trip?

    Y a. 922.3 miles
    N b. 985.3 miles
    N c. 1155.8 miles
    N d. 1187.3 miles

685: What company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Madison Parish (mile 457.0 AHP)?

    N a. Complex Chemical Co.
    N b. Delta Southern Railroads
    Y c. Baxter Wilson Steam
    N d. Farm Chemical

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

750: On 28 October , at 1754 ZT, your vessel's DR position is LAT 28°30'N, LONG 63°24'W. At this time, you obtain a sextant altitude (hs) of Polaris reading 28°42.6', with an index error of 2.4' on the arc. Your chronometer reads 09h 50m 00s, and is 4m 14s slow. What is your latitude by Polaris, given a height of eye of 28 feet (8.5 meters)?

    N a. 28°25.2'N
    N b. 28°30.6'N
    Y c. 28°34.9'N
    N d. 28°41.3'N

1005: On 18 May , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 20°41'N, LONG 63°32'W. You are on course 106°T, speed 24 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.

ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1204 61°54.6' N 19°37.6' 88°39.7'
1210 63°24.6' N 19°37.7' 88°59.2'

    Y a. LAT 20°32.6'N, LONG 62°57.5'W
    N b. LAT 20°30.1'N, LONG 63°01.9'W
    N c. LAT 20°27.6'N, LONG 62°52.4'W
    N d. LAT 20°25.2'N, LONG 62°56.9'W

1175: On 12 February , your 0900 zone time DR position is LAT 16°43.0'N, LONG 51°42.0'W. Your vessel is on course 093°T at a speed of 18.5 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    Y a. 1237
    N b. 1233
    N c. 1230
    N d. 1226

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

1261: On 16 February , your 0300 ZT DR position is LAT 28°32.0'S, LONG 176°49.0'E. You are on course 082°T at a speed of 21 knots. What will be the zone time of sunrise at your vessel?

    N a. 0534
    Y b. 0552
    N c. 0631
    N d. 0645

1291: As you pass Solitude Lt. (mile 249.0 AHP) which dayboard would you see?

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

1300: You estimate the current as 2.5 mph. What is the speed over the ground?

    N a. 11.0 mph
    N b. 8.0 mph
    Y c. 6.0 mph
    N d. 5.5 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

1659: On 15 July , in DR position LAT 22°19.0'N, LONG 154°37.0'W, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 298°psc. The chronometer reads 04h 45m 19s and is 01m 56s slow.
Variation in the area is 7.5°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 2.7°W
    Y b. 3.0°E
    N c. 3.6°W
    N d. 3.9°E

1710: What is the width of the navigable channel at Columbus Pt. Light (mile 936.0 AHP)?

    N a. 200 ft.
    Y b. 300 ft.
    N c. 450 ft.
    N d. 750 ft.

1783: At 2048 ZT, on 13 October , in DR position LAT 44°02.8'S, LONG 146°58.3'E, you observe an amplitude of Venus. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 222.2°psc. The variation is 15°E. What is the deviation?

    N a. 0.0°
    N b. 1.1°E
    Y c. 1.0°W
    N d. 1.5°W

1857: On 22 May , your 0437 ZT DR position is LAT 25°18.5'N, LONG 51°18.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 097°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 48°20.0'. The chronometer reads 07h 40m 40s and is 03m 24s fast. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Markab
    N b. Diphda
    N c. Sabik
    N d. Hamal

1906: On 22 March , your 0519 DR position is LAT 27°20.6'N, LONG 69°25.6'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 051°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 50°03.7'. The chronometer reads 10h 16m 47s, and is 02m 15s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Acamar
    N b. Enif
    N c. Menkar
    Y d. Deneb

1951: As you approach Ashland Light (mile 378.1 AHP) which daymark would you see?

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

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

2114: 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

2208: What is the total length of the trip?

    N a. 906.3 miles
    Y b. 922.3 miles
    N c. 1155.8 miles
    N d. 1187.3 miles

2319: You complete changing out your tow and get underway enroute Ark City Tank Storage (mile 554.0 AHP) to deliver the tank barges. What is the distance you must travel from Cairo Point Light?

    N a. 606.8 miles
    N b. 554.0 miles
    Y c. 399.8 miles
    N d. 202.1 miles

2322: At 1032 on 24 June, you pass Carolina Landing Light (mile 508.8 AHP). What has been the average current since 2350, 23 June, if you have been making turns for 9.0 mph?

    Y a. 0.5 mph
    N b. 1.5 mph
    N c. 5.7 mph
    N d. 8.5 mph

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.

2588: At 2130 New Haven buoy "NH" bears 337° per gyro compass and Middle Ground Lt bears 254° per gyro compass. You must arrive 0.3 miles off Port Jefferson buoy "PJ" at 2300. What speed will you have to make good, for arrival at 2300?

    N a. 9.0 knots
    Y b. 9.3 knots
    N c. 9.6 knots
    N d. 10.7 knots

2680: While on course 321°pgc with a 1°W gyro error, you pick up a buoy on radar bearing 001° relative at 5.2 miles. What will be the course to pass the buoy by 1 mile abeam to starboard, if you change course when the buoy is 4.5 miles away?

    N a. 305°T
    Y b. 310°pgc
    N c. 316°T
    N d. 336°pgc

2853: Your vessel is on a course of 343°T at 14 knots. At 2156 a light bears 320.5°T, and at 2217 the light bears 298°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    Y a. 2232, 3.4 miles
    N b. 2235, 4.3 miles
    N c. 2228, 4.9 miles
    N d. 2241, 6.9 miles

3063: The observed distance for a day's run was 302.7 miles. The propeller had a pitch of 20'06", and the average RPM was 67. What was the slip?

    N a. +0.7%
    N b. -0.7%
    Y c. +7.0%
    N d. -7.0%

3753: 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 343°T, and the variation is 5° west. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 344° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation?

    N a. 1°E
    N b. 1°W
    Y c. 4°E
    N d. 4°W

6143: At 2027 you obtain a radar range to Shagwong Point of 3.4 miles and a tangent bearing to the east end of Long Island of 172°T. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. You are to the left of your DR track.
    N b. You are inside a precautionary area.
    N c. Your speed made good from 1949 to 2027 is 14.0 knots.
    N d. Your course made good from 1949 to 2027 is 111°T.

11404: At 2115 your GPS position is LAT 41°03.3'N, LONG 72°37.9'W. At 0027 your position is LAT 41°14.4'N, LONG 72°07.2'W. What was your speed made good?

    N a. 7.0 knots
    N b. 7.5 knots
    Y c. 8.0 knots
    N d. 8.5 knots

11410: At 0647 a GPS fix places your vessel 1 mile due south of buoy "8C" (buoy position LAT 41°10.8'N, LONG 72°29.4'W). At 0753 another GPS fix places your vessel at LAT 41°08.6'N, LONG 72°41.6'W. What were your true course and speed made good?

    N a. 088° at 9.6 knots
    N b. 192° at 8.8 knots
    Y c. 263° at 8.5 knots
    N d. 268° at 9.1 knots

11908: Your position is 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course to steer to arrive at LAT 41°00.0'N, LONG 71°30.0'W, if you are turning for 7.8 knots, the current is 330° at 1.2 knots, and a southerly wind causes 3° of leeway?

    Y a. 117°T
    N b. 112°T
    N c. 104°T
    N d. 102°T

12106: While in the Back River, you sight the two tanks along the Northwest Branch (vicinity LAT 37°05.6'N, LONG 76°22.0'W) in line bearing 277° per standard magnetic compass. If your vessel is heading 243°psc, what is TRUE?

    N a. There is no deviation.
    N b. The deviation table is incorrect.
    Y c. The compass error is 12°W.
    N d. The deviation is 3°E for bearings of 277°psc.

12107: 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) bearing 267° per standard magnetic compass. What is TRUE if your vessel's heading is 056°psc?

    N a. The compass error is 13°E.
    Y b. The deviation table is in error and should be corrected.
    N c. The deviation is 4°E.
    N d. The deviation table is correct for a heading of 056°psc.

12303: You are on course 056° per standard magnetic compass when you sight Block Island North Light in line with the Block Island Aero Beacon bearing 193° per standard magnetic compass. Based on this you __________.

    N a. know the compass error is 4°E
    N b. should swing your vessel to check for deviation
    Y c. know the deviation table is correct for that heading
    N d. should use 3°W deviation on bearings of 193°psc

12612: You are on course 242° per standard magnetic compass (psc) when you take the following bearings: Stratford Point Light 325°psc Old Field Point Light 239°psc Middle Ground Light 270°psc What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41°04.4'N, LONG 72°59.5'W
    Y b. LAT 41°05.1'N, LONG 72°59.3'W
    N c. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 73°00.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°04.8'N, LONG 73°59.3'W

13102: At 2330 your position is LAT 41°16.9'N, LONG 71°38.2'W. You are turning for 9.3 knots. What is your ETA at the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island?

    N a. 2355
    Y b. 0005
    N c. 0012
    N d. 0019

13410: You plan to anchor your vessel at LAT 41°05.1'N, LONG 72°59.3'W. Assuming that normal conditions exist, how much anchor cable should you put out?

    N a. 150 to 300 feet
    N b. 300 to 440 feet
    Y c. 440 to 600 feet
    N d. 640 to 750 feet

15139: At what time would you expect to be abeam of Buoy "MP"?

    N a. 2240
    N b. 2244
    Y c. 2248
    N d. 2252

15359: Based on your running fix, you __________.

    N a. have a head current
    Y b. have a following current
    N c. are being set to the north
    N d. are not affected by a current

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

16107: If the visibility is 5 miles and you are in the red sector,
at what distance off should you sight Cape Henry Light?

    N a. 15 miles
    N b. 13 miles
    N c. 11 miles
    Y d. 09 miles

16145: At 2054 Block Island Southeast Point Light bears 054°T at 6.9 miles and Southwest Ledge Lighted Bell Buoy 2 is 1.6 miles off to port. The set and drift from 2027 to 2054 is __________.

    Y a. 127°T at 3.1 knots
    N b. 127°T at 1.4 knots
    N c. 307°T at 3.1 knots
    N d. 307°T at 1.4 knots

16411: You get underway at 1030. The wind is out of the SSE and you estimate 3° leeway. What course should you steer per gyrocompass to make good a desired course of 075°T?

    N a. 074°pgc
    N b. 076°pgc
    N c. 078°pgc
    Y d. 080°pgc

16466: The abandoned lighthouse at Cape Henry is a(n) __________.

    Y a. gray, pyramidal tower
    N b. mound of broken rubble
    N c. octagonal, black and white tower
    N d. black, skeleton structure

16540: You sight Bartlett Reef Light in range with New London Harbor Light bearing 038°pgc. At the time of the bearing,
the helmsman reports he was heading 253°pgc and 269° per standard magnetic compass. What is the deviation for that heading?

    Y a. 1°E
    N b. 1°W
    N c. 4°E
    N d. 4°W