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.

73: The area between Island 67 Upper Light (mile 623.1 AHP) and Sunflower Cut-off Foot Light (mile 624.8 AHP) is known as a __________.
89: In high water conditions, which publication would you consult for the latest information on buoys between Baton Rouge and Cairo?
155: As you approach Old River Control Structure Light you see a flashing amber light. You should __________.
214: From your 1930 position, you plot a course to pass 0.5 mile due south of Race Rock Light. If your vessel's speed is 10.0 knots, the current's set and drift are 040°T at 1.8 knots, and a north wind produces a 3° leeway, what true course should you steer to make good your desired course? 

    N a. 300°T
    N b. 295°T
    N c. 290°T
    Y d. 280°T
223: At 1920, Cape Henry Light bears 225°pgc, and Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light bears 288°pgc. If your heading is 268°T, what is the relative bearing of Chesapeake Light? 

    N a. 206°
    Y b. 213°
    N c. 215°
    N d. 220°
254: At 0130, you obtain the following radar ranges:

Horton Point Light - 4.3 miles;
Mattituck Breakwater Light - 3.45 miles;
Duck Pond Point - 2.0 miles.

What were the course and speed made good between 0100 and 0130? 

    N a. 236°T at 9.4 knots
    Y b. 246°T at 9.8 knots
    N c. 259°T at 9.8 knots
    N d. 267°T at 9.4 knots
368: You will enter waters governed by the International Rules when __________. 

    N a. you cross the territorial sea boundary line
    N b. abeam of buoy "CBJ"
    Y c. Cape Charles Light bears 022°T
    N d. you cross the boundary of the contiguous zone
426: The broken magenta line which runs parallel to the shore between Roanoke Point and Mattituck Inlet marks a __________. 

    Y a. fish trap area
    N b. pipeline
    N c. demarcation line
    N d. cable area
435: Which course should you change to per standard magnetic compass as you pass SW Ledge Light to remain in the channel? 

    N a. 026°psc
    Y b. 022°psc
    N c. 014°psc
    N d. 007°psc
479: The great circle distance from LAT 24°25.3'N, LONG 83°02.6'W to LAT 35°57.2'N, LONG 5°45.7'W is 3966.5 miles. Determine the latitude of the vertex. 

    N a. 38°46.2'N
    N b. 38°16.4'N
    Y c. 38°09.4'N
    N d. 37°57.3'N
579: Which loran line of position will serve as a danger reading on the loran to keep you west of the submerged obstruction at LAT 37°24.2'N, LONG 76°03.7'W, after you leave York Spit Channel? 

    Y a. Not less than 9960-X-27246
    N b. Not more than 9960-Y-41595
    N c. Not less than 9960-Y-41595
    N d. Not less than 9960-Z-58622
594: After you get underway, what is the first river gage you will pass? 

    N a. Head of Passes
    Y b. Donaldsonville
    N c. Baton Rouge
    N d. Red River Landing
612: At 0530 zone time, on 20 December , you depart Cape Town (ZD -1). You are bound for New York (ZD +5), and you estimate your speed of advance at 25 knots. The distance is 6,762 miles. What is your estimated zone time of arrival at New York? 

    N a. 1200, 31 December
    N b. 1100, 31 December
    N c. 0700, 31 December
    Y d. 0600, 31 December
628: You are on a voyage from Valdez, AK, to the Panama Canal. The distance from pilot to pilot is 4950 miles. The speed of advance is 15.0 knots. You estimate a layover in San Francisco, CA, of 36.0 hours. If you take departure at 0800 (ZD +10), 29 October, what is your ETA (ZD +5) at the Panama Canal? 

    Y a. 1900, 13 November
    N b. 1400, 13 November
    N c. 1400, 14 November
    N d. 0900, 13 November
655: On a North Pacific voyage, you wish to sail the shortest distance from LAT 46°05'N, LONG 124°00'W to LAT 44°00'N, LONG 150°00'E. You do not want to exceed 50°N latitude due to anticipated fog conditions. Which voyage plot meets these requirements? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5270) 

    N a. A great circle between departure and arrival with Mercator  legs north of the Aleutians
    N b. A great circle between departure and arrival with parallel  sailing where the track intersects the 50°N parallel
    Y c. A great circle to 50°N, 153°W, parallel sailing to 50°N, 173°W, then a great circle to arrival
    N d. A great circle from departure to the mid-longitude at 50°N, then another great circle to arrival
814: On 1 July , your 0515 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 23°24.0'S, LONG 151°42.0'W. Your vessel is on course 240°T, and your speed is 10.0 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1215 zone time, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 42°55.0'. What is the latitude at 1200 ZT? 

    N a. 24°02.5'S
    N b. 24°01.0'S
    Y c. 23°59.7'S
    N d. 23°58.6'S
976: On 7 November , your 0830 zone time position was LAT 27°36.0'N, LONG 162°19.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 289°T at a speed of 19.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0945 ZT. The chronometer read 08h 43m 11s and was slow 01m 51s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 38°21.1'. Local Apparent Noon (LAN) occurred at 1138 zone time. The observed altitude (Ho) was 45°35.0'. What was the longitude of your 1200 zone time running fix? 

    Y a. 163°38.8'W
    N b. 163°34.0'W
    N c. 163°30.2'W
    N d. 163°26.0'W
1120: At 0850, 4 January, you pass the Gage at Natchez, MS which reads 26.8 feet. The low water reference plane (LWRP) for Natchez is 6.1 feet. What is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane? 

    Y a. 20.7 ft above
    N b. 20.7 ft below
    N c. 32.9 ft above
    N d. 32.9 ft below
1460: On 27 June , your 1905 ZT DR position is LAT 24°35.0'N, LONG 50°15.0'W. At that time, you observe Saturn bearing 211°pgc. The chronometer reads 10h 04m 26s and the chronometer error is 01m 20s slow. The variation is 4.5°E. What is the gyro error? 

    Y a. 1.1°W
    N b. 3.4°E
    N c. 3.4°W
    N d. 5.6°W
1470: On 1 March , your 2135 zone time DR position is LAT 23°54.0'N, LONG 63°22.0'W. At that time, you observe Schedar bearing 328°psc. The chronometer reads 01h 35m 16s, and the chronometer error is 00m 07s slow. The variation is 3.5°E. What is the deviation of the standard compass? 

    N a. 2.3°E
    N b. 2.5°W
    Y c. 3.2°W
    N d. 4.2°E
1704: Which of the following statements regarding buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE? 

    N a. The positions of river buoys can be found in the latest edition of Light List-Vol. V.
    N b. The buoys are maintained on station year round.
    Y c. Buoy positions on the chart are approximate.
    N d. The buoys do not shift positions due to permanent moorings.
1712: What is the distance from Cairo Point, IL, to Arkansas City? 

    N a. 28 miles
    N b. 110 miles
    N c. 218 miles
    Y d. 400 miles
1753: The Bayou Sara Gage reads 5.25 feet. The low water reference plane (LWRP) for Bayou Sara is 5.25 feet. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. This gage reading is at a higher elevation than the same reading on the Gage at Head of Passes.
    N b. The depth over revetment at Old River is 25.2 ft.
    N c. The depth over Old River Lock sill is greater than 11 ft.
    Y d. River level is at the Low Water Reference plane
1761: What is the length of the trip? 

    Y a. 887.9 miles
    N b. 878.9 miles
    N c. 851.9 miles
    N d. 726.0 miles
1769: In order to determine what buoys, if any, are in place at Concordia Bar crossing (mile 596.0 AHP), what should you check? 

    N a. Bulletin board at the Rosedale Gage
    N b. Waterways Journal
    N c. Light List
    Y d. Notice to Mariners
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
2217: The highest point on your towboat is 67 feet above the water, and the Helena Gage reads +22.3 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the A-span of the Helena Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 74.7 feet
    N b. 52.4 feet
    N c. 49.8 feet
    Y d. 30.1 feet
2243: At 1444 ZT, on 28 July , in DR position LAT 40° 56.8' N, LONG 167° 12.4' E, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The upper limb of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 299.3° psc. The variation is 1° E. What is the deviation? 

    Y a. 3.1°W
    N b. 3.1°E
    N c. 2.1°W
    N d. 2.1°E
2676: While on a course of 019°pgc, a light bears 14° on the port bow at a distance of 15.3 miles. What course should you steer to pass 1.5 miles abeam of the light, leaving it to port? 

    N a. 006°pgc
    Y b. 011°pgc
    N c. 013°pgc
    N d. 015°pgc
3276: While steaming at 15 knots, your vessel burns 326 bbls of fuel per day. What will be the rate of fuel consumption if you decrease speed to 12.2 knots? 

    Y a. 175 bbls/day
    N b. 215 bbls/day
    N c. 277 bbls/day
    N d. 300 bbls/day
3290: While steaming at 15.5 knots, your vessel consumes 333 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 176 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for? 

    N a. 11.3 knots
    Y b. 12.5 knots
    N c. 13.6 knots
    N d. 14.8 knots
3626: Your vessel is steering course 284°psc, variation for the area is 6°W, and deviation is 3°E. The wind is from the north-northeast, producing a 3° leeway. What true course are you making good? 

    N a. 275°T
    Y b. 278°T
    N c. 284°T
    N d. 290°T
3758: Your vessel is proceeding up a channel, and you see a pair of range lights that are in line ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 212°T, and the variation is 7°W. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 208° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation? 

    N a. 4°E
    N b. 4°W
    Y c. 11°E
    N d. 11°W
4009: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°E. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a true heading of 187°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 350° 122.5° - 110° 239.5° - 230°
030.5° - 020° 152.0° - 140° 269.0° - 260°
061.5° - 050° 181.0° - 170° 298.0° - 290°
092.0° - 080° 210.0° - 200° 327.5° - 320° 

    N a. 1.5°W
    Y b. 0.5°W
    N c. 0.0°
    N d. 1.0°E
10612: You are taking a time tick using the 2000 signal from Kekaha-Kauai, Hawaii (WWVH). You hear a series of 1 second dashes followed by a 9 second silent period, then a long 1.3 second dash. At the beginning of the long dash, your comparing watch reads 08h 00m 08s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 08h 01m 15s, and the chronometer reads 07h 59m 55s. What is the chronometer error? 

    N a. 0m 08s fast
    N b. 1m 07s fast
    Y c. 1m 12s slow
    N d. 1m 28s slow
11904: What is the true course to steer between the entrance to Winnapaug Pond (LAT 41°19.6'N, LONG 71°45.8'W) and the entrance to Lake Montauk (LAT 41°04.8'N, LONG 71°56.3'W), if you are turning for 6.5 knots, allow for a current of 295°T at 0.9 knot, and an easterly wind is causing 4° of leeway? 

    Y a. 196°T
    N b. 200°T
    N c. 213°T
    N d. 217°T
12604: You are on course 082° per standard magnetic compass (psc) when you take the following bearings: New London Ledge Light - 036.5°psc Little Gull Island Light - 157.0°psc Saybrook Break Water Light - 294.5°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°02.3'N, LONG 72°04.5'W
    N b. LAT 41°09.5'N, LONG 72°07.1'W
    Y c. LAT 41°13.6'N, LONG 72°07.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.1'N, LONG 72°12.8'W
13002: At 0829 your position is LAT 41°02.9'N, LONG 72°57.4'W. You are making turns for 8.5 knots. What is your ETA at a position midway between buoys "1" and "2" at the entrance of New Haven Outer Channel? 

    N a. 0925
    N b. 0931
    N c. 0938
    Y d. 0944
13002: At 0829 your position is LAT 41°02.9'N, LONG 72°57.4'W. You are making turns for 8.5 knots. What is your ETA at a position midway between buoys "1" and "2" at the entrance of New Haven Outer Channel? 

    N a. 0925
    N b. 0931
    N c. 0938
    Y d. 0944
13405: At 0400 your vessel is dead in the water and in heavy fog. Your GPS position is LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°43.5'W. Bottom samples are taken and indicate a composition of soft mud and shell. Your fathometer reads 40 feet. If the vessel draws 9 feet of water, which of the following is TRUE? 

    Y a. The bottom samples and fathometer reading prove the fix is reliable.
    N b. The bottom samples and fathometer readings indicate that the fix is unreliable.
    N c. The information collected indicates that the fathometer may be in error.
    N d. The information collected indicates that the chart is most  likely in error.
13803: NOAA Weather Broadcasts for the New London area may be received by turning your radio to __________. 

    Y a. 162.550 MHz
    N b. 162.475 MHz
    N c. 162.400 MHz
    N d. 162.350 MHz
15063: At 0830, you want the latest weather forecasts for the Falkner Island area. On what frequency do you set your FM radio for this information? 

    N a. 2182 kHz
    N b. 162.80 Mhz
    N c. 156.65 Mhz
    Y d. 162.55 Mhz
15120: If you have 17.3 miles to reach your destination from your 2000 position and want to be there at 2230, what speed should you make good? 

    N a. 5.7 knots
    N b. 6.1 knots
    N c. 6.5 knots
    Y d. 6.9 knots
15465: What is indicated by the dashed magenta line crossing York Spit Channel between buoys "20" and "22"? 

    N a. You are crossing the demarcation line between the COLREGS and the Inland Rules.
    Y b. The line marks the limits of a regulated area.
    N c. The line indicates a submarine cable, and you should not anchor in the area.
    N d. It marks the range between Hampton Roads and Cherrystone Channel.
15466: At 1015, you estimate you have 139 miles to complete the voyage. If you average 9.5 knots, you will complete the voyage in __________. 

    N a. 14 hours 22 minutes
    N b. 14 hours 30 minutes
    Y c. 14 hours 38 minutes
    N d. 14 hours 44 minutes
15510: From your 1800 position you steer a course of 350°psc at a speed of 10.0 knots. At 1830, your position is LAT 41°11.7'N, LONG 71°45.8'W. What are the set and drift of the current? 

    N a. 029°T, 0.7 knot
    Y b. 029°T, 1.4 knots
    N c. 209°T, 0.7 knot
    N d. 209°T, 1.4 knots
15646: At 2229 the gyro fails. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make good 206°T, if you allow 3° leeway for southeasterly winds? 

    N a. 187°
    N b. 191°
    Y c. 217°
    N d. 220°
15728: What company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Helena (mile 658 to 665 AHP)? 

    Y a. Helena Grain Co.
    N b. Helena Port Terminal, Inc.
    N c. Arkansas Power & Light Co.
    N d. Texas Eastern Pipeline Co.
15742: At 2100 your position is LAT 40°58.5'N, LONG 71°46.0'W. You are proceeding north. At 2131 Montauk Point Light has a radar range of 5.1 miles and bears 284°T. Block Island Southeast Light has a radar range of 10.8 miles. What was the course made good from your 2100 position? 

    N a. 005°T
    Y b. 011°T
    N c. 017°T
    N d. 025°T
15838: At 2000 Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy "12" bears 199° true and Buoy "GM" bears 249° true

Your position is __________. 

    N a. 37°35.0'N, 75°32.2'W
    Y b. 37°23.5'N, 75°32.2'W
    N c. 37°03.5'N, 75°32.2'W
    N d. 37°03.5'N, 75°02.2'W
16038: At 0820 Old Field Point Light bears 206° per gyrocompass,
and Stratford Shoals Middle Ground Light bears 322° per gyrocompass. The radar range to Middle Ground Light is 1.5 miles. Your 0820 fix gives you a position of __________. 

    N a. LAT 41°02.6'N, LONG 73°05.2'W
    Y b. LAT 41°02.5'N, LONG 73°04.9'W
    N c. LAT 41°02.3'N, LONG 73°05.2'W
    N d. LAT 41°02.0'N, LONG 73°05.1'W
16214: From your 0715 position, you set a course of 085°T. At 0745 you take the following bearings:

Race Rock Light 278°pgc
Watch Hill Light 049°pgc
Fisher's Island East Harbor Cupola 010°pgc

What was the current encountered between 0715 and 0745? 

    N a. Set 030°T, drift 0.4 knot
    N b. Set 216°T, drift 0.3 knot
    Y c. Set 070°T, drift 0.6 knot
    N d. Set 238°T, drift 1.0 knot
16320: Which course should you change to per standard magnetic compass as you pass SW Ledge Light to remain in the channel? 

    N a. 007°psc
    N b. 014°psc
    Y c. 021°psc
    N d. 026°psc
16518: At 0845, Montauk Pt. Light is bearing 205°T at a radar distance of 6.6 miles. What is your speed made good from your 0815 position? 

    Y a. 8.2knots
    N b. 9.2 knots
    N c. 10.0 knots
    N d. 10.5 knots
16568: From your 1930 position, you plot a course to pass 0.5 mile due south of Race Rock Light. If your vessel's speed is 8.0 knots, the current's set and drift are 040°T at 1.4 knots,
and a south wind produces a 3° leeway, what true course should you steer to make good your desired course? 

    Y a. 275°T
    N b. 280°T
    N c. 290°T
    N d. 294°T