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.


67: The Gage at Red River Landing reads 22.2 feet. The LWRP for Red River is 10.6 feet. What is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane?


95: You complete changing out your tow and get underway enroute Memphis, Tennessee to deliver 2 tank barges. What is the distance you must travel from Cairo Point Light to the Lion Oil Refining Co. Docks in Memphis?


151: What is the distance from the Memphis Gage to the Redneb Services Dock in New Orleans, LA.


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)?

    N a. 25°37.1'
    Y b. 25°40.2'
    N c. 25°42.8'
    N d. 25°44.3'

354: The south shore of Long Island Sound from Horton Point to Orient Point is __________.

    Y a. bluff and rocky
    N b. low and marshy
    N c. marked by sandy beaches and wooded uplands
    N d. bound by gradual shoaling

495: At 0815, visibility is excellent and you can see Montauk Point. Montauk Point is __________.

    N a. low and rocky with scattered small pine trees
    N b. a low lying wetland
    Y c. a high sandy bluff
    N d. a flat wooded plain

514: The shoreline along Rocky Point should give a good radar return because __________.

    Y a. the shore is bluff and rocky
    N b. of offshore exposed rocks
    N c. submerged reefs cause prominent breakers
    N d. the lookout tower is marked with radar reflectors

530: You observe the planet Jupiter at a sextant altitude (hs) of 66°27.6' on 26 May . The index error is 5.2' on the arc. The height of eye is 52 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 65°39.5'
    N b. 65°32.8'
    N c. 66°27.2'
    Y d. 66°15.0'

553: At 0507, Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light bears 208°pgc. What is the position of your 0507 running fix?

    N a. LAT 41°04.6'N, LONG 73°04.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°04.8'N, LONG 73°04.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°04.8'N, LONG 73°04.9'W
    Y d. LAT 41°05.1'N, LONG 73°05.1'W

603: At 0915 zone time, on 7 November , you depart Seattle, LAT 47°36.0'N, LONG 122°22.0'W (ZD +8). You are bound for Kobe, LAT 34°40.0'N, LONG 135°12.0'E, and you estimate your speed of advance at 18.5 knots. The distance is 4,527 miles. What is your estimated zone time of arrival at Kobe?

    N a. 1257, 17 November
    Y b. 0657, 18 November
    N c. 1857, 18 November
    N d. 0657, 19 November

620: On 21 May , at 0630 PDT (ZD +7), your vessel takes departure at the San Francisco Sea Buoy, LAT 37°45.0'N, LONG 122°41.5'W, enroute to Kobe, LAT 33°52.0'N, LONG 135°00.0'E via great circle. The distance is 4,245 miles, and you estimate that you will average 14.0 knots. What will be your estimated zone time of arrival?

    N a. 0442, 2 June
    N b. 1342, 2 June
    N c. 0442, 3 June
    Y d. 1342, 3 June

839: On 22 August , in DR position LAT 29°41.8'N, LONG 33°15.5'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Moon's upper limb at upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 08h 00m 02s, and the chronometer error is 02m 20s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 74°32.4'. The index error is 1.5' off the arc, and your height of eye is 48 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    N a. LAT 29°39.3'N
    N b. LAT 29°41.3'N
    Y c. LAT 29°47.8'N
    N d. LAT 29°49.7'N

1089: At 1830 zone time, on 6 April , your DR position is LAT 26°33.0'N, LONG 64°31.0'W. You are steering course 082°T at a speed of 16.0 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1900 running fix. NP-0019

    N a. LAT 26°20.1'N, LONG 64°19.4'W
    N b. LAT 26°23.7'N, LONG 64°29.3'W
    N c. LAT 26°28.4'N, LONG 64°32.1'W
    Y d. LAT 26°32.5'N, LONG 64°27.1'W

1110: On 19 November , your 0300 zone time DR position is LAT 19°23'N, LONG 151°37'E. You are on course 293°T at a speed of 17 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix. NP-0039

    N a. LAT 19°38.5'N, LONG 150°41.6'E
    Y b. LAT 19°34.8'N, LONG 150°48.0'E
    N c. LAT 19°32.9'N, LONG 150°52.3'E
    N d. LAT 19°30.5'N, LONG 150°48.5'E

1250: What facility is not found near La Grange Towhead Light (538.2 AHP) on Greenville Harbour?

    N a. Mississippi Limestone
    N b. Ergon, Inc.
    N c. American Commercial Barge Lines
    Y d. Greenville Casino Wharf

1476: On 16 September , your vessel's 0736 zone time DR position is LAT 27°34'S, LONG 174°49'E, when an azimuth of the Sun is observed. The chronometer time of the sight is 07h 38m 11s, and the Sun is bearing 079.8° per gyrocompass. The chronometer error is 01m 46s fast, and the variation in the area is 11.0°W. At the time of the sight, the helmsman reports that he was heading 252°pgc and 258° per magnetic compass. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

    N a. 2°W
    N b. 3°W
    Y c. 3°E
    N d. 8°W

1898: On 22 May , your 0437 DR position is LAT 25°18.5'N, LONG 51°18.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 142°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 23°10.2'. The chronometer reads 07h 40m 40s, and is 03m 24s fast. What star did you observe?

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

1927: 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

2022: On 24 August , your vessel is enroute from Perth, Australia, to Bombay, India. Evening twilight will occur at 1807 zone time, and your vessel's DR position for this time will be LAT 27°17.0'S, LONG 83°17.0'E. Considering their magnitude and location, what are the three stars best suited to observe for a fix at star time?

    N a. Arcturus, Antares, Atria
    Y b. Spica, Altair, Acrux
    N c. Pollux, Canopus, Hamal
    N d. Rasalhague, Spica, Kochab

2051: On which map would you find Redman Point, Arkansas?

    N a. 23
    Y b. 20
    N c. 17
    N d. 5

2216: If your vessel is making turns for 7.5 mph with an estimated average current of 1.5 mph, what is your ETA at the dock in Angelina, LA?

    N a. 0516, 28 Dec
    Y b. 1621, 28 Dec
    N c. 0516, 29 Dec
    N d. 1621, 29 Dec

2292: In addition to those found in the Coast Pilot, information concerning anchorage regulations for this area may be obtained from __________.

    N a. Chesapeake Bay Port Authority, Hampton VA
    N b. Virginia - Maryland Pilots Association
    N c. Commanding General, Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C.
    Y d. Office of the Commander 5th Coast Guard District

2341: You have steamed 1175 miles at 19 knots, and consumed 257 tons of fuel. If you have to steam 1341 miles to complete the voyage, how many tons of fuel will be consumed while steaming at 18 knots?

    N a. 293 tons
    Y b. 263 tons
    N c. 202 tons
    N d. 172 tons

3071: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 20.7 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 23.8 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 3% negative slip?

    N a. 74
    N b. 79
    Y c. 86
    N d. 98

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

4001: 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 magnetic compass heading of 143°.
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°

    Y a. 2.0°W
    N b. 1.5°W
    N c. 0.5°W
    N d. 0.0°

4017: 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 gyro heading of 196°.
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. 2.0°E
    N b. 2.0°W
    N c. 1.0°W
    Y d. 0.0°

10506: At 0919 your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. You are on course 270°T at 8.7 knots. At 1031 your position is LAT 36°59.5'N, LONG 75°44.9'W. What was the set and drift?

    N a. 239° at 0.8 knot
    Y b. 252° at 1.3 knots
    N c. 060° at 0.7 knot
    N d. 073° at 1.2 knots

10608: At 1825 your GPS position is LAT 41°04.9'N, LONG 72°42.1'W. You are on course 085° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 10 knots. At 1910 your GPS position is 1 mile due south of Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy. What were your set and drift?

    N a. 233°T at 2.9 knots
    N b. 227°T at 2.5 knots
    Y c. 054°T at 2.8 knots
    N d. 051°T at 2.1 knots

10909: What will be the average direction of the current in Lynnhaven Roads at 1000 DST (ZD +4) on 23 July 1983?

    N a. 305°T
    N b. 125°T
    N c. 070°T
    Y d. Almost slack water

11708: Your position is LAT 37°00.9'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. What is the course to steer per magnetic compass to arrive at LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 75°48.5'W, if you are turning for 7.8 knots the current is 339°T at 1.3 knots, and a northwesterly wind is causing 3° of leeway?

    Y a. 265°psc
    N b. 267°psc
    N c. 269°psc
    N d. 271°psc

11905: Your position is 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course to steer to arrive one mile due south of Block Island Southeast Point Light, if you are turning for 8.6 knots, the current is 130° at 1.2 knots, and a northerly wind causes 3° of leeway?

    Y a. 061°T
    N b. 064°T
    N c. 067°T
    N d. 070°T

12300: You are on course 244° per standard magnetic compass when you sight Block Island Southeast Point Light in line with Block Island Aero Beacon bearing 326° per standard magnetic compass. Based on this you __________.

    N a. should swing your vessel to check the deviation table
    N b. know the compass error is 12°W
    N c. should suspect that there is a local magnetic disturbance
    Y d. should apply 3°W deviation to any bearing (psc) while on a heading of 244°psc

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

14603: Clearances of bridges and overhead cables below Bonneville Dam refer to heights in feet above mean __________.

    Y a. lower low water
    N b. high water
    N c. low water
    N d. sea level

15017: At 2100, you alter course to 250°T and reduce speed to 7 knots. You enter the traffic separation scheme on the inbound side. At 2200, your fix shows you crossing a broken purple line on the chart, and you observe North Chesapeake Entrance Lighted Gong Buoy "NCD" to port. This area is __________.

    Y a. a precautionary area centered on buoy "CBJ"
    N b. a pilotage area
    N c. an area with local magnetic disturbances
    N d. in inland waters

15162: At 1920, Cape Henry Light bears 231°pgc, and Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light bears 294°pgc. If your heading is 268°T, what is the relative bearing of Chesapeake Light?

    Y a. 213°
    N b. 201°
    N c. 194°
    N d. 179°

15310: Which chart could you use for greater detail of the area at the south end of York Spit Channel?

    Y a. 12222
    N b. 12224
    N c. 12226
    N d. 12254

15339: If there is no set or drift, at what time would you be abeam of Bartlett Reef Light?

    N a. 1719
    Y b. 1724
    N c. 1729
    N d. 1734

15370: If visibility permits, Little Gull Island Light will break the horizon at a range of approximately __________.

    N a. 11.1 miles
    N b. 12.8 miles
    Y c. 15.6 miles
    N d. 18.0 miles

15740: At 2000 Montauk Point Light bears 010°T. At 2030 Montauk Point Light bears 348°T. Assuming that you are making good your course of 046°T and a speed of 9 knots, what is your 2030 running fix position?

    N a. LAT 40°53.9'N, LONG 71°51.3'W
    Y b. LAT 40°54.2'N, LONG 71°50.2'W
    N c. LAT 40°55.9'N, LONG 71°49.0'W
    N d. LAT 40°56.7'N, LONG 71°48.1'W

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

15909: From your 0740 position, you change course to pass 1.1 miles north of Falkner Island Light. What loran reading will ensure that you will remain clear of the 18' shoal located 1 mile NW of Falkner Island Light?

    N a. 9960 W: not less than 14942
    N b. 9960 X: not more than 26452
    Y c. 9960 Y: not less than 44013
    N d. None of the above

15912: If there is no current, what is the course per standard magnetic compass from your 0802 fix to the position 1.1 miles north of Falkner Island Light?

    N a. 064°
    N b. 068°
    Y c. 095°
    N d. 099°

15938: At 1910 you obtain the following bearings:

Bartlett Reef Light 268°T
Race Rock Light 147°T
Little Gull Island Light 198°T

Which of the following is your position at 1910?

    N a. LAT 41°17.4'N, LONG 72°05.6'W
    N b. LAT 41°17.0'N, LONG 72°07.1'W
    Y c. LAT 41°16.6'N, LONG 72°04.6'W
    N d. LAT 41°16.2'N, LONG 72°06.4'W

16012: If you change course at 0420, what is the course to make good to leave Twenty Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy abeam to port at 1 mile?

    N a. 079°T
    N b. 082°T
    Y c. 084°T
    N d. 086°T

16269: On either side of York River Entrance Channel, there are areas bounded by short - long magenta lines and marked by yellow buoys. These areas are __________.

    Y a. fish trap areas
    N b. designated anchorages
    N c. spoil areas
    N d. naval exercise areas

16314: At 0820, you take the following bearings:

Branford Reef Light bearing 307° true
Falkner Island Light bearing 052° true

What are the set and drift since 0730?

    N a. Set 052°T, drift 1.1 knots
    N b. Set 052°T, drift 1.3 knots
    N c. Set 236°T, drift 1.1 knot
    Y d. Set 236°T, drift 1.3 knots

16444: At 1042 you take the following round of bearings:

Cape Henry Light 259°T
Chesapeake Light 101°T
Cape Charles Light 006°T
From this position, you set course 070°T at a speed of 9.5 knots.

What is the course per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 069.5°psc
    N b. 060.5°psc
    Y c. 079.5°psc
    N d. 080.5°psc

16507: What is your speed from your 0630 position, with Buoy "PI"
close abeam, to your 0654 position?

    N a. 8.2 knots
    N b. 9.3 knots
    Y c. 10.5 knots
    N d. 11.4 knots

16514: At 0815, Montauk Pt. Light House is bearing 167°T,
Shagwong Pt. has a radar range of 4.5 miles, and Cerberus Shoal "9" Buoy is bearing 284°T. If the engine is making turns for 10 knots, what was the set and drift of the current since 0748?

    N a. Set 065°T, drift 1.1 knots
    N b. Set 065°T, drift 2.4 knots
    N c. Set 245°T, drift 1.1 knots
    Y d. Set 245°T, drift 2.4 knots

16642: Based on your 0500 fix, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are seaward of the 120 fathom curve.
    N b. The course made good between 0445 and 0500 was 345°T.
    Y c. You should alter course to port to clear Southwest Ledge Shoal.
    N d. A radar contact bearing 020°T at 4.8 miles is buoy "2A".