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.

92: A stretch where the channel changes from one side of the river to the other is called a __________.
106: You are steaming at 22 knots and burning 319 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 137 barrels per day. What must you reduce your speed to in order to burn this amount of fuel?
264: At 0720, you are in the outer channel between buoy "1" and buoy "2" and change course to pass Townshend Ledge Lighted Bell Buoy "10A" abeam to port at 200 yards. What is your ETA off the buoy?
291: What is the height above water of Davis Creek Channel Light "1"? 

    Y a. 15 feet (4.6 meters)
    N b. 17 feet (5.2 meters)
    N c. 19 feet (5.8 meters)
    N d. 24 feet (7.3 meters)
326: Your 0200 position is LAT 37°23.5'N, LONG 76°09.2'W. Your speed is 8 knots, and your course is 095°T. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. The depth of the water in your vicinity is about 38 to 40 fathoms (69.1 meters to 72.7 meters).
    N b. The closest major aid to navigation is  New Point Comfort.
    Y c. You are less than a mile from a sunken wreck which could interfere with your tow.
    N d. You will pass through a disposal area on your present course.
371: You are steering 087°pgc and turning for 6.8 knots. At 0600, you take the following bearings:

Little Gull Island Light bearing 089.5° pgc
Bartlett Reef Light bearing 047° pgc

What is your 0600 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°11.2'N, LONG 72°14.6'W
    N b. LAT 41°11.7'N, LONG 72°14.4'W
    Y c. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°13.8'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.5'N, LONG 71°14.9'W
371: You are steering 087°pgc and turning for 6.8 knots. At 0600, you take the following bearings:

Little Gull Island Light bearing 089.5° pgc
Bartlett Reef Light bearing 047° pgc

What is your 0600 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°11.2'N, LONG 72°14.6'W
    N b. LAT 41°11.7'N, LONG 72°14.4'W
    Y c. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°13.8'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.5'N, LONG 71°14.9'W
421: At 0345, you set a course to depart New London Harbor. Assuming no set and drift, which standard magnetic compass course must you steer to stay in the middle of the channel? 

    N a. 192°psc
    N b. 190°psc
    Y c. 187°psc
    N d. 175°psc
440: By 1015, visibility has increased to 5.0 miles and you can see Fishers Island. Fishers Island has __________. 

    Y a. sparsely wooded hills and is fringed with shoals to the south
    N b. sheer cliffs rising from the sea to a high, flat plateau
    N c. barren, rocky hills with prominent sandy beaches
    N d. low and sandy beaches with salt ponds and marsh grass
501: You depart from the position in the previous question at 2114 and make good 12 knots on a course of 040°T. At what time will you sight New Haven Light if the visibility is 11 miles? 

    N a. The light is visible at 2114.
    N b. 2152
    Y c. 2159
    N d. 2206
743: On 7 March , at 1838 ZT, in DR position LAT 34°26.9'N, LONG 58°16.2'W, you observe Polaris for latitude. The sextant altitude (hs) is 35°08.4'. The index error is 2.5' off the arc. The height of eye is 54 feet. What is the latitude at the time of the sight? 

    N a. 34°29.8'N
    Y b. 34°33.4'N
    N c. 34°34.8'N
    N d. 34°36.8'N
1128: How far is it to the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis, TN? 

    N a. 980.8 miles
    N b. 736.6 miles
    N c. 312.3 miles
    Y d. 218.1 miles
1166: 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? 

    N a. 8.5 mph
    N b. 5.7 mph
    N c. 1.5 mph
    Y d. 0.5 mph
1197: On 16 November , your 0800 ZT DR position is LAT 25°11.0'N, LONG 117°41.0'W. Your vessel is on a course of 252°T at a speed of 14.5 knots. What is the ZT of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    N a. 1135
    Y b. 1139
    N c. 1143
    N d. 1146
1212: It is 21 November and you are keeping zone time +8. You are on course 082°T, speed 19 knots. Your 0830 DR position is LAT 24°14.8'N, LONG 133°35.5'W. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks? 

    N a. 13h 35m 02s
    N b. 13h 03m 20s
    N c. 12h 35m 59s
    Y d. 12h 34m 51s
1218: It is 22 February , and you are keeping zone time +12. You are on course 267°T, speed 22 knots. Your 0800 DR position is LAT 28°15.0'N, LONG 179°18.0'W. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks? 

    N a. 11h 17m 02s
    N b. 11h 50m 42s
    N c. 12h 16m 01s
    Y d. 12h 18m 00s
1277: On 22 June , your 0400 zone time DR position is LAT 23°00'N, LONG 81°45'W. You are steaming on course 110°T at a speed of 8.6 knots. What will be the zone time of sunrise at your vessel? 

    N a. 0537
    Y b. 0541
    N c. 0545
    N d. 0547
1342: What is the vertical clearance between the highest point of your towboat, if it is 45 feet above the water, and if the Natchez Gage reads 23.4 feet when passing under the Natchez-Vidalia Westbound Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 67.5 feet
    Y b. 57.1 feet
    N c. 52.2 feet
    N d. 45.2 feet
1407: At 2350 hours on 23 June, you are at mile 610.5 AHP when you see about a mile ahead white lights on the water near the left bank. What might you see when you come abreast of these lights? 

    N a. Privately maintained buoys at a yacht club
    N b. Government buoys marking the Hurricane Point dikes
    Y c. Barges moored at the Dennis Landing Terminal
    N d. A pipeline discharging dredge spoil
1452: On 6 November , your 0752 zone time DR position is LAT 25°11.0'N, LONG 76°07.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 119°psc. The chronometer reads 12h 53m 07s, and the chronometer error is 01m 19s fast. The variation is 3°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 2.2°W
    N b. 3.8°W
    N c. 2.8°E
    Y d. 3.2°E
1493: On 11 July , your 0240 ZT position is LAT 14°52'N,
LONG 34°23'W. You observe Polaris bearing 359.8°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 279°pgc and 299°psc. The variation is 19°W.
What is the deviation for that heading? 

    Y a. 0°
    N b. 1°E
    N c. 1°W
    N d. 3°W
1538: At 1032 on 24 June, you pass Carolina Landing Light(508.8 AHP). What has been the average current since 2350, 23 June, if you have been making turns for 9.0 mph? 

    N a. 8.5 mph
    N b. 5.7 mph
    N c. 1.5 mph
    Y d. 0.5 mph
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
1740: On what river is Ghent, Kentucky located? 

    N a. Tennessee
    N b. Mississippi
    N c. Missouri
    Y d. Ohio
1853: On 8 April , while taking observations for an evening fix, you observe an unidentified star bearing 250.7°T at an observed altitude of 51°44.8'. Your DR position at the time of the sight was LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 157°58.3'W. The chronometer reads 05h 09m 57s and is 01m 23s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Betelgeuse
    N b. Aldebaran
    N c. Alnilam
    Y d. Bellatrix
1919: On 17 March , your 0520 DR position is LAT 27°23.0'N, LONG 39°42.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 110°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 50°47.2'. The chronometer reads 08h 22m 15s, and is 01m 45s fast. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Altair
    N b. Alkaid
    N c. Arcturus
    N d. Deneb
1952: As you approach Dean Island Light (mile 754.8 AHP), which type of daymark will be observed at the light? 

    N a. Green triangle
    Y b. Green diamond
    N c. Green square
    N d. Red-and-green banded square
2024: On 3 December , evening twilight for your vessel will occur at 1901 zone time. Your vessel's DR position for this time will be LAT 24°18.5'S, LONG 110°30.6'W. Considering their magnitude and location, what are the three stars best suited to observe for a fix at star time? 

    N a. Canopus, Hamal, Deneb
    Y b. Alpheratz, Achernar, Nunki
    N c. Antares, Fomalhaut, Mirfak
    N d. Rigel, Canopus, Regulus
2092: At your current speed of 23 knots you only have enough fuel remaining to travel 386 miles. You must travel 785 miles to reach your destination. What should you reduce your speed (knots) to in order to reach your destination? 

    N a. 19.3
    N b. 17.7
    Y c. 16.1
    N d. 14.5
2284: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 35°26.3' on 25 June . The index error is 1.5' on the arc. The height of eye is 58 feet (17.6 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)? 

    N a. 35°28.2'
    N b. 35°29.9'
    Y c. 35°32.1'
    N d. 35°36.7'
2685: You are steering 031°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 12.7 miles at 0017. You change course to pass the light 3.5 miles off abeam to starboard. If you are making 11 knots, what is your ETA at the position 3.5 miles off the light? 

    N a. 0118
    N b. 0121
    Y c. 0124
    N d. 0127
2718: What organization has an installation at the uppermost end of Carthage Revetment? 

    N a. City of Natchez (waterfront)
    Y b. River Cement Co.
    N c. J.M. Jones Lumber
    N d. International Paper Co.
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%
3073: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 16.8 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 22.3 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 4% negative slip? 

    N a. 61
    N b. 66
    Y c. 73
    N d. 80
3601: You are steering 142°pgc to make good your desired course. The gyro error is 1°E . The variation is 8°W. What should you steer by standard magnetic compass to make good the desired course?
DEVIATION TABLE MAGNETIC HEADING DEV.
120° 4°E 135° 2°E 150° 0° 

    N a. 133°psc
    N b. 146°psc
    N c. 148°psc
    Y d. 151°psc
3611: The track line on the chart is 274°T. Variation is 4°E, and deviation is 2°E. The gyro error is 1.5°E. What course would be steered by gyrocompass to make good the desired course? 

    N a. 280.5°pgc
    N b. 278.0°pgc
    N c. 275.5°pgc
    Y d. 272.5°pgc
4011: 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 234°.
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. 2.5°W
    N b. 2.5°E
    N c. 1.0°W
    Y d. 0.5°E
10706: At 0726 you depart Lake Montauk with light 1 close aboard and set course 310.5° per standard magnetic compass at 7.6 knots. At 0812 your GPS position is LAT 41°08.1'N, LONG 72°03.7'W. What is the current? 

    N a. 151°T at 1.0 knot
    N b. 164°T at 0.7 knot
    Y c. 334°T at 1.4 knot
    N d. 321°T at 0.8 knot
13008: Your 2215 position is LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 72°59.4'W. You are making 15 knots. What is your ETA at Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy (LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°30.5'W)? 

    N a. 2338
    Y b. 2343
    N c. 2349
    N d. 2354
13503: You are proceeding from a point 4 miles due east of Montauk Point enroute to Long Island Sound via The Race. You should expect the soundings to __________. 

    N a. remain fairly constant
    N b. increase rapidly at first then remain constant until through the Race
    Y c. start increasing when north of Montauk Point
    N d. be inaccurate due to sound absorption by the mud bottom
15040: At about what time will you see Chesapeake Light if visibility is exceptionally clear? 

    Y a. 0729
    N b. 0733
    N c. 0738
    N d. 0742
15160: At 1815, your position is LAT 37°01.0'N, LONG 75°42.7'W. If there is no current, what is the course per standard magnetic compass to arrive at a point 0.3 mile due north of North Chesapeake Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy "NCA"? 

    N a. 249.0°psc
    N b. 251.5°psc
    N c. 255.0°psc
    Y d. 257.0°psc
15215: At 2015, you alter course to 154°pgc. What is the course per standard magnetic compass (psc)? 

    Y a. 162°psc
    N b. 157°psc
    N c. 152°psc
    N d. 142°psc
15406: At 1400, your position is LAT 37°14.7'N, LONG 76°22.3'W. From this position, you head for the York River Entrance Channel Buoy "17". What should you steer per standard magnetic compass for this heading? 

    N a. 108°psc
    N b. 119°psc
    N c. 122°psc
    Y d. 125°psc
15446: You are abeam of buoy "18" at 2325. What is your ETA at Baltimore if you average 9.5 knots? 

    N a. 1342
    Y b. 1400
    N c. 1424
    N d. 1456
15512: At 1850, you obtain the following bearings and distances:

Montauk Point 189°pgc 8.7 miles
Watch Hill Light 340°pgc 5.7 miles

What true course did you make good between 1830 and 1850? 

    N a. 289°T
    Y b. 294°T
    N c. 299°T
    N d. 307°T
15869: After you raise Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light, how will the bearings change if you pass to the north of the light? 

    Y a. The bearings will change to the left.
    N b. The bearings will remain steady.
    N c. The bearings will change to the right.
    N d. Magnetic compass bearings will change to the left and gyro compass bearings will change to the right.
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
16118: 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"
    N c. you cross the boundary of the contiguous zone
    Y d. Cape Charles Light bears 022°T
16146: From your 2054 position, you change course to 066°T. Maintaining course and speed of 18 knots, at what time can you expect to first cross the 90-foot curve if you experience no set and drift? 

    Y a. 2105
    N b. 2111
    N c. 2117
    N d. 2125
16509: At 0705, with your gyro again functioning properly, you change course to 096°T. At this time Race Rock Light is bearing 000°T at 0.35 mile. You are now governed by which Navigation Rules? 

    N a. Inland Rules
    N b. Local Pilot Rules
    Y c. International Rules
    N d. Coastal Fishery Rules
16519: As you head toward Great Salt Pond, visibility is unlimited. At what time will you lose sight of Montauk Pt.
Light? 

    N a. 0905
    N b. 0928
    N c. 0950
    Y d. It will remain visible to Great Salt Pond.
16569: The short-long dashed magenta line around Gardiners Island marks __________. 

    N a. a regulated anchorage
    Y b. fish trap areas
    N c. an area closed to the public
    N d. underwater cables
16718: At 0705, you change course to head for The Race. You wish to leave Race Rock Light bearing due north at 0.4 mile. If the current is 100°T, at 2.8 knots, and you are turning for 12.0 knots, what course (pgc) should you steer? 

    N a. 250°pgc
    N b. 255°pgc
    Y c. 263°pgc
    N d. 267°pgc