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.

120: You estimate the current as 2.5 mph. What is the speed over the ground?
176: What is your 2118 position?
194: 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 __________.
209: At 0705, you take the following bearings:

Watch Hill Light 034.5°pgc
Latimer Reef Light 338.0°pgc
Race Rock Light 268.0°pgc

What was the true course made good between 0645 and 0705? 

    Y a. 253°T
    N b. 256°T
    N c. 263°T
    N d. 266°T
228: Your height of eye is 25 feet (7.6 meters). If the visibility is 5.5 nautical miles, what is the luminous range of Wolf Trap Light? 

    N a. 17.0 miles
    N b. 16.0 miles
    N c. 12.0 miles
    Y d. 7.5 miles
329: The engineer has advised that it will be necessary to secure the gyrocompass and the electronic equipment. From your 0315 position, what is your course per standard magnetic compass to York Spit Channel Buoy "38", if there is no current? 

    N a. 218°psc
    Y b. 216°psc
    N c. 214°psc
    N d. 212°psc
378: A vessel at LAT 37°24.0'N, LONG 178°15.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 34°18.0'N, LONG 178°25.0°E. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 041°T, 273.9 miles
    N b. 047°T, 273.9 miles
    Y c. 221°T, 247.2 miles
    N d. 227°T, 247.2 miles
385: At 0715 you take the following bearings:

Race Rock Light 328°pgc
Little Gull Island Light 249°pgc
Mt. Prospect Antenna 036°pgc

Based on your 0715 fix, which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. You are governed by the Inland Rules.
    N b. Your fathometer reads about 265 fathoms.
    N c. You are in a cable area.
    Y d. You are to the left of your track line.
826: On 5 May , in DR position LAT 38°34.5'N, LONG 124°20.7'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Sun's lower limb. The chronometer time of the sight is 07h 59m 10s, and the chronometer error is 01m 10s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 67°27.0'. The index error is 1.4' on the arc, and your height of eye is 30 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit? 

    N a. LAT 38°26.4'N
    N b. LAT 38°30.2'N
    Y c. LAT 38°36.0'N
    N d. LAT 38°41.2'N
1098: On 19 September , your 0300 zone time DR position is LAT 24°35'N, LONG 88°40'W. You are on course 288°T at a speed of 14 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix. NP-0028

    N a. LAT 24°47.4'N, LONG 89°15.0'W
    Y b. LAT 24°52.5'N, LONG 89°22.4'W
    N c. LAT 24°59.5'N, LONG 89°28.6'W
    N d. LAT 25°06.0'N, LONG 90°37.0'W
1183: On 25 June , your 0900 zone time DR position is LAT 24°10.0'S, LONG 148°30.0'W. Your vessel is on a course of 230°T at a speed of 18.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    N a. 1154
    N b. 1156
    Y c. 1200
    N d. 1204
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
1263: On 18 October , your 1330 ZT DR position is LAT 27°32.0'N, LONG 154°47.0'W. You are on course 115°T at a speed of 20 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel? 

    N a. 1715
    N b. 1729
    Y c. 1742
    N d. 1751
1276: Your 0000 zone time position on 13 June is LAT 24°35'N, LONG 142°26'E. Your vessel is on course 245°T, speed is 13.5 knots. What is the zone time of sunrise? 

    N a. 0440
    Y b. 0445
    N c. 0503
    N d. 0528
1340: At 1300, 5 January, the river will be temporarily closed to navigation for six hours at mile 531.3 AHP due to repairs to a bridge. What minimum speed over the ground must you make from Natchez Gage in order not to be delayed? 

    N a. 5.7 mph
    Y b. 6.0 mph
    N c. 6.8 mph
    N d. 7.3 mph
1366: On which river is New Providence, TN located? 

    N a. Allegheny
    N b. Upper Mississippi
    N c. Ohio
    Y d. Cumberland
1416: Which 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
    N c. Mid-Delta Helena, LLC
    Y d. Baxter Wilson
1497: On 19 November , your 0146 ZT position is LAT 33°48'N, LONG 25°22'E. You observe Polaris bearing 359.8°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 224°pgc and 222.5°psc. The variation is 2°E. What is the deviation for that heading? 

    N a. 2.0°E
    N b. 0.5°E
    Y c. 1.0°W
    N d. 1.5°W
1678: On 2 January , your vessel's 1948 zone time position is LAT 21°42'S, LONG 39°12'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 260° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 19°W. The chronometer reads 10h 44m 36s and is 03m 24s slow. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    Y a. 4.3°E
    N b. 4.3°W
    N c. 5.1°E
    N d. 5.1°W
1892: On 22 July , your 0442 DR position is LAT 26°35.6'N, LONG 22°16.7'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 091°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 64°35.2'. The chronometer reads 05h 39m 03s, and is 03m 14s slow. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Hamal
    N b. Rigel
    N c. Menkar
    N d. Acamar
1915: On 14 January , your 0550 DR position is LAT 25°26.0'N, LONG 38°16.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 043°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 37°12.1'. The chronometer reads 08h 48m 51s, and is 01m 22s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Gienah
    N b. Kochab
    N c. Gacrux
    Y d. Eltanin
2325: Which publication contains specific information on the characteristics of Chesapeake Bay entrance? 

    N a. Sailing Directions
    Y b. Coast Pilot
    N c. Chesapeake Bay Harbor-master's Manual
    N d. Navigator's Manual - Chesapeake Bay
2668: Your vessel is on a course of 255°T, at 14 knots. At 2116 a lighthouse is sighted dead ahead at a distance of 11 miles. You change course at this time to pass the lighthouse 3 miles abeam to port. What will be your ETA at this position off the lighthouse? 

    N a. 2149
    Y b. 2201
    N c. 2212
    N d. 2228
2684: You are steering 173°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 13.9 miles at 0054. You change course to pass the light 4.5 miles off abeam to port. If you are making 21 knots, what is your ETA at the position 4.5 miles off the light? 

    N a. 0122
    N b. 0125
    Y c. 0131
    N d. 0134
2711: Which light characteristics does Foster Light have? 

    N a. 1 green flash every 4 seconds
    N b. 1 red flash every 4 seconds
    Y c. 2 white flashes every 5 seconds
    N d. 2 red flashes every 5 seconds
2878: Your vessel is steering 143°T at 16 knots. At 2147 a light bears 106°T, and at 2206 the same light bears 078°T. What will be your distance off abeam? 

    N a. 5.1 miles
    N b. 5.4 miles
    Y c. 5.9 miles
    N d. 6.5 miles
3451: You are underway and intend to make good a course of 040°T. You experience a current with a set and drift of 190°T at 1.4 knots, and a northwest wind produces a leeway of 3°. You adjust your course to compensate for the current and leeway, while maintaining an engine speed of 10 knots. What will be your speed made good over your intended course of 040°T? 

    N a. 7.8 knots
    Y b. 8.8 knots
    N c. 9.8 knots
    N d. 11.0 knots
3614: The true course between two points is 057°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 3° east and you make an allowance of 1° leeway for a north-northwest wind. Which gyro course should be steered to make the true course good? 

    Y a. 053°pgc
    N b. 056°pgc
    N c. 059°pgc
    N d. 060°pgc
10210: Your present position is LAT 41°07.4'N, LONG 72°44.0'W. Assuming that there is no set and drift, what course must you steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to a position of LAT 41°08.5'N, LONG 72°28.8'W? 

    N a. 073°psc
    N b. 084°psc
    N c. 091°psc
    Y d. 097°psc
10304: Determine the course per standard magnetic compass from the entrance to Ninigret Pond (LAT 41°21.3'N, LONG 71°38.3'W) to the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island. 

    N a. 192.0°psc
    Y b. 184.0°psc
    N c. 154.5°psc
    N d. 152.5°psc
10900: The abandoned lighthouse west of Cape Henry Light is __________. 

    N a. painted black and white
    N b. a low mound of rubble
    Y c. a gray, pyramidal structure
    N d. a steel skeleton structure
10907: What is the time (DST ZD +4) of the AM high tide at York Point, Poquoson River on 8 September 1983? 

    N a. 0955
    Y b. 1048
    N c. 1055
    N d. 1102
11005: What is the maximum speed permitted in the Main Entrance Channel to Port Jefferson Harbor? 

    N a. 3 mph
    N b. 5 mph
    N c. 7 mph
    Y d. 12 mph
11007: What will be the height of the high water at Mount Sinai Harbor on the morning of 26 August 1983? 

    N a. 4.1 feet
    Y b. 6.3 feet
    N c. 7.2 feet
    N d. 8.4 feet
11701: What is the true heading to steer inbound in the York River Entrance Channel if your engines are turning for 9.5 knots, the current is 076°T at 1.2 knots, and a southwesterly wind causes 3° of leeway? 

    N a. 313°T
    N b. 308°T
    N c. 303°T
    Y d. 300°T
11705: Your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to arrive at LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 75°48.5'W, if the current is 043°T at 1.3 knots, a south-southeasterly wind is causing 3° of leeway, and you are turning for 8.7 knots? 

    N a. 260.5°psc
    N b. 264.0°psc
    Y c. 268.0°psc
    N d. 271.5°psc
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.
12704: You are on course 137° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Watch Hill Point Light - 051°psc Montauk Point Light - 184°psc Race Rock Light - 279°psc What is your position? 

    Y a. LAT 41°15.2'N, LONG 71°54.4'W
    N b. LAT 41°15.1'N, LONG 71°53.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°15.1'N, LONG 71°54.9'W
    N d. LAT 41°15.0'N, LONG 71°53.7'W
12706: You are on course 053° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Little Gull Island Light 275°psc Race Rock Light 296°psc Latimer Reef Light 011°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°12.9'N, LONG 71°56.3'W
    Y b. LAT 41°13.2'N, LONG 71°56.0'W
    N c. LAT 41°13.4'N, LONG 71°55.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°13.8'N, LONG 71°56.1'W
12906: At 0919 you are in Chesapeake Channel between Trestle B and Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. What is your ETA between York River Entrance Channel Buoys "17" and "18" if you are making 11.3 knots? 

    N a. 1034
    N b. 1039
    Y c. 1044
    N d. 1049
14101: What signal is given by air horn to indicate that Bonneville Lock is ready for entrance? 

    N a. two long blasts
    N b. two short blasts
    N c. one short blast
    Y d. one long blast
14602: Where would you tune your radio to receive a VHF-FM weather broadcast for the Columbia River in the vicinity of Government Island? 

    N a. KIH-32 - 162.40 MHz
    N b. KBA-99 - 162.40 MHz
    Y c. KEB-97 - 162.55 MHz
    N d. KEC-62 - 162.55 MHz
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
15007: What course should you steer using the standard magnetic compass (psc) to make good the course of 192°pgc? 

    N a. 188°psc
    N b. 195°psc
    Y c. 203°psc
    N d. 205°psc
15269: New London Harbor is __________. 

    Y a. limited to vessels drawing less than 36 feet (10.8 meters)
    N b. closed during the winter season
    N c. subject to dangerous freshets in the fall
    N d. difficult to enter at night
15365: Which loran line can you follow to remain clear of all danger until south of New London? 

    N a. 9960-W-15000
    N b. 9960-W-14900
    N c. 9960-X-26450
    Y d. 9960-Y-43960
15619: At 2123, your position is LAT 37°20.0'N, LONG 76°03.0'W. What is your distance offshore of Savage Neck? 

    N a. 4.3 miles
    N b. 3.4 miles
    N c. 2.6 miles
    Y d. 1.7 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
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
16067: At 2118, you obtain the following information:
Cape Henry Light 151°pgc;
Cape Charles Light 033°pgc;
Thimble Shoal Light 291°pgc

What is your 2118 position? 

    Y a. LAT 36°57.4'N,  LONG 76°01.9'W
    N b. LAT 36°57.5'N,  LONG 76°01.4'W
    N c. LAT 36°57.6'N,  LONG 76°01.8'W
    N d. LAT 36°57.6'N,  LONG 76°02.2'W
16458: If your engines turn for 6.5 knots, and you encounter a 0.5 knot southerly current, what is your ETA at point A? 

    N a. 0400
    Y b. 0450
    N c. 0501
    N d. 0511
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
16714: What was the current between 0520 and 0600? 

    N a. 201° at 1.0 knot
    N b. 201° at 1.5 knot
    N c. 021° at 1.0 knot
    Y d. 021° at 1.5 knots