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.

116: At which of the following times would you be able to listen to lower Mississippi River conditions on VHF Channel 22?
122: From Baton Rouge to Cairo, what is the maintained minimum channel depth during low water?
170: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 54°28.2' on 22 July . The index error is 1.5' off the arc. The height of eye is 56 feet (17.1 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?
207: If your height of eye is 35 feet (10.7 meters), what is the approximate geographic range of Block Island North Light? 

    N a. 7.4 nm
    N b. 13.0 nm
    Y c. 15.8 nm
    N d. 17.5 nm
243: From your 1210 position, you are making good a course of 083°T. Your engines are turning RPMs for 10 knots. The set and drift of the current are 310° at 1.7 knots. At what time should you expect to enter the red sector of New London Harbor Light? 

    Y a. 1243
    N b. 1254
    N c. 1259
    N d. 1305
270: At 0830, you wish to get the latest weather forecasts for the Falkner Island area. On what frequency would you set your FM radio for this information? 

    N a. 2181 kHz
    Y b. 162.40 Mhz
    N c. 156.80 Mhz
    N d. 156.65 Mhz
322: From your 2200 fix, you steer course 288°T to travel up the Thimble Shoal North Auxiliary Channel. If you are making good 6.0 knots, at what time would you expect to pass buoy "18" at the west end of the channel? (There are no set and drift.) 

    N a. 2355
    Y b. 2344
    N c. 2335
    N d. 2324
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
432: Which chart would you use for more detailed information on New Haven Harbor? 

    Y a. 12371
    N b. 12370
    N c. 12372
    N d. 12373
510: You observe the star Deneb at a sextant altitude (hs) of 48°34.8' on 16 December . The index error is 4.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 58 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)? 

    N a. 48°02.9'
    Y b. 48°30.5'
    N c. 48°31.4'
    N d. 48°46.5'
593: What is the length of the trip? 

    N a. 1195.4 miles
    N b. 1223.1 miles
    Y c. 1520.1 miles
    N d. 1657.8 miles
701: At 1118, on 24 May, you pass Natchez Gage and estimate the current will average 3.0 mph for the remainder of the time on the Mississippi River. What is your ETA at Cairo, IL if you continue to turn for 10 mph? 

    N a. 0840, 26 May
    N b. 2218, 26 May
    N c. 2218, 27 May
    Y d. 2339, 27 May
833: On 17 November , in DR position LAT 01°14.4'S, LONG 148°45.5'E, you take an ex-meridian observation of the planet Venus at upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 05h 31m 42s, and the chronometer error is 01m 50s fast. The sextant altitude (hs) is 64°41.1'. The index error is 1.8' off the arc, and your height of eye is 50 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit? 

    N a. LAT 01°14.4'S
    N b. LAT 01°16.3'S
    Y c. LAT 01°18.0'S
    N d. LAT 01°20.2'S
1096: On 24 October , your 0100 DR position is LAT 27°42'N, LONG 158°35'E. You are on course 085°T at a speed of 12 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0700 running fix. NP-0026

    N a. LAT 27°48.8'N, LONG 160°12.5'E
    N b. LAT 27°52.5'N, LONG 160°18.2'E
    Y c. LAT 27°56.0'N, LONG 159°47.3'E
    N d. LAT 27°58.4'N, LONG 159°43.5'E
1217: It is 31 October , and you are keeping zone time -12. You are on course 095°T, speed 24 knots. Your 0730 DR position is LAT 29°20.0'N, LONG 178°54.0'E. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks? 

    N a. 11h 24m 19s
    Y b. 11h 40m 55s
    N c. 12h 12m 16s
    N d. 12h 40m 02s
1228: As you pass under the Natchez-Vidalia Dual Bridge, the gage on the bridge reads 8.9 ft. If the highest point on your vessel is 54 ft. above the water, what is your vertical clearance? 

    Y a. 63.1 feet
    N b. 65.3 feet
    N c. 67.2 feet
    N d. 122.0 feet
1234: What is the distance from the Amoco Docks at Baton Rouge, LA, to Pittsburgh, PA? 

    Y a. 1681.7 miles
    N b. 1575.3 miles
    N c. 981.7 miles
    N d. 727.9 miles
1453: On 15 October , your 0325 zone time DR position is LAT 26°51.0'N, LONG 138°17.0'W. At that time, you observe Canopus bearing 167°pgc. The chronometer reads 00h 25m 36s, and the chronometer error is 00m 20s slow. The variation is 2°E. What is the gyro error? 

    Y a. 1.3°W
    N b. 3.2°W
    N c. 3.2°E
    N d. 4.1°W
1670: On 10 August , your vessel's 0426 zone time DR position is LAT 52°07'N, LONG 142°16'E, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's lower limb is about 20 minutes of arc above the visible horizon and bears 074.5° per standard compass. Variation in the area is 12°W. The chronometer reads 07h 24m 19s and is 02m 34s fast. Which of the following is the deviation of the standard compass? 

    N a. 0.0°
    N b. 1.3°W
    Y c. 1.3°E
    N d. 2.3°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
1707: You are passing the Memphis Gage at 0405, 18 March. If you are turning for 8 mph and estimate the current at 2.3 mph,
what is your ETA at Cairo Point, IL (mile 954.5 AHP)? 

    N a. 0447, 19 Mar
    N b. 1052, 19 Mar
    N c. 1518, 19 Mar
    Y d. 1839, 19 Mar
1751: At 1118, on 24 May, you pass Natchez Gage and estimate the current will average 3.0 mph for the remainder of the time on the Mississippi River. What is your ETA at Cairo, IL if you continue to turn for 10 mph? 

    N a. 0840, 26 May
    N b. 2218, 26 May
    Y c. 2339, 27 May
    N d. 0339, 28 May
1777: At 2232 ZT, on 14 July , in DR position LAT 33°52'S, LONG 150°03'W you observe an amplitude of Jupiter. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 268.5°pgc. The variation is 15°E. What is the gyro error? 

    Y a. 1.0°E
    N b. 0.5°E
    N c. 0.0°
    N d. 0.5°W
1963: Which of the following statements are TRUE? 

    N a. Oil well structures are listed in the Light List.
    N b. All aids to navigation with lights have lateral significance.
    Y c. On the Western Rivers, crossing marks may exhibit white lights.
    N d. All of the above.
2089: At your current speed of 18 knots you only have enough fuel remaining to travel 316 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. 10.4
    Y b. 11.8
    N c. 13.2
    N d. 14.6
2177: On 21 November , at 0430 ZT, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was LAT 22°14.0'S, LONG 79°23.0'E. Your vessel is steaming at 14.5 knots on a course of 246°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0816 ZT. The chronometer reads 03h 14m 16s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 44°29.2'. The index error is 1.0' on the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 47s slow. Your height of eye is 61.0 feet (18.6 meters). What is the azimuth (Zn) and intercept (a) of this sight using the assumed position? 

    N a. Zn 084.2°,  a 6.6' A
    N b. Zn 084.2°,  a 6.6' T
    N c. Zn 095.6°,  a 6.6' A
    Y d. Zn 095.6°,  a 6.6' T
2654: You are steering 231°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 12.3 miles at 0338. You change course to pass the light 4 miles off abeam to starboard. If you are making 16.5 knots, what is your ETA at the position 4 miles off the light? 

    Y a. 0420
    N b. 0423
    N c. 0426
    N d. 0429
2716: The charts show two dashed lines crossing the river just south of St. Catherine Bar Light. What does this indicate? 

    N a. Overhead power lines
    N b. Louisiana-Mississippi ferry crossings
    N c. Two railroad trestles
    Y d. Two submerged oil pipelines
2854: Your vessel is on a course of 221°T at 15 knots. At 0319 a light bears 198.5°T, and at 0353 the light bears 176°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    N a. 0407, 4.3 miles
    N b. 0410, 5.2 miles
    Y c. 0417, 6.0 miles
    N d. 0427, 7.4 miles
2855: Your vessel is on a course of 107°T at 16 knots. At 0403 a light bears 129.5°T, and at 0426 the light bears 152°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    N a. 0434, 3.2 miles
    Y b. 0442, 4.3 miles
    N c. 0434, 4.3 miles
    N d. 0442, 3.4 miles
2860: Your vessel is on a course of 144°T at 16 knots. At 0126 a light bears 166.5°T, and at 0152 the light bears 189°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    N a. 0205, 4.1 miles
    Y b. 0210, 4.8 miles
    N c. 0215, 6.0 miles
    N d. 0220, 6.4 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%
3091: If the pitch of the propeller is 25.1 feet, and the revolutions per day are 91,591, calculate the day's run allowing 7% positive slip. 

    Y a. 351.6 miles
    N b. 378.1 miles
    N c. 390.0 miles
    N d. 404.6 miles
3281: While steaming at 15.7 knots, your vessel consumes 329 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 267 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for? 

    N a. 12.7 knots
    N b. 13.5 knots
    Y c. 14.6 knots
    N d. 15.5 knots
3281: While steaming at 15.7 knots, your vessel consumes 329 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 267 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for? 

    N a. 12.7 knots
    N b. 13.5 knots
    Y c. 14.6 knots
    N d. 15.5 knots
3640: You desire to make good a true course of 223°. The variation is 2°E, magnetic compass deviation is 2°E, and gyrocompass error is 1°W. An east-southeast wind produces 3° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good? 

    N a. 213°psc
    Y b. 216°psc
    N c. 220°psc
    N d. 223°psc
3755: 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 186°T, and the variation is 11°W. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 193° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation? 

    Y a. 4°E
    N b. 4°W
    N c. 7°E
    N d. 7°W
3759: 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 147°T, and the variation is 5°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 148° per standard magnetic compass,
what is the correct deviation? 

    N a. 1°E
    N b. 1°W
    N c. 6°E
    Y d. 6°W
10901: The area around Cape Charles is _______________ . 

    Y a. low and bare, but the land back of it is high and wooded
    N b. composed of low to medium rolling hills
    N c. well defined with rocky outcroppings
    N d. marked by high, barren hills
11811: What is the true course to steer between Horton Pt. Light and a position 2 miles due south of Branford Reef Light, if the set and drift of the current are 40°T at 1.5 knots, and an easterly wind will cause 3° of leeway? Your engines are making turns for 12 knots. 

    N a. 277°T
    N b. 283°T
    Y c. 287°T
    N d. 291°T
12903: Your 1426 position is LAT 37°10.9'N, LONG 75°29.6'W. You are turning for 9.3 knots. What is your ETA at Chesapeake Light? 

    N a. 1616
    N b. 1621
    N c. 1626
    Y d. 1633
13100: Your position is LAT 41°15.2'N, LONG 71°50.1'W at 1347. You are turning for 6.9 knots. What is your ETA at Shagwong Reef Buoy "7SR"? 

    Y a. 1506
    N b. 1515
    N c. 1521
    N d. 1527
13401: You are planning to anchor in Orient Harbor at LAT 41°07.9'N, LONG 72°18.5'W. Assuming that normal conditions exist, how much anchor cable should you put out? 

    N a. 16 to  18 feet
    N b. 40 to  60 feet
    Y c. 80 to 112 feet
    N d. 120 to 140 feet
13502: The four soundings in the vicinity of LAT 41°12.2'N, LONG 71°33.0'W, that are underlined with a bracket indicate __________. 

    N a. that no bottom was found at the sounding depth indicated
    N b. a submerged rock not dangerous to surface navigation
    N c. the height a rock uncovers at low water springs
    Y d. a submerged danger that is cleared to the indicated depth by a wire drag
13902: A vessel enroute to Long Island Sound from sea will enter waters governed by the Inland Rules of the Road __________. 

    N a. when crossing the Territorial Sea boundary
    N b. between Montauk Point and Block Island
    N c. when north of latitude 41°10.0'N
    Y d. when passing through The Race
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
15057: At 0720, you are in the outer channel between buoy "1" and buoy "2" and change course to pass Townshend Ledge Lighted Gong Buoy "10A" abeam to port at 0.1 miles. What is the course to steer per gyro compass if a northerly wind causes 2° of leeway? 

    N a. 120°pgc
    N b. 118°pgc
    N c. 116°pgc
    Y d. 114°pgc
15058: At 0740, you obtain the following radar data:

Branford Reef Light bears 248° true @ 3.0 nm

What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°12.0'N, LONG 72°51.3'W
    N b. LAT 41°12.0'N, LONG 72°51.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°51.5'W
    Y d. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°52.0'W
15358: At 0507, Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light bears 208°pgc. What is the position of your 0507 running fix? 

    N a. LAT 41°04.8'N, LONG 73°05.0'W
    N b. LAT 41°04.9'N, LONG 73°04.8'W
    Y c. LAT 41°05.1'N, LONG 73°05.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 73°04.8'W
15458: You are delayed in sailing due to engineering problems. You get underway at 0630. A Coast Guard radio broadcast advises that an aircraft carrier will transit the Elizabeth River enroute Norfolk Naval Shipyard and a safety zone is in effect. Further information on how far you must remain from the carrier found is in __________. 

    N a. PUB 117
    N b. Light List
    Y c. Coast Pilot
    N d. Chart Number 1
15463: If you are making 10 knots, what is your ETA at York Spit Channel Buoys "19" and "20"? 

    N a. 0959
    N b. 1002
    Y c. 1006
    N d. 1011
15507: What course should you steer by your standard magnetic compass to make good a course of 280°T? 

    N a. 266°psc
    N b. 272°psc
    N c. 290°psc
    Y d. 294°psc
16016: At 0430, you change course and speed to make good 090°T at 10 knots. At 0433, you slow due to an engineering casualty and estimate you are making good 5.5 knots. At what time will Branford Reef Light bear 000°T? 

    N a. 0601
    Y b. 0609
    N c. 0620
    N d. 0624
16256: What is the course per gyro compass from the anchorage to point A located 0.5 mile east of Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy 14? 

    N a. 180°
    Y b. 184°
    N c. 198°
    N d. 199.5°
16339: Based on your 2209 fix, which would be a warning that you are being set down on Block Island Sound South Entrance Obstruction Lighted "BIS" Buoy? 

    Y a. Decreasing loran readings on 9960-W
    N b. Visual bearings of Montauk Point Lt. changing to the left
    N c. Increasing bearings of Southeast Point Light
    N d. Decreasing soundings
16708: At 0520 you are on course 243°pgc at 12 knots. What is the course per standard magnetic compass? 

    Y a. 263°psc
    N b. 258°psc
    N c. 233°psc
    N d. 227°psc