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.


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?


113: What is indicated by the two light gray shaded areas that cross the river above False River Lt. (mile 251.0 AHP)?


113: What is indicated by the two light gray shaded areas that cross the river above False River Lt. (mile 251.0 AHP)?


175: At 2118, you obtain the following bearings:

Cape Henry Light - 148°pgc
Cape Charles Light - 033°pgc
Thimble Shoal Light - 291°pgc

From this position, you proceed to Norfolk, VA, a distance of approximately 26.0 miles. To arrive at Norfolk by 0200 the next day, what is the speed to make good from your 2118 position to arrive at this time?

    N a. 6.5 knots
    N b. 6.0 knots
    Y c. 5.5 knots
    N d. 5.0 knots

193: If the visibility is 3 miles, at what range will you lose sight of Chesapeake Light?

    N a. The light has never been visible.
    N b. 4.6 miles
    N c. 6.4 miles
    Y d. 8.3 miles

242: At 1210, you are in position LAT 41°14.3'N, LONG 72°16.5'W. What is the depth of water below your keel?

    N a. 92 feet (28.0 meters)
    Y b. 97 feet (29.4 meters)
    N c. 108 feet (32.7 meters)
    N d. 115 feet (35.0 meters)

265: At 0740, you take the following Radar Ranges:

Branford Reef Light @ 2.5 nm
New Haven Light @ 3.9 nm

What is your position?

    Y a. LAT 41°12.4'N, LONG 72°51.5'W
    N b. LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 72°51.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.7'N, LONG 72°51.9'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.2'N, LONG 72°52.0'W

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

312: A vessel at LAT 07°05'N, LONG 81°45'W is to proceed to LAT 08°40'N, LONG 88°00'W. What are the course and distance by mid-latitude sailing?

    N a. 283.1°T, 381.2 miles
    Y b. 284.3°T, 384.6 miles
    N c. 285.6°T, 385.0 miles
    N d. 286.8°T, 387.4 miles

415: A vessel at LAT 33°45'N, LONG 118°30'W, heads for a destination at LAT 21°15'N, LONG 157°36'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 109.8°T, 2196 miles
    N b. 236.3°T, 2259 miles
    Y c. 250.2°T, 2216 miles
    N d. 289.2°T, 2413 miles

454: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 26°00.0'S, LONG 56°00.0'W to LAT 34°00.0'S, LONG 18°15.0'E.

    N a. 3705 miles, 153°T
    N b. 3841 miles, 068°T
    N c. 3849 miles, 248°T
    Y d. 3805 miles, 117°T

500: Your position is LAT 40°59.0'N, LONG 73°06.2'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to New Haven Harbor Lighted Whistle Buoy "NH"?

    Y a. 052°
    N b. 049°
    N c. 046°
    N d. 035°

544: From your 0600 position, what is the course per gyrocompass to leave Watch Hill Light abeam to starboard at 2.0 miles if a southerly wind is producing 3° of leeway?

    N a. 262°pgc
    N b. 258°pgc
    N c. 256°pgc
    Y d. 252°pgc

597: Which daymark will you see as you approach Natchez Beam Lt. (mile 364.8 AHP)?

    N a. Red diamond
    N b. White square
    N c. Green square
    Y d. Red triangle

990: On 24 March , your 0800 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 31°45.0'W. Your vessel is steaming a course of 285°T at a speed of 16.5 knots. An observation of the Sun's upper limb is made at 0938 zone time, and the observed altitude (Ho) is 46°32.2'. The chronometer reads 11h 41m 01s, and the chronometer error is 02m 50s fast. Local apparent noon occurs at 1214 zone time, and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 68°55.8'. Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position.

    N a. LAT 22°35.0'N, LONG 30°29.0'W
    Y b. LAT 22°35.0'N, LONG 32°51.0'W
    N c. LAT 22°36.0'N, LONG 32°10.5'W
    N d. LAT 22°36.0'N, LONG 32°55.2'W

1000: On 18 May , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 18°30'N, LONG 62°31'W. You are on course 286°T, speed 24 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.
ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1204 61°54.6' N 19°37.6' 88°39.7'
1210 63°24.6' N 19°37.7' 88°59.2'

    N a. LAT 18°33.6'N, LONG 62°54.3'W
    N b. LAT 18°35.2'N, LONG 62°49.7'W
    N c. LAT 18°38.7'N, LONG 62°59.2'W
    Y d. LAT 18°41.1'N, LONG 62°53.9'W

1092: On 3 April , your vessel's 1400 ZT DR position is LAT 20°08.0'N, LONG 147°45.0'W. You are steering course 023°T at 18.0 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1900 running fix. NP-0022

    N a. LAT 21°39.8'N, LONG 146°59.7'W
    Y b. LAT 21°40.0'N, LONG 147°03.2'W
    N c. LAT 21°41.8'N, LONG 147°05.5'W
    N d. LAT 21°41.8'N, LONG 147°01.5'W

1129: Which daymark should you see as you approach French Point Light (mile 915.4 AHP)?

    N a. Red diamond
    N b. Green square
    Y c. Red triangle
    N d. Green diamond

1392: On 3 February , your 0550 zone time DR position is LAT 26°16.0'N, LONG 112°05.0'W. Considering their magnitude,
azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time?

    N a. Spica, Antares, Saturn
    N b. Vega, Antares, Dubhe
    N c. Venus, Regulus, Vega
    Y d. Spica, Kochab, Rasalhague

1406: Which of the following describes the river at Cypress Bend, mile 569.0 AHP?

    N a. There are revetments on both banks.
    Y b. The river is three tenths of a mile wide.
    N c. There is dredge spoil on both banks.
    N d. There is a turning basin located on the LDB.

1490: On 11 January , your 0450 ZT position is LAT 38°42'N, LONG 14°16'W. You observe Polaris bearing 358.5°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 160°pgc and 173°psc. The variation is 9°W. What is the deviation for that heading?

    N a. 1°E
    N b. 1°W
    Y c. 3°W
    N d. 13°W

1564: As you approach Dean Island Light (mile 754.8 AHP), which type of daymark will be observed at the light?

    N a. Green triangle
    N b. Red and green banded square
    N c. Green square daymark
    Y d. Diamond-shaped green daymark

1662: On 5 September , in DR position LAT 23°17.0'S, LONG 154°35.0'E, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 275° per standard magnetic compass. The chronometer reads 07h 49m 26s and is 01m 52s fast. Variation in the area is 3°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 2.1°E
    N b. 2.4°W
    Y c. 5.1°E
    N d. 5.4°W

1836: Which daymark should you see as you approach French Point Light (mile 915.4 AHP)?

    N a. Green diamond
    N b. Green square
    Y c. Red triangle
    N d. Red diamond

1852: On 26 November , at 0535 ZT, while taking sights for a morning fix, you observe an unidentified planet bearing 074°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 38°29.8'. Your DR position is LAT 27°18.9'S, LONG 30°18.4'E. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 33m 16s, and the chronometer is 01m 48s slow. What planet did you observe?

    Y a. Saturn
    N b. Jupiter
    N c. Mars
    N d. Venus

1852: On 26 November , at 0535 ZT, while taking sights for a morning fix, you observe an unidentified planet bearing 074°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 38°29.8'. Your DR position is LAT 27°18.9'S, LONG 30°18.4'E. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 33m 16s, and the chronometer is 01m 48s slow. What planet did you observe?

    Y a. Saturn
    N b. Jupiter
    N c. Mars
    N d. Venus

2014: On 16 October , evening twilight will occur at 1746 ZT, and your DR position will be LAT 28°43.2'N, LONG 60°29.8' W. Considering their magnitude and location, which of the following are the three best stars to select for a fix at star time?

    Y a. Antares, Arcturus, Polaris
    N b. Deneb, Polaris, Vega
    N c. Antares, Deneb, Vega
    N d. Vega, Polaris, Enif

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

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

2156: At 1300 ZT, on 9 May , your DR position is LAT 24°00'N, LONG 83°26'W. Determine the computed altitude (Hc) of the Sun for the assumed position (AP) nearest to the above given latitude and longitude, given a chronometer time of 07h 00m 00s.

    N a. Hc 68°22.8'
    N b. Hc 68°24.1'
    N c. Hc 68°25.2'
    Y d. Hc 68°26.6'

2181: On 4 June , at 0630 ZT, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 26°15'S, LONG 121°20'W. Your vessel is steaming at 13.0 knots on a course of 246°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0915 ZT. The chronometer reads 05h 14m 27s, and the sextant altitude is 25°57.8'. The index error is 2.1' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 0m 53s slow. Your height of eye is 39.0 feet. What is the intercept (a) and azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position method?

    N a. Zn 044.6°, a 1.7' A
    Y b. Zn 044.6°, a 2.5' T
    N c. Zn 135.1°, a 1.7' A
    N d. Zn 135.1°, a 2.5' T

2185: At 1000 ZT, on 21 October , your DR position is LAT 29°00'N, LONG 134°40'E. Determine the computed altitude (Hc) of the Sun for the assumed position (AP) nearest to the above given latitude and longitude, given a chronometer time of 01h 00m 00s.

    N a. Hc 42°30.6'
    N b. Hc 42°32.1'
    N c. Hc 42°34.2'
    Y d. Hc 42°35.7'

2458: You have steamed 560 miles at 23 knots and burning 524 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 260 barrels per day with 316 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    N a. 16.3
    N b. 18.6
    N c. 19.9
    Y d. 21.6

2874: Your vessel is on a course of 207°T at 13 knots. At 0539 a light bears 180.5°T, and at 0620 the light bears 162°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0633, 5.9 miles
    N b. 0641, 6.5 miles
    N c. 0653, 7.6 miles
    Y d. 0701, 8.9 miles

3053: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 19.9 feet and a pitch of 21.6 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 395 miles in a 23 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 78?

    Y a. -3.2%
    N b. +3.2%
    N c. -12.0%
    N d. +12.0%

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

3304: You have steamed 265 miles and consumed 25.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 346 miles?

    Y a. 32.6 tons
    N b. 37.4 tons
    N c. 42.6 tons
    N d. 49.5 tons

3638: You desire to make good a true course of 007°. The variation is 5°E, magnetic compass deviation is 3°W, and gyrocompass error is 2°E. A southwest by west wind produces a 2° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good?

    Y a. 003°psc
    N b. 005°psc
    N c. 007°psc
    N d. 009°psc

11308: At 1919 your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. At 2011 your position is LAT 36°59.5'N, LONG 75°44.9'W. What was the speed made good?

    Y a. 13.7 knots
    N b. 12.0 knots
    N c. 11.6 knots
    N d. 10.9 knots

11404: At 2115 your GPS position is LAT 41°03.3'N, LONG 72°37.9'W. At 0027 your position is LAT 41°14.4'N, LONG 72°07.2'W. What was your speed made good?

    N a. 7.0 knots
    N b. 7.5 knots
    Y c. 8.0 knots
    N d. 8.5 knots

11504: At 1016 your position is LAT 41°07.6'N, LONG 71°38.5'W. At 1116 your position is LAT 41°01.4'N, LONG 71°29.4'W. What was the course made good between the two positions?

    Y a. 132°T
    N b. 135°T
    N c. 140°T
    N d. 143°T

11804: Your engines are making turns for 8 knots and a northerly wind is causing 3° of leeway. There is a current of 220°T at 1.5 knots. What is the course to steer between Branford Reef Light and Faulkner Island Light?

    Y a. 084°T
    N b. 095°T
    N c. 102°T
    N d. 108°T

14303: What is the height above the water of light No. 84 on the Columbia River below Bonneville lock & dam?

    N a. 10 feet
    Y b. 14 feet
    N c. 18 feet
    N d. 24 feet

14703: At 0800 your vessel is at mile 110 proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. At 1030 Reed Island is abeam to port as you pass the 125 mile mark. What has been your average speed in knots?

    N a. 4.3 knots
    Y b. 5.2 knots
    N c. 8.7 knots
    N d. 10.0 knots

15109: What is the average velocity of the maximum flood current at the Tail of the Horseshoe?

    N a. 0.6 knot
    Y b. 0.9 knot
    N c. 1.3 knots
    N d. 1.6 knots

15214: If you steer 143°pgc from your 2015 position at an engine speed of 8.0 knots, at what time would you reach a point midway between buoys "11" and "12" (ignore set and drift)?

    N a. 2023
    Y b. 2029
    N c. 2032
    N d. 2037

15246: From your 1845 position, you desire to leave Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light 1.0 mile off your starboard beam at 1900. Which course and speed would you order if you allow for a 2.0 knot current with a set of 180°T?

    N a. 205°T at 9.2 knots
    N b. 208°T at 11.4 knots
    Y c. 215°T at 9.2 knots
    N d. 225°T at 11.5 knots

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

15462: Visibility has decreased to 1 mile in haze. At 0948, you take the following radar ranges. What course should you steer per gyrocompass from this fix to enter the channel between buoys "19" and "20"?

Thimble Shoal Light - 5.9 miles
South end of trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge
and Tunnel - 3.8 miles
South end of trestle B of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge
and Tunnel - 5.4 miles

    N a. 001°pgc
    N b. 004°pgc
    N c. 007°pgc
    Y d. 010°pgc

15566: At 0520 you take the following observations:

Point Judith Light 036°pgc
Point Judith Harbor of Refuge
Main Breakwater Center Light 312°pgc

What is the position of your 0520 fix?

    Y a. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°29.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°30.0'W
    N c. LAT 41°20.6'N, Long 71°30.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°20.5'N, Long 71°29.8'W

15567: Point Judith Harbor of Refuge __________.

    N a. is used mostly by towing vessels
    N b. has a maximum depth of 14 feet (4.3 meters) at MHW
    N c. West Gap has a controlling depth of 24 feet
    Y d. is entered through the East Gap or the West Gap

15666: At 0815, visibility is excellent and you can see Montauk Point. Montauk Point Light is __________.

    N a. shown from a brown tower
    N b. equipped with a fog diaphone
    Y c. lighted 24 hours
    N d. is 79 feet (24 meters) high

15763: At 0715, you take the following bearings:

Race Rock Light 324°pgc
Little Gull Island Light 245°pgc
Mt. Prospect Antenna 034°pgc

Based on your 0715 fix, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are to the right of your track line.
    Y b. The charted depth is about 265 feet (80.3 meters).
    N c. You are in a cable area.
    N d. You are governed by the Inland Rules.

15827: As you approach Giles Bend Cutoff Light (mile 367.7 AHP), what type of daymark would you see on the light structure?

    N a. Green diamond
    N b. Green triangle
    Y c. Red triangle
    N d. Red diamond

16217: Which statement describes the shore between Watch Hill Point and Point Judith?

    N a. Low, rocky cliffs with heavily wooded hills inland
    Y b. Sandy beaches broken by rocky points
    N c. Sand dunes and beaches with a mud and sand bottom
    N d. Wooded, barren hills with isolated prominent buildings

16310: At 0730, your position is LAT 41°10.5'N, LONG 72°32.2'W. From this position you steer course 286°psc with an engine speed of 9.0 knots. What is the approximate depth of water under your keel?

    Y a. 52 feet (15.8 meters)
    N b. 57 feet (17.3 meters)
    N c. 62 feet (18.8 meters)
    N d. 67 feet (20.3 meters)

16370: The wind is westerly and will cause 2° of leeway. The current is 180° at 0.5 knot. If your engines are turning for 8.0 knots, what should you steer to remain in York River Entrance Channel?

    N a. 304°T
    N b. 307°T
    Y c. 311°T
    N d. 314°T