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.


35: What are the dimensions of the channel maintained at Baton Rouge, LA?


221: 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" (LL#375)?


331: You leave York Spit Channel at buoy "14" at 0600 with an engine speed of 12 knots. You receive orders to rendezvous with the tug "Quicksilver" and her tow at Hog Island Bell Buoy "12". What is your ETA at the rendezvous point, if you pass through Chesapeake Channel to buoy "CBJ", through the outbound traffic separation lane to buoy "NCA" (LL#375), and then to the rendezvous point?


370: At 0812, you are on course 132°T. The standard magnetic compass reads 135°. What should you conclude?

    N a. The deviation table is correct for that heading.
    N b. You should adjust the magnetic compass.
    N c. The deviation is increasing as you go south.
    Y d. Your compass may be influenced by a local magnetic disturbance.

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

572: At 0908, you change course to 010°T. What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 359°
    Y b. 021°
    N c. 017°
    N d. 003°

613: On 21 November, at 2100 zone time, you depart LAT 32°12.0'N, LONG 69°26.0'W enroute to LAT 12°05.0'N, LONG 7°32.0'W. The distance is 3,519 miles, and the average speed will be 12.5 knots. What is the zone time of arrival?

    N a. 1330, 3 December
    N b. 1530, 3 December
    Y c. 1830, 3 December
    N d. 1530, 4 December

632: The Memphis Gage reads 18.4 feet. The high point of your towboat is 48 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Memphis Highway Bridge?

    Y a. 46.4 feet
    N b. 53.8 feet
    N c. 66.4 feet
    N d. 75.4 feet

1131: At 1923, you increase speed to make good 9.2 mph. What is the first Gage you will pass after your speed change?

    N a. Cottonwood Point
    Y b. Caruthersville
    N c. Fulton
    N d. New Madrid

1142: At 1132, 24 May, you pass Natchez Beam Lt. (mile 364.8 AHP). What is your ETA off the Memphis Gage if you average 8.0 mph?

    N a. 2345, 25 May
    Y b. 0947, 26 May
    N c. 1525, 26 May
    N d. 2215, 26 May

1150: The highest point on your towboat is 48 feet above the water, and the Memphis Gage reads +7.5 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis?

    Y a. 53.2 feet
    N b. 58.1 feet
    N c. 68.2 feet
    N d. 96.3 feet

1226: What are the dimensions of the Port Allen Lock at Baton Rouge, LA?

    N a. 75 feet x 1188 feet
    N b. 84 feet x 1180feet
    Y c. 84 feet x 1188 feet
    N d. 75 feet x 1180 feet

1458: On 6 August , your 1552 zone time DR position is LAT 24°26.0'S, LONG 73°19.0'E. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 302°psc. The chronometer reads 10h 55m 07s, and the chronometer error is 02m 38s fast. The variation is 6°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 4.1°W
    N b. 4.6°E
    N c. 5.9°E
    Y d. 6.1°W

1471: On 21 February , your 0823 zone time DR position is LAT 21°44.0'S, LONG 80°14.0'E. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 096°psc. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 19s, and the chronometer error is 01m 52s fast. The variation is 5°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 2.2°E
    Y b. 4.7°W
    N c. 5.7°E
    N d. 6.3°W

1489: On 23 July , your 2100 ZT position is LAT 36°43.0'N, LONG 16°09.8'W, when you observed an azimuth of Polaris to determine the compass error. Polaris bears 359.0° per gyrocompass. At the time of the observation, the helmsman noted that he was heading 319.0° per gyrocompass and 331.0° per standard compass. Variation is 12.0°W. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. The gyro error is 0.7°E.
    N b. The gyro error is 1.7°W.
    Y c. The deviation is 1.7°E.
    N d. The compass error is 13.7°W

1491: On 5 February , your 2320 ZT position is LAT 52°28'N, LONG 23°48'W. You observe Polaris bearing 000.2°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 224°pgc and 244°psc. The variation is 20°W. What is the deviation for that heading?

    N a. 0.0°
    Y b. 1.5°W
    N c. 3.0°W
    N d. 4.5°W

1502: On May 20 , you are keeping ZD +4, and your 2300 (ZD +4) DR position is LAT 42°07'N, LONG 81°02'W. At that time, you observe Polaris bearing 012°psc. The chronometer time of the observation is 03h 02m 23s, and the chronometer is 1m 17s fast. The variation is 9.5°W. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

    Y a. 2.7°W
    N b. 12.2°W
    N c. 6.8°E
    N d. 12.2°E

1660: On 23 June , in DR position LAT 21°39.0'S, LONG 106°28.0'W, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 078°psc. The chronometer reads 02h 14m 39s and is 01m 43s slow. Variation in the area is 9°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 2.8°E
    N b. 3.9°W
    Y c. 4.3°W
    N d. 4.6°E

1884: On 26 November , your 0535 DR position is LAT 27°18.9'S, LONG 30°18.4'E. You observe an unidentified planet bearing 085°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 32°15.2'. The chronometer reads 03h 33m 16s, and is 01m 48s slow. What planet did you observe?

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

1921: On 17 March , your 1845 DR position is LAT 25°10.0'N, LONG 66°48.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 340°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 66°25.1'. The chronometer reads 10h 47m 49s, and is 1m 54s fast. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Capella
    N b. Mirfak
    N c. Pollux
    N d. Rigel

1923: On 17 March , your 1845 DR position is LAT 25°10.0'N, LONG 66°48.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 077°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 67°04.4'. The chronometer reads 10h 47m 49s, and is 1m 54s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Capella
    N b. Mirfak
    Y c. Pollux
    N d. Rigel

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

2017: On 2 February , your 0400 zone time DR position is LAT 24°14.0'N, LONG 163°28.0'W. You are on course 322°T at a speed of 22 knots. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time?

    Y a. Saturn, Antares, Rasalhague
    N b. Jupiter, Saturn, Polaris
    N c. Saturn, Polaris, Zubenelgenubi
    N d. Jupiter, Spica, Denebola

2106: At 0005, on 26 January, your position is LAT 41°11.8'N,
LONG 72°20.5'W. From this position, you plot a course to steer to a point one half mile north of Mattituck Breakwater Light "MI" with an engine speed of 9.0 knots. If there are no set and drift, what course should you steer?

    N a. 207°psc
    N b. 213°psc
    N c. 220°psc
    Y d. 235°psc

2154: On 30 June , at 0630 zone time, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 25°15.0'S, LONG 175°36.0'E. Your vessel is steaming at 16.0 knots on a course of 302°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 1015 zone time. The chronometer reads 10h 14m 38s, and the sextant altitude is 32°07.9'. The index error is 4.5' on the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 25s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 58.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    Y a. 035.3°T
    N b. 144.7°T
    N c. 186.5°T
    N d. 248.5°T

2238: At 1430 ZT, on 16 April , in DR position LAT 34° 03.8' N, LONG 061° 02.5'W, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The center of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 095.2°psc. The variation is 12°W. What is the deviation?

    N a. 1.7°W
    N b. 1.7°E
    N c. 1.9°W
    Y d. 1.9°E

2280: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 28°24.7' on 17 May . The index error is 1.5' off the arc. The height of eye is 86 feet (26 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 28°29.7'
    N b. 28°30.6'
    Y c. 28°31.5'
    N d. 28°32.9'

2459: You have steamed 432 miles at 18 knots and burning 406 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 221 barrels per day with 190 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    N a. 10.6
    N b. 12.8
    Y c. 16.5
    N d. 17.7

2531: When you pass under the Jefferson Barracks Highway Bridge (mile 168.6 UMR) what will be your vertical clearance if the highest point on your towboat is 55 feet and the St Louis Gage reads 21 feet?

    Y a. 11.8 feet
    N b. 14.6 feet
    N c. 19.7 feet
    N d. 25.8 feet

2787: What is the length of the trip?

    Y a. 1088.5 miles
    N b. 1332.2 miles
    N c. 1334.6 miles
    N d. 1566.4 miles

3105: You are turning 82 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 23 feet, and an estimated slip of +6%. What is the speed of advance?

    Y a. 17.5 knots
    N b. 17.9 knots
    N c. 18.4 knots
    N d. 19.7 knots

6143: At 2027 you obtain a radar range to Shagwong Point of 3.4 miles and a tangent bearing to the east end of Long Island of 172°T. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. You are to the left of your DR track.
    N b. You are inside a precautionary area.
    N c. Your speed made good from 1949 to 2027 is 14.0 knots.
    N d. Your course made good from 1949 to 2027 is 111°T.

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

10700: At 1020 your position is LAT 41°11.0'N, LONG 71°50.0'W. You are on course 056° per standard magnetic compass at 9.2 knots. At 1112 your position is LAT 41°15.9'N, LONG 71°41.7'W. What were the set and drift?

    N a. 130°T at 0.9 knot
    Y b. 141°T at 1.2 knots
    N c. 331°T at 0.8 knot
    N d. 346°T at 1.1 knots

11108: The passage between Great Gull Island and Plum Island __________.

    N a. is subject to weak and variable tidal currents
    N b. uncovers at extreme low water
    Y c. should be avoided
    N d. shows a whirlpool at maximum ebb current when accompanied by NW gales

12611: You are on course 262° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Saybrook Breakwater Light - 338.5°psc Little Gull Island Light - 107.5°psc Horton Point Light - 240.0°psc What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41°11.9'N, LONG 72°16.7'N
    Y b. LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 72°17.2'W
    N c. LAT 41°13.0'N, LONG 72°17.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°17.3'W

13404: Your vessel has become disabled and is dead in the water. Your GPS position is LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°43.5'W. You decide to anchor at this position. Under normal conditions, how much anchor chain should you expect to put out?

    N a. 80 to 190 feet
    N b. 190 to 240 feet
    Y c. 245 to 343 feet
    N d. 345 to 420 feet

15416: At 2200, you are in position LAT 36°57.5'N, LONG 76°02.5'W. You intend to travel up the Thimble Shoals auxiliary Channel to Hampton Roads. According to the Coast Pilot,
what is the depth of the auxiliary channel on either side of the main channel?

    N a. 28 feet (8.5 meters)
    Y b. 32 feet (9.8 meters)
    N c. 36 feet (11.0 meters)
    N d. 45 feet (13.7 meters)

15614: From your 1920 position, you change course to enter Chesapeake Channel between buoys 9 and 10. What is the course per standard magnetic compass (psc) ?

    N a. 286°psc
    Y b. 283°psc
    N c. 280°psc
    N d. 274°psc

15656: At 0630, Buoy "PI" is close abeam on the starboard side. You are steering 078°T and are headed directly toward Race Rock Light. At 0654, Little Gull Island Light is bearing 210°pgc and Race Rock Light is bearing 075°pgc. What is your 0654 position?

    N a. LAT 41°19.0'N, LONG 72°05.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°14.4'N, LONG 71°54.6'W
    N c. LAT 41°14.2'N, LONG 72°06.8'W
    Y d. LAT 41°14.0'N, LONG 72°05.3'W

16061: You have just passed York River Entrance Channel Lighted Buoys "13" and "14". The chart shows a light approximately 1.0 mile off your port beam with a light characteristic "Fl 6 sec". What is the name of this light?

    N a. Mobjack Bay Entrance Light
    Y b. York Spit Light
    N c. New Point Comfort Light
    N d. York River Entrance Channel Light "1"

16117: What is the distance from your 0731 fix to Wilmington, N.C.
(LAT 34°14.0'N, LONG 77°57.0'W)?

    Y a. 339 miles
    N b. 363 miles
    N c. 402 miles
    N d. 486 miles

16212: What is the course per standard magnetic compass between points "A" and "B"?

    N a. 094.5°
    N b. 095.5°
    Y c. 098.5°
    N d. 099.5°

16316: At 0900, the current is flooding in a direction of 350°T at 1.2 knots. If your engines are turning RPMs for 9 knots, which course should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good a course of 297° true?

    Y a. 302°psc
    N b. 311°psc
    N c. 317°psc
    N d. 319°psc

16320: Which course should you change to per standard magnetic compass as you pass SW Ledge Light to remain in the channel?

    N a. 007°psc
    N b. 014°psc
    Y c. 021°psc
    N d. 026°psc

16462: Which statement about your 0400 position is TRUE?

    Y a. You are within the territorial sea and contiguous zone.
    N b. You are governed by the Inland Rules of the Road.
    N c. The ocean floor is composed of shale.
    N d. Anchoring, trawling and fishing are prohibited.

16543: Based on the information in the previous question, what is your ETA at the distress scene?

    N a. 0006
    N b. 0010
    Y c. 0016
    N d. 0021

16712: The two wavy magenta lines running to Green Hill Point represent __________.

    N a. recommended approaches to Green Hill Point
    N b. the red sector of Point Judith Light
    N c. prohibited fishing areas
    Y d. submarine cables

16743: At 0040 you are south of Lewis Point when you receive word that the distress is terminated. You alter course to head for The Race. At 0052 you take the following relative bearings because the starboard gyro repeater is inoperative. Your heading at each bearing was 285°pgc. What is your 0052 position?

Race Rock Light 002°
Watch Hill Light 034°
Block Island North Light 122°

    N a. LAT 41°08.8'N, LONG 71°41.4'W
    N b. LAT 41°09.0'N, LONG 71°42.3'W
    N c. LAT 41°09.0'N, LONG 71°41.1'W
    Y d. LAT 41°09.1'N, LONG 71°41.7'W

16839: At 0800 you reduce speed from sea speed. Speed was reduced by the time you passed abeam of Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy "12" at 0814. At this time Buoy "12" was abeam on your starboard side at a distance of 0.65 mile. Assuming you continue to make good your course of 202°T, what is your new speed if you pass abeam of Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy "14" at a distance of 1.5 miles at 0907?

    N a. 13.6 knots
    Y b. 12.9 knots
    N c. 12.3 knots
    N d. 12.0 knots

16839: At 0800 you reduce speed from sea speed. Speed was reduced by the time you passed abeam of Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy "12" at 0814. At this time Buoy "12" was abeam on your starboard side at a distance of 0.65 mile. Assuming you continue to make good your course of 202°T, what is your new speed if you pass abeam of Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy "14" at a distance of 1.5 miles at 0907?

    N a. 13.6 knots
    Y b. 12.9 knots
    N c. 12.3 knots
    N d. 12.0 knots

16845: After the pilot boards, he tells you the gyro has a 2°E error. If this is true, what should the bearing be along Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel as your vessel passes abeam of it?

    N a. 052°pgc
    N b. 049°pgc
    Y c. 047°pgc
    N d. 045°pgc