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.

68: The river will be temporarily closed to navigation at mile 531.3 AHP due to repairs to the bridge. This will occur at 1300, 5 January, and last for six hours. What minimum speed over the ground must you make from Red River Landing Gage in order not to be delayed?
150: Which dayboard would you see on Puntney Light (mile 943.6 AHP)?
245: On chart 12354, the datum from which heights of objects are taken is __________.
480: The great circle distance from LAT 25°50'N, LONG 77°00'W to LAT 35°56'N, LONG 06°15'W is 3616 miles, and the initial course is 061.7°T. The position of the vertex is LAT 37°34.9'N, LONG 25°59.0'W. Determine the latitude intersecting the great circle track 600 miles west of the vertex, along the great circle track. 

    Y a. 36°54.9'N
    N b. 36°50.2'N
    N c. 36°45.9'N
    N d. 36°36.8'N
525: At 0600 you take the following bearings:

Point Judith Light bearing 063° pgc
Block Island North Reef Light bearing 144° pgc

What is your 0600 position? 

    Y a. LAT 41°18.3'N, LONG 71°38.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°18.4'N, LONG 71°38.0'W
    N c. LAT 41°18.5'N, LONG 72°38.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°18.7'N, LONG 71°38.9'W
540: Determine the distance from LAT 34°18'S, LONG 172°40'E to LAT 34°18'S, LONG 152°38'E, by parallel sailing. 

    Y a. 993.0 miles
    N b. 995.2 miles
    N c. 996.4 miles
    N d. 998.6 miles
623: You are on a voyage from Baltimore, MD, to Seattle, WA. The distance from pilot to pilot is 5960 miles. The speed of advance is 16.0 knots. You estimate 16 hours for bunkering at Colon, and 12.0 hours for the Panama Canal transit. If you take departure at 0824 hours (ZD +5), 18 November, what is your ETA (ZD +8) at Seattle? 

    N a. 1654, 5 December
    N b. 1354, 5 December
    Y c. 2154, 4 December
    N d. 1354, 4 December
997: On 20 November , your 0612 zone time (ZT) position was LAT 25°38.0'N, LONG 166°54.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 126°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0854 ZT. The chronometer read 07h 51m 14s and was slow 02m 52s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 27°58.3'. LAN occurred at 1147 ZT. The observed altitude (Ho) was 45°35.0'. What was the longitude of your 1147 ZT running fix? 

    N a. 165°20.2'W
    N b. 165°18.4'W
    N c. 165°15.8'W
    Y d. 165°12.5'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
1087: On 15 August , your vessel is enroute from Bombay, India, to San Francisco, CA. You are steering course 020°T and making a speed of 20.0 knots. Your 1830 zone time DR is LAT 26°13.0'N, LONG 135°18.0'W. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1935 running fix. NP-0017

    N a. LAT 26°15.9'N, LONG 135°03.6'W
    N b. LAT 26°35.3'N, LONG 135°24.8'W
    N c. LAT 26°40.5'N, LONG 135°21.6'W
    Y d. LAT 26°48.1'N, LONG 135°20.7'W
1180: On 3 May , your 1009 zone time DR position is LAT 30°01.0'N, LONG 123°15.0'W. Your vessel is on course 330°T at a speed of 8.6 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    N a. 1206
    N b. 1208
    Y c. 1211
    N d. 1214
1232: The Vaucluse Trench fill revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________. 

    N a. 524.3 - 522.6 RDB
    Y b. 535.6 - 532.9 RDB
    N c. 535.9 - 534.3 LDB
    N d. 534.3 - 532.6 LDB
1267: On 10 December , your 1300 zone time (ZT) DR position is LAT 26°27.0'S, LONG 79°04.0'E. You are on course 068°T at a speed of 14 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel? 

    Y a. 1824
    N b. 1846
    N c. 1854
    N d. 1908
1285: On 28 June , your 1820 ZT DR position is LAT 16°00.0'N,
LONG 31°00.0'W. You are on course 310°T at a speed of 18 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel? 

    N a. 1828
    N b. 1832
    N c. 1836
    Y d. 1840
1289: The horizontal clearance of the center span on the Baton Rouge RR and Highway 190 Bridge is __________. 

    N a. 443
    N b. 500
    N c. 575
    Y d. 623
1422: What organization has an installation at the uppermost end of Carthage Revetment? 

    N a. U.S. Coast Guard
    Y b. River Cement Co.
    N c. U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers
    N d. International Paper Co.
1494: On 5 August , your 0310 ZT position is LAT 09°02'N, LONG 21°08'W. You observe Polaris bearing 002°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 316°pgc and 329°psc. The variation is 15°W. What is the deviation for that heading? 

    N a. 0.0°
    N b. 1.5°W
    N c. 3.0°W
    Y d. 0.5°E
1663: On 7 April , in DR position LAT 27°42.0'N, LONG 114°03.0'W, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 076°psc. The chronometer reads 02h 10m 17s and is 01m 52s slow. Variation in the area is 8°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    Y a. 1.8°W
    N b. 2.3°E
    N c. 6.2°E
    N d. 7.8°W
1675: On 28 November , your vessel's 0652 DR position is LAT 37°30'N, LONG 124°12'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 103° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 16.3°E. The chronometer reads 02h 54m 18s and is 02m 06s fast. What is the deviation of the compass? 

    Y a. 2.5°W
    N b. 3.0°W
    N c. 2.0°E
    N d. 3.0°E
1724: What is the mile point of the Natchez, MS Gage? 

    N a. 228.4 AHP
    N b. 265.4 AHP
    N c. 302.4 AHP
    Y d. 363.3 AHP
1916: On 14 January , your 1922 DR position is LAT 27°18.5'S, LONG 67°18.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 250°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 31°01.2'. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 43s, and is 03m 15s fast. Which star did you observe? 

    N a. Elnath
    Y b. Fomalhaut
    N c. Pollux
    N d. Markab
1918: On 14 January , your 1922 DR position is LAT 27°18.5'S, LONG 67°18.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 295°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 13°50.7'. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 43s, and is 03m 15s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Elnath
    N b. Fomalhaut
    N c. Pollux
    Y d. Markab
1925: On 23 September , your 1836 DR position is LAT 25°18'S, LONG 162°36'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 148°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 13°32'. The chronometer reads 07h 34m 12s, and is 01m 54s slow. Which star did you observe? 

    N a. Antares
    N b. Canopus
    Y c. Achernar
    N d. Sirius
2011: On 3 February , your 0547 zone time DR position is LAT 24°18.5'N, LONG 167°25.0'E. Considering their magnitude,
azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time? 

    Y a. Regulus, Deneb, Antares
    N b. Altair, Saturn, Regulus
    N c. Arcturus, Kochab, Venus
    N d. Jupiter, Denebola, Regulus
2329: You sighted Trestle "B" in line at 0706 and are steering 108°T. At 0731, Cape Henry Light bears 136°T; Cape Charles Light bears 032.5°T; and Thimble Shoal Tunnel South Light bears 282°T. What was the speed made good between 0706 and 0731? 

    Y a. 8.3 knots
    N b. 8.8 knots
    N c. 9.2 knots
    N d. 9.4 knots
2456: You have steamed 520 miles at 22 knots and burning 319 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 137 barrels per day with 410 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel? 

    N a. 12.8
    N b. 14.8
    Y c. 16.2
    N d. 18.2
2656: You are steering 257°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 13.3 miles at 2016. You change course to pass the light 4 miles off abeam to starboard. If you are making 18.5 knots, what is your ETA at the position 4 miles off the light? 

    Y a. 2057
    N b. 2100
    N c. 2103
    N d. 2113
2694: While on a course of 152°T, a light bears 9° on the port bow at a distance of 11.6 miles. What course should you steer to pass 3 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port? 

    N a. 153°
    Y b. 158°
    N c. 163°
    N d. 167°
3256: You have steamed 918 miles at 15.0 knots, and consumed 183 tons of fuel. If you have 200 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 12 knots? 

    N a. 1021 miles
    N b. 1261 miles
    Y c. 1568 miles
    N d. 1960 miles
3470: You are underway on course 000°Tat 9.5 knots. The current is 082°T at 1.1 knots. What is the speed being made good? 

    N a. 9.2 knots
    N b. 9.5 knots
    Y c. 9.8 knots
    N d. 10.1 knots
3648: The true course between two points is 312°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 3°W. You make an allowance of 4° leeway for a west by south wind. What gyro course should be steered to make the true course good? 

    N a. 305°pgc
    Y b. 311°pgc
    N c. 315°pgc
    N d. 318°pgc
3652: The true course between two points is 023°T. Your gyrocompass has an error of 1°W and you make an allowance of 4° leeway for an east wind. What gyro course should be steered to make the true course good? 

    N a. 020°pgc
    N b. 021°pgc
    N c. 026°pgc
    Y d. 028°pgc
4006: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°W. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a true heading of 236°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 354° 122.5° - 114° 239.5° - 234°
030.5° - 024° 152.0° - 144° 269.0° - 264°
061.5° - 054° 181.0° - 174° 298.0° - 294°
092.0° - 084° 210.0° - 204° 327.5° - 324° 

    N a. 1.0°W
    Y b. 0.5°E
    N c. 1.5°E
    N d. 0.0°
10205: Your present position is LAT 41°05.5'N, LONG 72°38.0'W. Assuming that there is no set and drift, what course must you steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to arrive at a position 2 miles due west of Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy (LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°30.5'W)? 

    Y a. 055°psc
    N b. 059°psc
    N c. 064°psc
    N d. 069°psc
10307: You are 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to a position 0.5 mile due south of Race Rock Light? 

    Y a. 324°psc
    N b. 328°psc
    N c. 331°psc
    N d. 339°psc
10908: What is the velocity of the first maximum flood current in Lynnhaven Roads on 23 July 1983? 

    Y a. 0.4 knot
    N b. 0.5 knot
    N c. 0.8 knot
    N d. 1.3 knots
11100: Block Island is __________. 

    N a. surrounded by wide sandy beaches
    N b. a low, marshy island
    Y c. hilly with elevations to 200 feet (60.5 m)
    N d. a national bird sanctuary
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
11808: What is the true course to steer from a position 2 miles due south of Branford Reef Light to Horton Pt. Light, if the set and drift of the current are 247°T at 3 knots, and a southwesterly wind will cause 3° of leeway? (Your engines are making turns for 10 knots.) 

    Y a. 104°T
    N b. 100°T
    N c. 095°T
    N d. 087°T
11808: What is the true course to steer from a position 2 miles due south of Branford Reef Light to Horton Pt. Light, if the set and drift of the current are 247°T at 3 knots, and a southwesterly wind will cause 3° of leeway? (Your engines are making turns for 10 knots.) 

    Y a. 104°T
    N b. 100°T
    N c. 095°T
    N d. 087°T
13007: Your 1600 position is LAT 41°08.0'N, LONG 72°44.8'W. You are making turns for 10 knots. What is your ETA at Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy "TE" (LAT 41°09.3'N LONG 72°30.5'W)? 

    N a. 1647
    N b. 1651
    N c. 1702
    Y d. 1706
13109: At 1113 you are in the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island with buoy "5" close aboard. What is your ETA at light "1" at the mouth of the approaches to Lake Montauk if you make good 9.6 knots? 

    N a. 1310
    Y b. 1301
    N c. 1254
    N d. 1249
15107: At 1752, your position is LAT 37°04.3'N, LONG 76°06.4'W. On a flood current you should expect to be set to the __________. 

    Y a. north northwest
    N b. south southwest
    N c. east southeast
    N d. east
15265: Orient Point Light is __________. 

    N a. lighted only during daytime when the sound signal is in operation
    N b. maintained only from May 1 to Oct 1
    N c. 64 feet (19.4 meters) above mean low water
    Y d. lighted throughout 24 hours
15312: You arrive at the rendezvous point, secure the tow, and head back southward. At 1200, you take the following bearings:

Cape Charles Light bearing 240.5° true
Sand Shoal Inlet South Light bearing 289° true

What is your 1200 position? 

    N a. LAT 37°10.5'N, LONG 75°33.0'W
    N b. LAT 37°12.0'N, LONG 75°35.0'W
    Y c. LAT 37°15.0'N, LONG 75°37.5'W
    N d. LAT 37°19.0'N, LONG 75°40.5'W
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
15543: At 2236 Falkner Island Light bears 024° true at a range of 8.6 nm

What was the speed made good along the track line since your 2200 fix? 

    N a. 12.7 knots
    Y b. 13.5 knots
    N c. 13.9 knots
    N d. 14.2 knots
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
16216: From your 0745 fix, you change course to pass 1.0 mile south of buoy "WH" and estimate your speed at 7 knots. If the visibility clears, what is the earliest time you can expect to see Block Island North Light tower? 

    N a. 0750
    Y b. 0807
    N c. 0838
    N d. 0845
16238: At 2045, buoy "GM" is at a range of 6.45 miles. Hogsland buoy "12" is at a range of 5.25 miles.

Your vessel's position is __________. 

    N a. LAT 37°22.8'N, LONG 75°30.8'W
    Y b. LAT 37°22.3'N, LONG 75°31.7'W
    N c. LAT 37°22.0'N, LONG 75°29.3'W
    N d. LAT 37°21.8'N, LONG 75°30.7'W
16706: At 0520, you take the following observations:

Point Judith Light 032°pgc
Point Judith Harbor of Refuge
Main Breakwater Center Light 308°pgc

What is the position of your 0520 fix? 

    N a. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°30.3'W
    Y b. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°29.7'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