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.


61: What is the width of the navigable channel at Grand Gulf Island Light (mile 404.9 AHP) ?


81: Which company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Helena (mile 658 to 665 AHP)?


180: On 4 July you observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 25°29.8'. The index error is 3.1' off the arc. The height of eye is 48 feet (14.6 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?


199: You are underway in the vicinity of Block Island and obtain the following lines of position:

Montauk Point Light 263°pgc
Block Island Southeast Light 026°pgc
Radar Bearing to Block Island Southwest Point 348°pgc

What is your position at the time of these sightings?

    N a. LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 71°36.2'W
    Y b. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 71°35.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 71°35.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 71°35.0'W

212: If you were to head into Fishers Island Sound, which of the following charts would you switch to for better detail of Mystic and Mystic Harbor?

    N a. 13209
    N b. 13212
    Y c. 13214
    N d. 13215

292: If you have 17.3 miles to reach your destination from your 2000 position and want to be there at 2230, what speed should you make good?

    Y a. 6.9 knots
    N b. 6.5 knots
    N c. 6.1 knots
    N d. 5.7 knots

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

359: You are turning for 9 knots, a westerly wind is causing 3°
of leeway, and the current is 320°T at 1.2 knots. What true course should you steer to remain in the northern leg of York Spit Channel?

    N a. 203°T
    N b. 197°T
    Y c. 194°T
    N d. 191°T

441: You get underway at 1030. The wind is out of the SSE and you estimate 3° leeway. What course should you steer per gyrocompass to make good a desired course of 075°T?

    Y a. 080°pgc
    N b. 078°pgc
    N c. 076°pgc
    N d. 074°pgc

444: At 1110, you increase speed to 12 knots. What is your ETA at the new position?

    N a. 1220
    Y b. 1215
    N c. 1208
    N d. 1157

578: At 1008, you are entering York Spit Channel and buoy "19" is abeam to your starboard. What speed are you making good?

    N a. 9.9 knots
    N b. 9.7 knots
    Y c. 9.0 knots
    N d. 8.4 knots

598: At 1132, 24 July, 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 July
    N b. 0525, 26 July
    Y c. 0947, 26 July
    N d. 2215, 26 July

628: You are on a voyage from Valdez, AK, to the Panama Canal. The distance from pilot to pilot is 4950 miles. The speed of advance is 15.0 knots. You estimate a layover in San Francisco, CA, of 36.0 hours. If you take departure at 0800 (ZD +10), 29 October, what is your ETA (ZD +5) at the Panama Canal?

    Y a. 1900, 13 November
    N b. 1400, 13 November
    N c. 1400, 14 November
    N d. 0900, 13 November

730: On 18 November , your 1750 zone time DR position is LONG 110°16.0'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 21°29.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 00h 52m 43s, and the chronometer error is 02m 18s fast. The index error is 3.2' on the arc, and the height of eye is 49.5 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris?

    Y a. 21°03.4'N
    N b. 21°13.4'N
    N c. 21°28.1'N
    N d. 21°35.1'N

740: On 14 March , your 1846 ZT DR position is LAT 21°57.6'N, LONG 132°16.2'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 22°16.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 45m 10s, and the chronometer error is 01m 32s slow. The index error is 3.2' off the arc, and the height of eye is 44.9 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris?

    N a. 21°32.4'N
    Y b. 21°49.8'N
    N c. 21°51.0'N
    N d. 21°53.1'N

755: You are taking a time tick using the 1400 signal from Buenos Aires, Argentina. You hear a 0.4 second dash followed by a series of dots, noting that the 29th and the 56th to 59th dots are omitted. At the start of the following 0.4 second dash (which is followed by an 8 second pulse), the comparing watch reads 01h 59m 57s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 02h 00m 38s, and the chronometer reads 02h 01m 33s. What is the chronometer error?

    N a. 0m 03s slow
    N b. 0m 4ls slow
    Y c. 0m 52s fast
    N d. 1m 36s fast

1102: On 19 November , your 0200 zone time DR position is LAT 18°41'N, LONG 150°37'E. You are on course 014°T at a speed of 18 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix. NP-0031

    Y a. LAT 19°45.4'N, LONG 150°52.6'E
    N b. LAT 19°42.8'N, LONG 150°56.9'E
    N c. LAT 19°41.2'N, LONG 150°46.3'E
    N d. LAT 19°39.3'N, LONG 150°51.8'E

1132: Which light will you be passing at 0059, on 22 September, if you make good 9.2 knots?

    Y a. Obion Bar Lt.
    N b. Kate Aubrey Lt.
    N c. Trotter Lt.
    N d. Quaker Oats Lt.

1139: You are passing the Bayou Sara Gage which reads 3.9 feet. The low water reference plane for Bayo Sara is 5.25 feet. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. The river level is above the Low Water Reference Plane.
    N b. Red Store Landing Revetment is ahead on your starboard side
    N c. This gage reading is at a lower elevation than the same reading on the Gage at Head of Passes.
    Y d. None of the above.

1163: What is the mile point of the Fulton Gage?

    N a. 598 AHP
    N b. 632 AHP
    N c. 687 AHP
    Y d. 778 AHP

1460: On 27 June , your 1905 ZT DR position is LAT 24°35.0'N, LONG 50°15.0'W. At that time, you observe Saturn bearing 211°pgc. The chronometer reads 10h 04m 26s and the chronometer error is 01m 20s slow. The variation is 4.5°E. What is the gyro error?

    Y a. 1.1°W
    N b. 3.4°E
    N c. 3.4°W
    N d. 5.6°W

1477: On 27 June , your vessel's 0816 ZT DR position is LAT 22°14'S, LONG 53°52'W, when an azimuth of the Sun is observed. The chronometer time of the sight is 12h 15m 02s, and the Sun is bearing 047.5° per standard magnetic compass. The chronometer error is 00m 46s slow, and the variation in the area is 6.0°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 1.5°E
    N b. 1.9°W
    Y c. 3.0°W
    N d. 3.0°E

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

1885: On 26 November , your 0535 DR position is LAT 27°18.9'S, LONG 30°18.4'E. You observe an unidentified planet bearing 037°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 50°06.4'. The chronometer reads 03h 33m 16s and is 01m 48s slow. What planet did you observe?

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

1902: On 22 April , your 1852 DR position is LAT 23°54.5'N, LONG 117°36.8'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 077°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 18°58.7'. The chronometer reads 02h 54m 53s, and is 02m 51s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Diphda
    N b. Betelgeuse
    N c. Gienah
    Y d. Arcturus

2003: On 20 June , your 1742 zone time DR position is LAT 24°55.0'S, LONG 8°19.6'E. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which three stars are best suited for a fix at star time?

    Y a. Regulus, Canopus, Antares
    N b. Spica, Arcturus, Alioth
    N c. Arcturus, Achernar, Pollux
    N d. Avior, Sabik, Fomalhaut

2244: At 1435 ZT, on 27 April , in DR position LAT 51° 56.8' N, LONG 150° 37.7' E, the Moon’s upper limb is observed on the visible horizon, bearing 242.2° psc. Variation is 2° W. What is the deviation?

    Y a. 2.2°W
    N b. 2.2°E
    N c. 6.2°E
    N d. 6.2°W

2865: You are steering a course of 240°T, and a lighthouse bears 025° on the starboard bow at 2116. At 2144 the same lighthouse bears 050° on the starboard bow, and you have run 6 miles since the first bearing. What is the ETA when the lighthouse is abeam?

    N a. 2156
    N b. 2159
    Y c. 2202
    N d. 2205

3267: Your vessel arrives in port with sufficient fuel to steam 726 miles at 16 knots. If you are unable to take on bunkers, at what speed must you proceed to reach your next port, 873 miles distant?

    Y a. 14.6 knots
    N b. 15.1 knots
    N c. 16.3 knots
    N d. 16.8 knots

3301: You have steamed 217 miles and consumed 23.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 362 miles?

    N a. 33.8 tons
    Y b. 38.4 tons
    N c. 42.6 tons
    N d. 45.7 tons

3468: You are underway on course 215°T at 12 knots. The current is 000°T at 2.3 knots. What is the speed being made good?

    N a. 8.5 knots
    Y b. 10.2 knots
    N c. 10.9 knots
    N d. 11.2 knots

11907: Your position is 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course to steer to arrive at LAT 41°00.0'N, LONG 71°30.0'W, if you are turning for 7.8 knots, the current is 130° at 1.2 knots, and a southerly wind causes 3° of leeway?

    N a. 112°T
    Y b. 108°T
    N c. 105°T
    N d. 102°T

12604: You are on course 082° per standard magnetic compass (psc) when you take the following bearings: New London Ledge Light - 036.5°psc Little Gull Island Light - 157.0°psc Saybrook Break Water Light - 294.5°psc What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41°02.3'N, LONG 72°04.5'W
    N b. LAT 41°09.5'N, LONG 72°07.1'W
    Y c. LAT 41°13.6'N, LONG 72°07.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.1'N, LONG 72°12.8'W

12702: You are on course 282° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Point Judith Light - 073°psc Block Island North Light - 156°psc Watch Hill Point Light - 293°psc What is your position?

    Y a. LAT 41°17.0'N, LONG 71°38.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°17.1'N, LONG 71°39.1'W
    N c. LAT 41°17.2'N, LONG 71°38.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°17.2'N, LONG 71°37.8'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

13906: When approaching Block Island Sound from Long Island Sound, you will enter waters governed by the International Rules of the Road when you __________.

    Y a. pass through The Race
    N b. cross the territorial sea boundary
    N c. exit Block Island Sound to the east or south
    N d. None of the above, as Long Island Sound is governed by the International Rules of the Road

14504: You are proceeding in a westerly direction on the Columbia River. The pool level of the Bonneville reservoir stands at 72 feet above MSL. If the highest point on your vessel is 44 feet above the water, what will be the vertical clearance as you pass under the overhead power cables at mile 173.8?

    N a. 43 feet
    N b. 68 feet
    N c. 111 feet
    Y d. 115 feet

15063: At 0830, you want the latest weather forecasts for the Falkner Island area. On what frequency do you set your FM radio for this information?

    N a. 2182 kHz
    N b. 162.80 Mhz
    N c. 156.65 Mhz
    Y d. 162.55 Mhz

15139: At what time would you expect to be abeam of Buoy "MP"?

    N a. 2240
    N b. 2244
    Y c. 2248
    N d. 2252

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

15810: You alter course from your 0045 position to head for a point 0.5 mile north of Mattituck Breakwater Light "MI". If the visibility is 10 miles and you make good 9 knots, at approximately what time will you lose sight of Saybrook Breakwater Light?

    N a. You have already lost sight at 0045
    Y b. 0055
    N c. 0120
    N d. The light is visible all the way to Mattituck Inlet

15813: According to the DR track line from your 0100 position, how far off Roanoke Point Shoal Buoy "5" should you be when the buoy is abeam?

    N a. 0.2 mile
    Y b. 0.6 mile
    N c. 1.3 mile
    N d. 1.8 miles

15829: A stretch where the channel changes from one side of the river to the other is called a __________.

    N a. passing
    N b. transit
    N c. transfer
    Y d. crossing

15870: What is the approximate distance from a point three miles south of Stratford Point to Perth Amboy, NJ?

    N a. 53 miles
    N b. 62 miles
    Y c. 73 miles
    N d. 136 miles

15946: At 2132 you sight Block Island Southest Point Light in line with the Aerobeacon (rotating white and green) bearing 308.5°pgc. The helmsman reports he was heading 106°pgc and 119°psc. What is the deviation on that heading?

    N a. 4°W
    N b. 2°W
    Y c. 2°E
    N d. 4°E

16008: While on a heading of 082°T, you sight Middle Ground Light in line with Old Field Point Light bearing 206° per standard magnetic compass. From this you can determine the __________.

    N a. variation
    Y b. deviation table is correct for that heading
    N c. compass error is 17.5°E
    N d. deviation is 3.5°E for a bearing of 206° per standard magnetic compass

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