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.


37: As you pass under the Natchez-Vidalia Dual Bridge, the gage on the bridge reads -3.6 feet. If the highest point on your vessel is 62 ft. above the water, what is your vertical clearance?


67: The Gage at Red River Landing reads 22.2 feet. The LWRP for Red River is 10.6 feet. What is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane?


148: You are turning for 8.2 mph and estimate the current at 1.5 mph. What is you speed over the ground?


304: A vessel steams 580 miles on course 083°T from LAT 13°12'N, LONG 71°12'W. What are the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by mid-latitude sailing?

    N a. LAT 14°17'N, LONG 61°23'W
    N b. LAT 14°20'N, LONG 61°21'W
    Y c. LAT 14°23'N, LONG 61°19'W
    N d. LAT 14°25'N, LONG 61°17'W

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?

    N a. 0935
    Y b. 0910
    N c. 0850
    N d. 0830

354: The south shore of Long Island Sound from Horton Point to Orient Point is __________.

    Y a. bluff and rocky
    N b. low and marshy
    N c. marked by sandy beaches and wooded uplands
    N d. bound by gradual shoaling

375: As you near Little Gull Island, you use your loran to insure that you do not come within 0.5 mile of the island. Which of the following loran readings will act as a danger line and keep you off Little Gull Island by a minimum of 0.5 mile?

    N a. Not less than 9960-W-14735.8
    N b. Not more than 9960-W-14735.9
    Y c. Not less than 9960-Y-43953.5
    N d. Not more than 9960-X-26149.0

391: A vessel at LAT 40°42.0'N, LONG 74°01.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 14°41.0'N, LONG 17°26.0'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 123°T, 3066.5 miles
    N b. 123°T, 3065.6 miles
    N c. 118°T, 3066.5 miles
    Y d. 118°T, 3365.0 miles

469: Determine the great circle initial course from LAT 37°12.6'S, LONG 73°58.0'W to LAT 10°33.0'S, LONG 142°08.0'E.

    Y a. 223°T
    N b. 253°T
    N c. 287°T
    N d. 317°T

493: At 0815, Montauk Pt. Light House is bearing 167°T, Shagwong Pt. has a radar range of 4.5 miles, and Cerberus Shoal "9" Buoy is bearing 284°T. If the engine is making turns for 10 knots, what was the set and drift of the current since 0748?

    N a. Set 065°T, drift 1.1 knots
    N b. Set 065°T, drift 2.4 knots
    Y c. Set 245°T, drift 2.4 knots
    N d. Set 245°T, drift 1.1 knots

507: At 0112, you are on course 124°T and turning for 12.0 knots. What course will you make good if the current is 255°T at 1.2 knots?

    N a. 118°
    N b. 120°
    Y c. 129°
    N d. 132°

517: 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?

    Y a. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°29.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°20.6'N, Long 71°30.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°20.6'N, Long 71°30.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°20.5'N, Long 71°29.4'W

596: At 0921, on 24 July, you are abreast the St. Catherine Bar Lt. (mile 348.6 AHP). If you are turning for 10.0 mph, what was the current since departure?

    N a. 1.4 mph
    Y b. 1.7 mph
    N c. 2.0 mph
    N d. 7.0 mph

606: At 0915 zone time, on 11 May , you depart Yokohama, LAT 35°27.0'N, LONG 139°39.0'E (ZD -9). You are bound for Seattle, LAT 47°36.0'N, LONG 122°22.0'W, and you estimate your speed of advance at 19.5 knots. The distance is 4,276 miles. What is your estimated zone time of arrival at Seattle?

    Y a. 1932, 19 May
    N b. 0332, 20 May
    N c. 1032, 20 May
    N d. 1232, 20 May

682: 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?

    N a. 60.0 feet
    Y b. 63.1 feet
    N c. 67.2 feet
    N d. 122.0 feet

830: On 23 August , in DR position LAT 24°22.0'S, LONG 64°55.3'E, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Moon's upper limb at upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 02h 15m 04s, and the chronometer error is 01m 06s fast. The sextant altitude (hs) is 48°03.6'. The index error is 2.0' on the arc, and your height of eye is 60 feet (21.0 meters). What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    Y a. 24°20.5'S
    N b. 24°22.8'S
    N c. 24°24.8'S
    N d. 24°49.5'S

1203: You are keeping ZD +4 on your vessel. On 21 June ,
at 0906 DST, your position is LAT 30°48.0'N,
LONG 71°00.0'W. You are on a course of 167°T at 15.2 knots. At what time will local apparent noon (LAN) occur ZT at your vessel? You are keeping DST.

    N a. 1145
    N b. 1202
    N c. 1218
    Y d. 1245

1236: Which facility is located on the right descending bank at mile 363.6 AHP?

    N a. River Cement Corps..
    N b. Bunge Corps..
    N c. T.L. James
    Y d. Vidalia Dock and Storage Co.

1241: At 1554, on 25 May, you pass Huntington Point Light (mile 555.2 AHP). What was your average speed since departing Amoco Pipeline Co. DockS (253.6 AHP)?

    N a. 6.9 mph
    Y b. 6.2 mph
    N c. 4.8 mph
    N d. 4.3 mph

1274: On 13 February , at 0325 zone time, your DR position is LAT 23°20'N, LONG 155°15'W. You are steering 240°T at a speed of 13.6 knots. What is the zone time of sunrise?

    N a. 0652
    Y b. 0657
    N c. 0706
    N d. 0711

1543: As you pass under the Natchez-Vidalia Dual Bridge, the gage on the bridge reads -3.6 feet. If the highest point on your vessel is 62 ft. above the water, what is your vertical clearance?

    N a. 60.0 feet
    N b. 63.6 feet
    Y c. 67.6 feet
    N d. 122.0 feet

1667: On Sunday, 8 November, your ship is enroute from Texas City, TX, to Portland, ME. At 0632 ZT, you fix your position at LAT 27°06'N, LONG 90°36'W. When the lower limb of the Sun was two-thirds of a diameter above the visible horizon, the Sun bore 105° per standard magnetic compass. At this time the chronometer read 12h 39m 20s and is 3m 20s slow. If the variation is 3°E, determine the deviation of the standard compass.

    Y a. 0.8°E
    N b. 0.8°W
    N c. 3.8°E
    N d. 3.8°W

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

1765: The river will be temporarily closed to navigation at mile 531.3 AHP due to repairs to the bridge. This will occur at 1530, 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?

    Y a. 6.2 mph
    N b. 6.4 mph
    N c. 6.8 mph
    N d. 7.3 mph

1804: You pass Red River Gage at 2015 on 16 April and estimate the current will average 3.0 mph for the remainder of the time on the Mississippi River. What is your ETA at the mouth of the Ohio River if you continue to turn for 10 mph?

    Y a. 1718, 20 April
    N b. 1830, 20 April
    N c. 0028, 21 April
    N d. 0821, 21 April

1834: Which type of daymark would you see on the Belle Island Corner Lt. at mile 458.6 AHP?

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

1895: On 22 June , your 0424 DR position is LAT 26°18.5'N, LONG 124°18.2'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 195°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 03°30.7'. The chronometer reads 00h 23m 24s, and is 01m 32s slow. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Peacock
    N b. Schedar
    N c. Ankaa
    N d. Alioth

1895: On 22 June , your 0424 DR position is LAT 26°18.5'N, LONG 124°18.2'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 195°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 03°30.7'. The chronometer reads 00h 23m 24s, and is 01m 32s slow. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Peacock
    N b. Schedar
    N c. Ankaa
    N d. Alioth

1899: On 22 May , your 0437 DR position is LAT 25°18.5'N, LONG 51°18.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 116°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 11°27.8'. The chronometer reads 07h 40m 40s, and is 03m 24s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Markab
    Y b. Diphda
    N c. Sabik
    N d. Hamal

1922: On 17 March , your 1845 DR position is LAT 25°10.0'N, LONG 66°48.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 320°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 50°02.9'. The chronometer reads 10h 47m 49s, and is 1m 54s fast. What star did you observe?

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

1953: You are downbound when you observe on your Mississippi River map a circel with black and white quadrants on the left bank. This indicates a __________.

    Y a. river gage
    N b. daymark
    N c. control tower
    N d. information board

2100: From your 2118 position, you are steering 288°T at an engine speed of 7.0 knots. If visibility is suddenly reduced to 2 miles, at what time can you expect Old Point Comfort Light to become visible again?

    N a. The light is visible at 2118.
    N b. 2155
    N c. 2220
    Y d. 2232

2455: You are underway and intend to make good a course of 170°T. You experience a current with a set and drift of 050°T at 2.8 knots, and a easterly wind produces a leeway of 3°. You adjust your course to compensate for the current and leeway, while maintaining an engine speed of 18.5 knots. What will be your speed made good over your intended course of 170°T?

    N a. 18.5 knots
    N b. 18.1 knots
    N c. 17.6 knots
    Y d. 17.2 knots

2705: While on a course of 192°T, a light bears 11° on the starboard bow at a distance of 12.7 miles. What course should you steer to pass 3 miles abeam of the light leaving it to starboard?

    N a. 167°T
    N b. 173°T
    N c. 185°T
    Y d. 189°T

3463: You are underway on course 215°T at 12 knots. The current is 000°T at 2.3 knots. What is the course made good?

    N a. 209°T
    N b. 217°T
    Y c. 222°T
    N d. 232°T

11406: At 2021 your position is LAT 41°09.7'N, LONG 72°59.8'W. At 2057 your position is LAT 41°00.5'N, LONG 72°49.5'W. What are your true course and speed made good?

    Y a. 140° at 20 knots
    N b. 145° at 18 knots
    N c. 316° at 19 knots
    N d. 320° at 17 knots

12707: You are on course 246° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Little Gull Island Light 286° Race Rock Light 308° Latimer Reef Light 018°What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 71°55.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 71°56.6'W
    Y c. LAT 41°12.7'N, LONG 71°56.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°13.1'N, LONG 71°56.1'W

13805: What is the danger associated with anchoring your vessel within a 300 yard radius of Gardiners Point?

    N a. An unusually strong current exists in this area.
    N b. The bottom is not suitable for holding the anchor.
    N c. Submerged pilings may exist in this area.
    Y d. Your anchor could become fouled on undetonated explosives.

15068: Long Sand Shoal __________.

    N a. shoals gradually on the north and south sides
    Y b. is hard and lumpy
    N c. shows breakers when northerly winds exceed 10 knots
    N d. has gray sand with scattered shells

15142: At 2146 if your fathometer is set on feet, what should be the approximate reading on your fathometer?

    Y a. 88 feet
    N b. 105 feet
    N c. 121 feet
    N d. 166 feet

15209: At 1800, Tue Marshes Light bears 264.5°pgc, York Spit Swash Channel Light "3" bears 007°pgc. Your position is __________.

    N a. LAT 37°15.5'N, LONG 76°19.8'W
    N b. LAT 37°15.2'N, LONG 76°20.3'W
    N c. LAT 37°15.0'N, LONG 76°20.0'W
    Y d. LAT 37°14.5'N, LONG 76°20.1'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

15623: At 2126, you pass Morganza Bend Light (mile 278.4 AHP).
At 0122, 4 January, you pass Red River Landing Gage (302.4 AHP). You have been turning for 7.5 mph. What is the current?

    Y a. 1.4 MPH
    N b. 1.8 MPH
    N c. 2.7 MPH
    N d. 6.2 MPH

15668: At 0839, Montauk Pt. Light is bearing 205°T at a radar distance of 6.6 miles. What is your speed made good from your 0815 position?

    N a. 8.2 knots
    Y b. 9.2 knots
    N c. 10.0 knots
    N d. 10.5 knots

15715: Little Gull Island 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
    Y c. lighted throughout 24 hours
    N d. obscured by trees from 253° to 352°

15767: 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

15856: What type of bottom is found at Long Sand Shoal?

    N a. Rocky
    Y b. Hard
    N c. Sandy
    N d. Muddy

15910: At 0802, Branford Reef Light bears 348°T at 0.75 mile,
and the north point of Falkner Island bears 088°T at 6.7 miles. What were the set and drift since 0740?

    N a. Set 040°T, drift .3 knot
    Y b. Set 220°T, drift .9 knot
    N c. Set 220°T, drift .3 knot
    N d. You are making good your intended course and speed.

15940: At 1934 Little Gull Island Light bears 277°T and Race Rock Light bears 000°T. Which were the set and drift between 1910 and 1934?

    N a. 321°T, 2.2 knots
    N b. 321°T, 0.9 knots
    Y c. 331°T, 2.2 knots
    N d. 331°T, 0.9 knots

16443: As you transit the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, you take a gyro bearing of trestle C when it is in line. The gyro bearing was 050°. At that time, the helmsman noted that he was heading 139°pgc and 146° per standard magnetic compass. What is the deviation?

    Y a. 2°E
    N b. 0°
    N c. 2°W
    N d. 4°W

16614: Branford Reef is __________.

    Y a. completely submerged at all stages of the tide
    N b. a hard sand shoal
    N c. surrounded by rocks awash at low water spring tides
    N d. a small, low, sandy islet surrounded by shoal water