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.

59: You pass Warnicott Bar Lt. at 1146, 24 May. What is your ETA off the Mhoon Landing Gage if you average 6.5 mph?
82: If the Rosedale Gage reads -0.5 feet, what is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane? The low water reference plane (LWRP) for Rosedale, MS. is 3.0 feet.
85: You are turning for 10 mph, approaching Angola, LA. Angola reports that the current at Red River Landing is estimated at 4.5 mph. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
123: On which map would you find Redman Point, Arkansas? 

    Y a. 20
    N b. 23
    N c. 29
    N d. 37
262: You are northwest of Port Jefferson Harbor steering 242° per standard magnetic compass. As you continue westward, you see that the Port Jefferson Range Front Light and Rear Light come into line. If the deviation table is correct, the bearing of the range should be __________. 

    Y a. 157°psc
    N b. 160°psc
    N c. 163°psc
    N d. 166°psc
305: A vessel steams 666 miles on course 295°T from LAT 24°24'N, LONG 83°00'W. What are the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by mid-latitude sailing? 

    N a. LAT 29°01'N, LONG 94°18'W
    Y b. LAT 29°06'N, LONG 94°16'W
    N c. LAT 29°10'N, LONG 94°10'W
    N d. LAT 29°13'N, LONG 94°06'W
485: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 08°53.0'N, LONG 79°31.0'W to LAT 33°51.5'S, LONG 151°13.0'E. 

    N a. 7809 miles, 247.0°T
    N b. 7763 miles, 247.0°T
    Y c. 7635 miles, 233.9°T
    N d. 7618 miles, 230.3°T
503: What was the speed made good between 2114 and 2142? 

    Y a. 11.4 knots
    N b. 11.7 knots
    N c. 12.0 knots
    N d. 12.3 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
825: On 15 August , an ex-meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb at upper transit was observed at 1130 ZT. Your DR position is LAT 26°24.0'S, LONG 155°02.0'E, and your sextant altitude (hs) is 48°45.9'. The index error is 2.6' on the arc, and your height of eye is 51.5 feet. The chronometer time of the observation is 01h 27m 38s, and the chronometer error is 02m 14s slow. Find the latitude at meridian transit from the ex-meridian observation. 

    N a. LAT 26°32.6'S
    Y b. LAT 26°51.6'S
    N c. LAT 26°57.0'S
    N d. LAT 27°09.9'S
826: On 5 May , in DR position LAT 38°34.5'N, LONG 124°20.7'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Sun's lower limb. The chronometer time of the sight is 07h 59m 10s, and the chronometer error is 01m 10s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 67°27.0'. The index error is 1.4' on the arc, and your height of eye is 30 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit? 

    N a. LAT 38°26.4'N
    N b. LAT 38°30.2'N
    Y c. LAT 38°36.0'N
    N d. LAT 38°41.2'N
1005: On 18 May , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 20°41'N, LONG 63°32'W. You are on course 106°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' 

    Y a. LAT 20°32.6'N, LONG 62°57.5'W
    N b. LAT 20°30.1'N, LONG 63°01.9'W
    N c. LAT 20°27.6'N, LONG 62°52.4'W
    N d. LAT 20°25.2'N, LONG 62°56.9'W
1010: On 8 February , your 0800 zone time position is LAT 21°55'S, LONG 52°27'W. Your vessel is on course 056°T at a speed of 17.5 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0938 zone time, and the observed altitude (Ho) is 46°06.5'. The chronometer reads 12h 37m 23s, and the chronometer error is 1m 24s slow. LAN occurs at 1243 zone time, and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 83°56.1'. Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position. 

    N a. LAT 20°57.0'S, LONG 51°21.5'W
    N b. LAT 20°58.0'S, LONG 51°25.5'W
    N c. LAT 21°04.0'S, LONG 51°12.0'W
    Y d. LAT 21°04.0'S, LONG 51°21.5'W
1134: What company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Helena (mile 661 to 665 AHP)? 

    N a. Helena Port Terminal, Inc.
    Y b. Riceland Food Corps..
    N c. Quincy Soybean Co.
    N d. Texas Eastern Pipeline Co.
1176: On 24 January , your 0700 zone time DR position is LAT 22°25.0'N, LONG 46°10.0'W. Your vessel is on course 110°T at a speed of 12.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    N a. 1203
    N b. 1208
    Y c. 1212
    N d. 1215
1178: On 27 August , your 0900 zone time DR position is LAT 24°25.0'N, LONG 94°20.0'W. Your vessel is on course 071°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    Y a. 1214
    N b. 1208
    N c. 1206
    N d. 1158
1196: On 14 October your 0800 zone time (ZT) dead reckoning position is LAT 28°22.0'N, LONG 161°17.0'E. Your vessel is on course 116°T at a speed of 17.5 knots. What is the ZT of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    N a. 1148
    N b. 1151
    Y c. 1156
    N d. 1202
1205: On 25 April , your 1130 DR position is LAT 24°50.0'N, LONG 61°25.0'W. Your vessel is on a course of 300°T at a speed of 16.0 knots. Determine the zone time of (LAN) for your vessel. 

    N a. 1154
    N b. 1156
    N c. 1202
    Y d. 1204
1210: It is 19 October and you are keeping +4 zone time. You are on course 275°, speed 16 knots. Your 0800 DR position is LAT 25°34.0'N, LONG 74°36.0'W. What is the second estimate of the time of LAN by ship's clocks? 

    N a. 11h 48m 38s
    N b. 12h 04m 49s
    Y c. 12h 49m 10s
    N d. 13h 48m 36s
1738: Which of the following statements regarding aids to navigation shown in the Corps. of Engineers map book is TRUE? 

    Y a. Buoys should always be given as wide a berth in passing as possible.
    N b. The U.S. Army Corps.. of Engineers is responsible for placing and maintaining all aids to navigation.
    N c. Buoy positions as shown on the chart are exact.
    N d. Lights and daymarks are always shown in their exact location.
1755: The U. S. Coast Guard facility at mile 361 AHP is represented by which numbered white square on your map? 

    Y a. 8
    N b. 11
    N c. 12
    N d. 13
1778: At 2234 ZT, on 14 July , in DR position LAT 34°03'N, LONG 150°16'W you observe an amplitude of Saturn. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 272.1°pgc. The variation is 14°E. What is the gyro error? 

    N a. 0.5°W
    N b. 0.5°E
    Y c. 1.5°W
    N d. 2.5°E
1801: What is the distance from the Amoco Docks at Baton Rouge, LA, to the new mouth of the White River? 

    N a. 981.5 miles
    N b. 953.5 miles
    Y c. 345.3 miles
    N d. 700.2 miles
1853: On 8 April , while taking observations for an evening fix, you observe an unidentified star bearing 250.7°T at an observed altitude of 51°44.8'. Your DR position at the time of the sight was LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 157°58.3'W. The chronometer reads 05h 09m 57s and is 01m 23s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Betelgeuse
    N b. Aldebaran
    N c. Alnilam
    Y d. Bellatrix
1950: The Greenville Gage reads 10.6 feet. The high point of your towboat is 54 feet above water. What is the vertical
clearance as you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 44.4 feet
    N b. 54.2 feet
    Y c. 65.4 feet
    N d. 75.4 feet
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
2054: The Natchez Gage reads 16.3 feet. The high point on your towboat is 38 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Natchez Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 79.0 feet
    Y b. 71.7 feet
    N c. 65.2 feet
    N d. 59.1 feet
2104: What type of bottom is found at Long Sand Shoal? 

    N a. Rocky
    N b. Muddy
    N c. Sandy
    Y d. Hard
2124: If the visibility is 10 miles and you are in the red sector, at what distance off should you sight Cape Henry Light? 

    Y a. 15 miles
    N b. 12 miles
    N c. 10 miles
    N d. 08 miles
2272: As you approach Buckridge Light (mile 412.5 AHP), which type of daymark would you see on the light structure? 

    N a. Red diamond
    N b. Red triangle
    N c. Green diamond
    Y d. Green square
2593: At 2315, you are notified that the Port Jefferson pilot will be delayed. Old Field Point Light bears 257°T, Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light bears 355°T and Port Jefferson East Breakwater Light bears 171°T. What is the depth under the keel at this time on December 4, 1983? 

    N a. 41 feet
    Y b. 47 feet
    N c. 51 feet
    N d. 57 feet
2783: Which daymark would you see as you approach Red Store Light (mile 269.5 AHP)? 

    Y a. Green square
    N b. Green triangle
    N c. Green diamond
    N d. Red square
2895: You are steaming on a course of 246°T at 17 knots. At 2107 you observe a lighthouse bearing 207°T. At 2119 the lighthouse bears 179°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing? 

    N a. 3.9 miles
    N b. 4.2 miles
    Y c. 4.6 miles
    N d. 5.1 miles
3108: You are turning 105 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 17 feet, and an estimated slip of -1%. What is the speed of advance? 

    N a. 15.3 knots
    N b. 16.9 knots
    N c. 17.4 knots
    Y d. 17.8 knots
3290: While steaming at 15.5 knots, your vessel consumes 333 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 176 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for? 

    N a. 11.3 knots
    Y b. 12.5 knots
    N c. 13.6 knots
    N d. 14.8 knots
3614: The true course between two points is 057°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 3° east and you make an allowance of 1° leeway for a north-northwest wind. Which gyro course should be steered to make the true course good? 

    Y a. 053°pgc
    N b. 056°pgc
    N c. 059°pgc
    N d. 060°pgc
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
10201: Your present position is LAT 41°05.5'N, LONG 72°38.0'W. Assuming that there are no set and drift, what course must you steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to arrive at a position 0.5 mile due south of New Haven Lighted whistle Buoy NH? 

    N a. 315.5°psc
    Y b. 310.5°psc
    N c. 290.5°psc
    N d. 284.5°psc
10604: At 2245 your GPS position is LAT 41°01.75'N, LONG 72°48.40'W. You are steering course 086° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 6.0 knots. At 2400 you fix your position by plotting several compass bearings on nearby known fixed objects. These result in a position of LAT 41°04.20'N, LONG 72°38.85'W. What were your set and drift? 

    N a. 162°T at .2 knot
    N b. 180°T at .4 knot
    N c. 339°T at .5 knot
    Y d. 007°T at .4 knot
11302: At 1614 your GPS position is LAT 37°01.6'N, LONG 75°31.7'W. At 1703 your position is LAT 36°57.0'N, LONG 75°41.0'W. What was the course made good between the fixes? 

    Y a. 238°T
    N b. 242°T
    N c. 247°T
    N d. 250°T
12502: You are on course 262° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Cape Henry Light 252°psc Cape Charles Light 003°psc Chesapeake Light 131°psc What is your position? 

    Y a. LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 75°52.9'W
    N b. LAT 36°58.1'N, LONG 75°52.6'W
    N c. LAT 36°57.9'N, LONG 75°53.2'W
    N d. LAT 36°58.6'N, LONG 75°52.2'W
12704: You are on course 137° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Watch Hill Point Light - 051°psc Montauk Point Light - 184°psc Race Rock Light - 279°psc What is your position? 

    Y a. LAT 41°15.2'N, LONG 71°54.4'W
    N b. LAT 41°15.1'N, LONG 71°53.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°15.1'N, LONG 71°54.9'W
    N d. LAT 41°15.0'N, LONG 71°53.7'W
15257: At 0725, Stratford Point Light bears 327°pgc at 3.1 miles.
At this time, you wish to change course to 048°T. The current is 135°T at 1.8 knots. Your engine speed is 8 knots. What course must you steer to make good 048°T? 

    Y a. 035°T
    N b. 038°T
    N c. 041°T
    N d. 044°T
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
16017: What is the approximate distance to New Bedford, MA, from your 0530 DR position, if your 0352 position was 7 miles from Bridgeport, CT? 

    N a. 77 miles
    N b. 91 miles
    Y c. 104 miles
    N d. 115 miles
16044: At 1038 Branford Reef Light bears 019°pgc, Falkner Island Light bears 075°pgc, and the radar range to Branford Reef Light is 3.0 miles. Which statement is TRUE of your 1038 position? 

    N a. You are required by regulation to change course to avoid steaming through the dumping ground.
    N b. You are making more speed over the ground, since your 1022 fix, than indicated by your engine RPM.
    N c. You are abeam of Townshend Ledge
    Y d. Your fathometer reads about 25 feet.
16114: As you pass through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel,
you sight Trestle "A" in line bearing 198°pgc. What is the gyro error? 

    N a. 2°E
    N b. 0°E
    Y c. 2°W
    N d. 4°W
16313: At 0730, visibility is 5.5 miles. At what time will you lose sight of Horton Point Light? 

    N a. It is not visible at 0730
    Y b. 0751
    N c. 0812
    N d. 0825
16363: At 0405, you increase speed and at 0500 your position is LAT 37°06.0'N, LONG 75°41.1'W. What is the approximate depth of water? 

    N a. 46 feet (13.9 meters)
    Y b. 54 feet (16.4 meters)
    N c. 62 feet (18.8 meters)
    N d. 66 feet (20.0 meters)
16418: At 2100, you set course of 000°T, speed 10 knots from LAT 41°07.0'N, LONG 71°30.0'W. Visibility is 5.5 n.m. What is the earliest time you can expect to sight Point Judith Light? (Use charted range of 20 miles as nominal range.) 

    N a. The light is visible at 2100.
    Y b. 2114
    N c. 2123
    N d. 2131
16611: At 0109 you get underway, and at 0112 you take the following set of bearings:

Branford Reef Light bearing 051°true
Stratford Point Light bearing 258°true

What is your 0112 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°11.2'N, LONG 72°51.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°11.4'N, LONG 72°50.5'W
    Y c. LAT 41°11.4'N, LONG 72°51.3'W
    N d. LAT 41°11.8'N, LONG 72°51.5'W