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.


213: From your 1915 position, you come left and set a course for Gardiners Point. At 1930, your position is LAT 41°12.7'N, LONG 71°56.8'W. What type of bottom is charted at this position?


255: From your 0130 position, you change course to adjust for set and drift, and you later obtain the following lbearings:

Mattituck Inlet Light bearing 104.5°true
Falkner Island Light bearing 001°true

What is the latitude and longitude of the fix?


291: What is the height above water of Davis Creek Channel Light "1"?


376: You depart LAT 40°42.0'N, LONG 74°01.0'W, and steam 3365.6 miles on course 118°T. What is the longitude of your arrival by Mercator sailing?

    N a. 24°29.0'W
    N b. 22°58.0'W
    Y c. 17°41.0'W
    N d. 10°46.0'W

379: A vessel at LAT 32°05.0'N, LONG 81°06.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 35°57.0'N, LONG 5°45.0'W. Determine the distance by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 3128.2 miles
    Y b. 3770.6 miles
    N c. 4126.1 miles
    N d. 4508.0 miles

452: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 35°17.6'N, LONG 144°23.0'E to LAT 47°36.0'N, LONG 124°22.0'W.

    N a. 3946 miles, 312°T
    Y b. 3931 miles, 048°T
    N c. 3881 miles, 042°T
    N d. 3718 miles, 318°T

465: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 34°51.0'N, LONG 115°01.2'E to LAT 10°16.0'S, LONG 51°42.6'E.

    N a. 4436 miles, 245.3°T
    N b. 4598 miles, 245.6°T
    Y c. 4493 miles, 245.6°T
    N d. 4582 miles, 245.6°T

496: At 0815, you change course to 079°T and head for the entrance of Great Salt Pond on Block Island. To compensate for a northerly wind, you estimate a 5° leeway is necessary. What course should you steer per gyrocompass to make good 079°T?

    Y a. 071°pgc
    N b. 074°pgc
    N c. 076°pgc
    N d. 079°pgc

511: At 0130, your position is LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°46.9'W when you change course to 086°T. If you make good 086°T, what is the closest point of approach to Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy?

    N a. 1.2 mile
    N b. 1.1 mile
    Y c. 0.9 miles
    N d. 0.7 miles

742: On 15 July , at 0447 ZT, your vessel's DR position is LAT 22°42'N, LONG 126°36'E. At approximately this time, you obtain a sextant altitude (hs) of Polaris reading 23°46.2' with an index error of 1.6' off the arc. Your chronometer reads 08h 48m 28s, and is 1m 16s fast. What is your latitude by Polaris, given a height of eye of 33 feet?

    N a. 22°44.1'N
    N b. 22°46.2'N
    N c. 22°50.2'N
    Y d. 22°54.1'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

989: On 2 April , your 0830 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 20°16.0'S, LONG 004°12.0'E. Your vessel is steaming a course of 143°T at a speed of 18.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's upper limb is made at 0903 zone time, and the observed altitude (Ho) is 42°39.6'. The chronometer reads 09h 05m 40s, and the chronometer error is 02m 15s fast. Local apparent noon occurs at 1145 zone time,
and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made.
The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 63°46.2'.
Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position.

    N a. LAT 21°10.1'S, LONG 004°53.9'E
    N b. LAT 21°14.0'S, LONG 004°55.0'E
    Y c. LAT 21°18.0'S, LONG 005°00.5'E
    N d. LAT 22°42.0'S, LONG 004°57.0'E

990: On 24 March , your 0800 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 31°45.0'W. Your vessel is steaming a course of 285°T at a speed of 16.5 knots. An observation of the Sun's upper limb is made at 0938 zone time, and the observed altitude (Ho) is 46°32.2'. The chronometer reads 11h 41m 01s, and the chronometer error is 02m 50s fast. Local apparent noon occurs at 1214 zone time, and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 68°55.8'. Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position.

    N a. LAT 22°35.0'N, LONG 30°29.0'W
    Y b. LAT 22°35.0'N, LONG 32°51.0'W
    N c. LAT 22°36.0'N, LONG 32°10.5'W
    N d. LAT 22°36.0'N, LONG 32°55.2'W

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

1247: At 0509, on 26 December, you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge (mile 661.7 AHP). What has been the average speed of the current since departing Memphis Harbor, McKellar Lake, if you have been making turns for 7.5 mph?

    N a. 5.6 mph
    Y b. 4.4 mph
    N c. 2.1 mph
    N d. 1.8 mph

1265: On 22 November , your 1400 ZT DR position is LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 136°37.0'E. You are on course 038°T at a speed of 22 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel?

    Y a. 1705
    N b. 1710
    N c. 1714
    N d. 1718

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

1474: On 14 January , your 0746 zone time DR position is LAT 26°37.0'N, LONG 153°19.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 123°psc. The chronometer reads 05h 49m 16s, and the chronometer error is 02m 29s fast. The variation is 3°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    Y a. 1.4°W
    N b. 1.6°E
    N c. 3.4°E
    N d. 4.4°W

1476: On 16 September , your vessel's 0736 zone time DR position is LAT 27°34'S, LONG 174°49'E, when an azimuth of the Sun is observed. The chronometer time of the sight is 07h 38m 11s, and the Sun is bearing 079.8° per gyrocompass. The chronometer error is 01m 46s fast, and the variation in the area is 11.0°W. At the time of the sight, the helmsman reports that he was heading 252°pgc and 258° per magnetic compass. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

    N a. 2°W
    N b. 3°W
    Y c. 3°E
    N d. 8°W

1747: As you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge, you estimate the current as 3.5 mph. What is the speed over the ground, if your vessel is making turns for 9 mph?

    N a. 14.5 mph
    N b. 13.5 mph
    Y c. 12.5 mph
    N d. 11.5 mph

1758: As you approach mile 425 AHP, you see a brown shaded area along the left descending bank. This represents __________.

    N a. weirs
    Y b. a revetment
    N c. dikes
    N d. a fleeting area

1869: On 12 June , your 1845 DR position is LAT 21°47'N, LONG 46°52'W when you observe a faint unidentifiable star through a break in the clouds. The star bears 282.5°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 14°22.3'. The index error is 0.5'
on the arc, and the height of eye is 45 feet. The chronometer reads 09h 43m 27s, and the chronometer error is 1m 46s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Wezen
    Y b. Alhena
    N c. Mirzam
    N d. Menkalinan

1880: On 13 September , your 1830 ZT DR position was LAT 23°03'S, LONG 105°16'E when you observed a faint unidentifiable star through a hole in the clouds. The star bore 265.0°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 62°25.4'. The chronometer read 11h 24m 39s and is 5m 08s slow. The index error is 1.0' off the arc, and the height of eye is 52 feet. What star did you observe?

    N a. Sigma Ophiuchi
    N b. Alcyone
    Y c. Dschubba
    N d. Gamma Lupi

1903: On 22 April , your 1852 DR position is LAT 23°54.5'N, LONG 117°36.8'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 259°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 41°15.2'. The chronometer reads 02h 54m 53s, and is 02m 51s fast. What star did you observe?

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

2179: On 22 June , at 0906 EDT (ZD +4), your position is LAT 24°36'N, LONG 69°30'W. You are on course 165°pgc at a speed of 14.8 knots. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 42°44.0' with an index error of 0.8' off the arc. At this time the chronometer reads 01h 10m 12s, and is 2m 42s slow. If your height of eye is 70 feet, what is the azimuth (Zn) of the sight using the assumed position?

    Y a. Zn 080.4°
    N b. Zn 081.6°
    N c. Zn 129.0°
    N d. Zn 130.5°

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

2655: You are steering 078°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 15.6 miles at 2316. You change course to pass the light 4.5 miles off abeam to port. If you are making 17 knots, what is your ETA at the position 4.5 miles off the light?

    N a. 0006
    Y b. 0009
    N c. 0012
    N d. 0015

2664: You are on course 061°T, at a speed of 12.4 knots. At 0839 you see a rock bearing 059°T at a range of 4.4 miles. If you change course at 0845 to leave the rock abeam to starboard at 1.5 mile, at what time will the rock be abeam?

    N a. 0854
    Y b. 0859
    N c. 0903
    N d. 0906

2687: While on a course of 321°T, a light bears 7° on the starboard bow at a distance of 9.7 miles. What course should you steer to pass 3.5 miles abeam of the light leaving it to starboard?

    N a. 297°T
    N b. 300°T
    N c. 303°T
    Y d. 307°T

2868: Your vessel is on a course of 358°T at 19 knots. At 0316 a light bears 024.5°T, and at 0334 the light bears 043°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    Y a. 0352, 5.7 miles
    N b. 0355, 6.2 miles
    N c. 0359, 7.1 miles
    N d. 0403, 8.0 miles

3257: You have steamed 824 miles at 15.5 knots, and consumed 179 tons of fuel. If you have 221 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 18 knots?

    N a. 495 miles
    N b. 650 miles
    Y c. 754 miles
    N d. 876 miles

3272: Your vessel arrives in port with sufficient fuel to steam 775 miles at 17 knots. If you are unable to take on bunkers, at what speed must you proceed to reach your next port, 977 miles distant?

    Y a. 15.1 knots
    N b. 15.8 knots
    N c. 17.2 knots
    N d. 17.7 knots

3287: While steaming at 16.5 knots, your vessel consumes 349 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 189 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?

    N a. 12.1 knots
    Y b. 13.5 knots
    N c. 14.6 knots
    N d. 15.4 knots

3469: You are underway on course 315°T at 14 knots. The current is 135°T at 1.9 knots. What is the speed being made good?

    Y a. 12.1 knots
    N b. 13.5 knots
    N c. 14.0 knots
    N d. 15.9 knots

3623: Your vessel is steering course 166°psc, variation for the area is 8°W, and deviation is 3°W. The wind is from the west-southwest, producing a 2° leeway. What true course are you making good?

    Y a. 153°T
    N b. 157°T
    N c. 175°T
    N d. 179°T

10600: At 1620 your GPS indicates a position of LAT 41°09.0'N, LONG 72°40.0'W. You are on course 134° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 10 knots. At 1700 your GPS indicates your position as LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 72°33.7'W. What were the set and drift?

    N a. 067°T at 1.7 knots
    N b. 078°T at 1.1 knots
    N c. 243°T at 1.0 knot
    Y d. 249°T at 1.6 knots

11304: At 1422 your GPS position is LAT 37°07.5'N, LONG 75°39.1'W. At 1549 your position is LAT 36°57.0'N, LONG 75°41.0'W. What was the course made good between the fixes?

    N a. 185°T
    Y b. 188°T
    N c. 194°T
    N d. 198°T

12302: You are on course 203° per standard magnetic compass when you sight Block Island North Light in line with the Block Island Aero Beacon bearing 194° per standard magnetic compass. Based on this you __________.

    N a. know the correct deviation is 3°W
    Y b. should swing your vessel to check the deviation table
    N c. should apply 15°W compass error to all compass readings
    N d. know you are steering a true course of 185°

12906: At 0919 you are in Chesapeake Channel between Trestle B and Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. What is your ETA between York River Entrance Channel Buoys "17" and "18" if you are making 11.3 knots?

    N a. 1034
    N b. 1039
    Y c. 1044
    N d. 1049

13302: The shoal spanned by Trestle B of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel is __________.

    N a. Chesapeake shoal
    N b. the Middle ground
    N c. Lynnhaven roads
    Y d. the Tail of the Horseshoe

13702: What chart should you use in Lynnhaven Bay (west of Cape Henry)?

    N a. 12221
    N b. 12256
    N c. 12205
    Y d. 12254

13901: The precautionary area southeast of Block Island refers to a __________.

    Y a. recommended traffic lane
    N b. military exercise area
    N c. national marine refuge
    N d. dumping ground for hazardous wastes

15245: After departing the New Haven terminals, your 1800 position puts the New Haven Harbor Lighted Bell Buoy "NH" bearing 130°T at a range of 0.2 mile. From this position you set a course to leave Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light 1.0 mile off your starboard beam. Your speed is 12.5 knots. At 1845 you determine your position to be LAT 41°05.5'N,
LONG 73°03.1'W. What were the set and drift of the current?

    N a. 294°T at 0.5 knot
    Y b. 294°T at 0.8 knot
    N c. 114°T at 0.5 knot
    N d. 114°T at 0.8 knot

15368: At 0705, the gyro loses power. At 0730, you are on course 092° per standard magnetic compass (psc). Falkner Light bears 356°psc, Horton Point Light bears 123°psc, and Kelsey Point Breakwater Light bears 048°psc. What is the position of your 0730 fix?

    N a. LAT 41°06.7'N, LONG 72°36.1'W
    N b. LAT 41°06.8'N, LONG 72°36.0'W
    Y c. LAT 41°07.0'N, LONG 72°36.2'W
    N d. LAT 41°07.2'N, LONG 72°36.1'W

15606: Your 1600 position is LAT 37°22.5'N, LONG 75°32.3'W. The depth of water under the keel is about __________.

    Y a. 38 feet (11.5 meters)
    N b. 45 feet (13.6 meters)
    N c. 52 feet (15.8 meters)
    N d. 59 feet (17.3 meters)

15725: At 1723 you increase speed to make good 9.2 mph. At 1937 you have a daymark on your port beam. What daymark is this?

    N a. Tiptonville Ferry Landing Daymark
    N b. Tiptonville Light
    Y c. Merriwether Bend Light and Daymark
    N d. Alaska Light and Daymark

15821: What is the distance from the Amoco Pipeline Co. Docks at Baton Rouge, LA, to the mouth of the Ohio River?

    Y a. 700.2 miles
    N b. 727.9 miles
    N c. 953.5 miles
    N d. 981.5 miles

15864: At 0200, you take the following bearingss:

Mattituck Inlet Light bearing 125°pgc
Falkner Island Light bearing 355°pgc

What is the position of your 0200 fix?

    Y a. LAT 41°03.9'N, LONG 72°38.9'W
    N b. LAT 41°03.8'N, LONG 72°39.1'W
    N c. LAT 41°03.7'N, LONG 72°38.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°03.5'N, LONG 72°38.8'W

15919: At 1200, your position is 2.0 miles southwest of Bartlett Reef Light. Your heading is 075°T. Visibility is less than 0.2 mile in fog and rain. Which of the following signals is most likely to be from another vessel?

    N a. Whistle from 125° relative
    Y b. Whistle from 075° relative
    N c. Bell from 350° relative
    N d. Horn from 330° relative

15945: At 2107 Southeast Point Light bears 062°T, and at 2112 this light bears 038°T. What is your distance off Southeast Point Light at 2112? (assume no set and drift)

    N a. 2.1 miles
    Y b. 2.5 miles
    N c. 2.9 miles
    N d. 3.3 miles

16557: Which course would you steer by your standard magnetic compass to make good a course of 275°T?

    N a. 266°psc
    N b. 272°psc
    Y c. 289°psc
    N d. 294°psc