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.

70: What is the vertical clearance of the Natchez-Vidalia Highway Bridge (westbound) when the river level is the same as the Low Water Reference Plane (6.5 feet)?
197: At 2215, Cape Henry Light bears 242°pgc, Cape Charles Light bears 010.5°pgc, and Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light bears 319°pgc. You are heading 271°pgc. What is the relative bearing of Thimble Shoal Light?
270: At 0830, you wish to get the latest weather forecasts for the Falkner Island area. On what frequency would you set your FM radio for this information?
340: Inbound, the color of Cape Henry Light will __________. 

    N a. alternate regardless of your position
    N b. change after you reach Chesapeake Channel Lighted Bell Buoy "2C"
    N c. remain the same
    Y d. change before you reach Chesapeake Channel Lighted Bell Buoy "2C"
393: A vessel at LAT 32°14.7'N, LONG 66°28.9'W, heads for a destination at LAT 36°58.7'N, LONG 75°42.2'W. Determine the distance by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 241.2° miles
    N b. 270.2° miles
    N c. 300.2° miles
    Y d. 538.2° miles
399: A vessel at LAT 11°22'S, LONG 009°18'E heads for a destination at LAT 06°52'N, LONG 57°23'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 296°T, 3,825.3 miles
    N b. 296°T, 4,154.2 miles
    N c. 285°T, 3,825.3 miles
    Y d. 285°T, 4,154.2 miles
424: From your 0530 position, you set a course of 271°psc with an engine speed of 9 knots. At 0645, Cornfield Safe-Water Buoy is abeam to starboard. What speed have you averaged since 0530? 

    N a. 9.5 knots
    N b. 9.0 knots
    Y c. 8.6 knots
    N d. 7.5 knots
436: At 0227, you take the following radar ranges and bearings: Bartlett Reef Light 359°T at 2.4 miles, Race Rock Light 083°T at 4.1 miles. What is your 0227 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°14.5'N,  LONG 72°08.0'W
    Y b. LAT 41°14.1'N,  LONG 72°08.2'W
    N c. LAT 41°14.0'N,  LONG 72°08.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.3'N,  LONG 72°08.5'W
518: Point Judith Harbor of Refuge __________. 

    N a. is used mostly by towing vessels
    N b. has a maximum depth of 14 feet at MHW
    Y c. is entered through the East Gap or the West Gap
    N d. is easily accessible in heavy southerly seas
658: You are planning a voyage by great circle from LAT 59°00'N, LONG 07°00'W via LAT 38°00'N, LONG 61°30'W. Which of the following statements is TRUE? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5274) 

    N a. You are to the east of the Northern Hemisphere vertex.
    N b. When plotted on a Mercator chart the track line will be concave to Cape Farwell (Kap Farvel).
    Y c. All courses are in the southwest quadrant of the compass.
    N d. Distance is measured by using the length of a degree of latitude at the midpoint of the track line.
982: On 15 August , your 0512 zone time position was LAT 29°18.0'N, LONG 57°24.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 262°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0824 ZT. The chronometer read 00h 22m 24s and was slow 01m 34s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 38°16.7'. LAN occurred at 1204 zone time.
The observed altitude (Ho) was 74°58.0'. What was the longitude of your 1204 zone time running fix? 

    N a. LONG 59°52.0'W
    N b. LONG 59°54.0'W
    Y c. LONG 59°58.5'W
    N d. LONG 60°02.0'W
1092: On 3 April , your vessel's 1400 ZT DR position is LAT 20°08.0'N, LONG 147°45.0'W. You are steering course 023°T at 18.0 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1900 running fix. NP-0022

    N a. LAT 21°39.8'N, LONG 146°59.7'W
    Y b. LAT 21°40.0'N, LONG 147°03.2'W
    N c. LAT 21°41.8'N, LONG 147°05.5'W
    N d. LAT 21°41.8'N, LONG 147°01.5'W
1673: On 17 April , your vessel's position is LAT 21°00'S, LONG 78°30'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 082.7° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 2.0°W. The chronometer reads 10h 59m 24s and is 01m 24s fast. What is the deviation of the compass? 

    Y a. 2.0°W
    N b. 3.0°W
    N c. 2.5°E
    N d. 3.0°E
1754: At 0715, on 24 May, you are abreast the St. Catherine Bar Lt. (mile 348.6 AHP). If you are turning for 8.0 mph, what has been the average current since you left Baton Rouge? 

    N a. 1.0 mph
    N b. 1.4 mph
    Y c. 3.8 mph
    N d. 4.4 mph
1868: On 12 June , your 1945 DR position is LAT 21°47.0'N, LONG 46°52.0'W when you observe a faint unidentifiable star through a break in the clouds. The star bears 130°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 45°21.2'. The index error is 0.5' on the arc, and the height of eye is 45 feet. The chronometer reads 10h 43m 27s, and the chronometer error is 1m 46s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Theta Carinae
    N b. Epsilon Leonis
    Y c. Beta Librae
    N d. Zeta Puppis
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
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
2161: On 28 April , your vessel's 0515 zone time position is LAT 23°26'S, LONG 95°30'E. At this time, the observed altitude (Ho) of the star Rigil Kentaurus is 24°51.4'. Your chronometer reads 11h 16m 36s and is 01m 18s fast. What is the intercept (a) based on the assumed position method? 

    N a. 30.9 miles
    N b. 32.3 miles
    N c. 33.1 miles
    Y d. 34.4 miles
2169: At 0600 ZT, on 24 July , your DR position is LAT 22°37'N, LONG 32°45'W. You are steering 185°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. Determine the computed altitude (Hc) and azimuth (Zn) for an observation of the Sun's lower limb taken at 1030 ZT. At this time the chronometer reads 00h 30m 16s and is 0m 31s slow. 

    N a. Hc 64°27.5'  Zn 092.3°
    N b. Hc 64°30.8'  Zn 090.1°
    Y c. Hc 64°41.7'  Zn 087.8°
    N d. Hc 64°44.2'  Zn 094.7°
2208: What is the total length of the trip? 

    N a. 906.3 miles
    Y b. 922.3 miles
    N c. 1155.8 miles
    N d. 1187.3 miles
2242: At 1620 ZT, on 10 September , in DR position LAT 34° 03.8' N, LONG 050° 28.4' W, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The Moon’s upper limb is observed on the visible horizon and bears 110.2° psc. The variation is 2° E. What is the deviation? 

    N a. 2.0°E
    N b. 2.0°W
    Y c. 1.2°E
    N d. 1.2°W
2326: The Coast Guard announces that Chesapeake Channel is closed indefinitely due to a collision in the channel between Trestle "B" and "C" of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. You exit York Spit Channel, leaving buoy "22"
close abeam to port at 0.1 mile, and alter course to leave Horseshoe Crossing Lighted Bell Buoy "HC" abeam to port at 0.2 mile. What is the course per gyrocompass? 

    Y a. 185°pgc
    N b. 188°pgc
    N c. 191°pgc
    N d. 194°pgc
2327: After you enter Thimble Shoal Channel, you will alter course to pass between Trestle "A" and "B". Based upon your present position, passing buoy "12" to port, what is TRUE? 

    N a. You are required to proceed outbound in the North Auxiliary Channel to avoid ferry traffic
    N b. You may proceed outbound in Thimble Shoal Channel
    Y c. You should cross the main channel and proceed outbound in the South Auxiliary Channel
    N d. Water depth is 38 feet.
2690: While on a course of 066°pgc, a light bears 13° on the port bow at a distance of 12.3 miles. What course should you steer to pass 4 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port? 

    N a. 067°pgc
    Y b. 072°pgc
    N c. 079°pgc
    N d. 085°pgc
3253: You have steamed 925 miles at 13.5 knots, and consumed 181 tons of fuel. If you have 259 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 16 knots? 

    N a. 795 miles
    Y b. 942 miles
    N c. 1117 miles
    N d. 1409 miles
3259: You have steamed 607 miles at 17.0 knots, and consumed 121 tons of fuel. If you have 479 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 14.5 knots? 

    N a. 1211 miles
    N b. 1748 miles
    N c. 2817 miles
    Y d. 3303 miles
3262: You have steamed 632 miles at 18.5 knots, and consumed 197 tons of fuel. If you have 278 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 15.0 knots? 

    N a. 681 miles
    N b. 892 miles
    N c. 1100 miles
    Y d. 1357 miles
3319: You are taking a time tick using the 2000 signal from Kekaha-Kauai, Hawaii (WWVH). You hear a series of 1 second dashes followed by a 9 second silent period, then a long 1.3 second dash. At the beginning of the long dash, your comparing watch reads 08h 00m 12s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 08h 01m 22s, and the chronometer reads 07h 59m 39s. What is the chronometer error? 

    N a. 0m 12s fast
    N b. 1m 10s fast
    N c. 0m 21s slow
    Y d. 1m 31s slow
3462: You are underway on course 160°T at 10 knots. The current is 210°T at 0.9 knots. What is the course made good? 

    N a. 156°T
    N b. 160°T
    Y c. 164°T
    N d. 169°T
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
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
3752: While your vessel is proceeding down a channel you notice a range of lights in line with your vessel's mast. If your vessel is on course 001° per gyro compass and the charted value of the range of lights is 359°T, what is the gyro compass error? 

    Y a. 2°W
    N b. 2°E
    N c. 1°E
    N d. 1°W
4003: 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 gyro heading of 058°.
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° 

    Y a. 1.5°W
    N b. 1.0°W
    N c. 1.0°E
    N d. 0.5°W
4005: 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 magnetic compass heading of 022°.
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. 1.5°E
    N b. 0.5°E
    Y c. 0.0°
    N d. 0.5°W
10303: Determine the course per standard magnetic compass from 0.2 mile south of Race Rock Light (LAT 41°14.6'N, LONG 72°02.8'W) to the entrance of the channel to Lake Montauk (west of Montauk Point). 

    N a. 137.0°psc
    N b. 152.0°psc
    N c. 165.5°psc
    Y d. 168.5°psc
10308: You are 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to a position 1.5 miles due east of Watch Hill Point Light? 

    N a. 341°psc
    N b. 337°psc
    N c. 011°psc
    Y d. 007°psc
10609: At 1922 your GPS position is LAT 41°04.9'N, LONG 72°42.1'W. You are on course 085° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 10 knots. At 2019 your GPS position is 1 mile due south of Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy "TE". What were your set and drift? 

    Y a. 343°T at 0.7 knot
    N b. 340°T at 1.2 knots
    N c. 164°T at 0.9 knot
    N d. 161°T at 1.1 knots
10708: At 0726 you depart Lake Montauk with light 1 close aboard and set course 309° per standard magnetic compass at 6.7 knots. At 0818 your GPS position is LAT 41°07.1'N, LONG 72°02.6'W. What is the current? 

    Y a. 102°T at 0.6 knot
    N b. 164°T at 0.7 knot
    N c. 334°T at 0.9 knot
    N d. 321°T at 0.6 knot
11502: At 1016 your GPS position is LAT 41°07.6'N, LONG 71°38.5'W. At 1104 your position is LAT 41°00.4'N, LONG 71°29.4'W. What was the speed made good between the two positions? 

    N a. 10.9 knots
    N b. 11.7 knots
    Y c. 12.5 knots
    N d. 13.6 knots
13301: The approach channel to the town of Cape Charles (LAT 37°16'N, LONG 76°01'W) has what controlling depth? 

    N a. 9 feet
    Y b. 17 feet
    N c. 20 feet
    N d. 40 feet
14503: You have just cleared Bonneville Lock and are proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. The pool level of the Bonneville reservoir stands at 78 feet above MSL. If the highest point on your vessel is 46 feet above the water, what will be the vertical clearance when you pass under the overhead power cables at mile 146.5? 

    N a. 134 feet
    Y b. 138 feet
    N c. 144 feet
    N d. 150 feet
15062: If there is no current, what is the course per standard magnetic compass from your 0802 fix to a position 1.1 miles north of Falkner Island Light? 

    N a. 064°psc
    N b. 068°psc
    N c. 091°psc
    Y d. 095°psc
15062: If there is no current, what is the course per standard magnetic compass from your 0802 fix to a position 1.1 miles north of Falkner Island Light? 

    N a. 064°psc
    N b. 068°psc
    N c. 091°psc
    Y d. 095°psc
15157: If there is no current, what is the course per gyro compass from your 1600 position to point "A" located 0.5 mile due east of Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy "12"? 

    N a. 190°pgc
    N b. 193°pgc
    N c. 196°pgc
    Y d. 199°pgc
15168: Which chart provides more detail of Cape Charles harbor and its approaches? 

    N a. 12238
    N b. 12225
    Y c. 12224
    N d. 12222
15267: From your 1210 position, you are making good a course of 083°
T. Your engines are turning RPMs for 10 knots. The set and drift of the current are 310° at 1.7 knots. At what time should you expect to enter the red sector of New London Harbor Light? 

    Y a. 1243
    N b. 1249
    N c. 1253
    N d. 1301
15409: At 1540, your position is LAT 37°18.4'N, LONG 76°10.5'W. Which course should you steer per gyrocompass to head for the entrance to Cape Charles City? 

    N a. 109°pgc
    N b. 117°pgc
    N c. 123°pgc
    Y d. 129°pgc
15463: If you are making 10 knots, what is your ETA at York Spit Channel Buoys "19" and "20"? 

    N a. 0959
    N b. 1002
    Y c. 1006
    N d. 1011
16041: From your 0847 fix, you change course to arrive at the rendezvous position and, correcting for current, you estimate your speed over the ground at 15 knots. What is your ETA at the rendezvous? 

    N a. 0902
    N b. 0905
    Y c. 0908
    N d. 0911
16108: From your 0410 fix, what is the course per standard magnetic compass to the entrance to York Spit Channel between buoys "37" and "38"? 

    N a. 178°
    Y b. 176°
    N c. 156°
    N d. 152°
16260: If your vessel draws 6.5 feet (2 meters), what is the approximate depth of water under your keel at 0320? 

    N a. 52 feet (15.8 meters)
    N b. 48 feet (14.5 meters)
    N c. 44 feet (13.3 meters)
    Y d. 40 feet (12.0 meters)
16357: The coast between Great Machipongo Inlet and Cape Charles is __________. 

    N a. composed of high rocky bluffs and wooded uplands
    N b. marked by prominent isolated barren hills
    N c. broken by the mouths of several major rivers
    Y d. low with sandy beaches bordered by marshes
16410: By 1015, visibility has increased to 5.0 miles and you can see Fishers Island. Fishers Island has __________. 

    N a. low and sandy beaches with salt ponds and marsh grass
    N b. sheer cliffs rising from the sea to a high, flat plateau
    N c. barren, rocky hills with prominent sandy beaches
    Y d. sparsely wooded hills and is fringed with shoals to the south