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.


77: You pass Morrison Towhead Light (mile 890.5 AHP) at 1723. What was your average speed since leaving Cairo?


96: As you approach Kate Aubrey Towhead Light (mile 789.5 AHP), your searchlight will show what type of marking at the light?


101: At 1430 on 13 August, you pass Carolina Landing Light (mile 508.8 AHP). What has been the average current since 0230, 13 August if you have been making turns for 8.0 mph?


140: If the highest point on your towboat is 52 feet and the West Memphis Gage reads 26 feet what is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Hernando Desoto Bridge (mile 736.6 AHP)?

    N a. 25.8 feet
    Y b. 30.7 feet
    N c. 42.6 feet
    N d. 56.7 feet

152: How long will it take you to go from the Memphis Gage to your destination in New Orleans, LA, if you estimate the average current on this segment of the route to be 2.0 mph and you increase the engine turns to 8.5 mph.

    N a. 1 day 20 hours 33 minutes
    N b. 2 days 6 hours 24 minutes
    Y c. 2 days 12 hours 15 minutes
    N d. 3 days 4 hours 11 minutes

157: At 1710 on 27 November, you are abeam of Kings Point Lt. (mile 439.8 AHP). At this time you receive a message that there will no be space for you at the Redneb Services Dock until after 1200 on the 29 November. What speed over the ground will you have to slow to so as not to arrive before this time?

    N a. 5.4 mph
    N b. 6.1 mph
    N c. 6.9 mph
    Y d. 7.9 mph

237: At 0845, you are on a course of 097°T, and Townshend Ledge Buoy "10A" is close abeam to port. With a westerly current of 1.2 knots, what speed will you have to turn for from your 0845 position in order to arrive abeam of Six Mile Reef Buoy "8C" at 1030?

    N a. 12.1 knots
    Y b. 10.9 knots
    N c. 9.7 knots
    N d. 8.5 knots

316: From your 1830 fix, you continue south on a course of 150°T turning RPMs for 6 knots. You encounter a flood current in the direction of 330°T at 2 knots. Adjusting your course for set and drift, which course would you steer to make good a course of 150°T while turning RPMs for 6 knots?

    N a. 162°T
    N b. 158°T
    Y c. 150°T
    N d. 144°T

328: From your 0315 position, what time can you expect to reach York Spit Channel Buoys "37" and "38"?

    N a. 0423
    N b. 0417
    N c. 0412
    Y d. 0405

346: At 0415, you take the following bearings:

Stratford Point Light 329.5°pgc
Middle Ground Light 223.5°pgc
Old Field Point Light 199.5°pgc

Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The current's drift is greater than predicted.
    Y b. You are to the right of your intended track line.
    N c. The course made good since 0352 is 081°T.
    N d. Your fathometer reads about 76 fathoms.

371: You are steering 087°pgc and turning for 6.8 knots. At 0600, you take the following bearings:

Little Gull Island Light bearing 089.5° pgc
Bartlett Reef Light bearing 047° pgc

What is your 0600 position?

    N a. LAT 41°11.2'N, LONG 72°14.6'W
    N b. LAT 41°11.7'N, LONG 72°14.4'W
    Y c. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°13.8'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.5'N, LONG 71°14.9'W

381: 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?

    Y a. 129°pgc
    N b. 123°pgc
    N c. 117°pgc
    N d. 109°pgc

500: Your position is LAT 40°59.0'N, LONG 73°06.2'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to New Haven Harbor Lighted Whistle Buoy "NH"?

    Y a. 052°
    N b. 049°
    N c. 046°
    N d. 035°

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

529: You depart LAT 51°48.0'S, LONG 178°35.0'W and steam 179 miles on course 270°. What is the longitude of arrival?

    N a. 173°47'W
    N b. 174°27'E
    Y c. 176°36'E
    N d. 179°52'W

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

595: You are passing the Bayou Sara Gage which reads 3.9 feet. The low water reference plane (LWRP) at Bayou 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.

1000: On 18 May , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 18°30'N, LONG 62°31'W. You are on course 286°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'

    N a. LAT 18°33.6'N, LONG 62°54.3'W
    N b. LAT 18°35.2'N, LONG 62°49.7'W
    N c. LAT 18°38.7'N, LONG 62°59.2'W
    Y d. LAT 18°41.1'N, LONG 62°53.9'W

1082: On 20 Nov. , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 27°16.0'N, LONG 157°18.6'E. You are on course 060°T at a speed of 20 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1200 running fix. NP-0012

    N a. LAT 27°16.8'N, LONG 157°30.5'E
    N b. LAT 27°22.6'N, LONG 157°37.8'E
    Y c. LAT 27°29.7'N, LONG 157°43.0'E
    N d. LAT 27°33.4'N, LONG 157°48.2'E

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

1126: What are the dotted lines crossing at mile 529.7 AHP?

    Y a. submarine cables
    N b. power cables
    N c. gated dams
    N d. workboat crossings

1341: What is the distance from the River Cement Co. Dock to the mouth of the Ohio River?

    N a. 718.8 miles
    Y b. 780.8 miles
    N c. 953.5 miles
    N d. 981.5 miles

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

1651: On 23 October , in DR position LAT 21°13.0'N, LONG 152°18.0'E, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 259°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 21m 46s and is 01m 32s slow. Variation in the area is 5°E. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

    N a. 0.9°E
    N b. 1.5°W
    Y c. 5.9°W
    N d. 6.5°E

1668: On 20 June , your vessel's 1955 ZT DR position is LAT 52°38.9'N, LONG 03°42.7'E, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 311° per gyrocompass. Variation in the area is 6°W. At the time of the observation, the helmsman noted that he was heading 352° per gyrocompass and 358° per steering compass. What is the gyro error and deviation for that heading?

    N a. 1.3°W GE, 1.3°E DEV
    N b. 0.0° GE, 0.0° DEV
    N c. 1.3°W GE, 1.3°W DEV
    Y d. 1.3°E GE, 1.3°E DEV

1676: On 10 June , your vessel's 0519 zone time DR position is LAT 27°07.0'N, LONG 92°10.0'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 063.6° per standard magnetic compass. The variation in the area is 4.8°E. The chronometer reads 11h 17m 32s and is 01m 18s slow. What is the deviation of the compass?

    N a. 5.6°E
    N b. 4.8°E
    N c. 4.2°W
    Y d. 4.8°W

1745: What is the distance in river miles, from the mouth of the Yazoo Diversion Canal to the RR and Hwy bridge at Baton Rouge, LA?

    N a. 365 miles
    N b. 310 miles
    N c. 265 miles
    Y d. 203 miles

1839: What are the dimensions of the channel maintained from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, LA?

    N a. 30 feet x 300 feet
    N b. 40 feet x 300 feet
    N c. 30 feet x 500 feet
    Y d. 45 feet x 500 feet

2024: On 3 December , evening twilight for your vessel will occur at 1901 zone time. Your vessel's DR position for this time will be LAT 24°18.5'S, LONG 110°30.6'W. Considering their magnitude and location, what are the three stars best suited to observe for a fix at star time?

    N a. Canopus, Hamal, Deneb
    Y b. Alpheratz, Achernar, Nunki
    N c. Antares, Fomalhaut, Mirfak
    N d. Rigel, Canopus, Regulus

2050: From Baton Rouge to Cairo, what is the maintained minimum channel depth during low water?

    Y a. 9 feet
    N b. 12 feet
    N c. 15 feet
    N d. 30 feet

2216: If your vessel is making turns for 7.5 mph with an estimated average current of 1.5 mph, what is your ETA at the dock in Angelina, LA?

    N a. 0516, 28 Dec
    Y b. 1621, 28 Dec
    N c. 0516, 29 Dec
    N d. 1621, 29 Dec

2673: At 2221 your course is 222°pgc at a speed of 11.2 knots, when radar detects a buoy bearing 355° relative, at a range of 5.8 miles. The gyro error is 2°E. If you change course at 2226, what course should you steer to leave the buoy 1.0 mile abeam to port?

    N a. 206°pgc
    N b. 210°pgc
    Y c. 228°pgc
    N d. 231°pgc

2707: You are underway on course 128°T at a speed of 17.6 knots. You sight a daymark bearing 126°T at a radar range of 4.3 miles at 1649. If you change course at 1654, what is the course to steer to leave the daymark abeam to starboard at 0.5 mile?

    Y a. 113°T
    N b. 116°T
    N c. 119°T
    N d. 136°T

2880: Your vessel is steering 218°T at 19 knots. At 2223 a light bears 261°T, and at 2234 the same light bears 289°T. What will be your distance off abeam?

    N a. 4.5 miles
    Y b. 4.9 miles
    N c. 5.3 miles
    N d. 5.7 miles

3265: You have steamed 1587 miles at 11.2 knots, and have consumed one-half of your total fuel capacity of 2840 bbls. What is the maximum speed you can steam to complete the remaining 1951 miles?

    N a. 9.1 knots
    N b. 9.9 knots
    Y c. 10.1 knots
    N d. 11.6 knots

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

3467: You are underway on course 160°T at 10 knots. The current is 210°T at 0.9 knots. What is the speed being made good?

    Y a. 10.7 knots
    N b. 11.0 knots
    N c. 11.6 knots
    N d. 12.3 knots

3606: You are steering 154°pgc. The wind is southwest causing 4° leeway. The gyro error is 3°E, variation is 11°W and deviation is 7°E. What is the true course made good?

    Y a. 153°T
    N b. 158°T
    N c. 161°T
    N d. 164°T

11505: At 1014 you depart the entrance to Lake Montauk with light "1" close aboard. Your course is 066° per standard magnetic compass, and the speed is 8.6 knots. At 1230 your position is LAT 41°20.0'N, LONG 71°40.0'W. What is the speed made good?

    N a. 8.0 knots
    N b. 8.3 knots
    Y c. 8.6 knots
    N d. 8.9 knots

12208: You sight Stratford Pt. Light in line with the Igor I. Sikorsky Airport Aero Beacon bearing 319° per standard magnetic compass. What is the compass error?

    N a. 4°E
    N b. 10°W
    N c. 14°E
    Y d. 18°W

12305: You sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light (LAT 41°18.2'N, LONG 71°56.0'W) bearing 095° per standard magnetic compass. If your vessel was heading 056° per standard magnetic compass at the time, which of the following is TRUE?

    N a. You should subtract 15°Compass error for bearings of 095°.
    N b. The deviation table is correct for all bearings of 095°.
    Y c. The vessel should be swung, and the deviation table checked.
    N d. The compass error is 19°W for all headings.

12609: You are on course 239° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Falkner Island Light 314°psc Duck Island West Breakwater Light 2DI 039°psc Horton Point Light 157°psc What is your position?

    Y a. LAT 41°09.9'N, LONG 72°32.0'W
    N b. LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°33.0'W
    N c. LAT 41°10.5'N, LONG 72°32.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°11.6'N, LONG 72°33.6'W

13303: You are considering anchoring approximately three miles northeast of Chesapeake Light. After examining the chart you decide not to because of the __________.

    N a. large number of wrecks
    N b. coral being designated as a special protected area
    Y c. danger of unexploded mines
    N d. area being designated as a National Marine Sanctuary

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

13808: The chart symbol depicted at LAT 41°13.5'N, LONG 72°29.7'W indicates __________.

    N a. the exact position of a dangerous wreck
    Y b. the approximate position of a wreck dangerous to surface navigation
    N c. a wreck cleared by wire drag to a depth of 39 feet
    N d. a wreck not dangerous to surface navigation

14004: At 1745 Lady Island Upper Range is in line dead astern and Washougal Lower Range is in line on the starboard bow. You are steaming in an easterly direction. What speed must you average to arrive abeam of Cape Horn Light No. 67 at 1839?

    N a. 9.3 mph
    N b. 9.8 mph
    Y c. 10.2 mph
    N d. 10.8 mph

15038: At 0705 you obtained the following Loran readings:

9960-X-27091.2
9960-Y-41612.8
9960-Z-58744.2

What is your vessel's position?

    N a. 37°20.4'N 75°30.2'W
    Y b. 37°20.8'N 75°29.9'W
    N c. 37°21.3'N 75°29.5'W
    N d. 37°21.2'N 75°30.4'W

15960: From your 1752 position, you steer 313°pgc at 9 knots. At 1805, you obtain the following visual bearings:
Old Pt. Comfort Light - 238°pgc.
Chesapeake Bay Tunnel North Light - 136°pgc.
What are the latitude and longitude of your 1805 position?

    Y a. LAT 37°05.9'N, LONG 76°08.0'W
    N b. LAT 37°06.0'N, LONG 76°08.4'W
    N c. LAT 37°05.0'N, LONG 76°08.7'W
    N d. LAT 37°06.1'N, LONG 76°08.1'W

15964: Your 1900 position is LAT 37°12.9'N, LONG 76°13.5'W. You change course to 323°pgc. What is the course per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 309°psc
    N b. 311°psc
    Y c. 329°psc
    N d. 331°psc

16015: By 0430, the wind has increased, and the visibility cleared due to passage of a front. You estimate 3° leeway due to NW'ly winds. What is the course per gyrocompass to pass 1.2 miles due south of Twenty-eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy "TE"?

    Y a. 080°
    N b. 083°
    N c. 086°
    N d. 090°

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)

16408: You estimate that you are making 9.3 knots over the ground.
At what time will you enter waters governed by the COLREGS?

    N a. 0247
    Y b. 0251
    N c. 0255
    N d. 0258

16464: At 0405, you increase speed. At 0500, your position is LAT 37°06.0'N, LONG 75°41.1'W. What is the approximate depth of the water under the keel?

    N a. 66 feet (20.0 meters)
    N b. 62 feet (18.8 meters)
    N c. 54 feet (16.4 meters)
    Y d. 46 feet (13.9 meters)