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.


35: What are the dimensions of the channel maintained at Baton Rouge, LA?


61: What is the width of the navigable channel at Grand Gulf Island Light (mile 404.9 AHP) ?


80: The Helena Gage reads 9.4 feet. The high point on your towboat is 46 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge?


118: Your company wants to know at what time you will be arriving at the fleeting area at Sycamore Chute Light (mile 740.3 AHP) in Memphis, TN. You are making turns for 9.0 mph and you estimate the average current at 2.2 mph. Figuring the distance and time from Hole in the Wall Lt. (mile 373.4 AHP), what is your ETA at Sycamore Chute Lt.?

    N a. 0557, April 19th
    N b. 1045, April 19th
    Y c. 1242, April 19th
    N d. 1733, April 19th

142: As you approach West Memphis Lt. (mile 727.4 AHP) you notice on the map a dashed line crossing the river. This line indicates a __________.

    N a. submerged oil pipeline
    N b. submerged gas pipeline
    N c. aerial tramway
    Y d. aerial power line

209: At 0705, you take the following bearings:

Watch Hill Light 034.5°pgc
Latimer Reef Light 338.0°pgc
Race Rock Light 268.0°pgc

What was the true course made good between 0645 and 0705?

    Y a. 253°T
    N b. 256°T
    N c. 263°T
    N d. 266°T

435: Which course should you change to per standard magnetic compass as you pass SW Ledge Light to remain in the channel?

    N a. 026°psc
    Y b. 022°psc
    N c. 014°psc
    N d. 007°psc

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

554: Based on your running fix, you __________.

    Y a. have a following current
    N b. have a head current
    N c. are being set to the north
    N d. are not affected by a current

608: At 1200 zone time, on 10 October , you depart San Francisco, LAT 37°48.5'N, LONG 122°24.0'W (ZD +8). You are bound for Yokohama, LAT 35°27.0'N, LONG 139°39.0'E, and you estimate your speed of advance at 22 knots. The distance is 4,536 miles. What is your estimated zone time of arrival at Yokohama?

    N a. 0111, 19 October
    N b. 0211, 19 October
    N c. 1011, 19 October
    Y d. 1911, 19 October

632: The Memphis Gage reads 18.4 feet. The high point of your towboat is 48 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Memphis Highway Bridge?

    Y a. 46.4 feet
    N b. 53.8 feet
    N c. 66.4 feet
    N d. 75.4 feet

729: On 24 September , your 1841 zone time DR position is LONG 129°34.5'E. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 25°20.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 09h 38m 12s, and the chronometer error is 03m 12s slow. The index error is 4.3' off the arc, and the height of eye is 52 feet (15.9 meters). What is your latitude by Polaris?

    N a. 24°28.1'N
    N b. 25°16.0'N
    Y c. 25°37.6'N
    N d. 25°42.3'N

745: On 13 October , at 1847 ZT, your vessel's DR position is LAT 42°17.4'N, LONG 138°46.2'W. At approximately this time, you obtain a sextant altitude (hs) of Polaris reading 42°16.8', with an index error of 3.2' on the arc. Your chronometer reads 03h 45m 20s and is 1m 32s slow. What is your latitude by Polaris, given a height of eye of 44 feet?

    Y a. 42°09.1'N
    N b. 42°12.5'N
    N c. 42°16.0'N
    N d. 42°19.5'N

1244: 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?

    Y a. 1621, 28 Dec
    N b. 2203, 28 Dec
    N c. 0516, 29 Dec
    N d. 1621, 29 Dec

1250: What facility is not found near La Grange Towhead Light (538.2 AHP) on Greenville Harbour?

    N a. Mississippi Limestone
    N b. Ergon, Inc.
    N c. American Commercial Barge Lines
    Y d. Greenville Casino Wharf

1465: On 22 April , your 0344 zone time DR position is LAT 21°16.0'N, LONG 107°32.0'W. At that time, you observe Spica bearing 236°psc. The chronometer reads 10h 45m 16s,
and the chronometer error is 00m 25s fast. The variation is 7.5°E. What is the deviation of the standard compass?

    N a. 1.1°W
    Y b. 5.2°E
    N c. 5.2°W
    N d. 6.1°W

1496: On 3 October , your 2122 ZT position is LAT 26°32'N, LONG 84°26'W. You observe Polaris bearing 359.8°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 106°pgc and 107°psc. The variation is 0°. What is the deviation for that heading?

    N a. 1°E
    Y b. 0°
    N c. 1°W
    N d. 2°W

1541: At 0119, on 10 September, you pass Springfield Bend Lt. (mile 244.8 AHP) and estimate the current will average 2.5 mph for the remainder of your trip. What is your ETA at the mouth of the Ohio River if you are making turns for 8.5 mph?

    N a. 1746, 12 September
    N b. 1244, 13 September
    Y c. 2329, 14 September
    N d. 0210, 15 September

1643: 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.

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

1675: On 28 November , your vessel's 0652 DR position is LAT 37°30'N, LONG 124°12'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 103° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 16.3°E. The chronometer reads 02h 54m 18s and is 02m 06s fast. What is the deviation of the compass?

    Y a. 2.5°W
    N b. 3.0°W
    N c. 2.0°E
    N d. 3.0°E

1690: The locations of locks and dams can be found in the __________.

    N a. Army Corps. of Engineers maps
    Y b. Light List
    N c. Local Notice to Mariners
    N d. Channel Report

1736: What are the color and shape of Joseph Henry Daymark at mile 445.2 AHP?

    N a. Red - Triangle
    N b. Green - Square
    N c. Green - Triangle
    Y d. Red - Diaomond

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

1858: On 22 April , your 1852 ZT DR position is LAT 23°54.5'
N, LONG 117°36.8'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 129°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 27°10.0'. The chronometer reads 02h 54m 53s and is 02m 51s fast. What star did you observe?

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

2119: At 1622 ZT, on 15 June , in DR position LAT 10° 15.2' N, LONG 135° 10' W, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The center of the Moon is on the visible horizon, bearing 101.2°psc. The variation is 5° E. What is the deviation?

    Y a. 1.5°E
    N b. 1.5°W
    N c. 0.5°E
    N d. 0.5°W

2158: On 26 May , your vessel's 1906 zone time position is LAT 27°16.0'N, LONG 24°37.0'W. At that time, a sextant observation of the planet Jupiter was made. The sextant altitude is 63°27.6', and the chronometer reads 09h 05m 16s. The index error is 5.2' on the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 25s slow. Your height of eye is determined to be 52.6 feet. What is the (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    N a. 011.3°T
    Y b. 168.7°T
    N c. 191.3°T
    N d. 348.7°T

2241: At 1318 ZT, on 10 September , in DR position LAT 24° 05.8' N, LONG 058° 08.3' E, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The upper limb of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 254° psc. Variation is 2° W. What is the deviation?

    N a. 8.0°W
    N b. 8.0°E
    Y c. 4.0°W
    N d. 4.0°E

2324: At 1547 ZT, on 22 May , in DR position LAT 45° 12.8' N, LONG 028° 15.4' W, the Moon’s upper limb is observed on the visible horizon, bearing 120.0° psc. Variation is 2° W. What is the deviation?

    N a. 1.4°W
    Y b. 2.6°E
    N c. 1.4°E
    N d. 2.6°W

3051: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 20.6 feet and a pitch of 23.4 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 538 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 87?

    Y a. -11.6%
    N b. +11.6%
    N c. -10.3%
    N d. +10.3%

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

3304: You have steamed 265 miles and consumed 25.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 346 miles?

    Y a. 32.6 tons
    N b. 37.4 tons
    N c. 42.6 tons
    N d. 49.5 tons

3314: You have steamed 150 miles and consumed 17 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 350 miles?

    N a. 12.82 tons
    N b. 29.41 tons
    N c. 34.00 tons
    Y d. 39.66 tons

3317: Your vessel consumes 156 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 13.0 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 16.0 knots?

    N a. 192 bbls
    N b. 236 bbls
    Y c. 291 bbls
    N d. 315 bbls

3468: You are underway on course 215°T at 12 knots. The current is 000°T at 2.3 knots. What is the speed being made good?

    N a. 8.5 knots
    Y b. 10.2 knots
    N c. 10.9 knots
    N d. 11.2 knots

3633: You desire to make good a true course of 067°. The variation is 11°W, magnetic compass deviation is 3°E, and gyrocompass error is 1°W. A northwesterly wind produces a 5° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good?

    N a. 054°psc
    N b. 064°psc
    Y c. 070°psc
    N d. 074°psc

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

4008: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°E. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a gyro heading of 037°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 350° 122.5° - 110° 239.5° - 230°
030.5° - 020° 152.0° - 140° 269.0° - 260°
061.5° - 050° 181.0° - 170° 298.0° - 290°
092.0° - 080° 210.0° - 200° 327.5° - 320°

    Y a. 1.0°W
    N b. 1.5°W
    N c. 1.5°E
    N d. 2.0°E

11108: The passage between Great Gull Island and Plum Island __________.

    N a. is subject to weak and variable tidal currents
    N b. uncovers at extreme low water
    Y c. should be avoided
    N d. shows a whirlpool at maximum ebb current when accompanied by NW gales

11408: At 1930 your GPS position is LAT 41°08.6'N, LONG 72°41.6'W. At 2024 your position is LAT 41°00.5'N, LONG 72°49.5'W. What is your true course and speed made good?

    N a. 219° at 10.1 knots
    Y b. 216° at 11.2 knots
    N c. 039° at 9.9 knots
    N d. 036° at 11.1 knots

13101: At 1523 your position is LAT 41°08.2'N, LONG 71°34.4'W. You are turning for 8.7 knots. What is your ETA at Shagwong Reef Buoy "7SR"?

    N a. 1653
    N b. 1700
    Y c. 1711
    N d. 1718

15162: At 1920, Cape Henry Light bears 231°pgc, and Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light bears 294°pgc. If your heading is 268°T, what is the relative bearing of Chesapeake Light?

    Y a. 213°
    N b. 201°
    N c. 194°
    N d. 179°

15169: At 2123, your position is LAT 37°20.0'N, LONG 76°03.0'W. What is your distance offshore of Savage Neck?

    Y a. 1.7 miles
    N b. 2.5 miles
    N c. 3.6 miles
    N d. 10.9 miles

15320: Inbound, the color of Cape Henry Light will __________.

    Y a. change before you reach Chesapeake Channel Lighted Bell Buoy "2C"
    N b. change after you reach Chesapeake Channel Lighted Bell Buoy "2C"
    N c. remain the same
    N d. alternate regardless of your position

15338: At 1705 Race Rock Light bears 099°True; Orient Point Light bears 176°True; Bartlett Reef Light bears 083°True. What is your vessel's position?

    N a. LAT 41°15.0'N, LONG 72°14.3'W
    N b. LAT 41°15.4'N, LONG 72°16.6'W
    Y c. LAT 41°15.9'N, LONG 72°14.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°16.4'N, LONG 72°14.2'W

15441: At buoy "CB" you change course to follow the inbound
traffic lane. What is the course to steer per gyro compass if you correct your heading for a current of 315° at 1.0 knot and allow 3° leeway for northeasterly winds?

    N a. 297°pgc
    N b. 299°pgc
    Y c. 302°pgc
    N d. 305°pgc

15909: From your 0740 position, you change course to pass 1.1 miles north of Falkner Island Light. What loran reading will ensure that you will remain clear of the 18' shoal located 1 mile NW of Falkner Island Light?

    N a. 9960 W: not less than 14942
    N b. 9960 X: not more than 26452
    Y c. 9960 Y: not less than 44013
    N d. None of the above

15909: From your 0740 position, you change course to pass 1.1 miles north of Falkner Island Light. What loran reading will ensure that you will remain clear of the 18' shoal located 1 mile NW of Falkner Island Light?

    N a. 9960 W: not less than 14942
    N b. 9960 X: not more than 26452
    Y c. 9960 Y: not less than 44013
    N d. None of the above

16256: What is the course per gyro compass from the anchorage to point A located 0.5 mile east of Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy 14?

    N a. 180°
    Y b. 184°
    N c. 198°
    N d. 199.5°

16711: At what time will you cross the 60 foot curve if you make good 12 knots?

    Y a. 0528
    N b. 0534
    N c. 0541
    N d. 0544

20106: You are steaming at 22 knots and burning 319 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 137 barrels per day. What must you reduce your speed to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    N a. 12.4
    N b. 14.8
    Y c. 16.6
    N d. 18.2