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.

67: The Gage at Red River Landing reads 22.2 feet. The LWRP for Red River is 10.6 feet. What is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane?
144: What is the distance from the Arkansas River mouth to the Ohio River mouth in river miles?
283: At 1810, you sight a buoy on your starboard side labeled "19". This buoy marks __________.
290: What was the speed made good from 1845 to 1930? 

    N a. 6.2 knots
    N b. 6.8 knots
    N c. 7.5 knots
    Y d. 8.3 knots
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
514: The shoreline along Rocky Point should give a good radar return because __________. 

    Y a. the shore is bluff and rocky
    N b. of offshore exposed rocks
    N c. submerged reefs cause prominent breakers
    N d. the lookout tower is marked with radar reflectors
538: Determine the distance from LAT 23°24'S, LONG 13°54'E to LAT 23°24'S, LONG 42°48'W. by parallel sailing. 

    N a. 3119.3 miles
    Y b. 3122.2 miles
    N c. 3124.5 miles
    N d. 3126.6 miles
544: From your 0600 position, what is the course per gyrocompass to leave Watch Hill Light abeam to starboard at 2.0 miles if a southerly wind is producing 3° of leeway? 

    N a. 262°pgc
    N b. 258°pgc
    N c. 256°pgc
    Y d. 252°pgc
655: On a North Pacific voyage, you wish to sail the shortest distance from LAT 46°05'N, LONG 124°00'W to LAT 44°00'N, LONG 150°00'E. You do not want to exceed 50°N latitude due to anticipated fog conditions. Which voyage plot meets these requirements? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5270) 

    N a. A great circle between departure and arrival with Mercator  legs north of the Aleutians
    N b. A great circle between departure and arrival with parallel  sailing where the track intersects the 50°N parallel
    Y c. A great circle to 50°N, 153°W, parallel sailing to 50°N, 173°W, then a great circle to arrival
    N d. A great circle from departure to the mid-longitude at 50°N, then another great circle to arrival
730: On 18 November , your 1750 zone time DR position is LONG 110°16.0'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 21°29.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 00h 52m 43s, and the chronometer error is 02m 18s fast. The index error is 3.2' on the arc, and the height of eye is 49.5 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    Y a. 21°03.4'N
    N b. 21°13.4'N
    N c. 21°28.1'N
    N d. 21°35.1'N
997: On 20 November , your 0612 zone time (ZT) position was LAT 25°38.0'N, LONG 166°54.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 126°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0854 ZT. The chronometer read 07h 51m 14s and was slow 02m 52s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 27°58.3'. LAN occurred at 1147 ZT. The observed altitude (Ho) was 45°35.0'. What was the longitude of your 1147 ZT running fix? 

    N a. 165°20.2'W
    N b. 165°18.4'W
    N c. 165°15.8'W
    Y d. 165°12.5'W
1130: At 1923, on September 21, you pass Bixby Towhead Light (mile 873.7 AHP). What was your average speed since leaving Cairo? 

    N a. 9.2 mph
    N b. 8.8 mph
    Y c. 8.5 mph
    N d. 7.2 mph
1277: On 22 June , your 0400 zone time DR position is LAT 23°00'N, LONG 81°45'W. You are steaming on course 110°T at a speed of 8.6 knots. What will be the zone time of sunrise at your vessel? 

    N a. 0537
    Y b. 0541
    N c. 0545
    N d. 0547
1307: After entering Milliken Bend (mile 455 AHP) you wish to locate the river service in Madison Parish, Louisiana. The river service is indicated by the square containing which number? 

    Y a. 5
    N b. 4
    N c. 3
    N d. 2
1410: What is the distance from the Amoco Docks at Baton Rouge, LA, to Pittsburgh, PA? 

    Y a. 1681  miles
    N b. 1575 miles
    N c. 981 miles
    N d. 727 miles
1484: On 7 December , your vessel's 0835 zone time DR position is LAT 28°30.0'N, LONG 125°39.3'W, when an azimuth of the Sun is observed. The chronometer time of the sight is 04h 34m 48s, and the Sun is bearing 113° per standard magnetic compass. The chronometer error is 01m 24s slow, and the variation in the area is 13.0°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 0.7°E
    N b. 1.0°W
    Y c. 2.3°E
    N d. 3.0°W
1502: On May 20 , you are keeping ZD +4, and your 2300 (ZD +4) DR position is LAT 42°07'N, LONG 81°02'W. At that time, you observe Polaris bearing 012°psc. The chronometer time of the observation is 03h 02m 23s, and the chronometer is 1m 17s fast. The variation is 9.5°W. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass? 

    Y a. 2.7°W
    N b. 12.2°W
    N c. 6.8°E
    N d. 12.2°E
1662: On 5 September , in DR position LAT 23°17.0'S, LONG 154°35.0'E, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 275° per standard magnetic compass. The chronometer reads 07h 49m 26s and is 01m 52s fast. Variation in the area is 3°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 2.1°E
    N b. 2.4°W
    Y c. 5.1°E
    N d. 5.4°W
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
1706: The highest point on your towboat is 53 feet above the water, and the Helena Gage (mile 663 AHP) reads 3.9 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the B-span of the Helena Highway Bridge in Helena? 

    N a. 59.9 feet
    Y b. 62.5 feet
    N c. 64.1 feet
    N d. 65.5 feet
1744: At 1727, on 24 August, 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 9 mph? 

    N a. 1.8 mph
    Y b. 2.3 mph
    N c. 2.8 mph
    N d. 3.6 mph
1760: The area between Island 67 Upper Light (mile 623.1 AHP) and Sunflower Cut-off Foot Light (mile 624.8 AHP) is known as a __________. 

    N a. transit
    Y b. crossing
    N c. chute
    N d. slough
1772: What is your ETA at the Fulton Gage? 

    N a. 1405, 12 Sept
    N b. 1052, 12 Sept
    N c. 0828, 12 Sept
    Y d. 0204, 12 Sept
1920: On 17 March , your 0520 Dr position is LAT 27°23.0'N, LONG 39°42.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 313°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 43°03.8'. The chronometer reads 08h 22m 15s and is 01m 45s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Altair
    Y b. Alkaid
    N c. Arcturus
    N d. Deneb
1921: On 17 March , your 1845 DR position is LAT 25°10.0'N, LONG 66°48.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 340°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 66°25.1'. The chronometer reads 10h 47m 49s, and is 1m 54s fast. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Capella
    N b. Mirfak
    N c. Pollux
    N d. Rigel
2006: On 8 November , your 1731 zone time DR position is LAT 27°16.0'N, LONG 137°25.0'W. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three stars best suited for a fix at star time? 

    Y a. Alphecca, Fomalhaut, Schedar
    N b. Antares, Rasalhague, Altair
    N c. Sirius, Hamal, Dubhe
    N d. Peacock, Ankaa,  Al Na'ir
2164: On 6 March , at 0550 zone time, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 23°56.0'N, LONG 27°19.0'W. Your vessel is steaming at 25.0 knots on a course of 149.0°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0830 zone time. The chronometer reads 10h 32m 05s, and the sextant altitude is 31°31.5'. The index error is 2.5' on the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 45s fast. Your height of eye on the bridge is 76.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position? 

    N a. 109.8°T
    N b. 111.2°T
    Y c. 112.8°T
    N d. 114.3°T
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°
2368: At 2100, January 12, you are passing Cherokee Landing Lt. (mile 112.5 UMR). What has been your speed over the ground since leaving St. Louis, MO (mile 181 UMR). 

    N a. 10.4 mph
    Y b. 9.8 mph
    N c. 9.2 mph
    N d. 8.8 mph
2582: From your 1750 GPS position at LAT 41°15.6'N, LONG 072°11.5'W, you plot a course of 255°T at 8.5 kts. At what time would you see Falkner Island Light, if visibility is 10 miles? 

    N a. 1819
    Y b. 1850
    N c. 1910
    N d. 1917
2711: Which light characteristics does Foster Light have? 

    N a. 1 green flash every 4 seconds
    N b. 1 red flash every 4 seconds
    Y c. 2 white flashes every 5 seconds
    N d. 2 red flashes every 5 seconds
3064: The propeller of a vessel has a pitch of 19.0 feet. If the vessel traveled 183.5 miles (observed distance) in 24 hours at an average of 44 RPM, what was the slip? 

    Y a. +7.4%
    N b. -7.4%
    N c. +11.6%
    N d. -11.6%
3087: If the pitch of the propeller is 20.6 feet, and the revolutions per day are 107,341, calculate the day's run allowing 3% positive slip. 

    Y a. 352.7 miles
    N b. 363.6 miles
    N c. 374.5 miles
    N d. 389.1 miles
3088: If the pitch of the propeller is 21.5 feet, and the revolutions per day are 96,666, calculate the day's run allowing 9% negative slip. 

    N a. 311.1 miles
    N b. 341.8 miles
    N c. 357.9 miles
    Y d. 372.6 miles
3089: If the pitch of the propeller is 22.4 feet, and the revolutions per day are 103,690, calculate the day's run allowing 9% positive slip. 

    N a. 321.7 miles
    Y b. 347.6 miles
    N c. 382.0 miles
    N d. 416.4 miles
3092: If the pitch of the propeller is 24.8 feet, and the revolutions per day are 93,373, calculate the day's run allowing 11% positive slip. 

    N a. 307.3 miles
    Y b. 339.0 miles
    N c. 380.9 miles
    N d. 422.8 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
3266: Your vessel has consumed 1087 bbls of fuel after steaming 2210 miles at a speed of 10.75 kts. What is the maximum speed you can steam for the last 1000 miles of the voyage on the remaining 725 bbls, if you estimate 3% of the fuel is not usable? 

    N a. 11.43 knots
    N b. 11.76 knots
    Y c. 12.84 knots
    N d. 15.33 knots
3302: You have steamed 132 miles and consumed 14.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 289 miles? 

    N a. 21.6 tons
    N b. 24.5 tons
    N c. 27.9 tons
    Y d. 30.7 tons
10100: Your GPS position is LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 75°48.6'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to a position one mile south of Cape Charles Buoy "14" (which is positioned at LAT 37°07.4'N, LONG 75°41.0'W)? 

    Y a. 045°psc
    N b. 049°psc
    N c. 053°psc
    N d. 057°psc
11507: 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 1222 your position is LAT 41°20.0'N, LONG 71°40.0'W. What is the speed made good? 

    N a. 8.4 knots
    N b. 8.6 knots
    Y c. 9.2 knots
    N d. 9.6 knots
13507: Areas enclosed by a long and short dashed magenta line indicate __________. 

    N a. cable areas
    N b. dumping grounds
    Y c. fish trap areas
    N d. precautionary areas
14402: You are underway and proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. Your vessel is positioned in the right outside quarter of McGowans Channel and is abeam of light No. 88. What should your fathometer read at this position, if the staff gauge at Portland reads + 15.0 feet? 

    N a. 22 feet
    N b. 31 feet
    N c. 43 feet
    Y d. 52 feet
15212: At 1930, your vessel is between York River Entrance Channel Lighted Buoys "1YR" and "2". From this position, you change course to 142°pgc at an engine speed of 8.0 knots. At 2001, you obtain the following information:
Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light - 131°pgc;
Thimble Shoal Light - 248°pgc

What were the set and drift between 1930 and 2001? 

    N a. 127° at 1.1 knot
    Y b. 127° at 0.5 knot
    N c. 307° at 1.1 knot
    N d. 307° at 0.5 knot
15709: At 0830, you obtained the following radar informations:

Branford Reef Light bearing 259° true @ 4.2 nm


What is your vessel's position? 

    N a. LAT 41°12.4'N, LONG 73°56.0'W
    N b. LAT 40°17.4'N, LONG 73°54.0'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.0'N, LONG 72°53.8'W
    Y d. LAT 41°12.4'N, LONG 72°53.8'W
15770: At 0930, your position is LAT 41°16.5'N, LONG 71°41.4'W, and you are turning for 7 knots. Allowing 3° leeway for northerly winds and estimating the current as 035° at 0.3 knot, what is the course to steer (pgc) to point "B"? 

    N a. 084°pgc
    Y b. 086°pgc
    N c. 091°pgc
    N d. 094°pgc
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
16020: If visibility permits, Orient Point Light will break the horizon at a range of about __________. 

    N a. 9.3 miles
    N b. 10.8 miles
    Y c. 13.9 miles
    N d. 17.0 miles
16057: What is the maximum allowable speed of vessels underway up river from Tue Marshes Light? 

    N a. 8 knots
    N b. 10 knots
    Y c. 12 knots
    N d. 14 knots
16343: At 2302 you change course to compensate for an estimated current of 090°T, at 1.0 knot. What course per gyrocompass will you steer to leave Endeavor Shoals Lighted Gong Buoy "3" abeam to port at 1 mile? 

    N a. 324°pgc
    Y b. 327°pgc
    N c. 330°pgc
    N d. 333°pgc
16440: What course per gyrocompass would you need to steer from the anchorage to York Spit Channel buoy "29"? 

    Y a. 172°  pgc
    N b. 175°  pgc
    N c. 178°  pgc
    N d. 181°  pgc
16458: If your engines turn for 6.5 knots, and you encounter a 0.5 knot southerly current, what is your ETA at point A? 

    N a. 0400
    Y b. 0450
    N c. 0501
    N d. 0511
16541: At 2255 you take the following visual bearings.

Saybrook Breakwater Light 333°pgc
Little Gull Island Light 094°pgc
Horton Point Light 211°pgc

What is your position? 

    Y a. LAT 41°13.6'N, LONG 72°19.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°13.8'N, LONG 72°19.6'W
    N c. LAT 41°14.0'N, LONG 72°19.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.2'N, LONG 72°19.7'W