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.


119: What is the length of the trip?


141: Your vessel is making turns for 9.5 mph and you estimate the average current for the trip will be 2.5 mph. What will be your ETA Donaldsonville, LA?


231: From your 2123 position, you are approximately 42 miles from Crisfield, MD. If you are making good a speed of 13 knots, at what time should you arrive at Crisfield, MD?


338: You passed Cape Henry Light at 0730 outbound at maximum flood. What approximate current can you expect on entering Chesapeake Channel?

    N a. Slack before ebb
    N b. Slack before flood
    Y c. Flood current
    N d. Ebb current

384: What is the course per standard magnetic compass between points "A" and "B"?

    N a. 099.5°
    Y b. 098.5°
    N c. 095.5°
    N d. 094.5°

394: A vessel at LAT 38°03.0'S, LONG 49°38.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 41°26.0'S, LONG 38°32.0'W. Determine the true course by Mercator sailing.

    Y a. 111.5°T
    N b. 113.5°T
    N c. 158.5°T
    N d. 160.5°T

431: At 0900, the current is flooding in a direction of 350°T at 1.2 knots. If your engines are turning RPMs for 9 knots, which course should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good a course of 297° true?

    N a. 319°psc
    N b. 317°psc
    N c. 311°psc
    Y d. 302°psc

439: At 0337, fog closes in and you anchor under the following radar ranges and bearing:

South tip of Watch Hill Point 3.0 miles
East point of Fishers Island 1.4 miles
Latimer Reef Light 331°T

What is the approximate depth of water at your anchorage?

    N a. 135 feet (40.9 meters)
    N b. 120 feet (36.4 meters)
    Y c. 100 feet (30.3 meters)
    N d. 83 feet (25.2 meters)

502: At 2142, you take the following bearings:

Stratford Point Light 331°T
Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light 280°T
Old Field Point Light 223°T

What is your 2142 position?

    N a. LAT 41°02.7'N, LONG 73°01.2'W
    Y b. LAT 41°03.0'N, LONG 73°01.7'W
    N c. LAT 41°03.1'N, LONG 73°01.3'W
    N d. LAT 41°03.3'N, LONG 73°01.9'W

517: At 0520, you take the following observations:

Point Judith Light 032°pgc
Point Judith Harbor of Refuge
Main Breakwater Center Light 308°pgc

What is the position of your 0520 fix?

    Y a. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°29.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°20.6'N, Long 71°30.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°20.6'N, Long 71°30.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°20.5'N, Long 71°29.4'W

622: You are on a voyage from Limoy, Costa Rica, to Los Angeles, CA. The distance from departure to arrival is 3150 miles. The speed of advance is 14.0 knots. You estimate 24.0 hours for bunkering at Colon, and 12.0 hours for the Panama Canal transit. If you take departure at 1836 hours (ZD +6), 28 January, what is your ETA (ZD +8) at Los Angeles?

    N a. 1736, 9 February
    N b. 1736, 8 February
    Y c. 1336, 8 February
    N d. 0536, 8 February

727: On 11 February , your 1832 zone time DR position is LONG 110°52.6'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 26°19.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 01h 34m 56s, and the chronometer error is 02m 16s fast. The index error is 2.7' off the arc, and the height of eye is 60.2 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris?

    Y a. 25°27.2'N
    N b. 25°34.2'N
    N c. 26°27.2'N
    N d. 26°34.2'N

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

1407: At 2350 hours on 23 June, you are at mile 610.5 AHP when you see about a mile ahead white lights on the water near the left bank. What might you see when you come abreast of these lights?

    N a. Privately maintained buoys at a yacht club
    N b. Government buoys marking the Hurricane Point dikes
    Y c. Barges moored at the Dennis Landing Terminal
    N d. A pipeline discharging dredge spoil

1424: You pass Springfield Bend Lt. (mile 244.8 AHP) at 1242, on 17 October, 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 10.5 mph?

    N a. 1905, 19 October
    N b. 2122, 19 October
    Y c. 0519, 21 October
    N d. 0847, 21 October

1684: You are passing Putney Lt. (mile 943.6 AHP). The gray shaded areas alongside the river represent __________.

    N a. levees
    N b. weirs
    N c. dikes
    Y d. revetments

1721: What is the total length of the trip?

    Y a. 850.6 miles
    N b. 894.8miles
    N c. 922.5 miles
    N d. 946.5 miles

1757: What town is located at mile 395 AHP?

    Y a. St. Joseph
    N b. Belmont
    N c. St. James
    N d. Rodney

1774: You pass New Madrid, MO (mile 889.0 AHP) at 1412. What was your average speed since leaving Cairo?

    Y a. 8.0 mph
    N b. 7.8 mph
    N c. 7.6 mph
    N d. 7.3 mph

1802: You are turning for 10 mph and passing Hog Point ,LA. Angola reports that the current at Red River Landing is 4.5 mph. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The main channel lies on the north side of the island you see ahead.
    N b. You are making 14.5 mph over the ground.
    N c. You would expect to find the more favorable current near the broken red line in the river.
    Y d. You should expect to encounter vessels crossing the river at mile 300.5 AHP.

1886: On 8 April , your evening DR position is LAT 22°16'N, LONG 157°58.3'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 246°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 58°45.5'. The chronometer reads 05h 09m 57s, and is 01m 23s slow. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Betelgeuse
    N b. Aldebaran
    N c. Alnilam
    N d. Bellatrix

1919: On 17 March , your 0520 DR position is LAT 27°23.0'N, LONG 39°42.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 110°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 50°47.2'. The chronometer reads 08h 22m 15s, and is 01m 45s fast. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Altair
    N b. Alkaid
    N c. Arcturus
    N d. Deneb

2022: On 24 August , your vessel is enroute from Perth, Australia, to Bombay, India. Evening twilight will occur at 1807 zone time, and your vessel's DR position for this time will be LAT 27°17.0'S, LONG 83°17.0'E. Considering their magnitude and location, what are the three stars best suited to observe for a fix at star time?

    N a. Arcturus, Antares, Atria
    Y b. Spica, Altair, Acrux
    N c. Pollux, Canopus, Hamal
    N d. Rasalhague, Spica, Kochab

2023: On 1 October , you determine the zone time of evening twilight will be 1835. Your DR position at this time is LAT 27°18.0'N, LONG 48°52.0'W. Considering their magnitude and location, which group of three stars are best suited to be used in obtaining a fix at star time?

    N a. Altair, Rasalhague, Vega
    Y b. Alphecca, Kochab, Deneb
    N c. Diphda, Hamal, Mirfak
    N d. Antares, Rigil Kentaurus, Peacock

2093: At your current speed of 21 knots you only have enough fuel remaining to travel 435 miles. You must travel 755 miles to reach your destination. What should you reduce your speed (knots) to in order to reach your destination?

    Y a. 15.9
    N b. 17.1
    N c. 18.3
    N d. 19.5

2103: On 24 August , in DR position LAT 26°49.4'N, LONG 146°19.4'E, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 084°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 55m 06s and is 01m 11s fast. Variation in the area is 15°W. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

    N a. 8.0°E
    Y b. 8.3°E
    N c. 8.5°E
    N d. 8.7°E

2278: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 31°31.5' on 6 March . The index error is 2.5' on the arc. The height of eye is 76 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    Y a. 31°35.3'
    N b. 31°36.7'
    N c. 31°38.2'
    N d. 31°39.5'

2283: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 22°58.6' on 16 June . The index error is 2.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 61 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    Y a. 23°06.7'
    N b. 23°09.9'
    N c. 23°15.4'
    N d. 23°22.2'

2442: Anchorage regulations for this area may be obtained from __________.

    N a. Office of Commander 2nd Coast Guard District
    Y b. District Engineer, Corps of Engineers, Norfolk, VA
    N c. Virginia - Maryland Pilots Association
    N d. Chesapeake Bay Port Authority, Hampton VA

2684: You are steering 173°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 13.9 miles at 0054. You change course to pass the light 4.5 miles off abeam to port. If you are making 21 knots, what is your ETA at the position 4.5 miles off the light?

    N a. 0122
    N b. 0125
    Y c. 0131
    N d. 0134

2695: You are underway on course 017°T at a speed of 14.2 knots.
You sight a buoy bearing 025°T at a radar range of 3.7 miles at 1947. If you change course at 1953, what is the course to steer to leave the buoy abeam to starboard at 0.1 mile?

    N a. 021°T
    N b. 024°T
    Y c. 027°T
    N d. 030°T

2861: Your vessel is on a course of 196°T at 17 knots. At 0417 a light bears 218.5°T, and at 0442 the light bears 241°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    Y a. 0500, 5.0 miles
    N b. 0504, 6.2 miles
    N c. 0500, 6.2 miles
    N d. 0504, 5.0 miles

3070: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 19.6 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 24.6 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 5% positive slip?

    N a. 76
    Y b. 85
    N c. 97
    N d. 106

3635: You desire to make good a true course of 236°. The variation is 8°E, magnetic compass deviation is 1°E, and gyrocompass error is 3°W. A south-southeasterly wind produces a 1° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to make the true course good?

    Y a. 226°psc
    N b. 228°psc
    N c. 244°psc
    N d. 246°psc

10610: At 1645 your GPS position is LAT 41°04.9' N, LONG 72°42.1'W. You are on course 072° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 14 knots. At 1727 another GPS fix places your vessel 1 mile due north of Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy TE. What were your set and drift?

    N a. 032°T at 1.2 knot
    Y b. 026°T at 1.1 knot
    N c. 207°T at 0.9 knot
    N d. 212°T at 1.2 knots

11901: You are turning for 7.5 knots and a westerly wind is causing 2° of leeway. There is a current of 047°T at 1.2 knots. What course should you steer between the entrance to Quonochontaug Pond (LAT 41°19.8'N, LONG 71°43.2'W) and the entrance to Great Salt Pond (LAT 41°12.0'N,
LONG 71°35.6'W)?

    N a. 156°T
    Y b. 155°T
    N c. 144°T
    N d. 140°T

12308: You sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light (LAT 41°18.2'N, LONG 71°56.0'W) bearing 094° per standard magnetic compass. If your vessel was heading 207° per standard magnetic compass at the time, which of the following is TRUE?

    Y a. The deviation table is correct for that heading.
    N b. The deviation by observation is 3°E.
    N c. The compass error is 12°W.
    N d. You should subtract 18° from all bearings of 094°.

15143: From your 2146 position, with a new engine speed of 12 knots, you wish to change course in order to pass southeast of Buoy "MP" at a distance of 2 miles. With a reported set of 320° true and a drift of 2 knots, which course should you steer to make good your desired course?

    N a. 055°true
    Y b. 061°true
    N c. 066° true
    N d. 071°true

15160: At 1815, your position is LAT 37°01.0'N, LONG 75°42.7'W. If there is no current, what is the course per standard magnetic compass to arrive at a point 0.3 mile due north of North Chesapeake Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy "NCA"?

    N a. 249.0°psc
    N b. 251.5°psc
    N c. 255.0°psc
    Y d. 257.0°psc

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

15265: Orient Point Light is __________.

    N a. lighted only during daytime when the sound signal is in operation
    N b. maintained only from May 1 to Oct 1
    N c. 64 feet (19.4 meters) above mean low water
    Y d. lighted throughout 24 hours

15346: At 1942 Point Judith bears 030°T and has a range of 3.6 miles and Sandy Point has a range of 5.3 miles. What was your speed made good from your 1850 position?

    N a. 12.5 knots
    Y b. 13.0 knots
    N c. 13.5 knots
    N d. 14.0 knots

15416: At 2200, you are in position LAT 36°57.5'N, LONG 76°02.5'W. You intend to travel up the Thimble Shoals auxiliary Channel to Hampton Roads. According to the Coast Pilot,
what is the depth of the auxiliary channel on either side of the main channel?

    N a. 28 feet (8.5 meters)
    Y b. 32 feet (9.8 meters)
    N c. 36 feet (11.0 meters)
    N d. 45 feet (13.7 meters)

15416: At 2200, you are in position LAT 36°57.5'N, LONG 76°02.5'W. You intend to travel up the Thimble Shoals auxiliary Channel to Hampton Roads. According to the Coast Pilot,
what is the depth of the auxiliary channel on either side of the main channel?

    N a. 28 feet (8.5 meters)
    Y b. 32 feet (9.8 meters)
    N c. 36 feet (11.0 meters)
    N d. 45 feet (13.7 meters)

15568: At 0520, you are on course 243°pgc at 12 knots. What is the course per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 262°psc
    Y b. 258°psc
    N c. 233°psc
    N d. 227°psc

15656: At 0630, Buoy "PI" is close abeam on the starboard side. You are steering 078°T and are headed directly toward Race Rock Light. At 0654, Little Gull Island Light is bearing 210°pgc and Race Rock Light is bearing 075°pgc. What is your 0654 position?

    N a. LAT 41°19.0'N, LONG 72°05.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°14.4'N, LONG 71°54.6'W
    N c. LAT 41°14.2'N, LONG 72°06.8'W
    Y d. LAT 41°14.0'N, LONG 72°05.3'W

15806: What type of bottom is found at Long Sand Shoal?

    N a. Rocky
    N b. Muddy
    N c. Sandy
    Y d. Hard

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°

16065: If you steer 143°pgc at an engine speed of 8.0 knots from your 2015 position, at what time would you reach a point midway between buoys "11" and "12" (ignore set and drift)?

    N a. 2020
    Y b. 2029
    N c. 2032
    N d. 2039

16208: What is your ETA at point "A"?

    N a. 0640
    Y b. 0651
    N c. 0655
    N d. 0702

16411: You get underway at 1030. The wind is out of the SSE and you estimate 3° leeway. What course should you steer per gyrocompass to make good a desired course of 075°T?

    N a. 074°pgc
    N b. 076°pgc
    N c. 078°pgc
    Y d. 080°pgc

16838: At 0800 you obtain the following Loran-C readings:

9960-X-27101
9960-Y-41612
9960-Z-58737

What is your vessel's position?

    N a. LAT 37°20.9'N, LONG 75°29.5'W
    Y b. LAT 37°21.0'N, LONG 75°32.0'W
    N c. LAT 37°19.8'N, LONG 75°30.6'W
    N d. LAT 37°20.8'N, LONG 75°31.2'W

16846: Your vessel's heading is 330°pgc and 345°psc with a 2°E gyro error. What is the deviation on this heading?

    N a. 0°
    Y b. 3°W
    N c. 4°E
    N d. 7°W