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.


191: If you make good 12 knots, what is the ETA at North Chesapeake Channel Entrance Buoy "NCA" (LL #375)?


207: If your height of eye is 35 feet (10.7 meters), what is the approximate geographic range of Block Island North Light?


254: At 0130, you obtain the following radar ranges:

Horton Point Light - 4.3 miles;
Mattituck Breakwater Light - 3.45 miles;
Duck Pond Point - 2.0 miles.

What were the course and speed made good between 0100 and 0130?


335: At 1810, you obtain the following bearings:

Cape Charles Light bearing 005° pgc
Cape Henry Light bearing 251.5° pgc

What is your position?

    N a. LAT 36°56.0'N, LONG 75°58.5'W
    N b. LAT 36°55.4'N, LONG 75°56.0'W
    Y c. LAT 36°56.8'N, LONG 75°55.6'W
    N d. LAT 36°57.4'N, LONG 75°54.6'W

361: Which publication contains the specific information about navigating in York Spit Channel?

    Y a. Coast Pilot
    N b. Light List
    N c. Chesapeake Bay Harbor- master's Regulations Manual
    N d. Navigator's Manual - Chesapeake Bay

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

602: At 1845 zone time, on 24 October , you depart Bimini Island, LAT 25°50.0'N, LONG 77°00.0'W (ZD +5). You are bound for Bishop Rock, LAT 49°40.0'N, LONG 6°34.0'W, and you estimate your speed of advance at 13.6 knots. The distance is 3,491 miles. What is your estimated zone time of arrival at Bishop Rock?

    N a. 0627, 3 November
    N b. 1642, 3 November
    N c. 0939, 4 November
    Y d. 1627, 4 November

615: Your vessel departs Yokohama from position LAT 35°27.0'N, LONG 139°39.0'E (ZD -9), at 1330 ZT, on 23 July, bound for Seattle at position LAT 47°36.0'N, LONG 122°22.0'W (ZD +8). The distance by great circle is 4,245 miles, and you estimate that you will average 13.6 knots. What is your estimated ZT of arrival?

    N a. 0438, 4 August
    Y b. 2038, 4 August
    N c. 0438, 5 August
    N d. 1238, 5 August

615: Your vessel departs Yokohama from position LAT 35°27.0'N, LONG 139°39.0'E (ZD -9), at 1330 ZT, on 23 July, bound for Seattle at position LAT 47°36.0'N, LONG 122°22.0'W (ZD +8). The distance by great circle is 4,245 miles, and you estimate that you will average 13.6 knots. What is your estimated ZT of arrival?

    N a. 0438, 4 August
    Y b. 2038, 4 August
    N c. 0438, 5 August
    N d. 1238, 5 August

741: On 16 February , your 1845 ZT DR position is LAT 25°50.5'N, LONG 46°24.0'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 26°25.5'. The chronometer time of the sight is 09h 47m 30s and the chronometer error is 02m 16s fast. The index error is 2.5' off the arc, and the height of eye is 55.0 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris?

    Y a. 25°38.0'N
    N b. 25°44.2'N
    N c. 26°00.1'N
    N d. 26°37.5'N

747: On 14 March , at 1845 ZT, you take a sextant observation of Polaris. Your DR position is LAT 29°10'N, LONG 154°30'W, and your sextant reads 29°53.5'. Your chronometer reads 04h 42m 36s, and the chronometer error is 02m 24s slow. Your height of eye is 24 feet, and the index error is 1.3' off the arc. Determine the latitude by Polaris.

    N a. 29°11.7'N
    N b. 29°15.5'N
    N c. 29°18.0'N
    Y d. 29°21.3'N

1139: You are passing the Bayou Sara Gage which reads 3.9 feet. The low water reference plane for Bayo 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.

1281: On 2 January , you are on a course of 094°T at a speed of 20 knots. At 0430 ZT, your DR position is LAT 24°12'N, LONG 71°24'W. Determine the zone time of sunrise.

    Y a. 0627
    N b. 0636
    N c. 0644
    N d. 0701

1283: On 5 May , your 1800 ZT DR position is LAT 26°11.5'N, LONG 65°35.0'W. You are on course 270°T at a speed of 12 knots. What will be the ZT of sunset at your vessel?

    N a. 1825
    N b. 1840
    Y c. 1857
    N d. 1901

1457: On 25 August , your 1926 zone time DR position is LAT 24°17.0'S, LONG 05°47.0'W. At that time, you observe Fomalhaut bearing 117°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 26m 52s, and the chronometer error is 00m 15s fast. The variation is 1.5°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 0.2°W
    N b. 0.4°E
    N c. 1.3°W
    Y d. 2.8°W

1783: At 2048 ZT, on 13 October , in DR position LAT 44°02.8'S, LONG 146°58.3'E, you observe an amplitude of Venus. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 222.2°psc. The variation is 15°E. What is the deviation?

    N a. 0.0°
    N b. 1.1°E
    Y c. 1.0°W
    N d. 1.5°W

1961: The Delta-Friar Point revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________.

    Y a. 657.3 - 652.2 LDB
    N b. 652.8 - 649.6 RDB
    N c. 648.5 - 645.5 LDB
    N d. 645.6 - 641.4 RDB

2014: On 16 October , evening twilight will occur at 1746 ZT, and your DR position will be LAT 28°43.2'N, LONG 60°29.8' W. Considering their magnitude and location, which of the following are the three best stars to select for a fix at star time?

    Y a. Antares, Arcturus, Polaris
    N b. Deneb, Polaris, Vega
    N c. Antares, Deneb, Vega
    N d. Vega, Polaris, Enif

2016: On 23 March , your 1600 ZT DR position is LAT 27°16.3'N, LONG 156°48.2'W. You are on course 063°T at a speed of 18.0 knots. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three stars best suited for a fix at star time?

    N a. Arcturus, Regulus, Sirius
    N b. Procyon, Sirius, Capella
    Y c. Hamal, Rigel, Alphard
    N d. Betelgeuse, Dubhe, Regulus

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

2062: You are downbound, passing by Spanish Moss Lt. (mile 534.2 AHP), when you observe on your Mississippi River map several black broken lines extending into the river from the bank. These indicate __________.

    N a. fleeting areas
    N b. revetments
    N c. dikes
    Y d. weirs

2062: You are downbound, passing by Spanish Moss Lt. (mile 534.2 AHP), when you observe on your Mississippi River map several black broken lines extending into the river from the bank. These indicate __________.

    N a. fleeting areas
    N b. revetments
    N c. dikes
    Y d. weirs

2174: On 18 October , at 0518 ZT, morning stars were observed and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 25°31.0'N, LONG 146°29.2'E. Your vessel is steaming at 19.0 knots on a course of 308°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0915 ZT. The chronometer reads 11h 17m 11s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 34°51.4'. The index error is 2.0' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 57s fast. Your height of eye on the bridge is 54.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    N a. 120.6°T
    N b. 121.9°T
    Y c. 125.5°T
    N d. 127.3°T

2205: What are the dimensions of Old River Lock, on the Lower Mississippi River?

    N a. 1202 feet x 84 feet
    Y b. 1190 feet x 75 feet
    N c. 760 feet x 75 feet
    N d. 425 feet x 75 feet

2209: The Helena Gage reads 9.4 feet. The high point on your towboat is 42 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge?

    N a. 53.0 feet
    N b. 62.6 feet
    N c. 64.2 feet
    Y d. 68.0 feet

2457: You have steamed 369 miles at 16 knots and burning 326 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 212 barrels per day with 271 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    N a. 11.1
    N b. 12.9
    N c. 13.6
    Y d. 15.1

2459: You have steamed 432 miles at 18 knots and burning 406 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 221 barrels per day with 190 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    N a. 10.6
    N b. 12.8
    Y c. 16.5
    N d. 17.7

2664: You are on course 061°T, at a speed of 12.4 knots. At 0839 you see a rock bearing 059°T at a range of 4.4 miles. If you change course at 0845 to leave the rock abeam to starboard at 1.5 mile, at what time will the rock be abeam?

    N a. 0854
    Y b. 0859
    N c. 0903
    N d. 0906

2717: The Natchez Gage reads 16.3 feet. The high point on your towboat is 38 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Natchez Highway Bridge?

    N a. 79.0 feet
    Y b. 71.7 feet
    N c. 65.2 feet
    N d. 59.1 feet

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

2892: You are steaming on a course of 114°T at 17 knots. At 1122 you observe a lighthouse bearing 077°T. At 1133 the lighthouse bears 051°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    N a. 3.3 miles
    N b. 3.9 miles
    Y c. 4.3 miles
    N d. 4.9 miles

3060: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 24.0 feet and a pitch of 21.3 feet. What would be the slip if the vessel cruised 510 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 86?

    N a. -12.2%
    N b. +12.2%
    Y c. -17.5%
    N d. +17.5%

10103: Your GPS position is LAT 37°01.5'N, LONG 75°31.7'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to Chesapeake Light?

    Y a. 243°
    N b. 240°
    N c. 237°
    N d. 231°

10501: At 0939 your GPS position is LAT 36°57.0'N, LONG 75°41.0'W. You are on course 119° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 12.8 knots. At 1017 your GPS indicates your position as LAT 36°54.2'N, LONG 75°33.1'W. What were the set and drift?

    N a. 280°T at 1.0 knot
    Y b. 275°T at 1.8 knots
    N c. 091°T at 1.6 knots
    N d. 103°T at 1.1 knots

12903: Your 1426 position is LAT 37°10.9'N, LONG 75°29.6'W. You are turning for 9.3 knots. What is your ETA at Chesapeake Light?

    N a. 1616
    N b. 1621
    N c. 1626
    Y d. 1633

13905: The Ruins (LAT 41°08.5'N, L0NG 72°08.8'W) is __________.

    N a. a classic example of 18th century military fortifications
    N b. in an area of unpredictable, treacherous currents
    N c. restricted to surface navigation due to fishery conservation projects nearby
    Y d. prohibited to the public

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

15260: From your 0830 position, you wish to make good 097°T. There is no current, but a southerly wind is producing 4°
leeway. What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass in order to make good your true course?

    N a. 101°psc
    N b. 108°psc
    N c. 110°psc
    Y d. 115°psc

15264: At 1100, your position is LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 72°28.0'W. You are steering a course of 069°T to leave Black Point one mile off your port beam. It has been reported that the Long Sand Shoal Buoys and Hatchett Reef Buoys are off station. What will serve to keep your vessel in safe water and away from these hazards?

    N a. Maintaining a 7 nm range off Orient Point
    Y b. Danger bearing to Black Point of not more than 064°T
    N c. A bearing to Little Gull Island Light of not less than 090°
    N d. A distance to Saybrook Breakwater Light of not less than 1.3 miles

15419: The mean high water level at Old Point Comfort is __________.

    Y a. 2.6 feet (0.8 meters)
    N b. 1.2 feet (0.4 meters)
    N c. 0.0 feet
    N d. -3.5 feet (-1.1 meters)

15464: What is the course per standard magnetic compass on the southern leg of York Spit Channel between buoys "15" and "23"?

    N a. 319°
    N b. 322°
    Y c. 339°
    N d. 341°

15760: As you near Little Gull Island, you use your loran to insure that you do not come within 0.5 mile of the island. Which loran reading will act as a danger line and keep you off Little Gull Island by a minimum of 0.5 mile?

    N a. Not more than 9960-W-14735.9
    N b. Not more than 9960-X-26149.0
    N c. Not less than 9960-X-26140.0
    Y d. Not less than 9960-Y-43953.5

15846: At 2200, you alter course to 204°T, at 14 knots. You expect a current on this leg of the trip, setting 325° at 1.5 knots. Which course should you steer per gyro compass to make good the true course?

    N a. 184°pgc
    N b. 190°pgc
    N c. 194°pgc
    Y d. 201°pgc

15907: At 0720, you are in the outer channel between buoy "1" and buoy "2" and change course to pass Townshend Ledge Lighted Gong Buoy "10A" abeam to port at 200 yards. What is your ETA off the buoy?

    N a. 0734
    Y b. 0738
    N c. 0741
    N d. 0745

15920: What chart should you use after you enter New London Harbor?

    N a. 13211
    Y b. 13213
    N c. 13214
    N d. 13272

16018: At 0550, engineering repairs are complete and speed is increased to 9.6 knots. At 0630, Falkner Island Light bears 023°pgc and Horton Point Light bears 097°pgc. From your 0630 fix you steer to make good a course of 086°T while turning for 9.6 knots. At 0700, Falkner Island Light bears 336.0°pgc and Horton Point Light bears 105.5°pgc. The radar range to the south tip of Falkner Island is 5.7 miles. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Your course made good from 0630 to 0700 was 082°T.
    N b. The speed made good from 0630 to 0700 was 10.1 knots.
    N c. The current from 0630 to 0700 was 279°T at 0.6 knot.
    Y d. You are making good your intended speed.

16039: From your 0820 position you change course to your rendezvous position, one mile due south of buoy "NH", speed 14.5 knots. You estimate the current to be 260°T at 0.5 knot. The wind is northwesterly at 20 knots and you estimate 2° leeway. What is your course per gyrocompass (pgc) to the rendezvous position, if you correct your heading for current and leeway?

    N a. 039°
    N b. 041°
    N c. 043°
    Y d. 045°

16206: 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
    Y b. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°13.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.3'N, LONG 72°14.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.5'N, LONG 71°14.9'W

16444: At 1042 you take the following round of bearings:

Cape Henry Light 259°T
Chesapeake Light 101°T
Cape Charles Light 006°T
From this position, you set course 070°T at a speed of 9.5 knots.

What is the course per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 069.5°psc
    N b. 060.5°psc
    Y c. 079.5°psc
    N d. 080.5°psc

16612: At 0112, what is the approximate depth under the keel?

    Y a. 38 feet (11.5 meters)
    N b. 47 feet (14.2 meters)
    N c. 51 feet (15.5 meters)
    N d. 57 feet (17.3 meters)