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.


79: The map shows a circle with two black quadrants located at mile 846.4 AHP. What does this indicate?


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.?


120: You estimate the current as 2.5 mph. What is the speed over the ground?


288: According to your track line, how far off New Point Comfort Spit Light "4" will you be when abeam of this light?

    N a. 0.5 mile
    Y b. 0.9 miles
    N c. 1.5 miles
    N d. 1.8 miles

403: You receive a distress call from a vessel reporting her position as LAT 30°21'N, LONG 88°34'W. Your position is LAT 24°30'N, LONG 83°00'W. Determine the true course and distance to the distress scene by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 317°T, 470 miles
    Y b. 320°T, 460 miles
    N c. 322°T, 455 miles
    N d. 324°T, 460 miles

409: A vessel steams 1082 miles on course 047°T from LAT 37°18.0'N, LONG 24°40.0'W. What is the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by Mercator sailing?

    N a. LAT 49°30.0'N, LONG 06°22.0'W
    N b. LAT 49°33.0'N, LONG 06°25.0'W
    Y c. LAT 49°36.0'N, LONG 06°28.0'W
    N d. LAT 49°39.0'N, LONG 06°31.0'W

433: What true course and speed did you make good between 0730 and 0900?

    N a. 271°T, 8.9 knots
    N b. 273°T, 8.7 knots
    Y c. 277°T, 8.4 knots
    N d. 284°T, 7.5 knots

441: 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?

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

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

478: The great circle distance from LAT 38°17'N, LONG 123°16'W to LAT 35°01'N, LONG 142°21'E is 4330 miles, and the initial course is 300.9°T. Determine the latitude of the vertex.

    N a. 46°54.8'N
    N b. 47°24.7'N
    N c. 47°35.2'N
    Y d. 47°40.5'N

494: What action should you take to compensate for the above current?

    N a. Continue on the same course and speed.
    N b. Alter your course to the right.
    N c. Slow to 8.5 knots.
    Y d. Alter your course to the left.

509: At 0112, the radar range to Branford Reef Light is 2.9 miles. At 0125, the range is 3.6 miles. What is the position of your 0125 running fix if you are steering 124°T at 12 knots?`

    N a. LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°48.7'W
    Y b. LAT 41°09.7'N, LONG 72°48.1'W
    N c. LAT 41°09.8'N, LONG 72°47.2'W
    N d. LAT 41°10.2'N, LONG 72°47.7'W

822: On 10 March , in DR position LAT 21°42.0'S, LONG 57°28.0'E, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Sun's lower limb. The chronometer time of the sight is 08h 28m 17s, and the chronometer error is 00m 00s. The sextant altitude (hs) is 72°08.0'. The index error is 3.4' on the arc, and your height of eye is 52.7 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    N a. LAT 21°32.5'S
    N b. LAT 21°40.6'S
    Y c. LAT 21°45.5'S
    N d. LAT 21°50.2'S

1342: What is the vertical clearance between the highest point of your towboat, if it is 45 feet above the water, and if the Natchez Gage reads 23.4 feet when passing under the Natchez-Vidalia Westbound Highway Bridge?

    N a. 67.5 feet
    Y b. 57.1 feet
    N c. 52.2 feet
    N d. 45.2 feet

1452: On 6 November , your 0752 zone time DR position is LAT 25°11.0'N, LONG 76°07.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 119°psc. The chronometer reads 12h 53m 07s, and the chronometer error is 01m 19s fast. The variation is 3°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 2.2°W
    N b. 3.8°W
    N c. 2.8°E
    Y d. 3.2°E

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

1490: On 11 January , your 0450 ZT position is LAT 38°42'N, LONG 14°16'W. You observe Polaris bearing 358.5°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 160°pgc and 173°psc. The variation is 9°W. What is the deviation for that heading?

    N a. 1°E
    N b. 1°W
    Y c. 3°W
    N d. 13°W

1503: On 30 July , your 0200 zone time (ZD +4) DR position is LAT 43°48'N, LONG 78°00 W. At that time, you observe Polaris bearing 008.7°psc. The chronometer time of the observation is 05h 58m 07s, and the chronometer is 0m 23s slow. The variation is 10.5°W. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

    N a. 0.5°E
    Y b. 3.0°E
    N c. 7.5°W
    N d. 18.0°W

1722: You estimate the current as 2.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground?

    N a. 4.5 mph
    Y b. 5.5 mph
    N c. 7.5 mph
    N d. 9.5 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

1765: The river will be temporarily closed to navigation at mile 531.3 AHP due to repairs to the bridge. This will occur at 1530, 5 January, and last for six hours. What minimum speed over the ground must you make from Red River Landing Gage in order not to be delayed?

    Y a. 6.2 mph
    N b. 6.4 mph
    N c. 6.8 mph
    N d. 7.3 mph

2003: On 20 June , your 1742 zone time DR position is LAT 24°55.0'S, LONG 8°19.6'E. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which three stars are best suited for a fix at star time?

    Y a. Regulus, Canopus, Antares
    N b. Spica, Arcturus, Alioth
    N c. Arcturus, Achernar, Pollux
    N d. Avior, Sabik, Fomalhaut

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

2105: You are southeast of Saybrook Breakwater Light passing Saybrook Bar Lighted Bell Buoy "8". This buoy marks __________.

    Y a. shoal water
    N b. a tide rips area
    N c. the junction with the Connecticut River
    N d. a sunken wreck

2206: What is the distance in river miles, from the new mouth of the White River to the RR and Hwy bridge at Baton Rouge, LA?

    N a. 338 miles
    Y b. 365 miles
    N c. 400 miles
    N d. 454 miles

2587: What VHF frequency would you use to listen to a weather forecast for the eastern part of Long Island Sound?

    N a. 156.65 MHz
    N b. 156.85 MHz
    Y c. 162.475 MHz
    N d. 162.775 MHz

2652: You are steering 163°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 11 miles at 0142. You change course to pass the light 2 miles off abeam to starboard. If you are making 13 knots, what is your ETA at the position 2 miles off the light?

    N a. 0226
    N b. 0229
    Y c. 0232
    N d. 0235

3292: Your vessel consumes 215 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 18.0 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 14.0 knots?

    N a. 67 bbls
    Y b. 101 bbls
    N c. 130 bbls
    N d. 167 bbls

3461: You wish to make good a course of 053°T while turning for an engine speed of 16 knots. The set is 345°T, and the drift is 2.4 knots. What speed will you make good along the track line?

    N a. 14.1 knots
    N b. 15.2 knots
    N c. 16.1 knots
    Y d. 16.8 knots

3650: The true course between two points is 194°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 2°W and you make an allowance of 1° leeway for a southwest wind. What gyro course should you steer to make the true course good?

    N a. 193°pgc
    N b. 195°pgc
    Y c. 197°pgc
    N d. 199°pgc

3767: You are on course 251°pgc and 241° per magnetic compass, when you observe a range in line bearing 192°pgc. The chart indicates that the range is in line on a bearing of 194°T. The variation is 16°E. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

    N a. 2°E
    N b. 2°W
    Y c. 4°W
    N d. 10°W

3769: Entering a harbor, you take a bearing on a range and get 338° per gyrocompass (pgc). The true bearing from the chart is 340°T. Variation for the area is 14°E. Your course is 329° per standard magnetic compass (psc) and 338°pgc. The deviation on this heading is __________.

    N a. 3°E
    Y b. 3°W
    N c. 5°E
    N d. 5°W

10906: What correction should be applied to the charted depths of the Poquoson River at York Point at the PM low water on 18 December 1983?

    N a. +1.9 feet
    N b. -0.1 feet
    Y c. -0.4 feet
    N d. No correction is necessary

11309: At 1919 your position is LAT 37°00.5'N, LONG 75°43.8'W. At 2019 your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. What is the course made good?

    N a. 090°T
    Y b. 093°T
    N c. 096°T
    N d. 099°T

13008: Your 2215 position is LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 72°59.4'W. You are making 15 knots. What is your ETA at Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy (LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°30.5'W)?

    N a. 2338
    Y b. 2343
    N c. 2349
    N d. 2354

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

13502: The four soundings in the vicinity of LAT 41°12.2'N, LONG 71°33.0'W, that are underlined with a bracket indicate __________.

    N a. that no bottom was found at the sounding depth indicated
    N b. a submerged rock not dangerous to surface navigation
    N c. the height a rock uncovers at low water springs
    Y d. a submerged danger that is cleared to the indicated depth by a wire drag

14515: At 2150, your position is LAT 36°57.2'N, LONG 76°01.3'W. In this position on the chart, you note a light magenta line running in a direction of 030°T. This line indicates the limits of __________.

    N a. a precautionary area
    Y b. a pilotage area
    N c. the Cape Henry Light red sector
    N d. chart 12222

14604: Contour elevations on this chart refer to heights in feet above mean __________.

    N a. lower low water
    N b. high water
    N c. low water
    Y d. sea level

15017: At 2100, you alter course to 250°T and reduce speed to 7 knots. You enter the traffic separation scheme on the inbound side. At 2200, your fix shows you crossing a broken purple line on the chart, and you observe North Chesapeake Entrance Lighted Gong Buoy "NCD" to port. This area is __________.

    Y a. a precautionary area centered on buoy "CBJ"
    N b. a pilotage area
    N c. an area with local magnetic disturbances
    N d. in inland waters

15064: At 0844, the range to the north end of Falkner Island is 2.0 miles and the left tangent bearing is 102°T. If the height of the tide is +1.0 foot, what is the approximate depth of the water under the keel?

    N a. 14 ft (4.2 meters)
    Y b. 19 ft (5.8 meters)
    N c. 22 ft (6.7 meters)
    N d. 29 ft (8.8 meters)

15243: At 1245 the GPS shows your position to be LAT 41°10.3'N, LONG 72°44.2'W. You are steering a course of 284°T at an engine speed of 13.0 knots. At what time would you expect the New Haven Harbor Outer Range to be in line if you have a current setting 112°T at 1.2 knots?

    N a. 1318
    Y b. 1323
    N c. 1328
    N d. 1343

15268: Your vessel is proceeding up New London Harbor Channel, and you are in line with the range. What would be your course per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 352°
    N b. 354°
    N c. 002°
    Y d. 007°

15307: At 0315, you obtain the following bearings:

Old Plantation Flats Light bearing 179.5° true
Wolf Trap Light bearing 271° true

What is the true course from this position to the entrance of York Spit Channel?

    N a. 203°
    Y b. 208°
    N c. 211°
    N d. 217°

15409: 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?

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

15541: You alter course to make good 076°T from your 2200 fix,
and estimate you will make 13.6 knots over the ground. If the visibility is 5.5 miles, what is the earliest time you will sight Falkner Island Light? (nominal range 13 miles)

    N a. The light is visible at 2200
    N b. 2221
    Y c. 2236
    N d. You will not sight the light

15630: 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
    N b. chute
    Y c. crossing
    N d. slough

15657: What was the course made good from 0630 to 0654?

    N a. 078°T
    Y b. 082°T
    N c. 086°T
    N d. 090°T

16509: At 0705, with your gyro again functioning properly, you change course to 096°T. At this time Race Rock Light is bearing 000°T at 0.35 mile. You are now governed by which Navigation Rules?

    N a. Inland Rules
    N b. Local Pilot Rules
    Y c. International Rules
    N d. Coastal Fishery Rules