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.


71: The Natchez Gage reads 20.6 feet. The high point on your towboat is 47 feet above the water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Natchez Highway Bridge?


71: The Natchez Gage reads 20.6 feet. The high point on your towboat is 47 feet above the water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Natchez Highway Bridge?


91: At 0305 on 18 April, you pass under the Greenville Bridge (mile 531.3 AHP). What was your average speed since departing Amoco Pipeline Co. Docks (mile 253.6 AHP)?


124: At 1000, on May 11th, you are passing George Prince Lt. (mile 364.1 AHP) in Natchez, Mississippi and must send an ETA to the Monsanto Terminal in St. Louis (mile 178.0 UMR). Your engines are still turning for 8.5 mph and you estimate the current at 2.5 mph. What will be your arrival time in St. Louis?

    N a. 1919 on 15 May
    N b. 2344 on 15 May
    Y c. 1757 on 16 May
    N d. 2236 on 16 May

151: What is the distance from the Memphis Gage to the Redneb Services Dock in New Orleans, LA.

    N a. 460 miles
    N b. 503 miles
    N c. 588 miles
    Y d. 633 miles

246: The red sector of New London Harbor Light covers from __________.

    N a. 040° - 310°
    N b. 000° - 031°
    N c. 208° - 220°
    Y d. 000° - 041°

442: Shortly after getting underway, you sight Stonington Outer Breakwater Light in line with Stonington Inner Breakwater Light bearing 000° per gyrocompass. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The deviation is 2°W
    N b. The variation is 2°E.
    N c. The compass error is 16°W.
    Y d. The gyro error is 2.5°W

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

604: At 1820 zone time, on 21 March , you depart San Francisco, LAT 37°48.5'N, LONG 122°24.0'W (ZD +8). You are bound for Melbourne, LAT 37°49.2'S, LONG 144°56.0'E, and you estimate your speed of advance at 21 knots. The distance is 6,970 miles. What is your estimated zone time of arrival at Melbourne?

    N a. 1214, 4 April
    N b. 2214, 4 April
    Y c. 0814, 5 April
    N d. 1314, 5 April

671: You are on a voyage from Nome to Honolulu via Unimak Pass (LAT 54°30'N, LONG 164°30'W). The great circle track passes through a point at LAT 38°00'N, LONG 161°40'W. Using gnomonic chart WOXZC5270, determine which answer is TRUE. (The great circle distance, Unimak Pass to Honolulu, is 2013 miles.)

    N a. A great circle track results in a significant savings in distance when compared to a rhumb line.
    N b. The northern vertex of the great circle track would lie between Unimak Pass and Nome.
    N c. Distance of the great circle track is measured by using the length of degree of latitude at the mid-latitude of the track.
    Y d. A great circle course would offer no significant advantage because the rhumb line course is close to 180°.

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

981: On 20 September , your 0730 zone time position was LAT 28°58.0'N, LONG 152°26.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 225°T at a speed of 19.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0931 ZT. The chronometer read 07h 29m 20s and was slow 02m 22s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 44°14.4'. LAN occurred at 1206 zone time. The observed altitude (Ho) was 62°49.5'. What was the longitude of your 1200 zone time running fix?

    N a. LONG 153°32.5'W
    N b. LONG 153°27.2'W
    Y c. LONG 153°23.5'W
    N d. LONG 153°20.0'W

1145: 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?

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

1205: On 25 April , your 1130 DR position is LAT 24°50.0'N, LONG 61°25.0'W. Your vessel is on a course of 300°T at a speed of 16.0 knots. Determine the zone time of (LAN) for your vessel.

    N a. 1154
    N b. 1156
    N c. 1202
    Y d. 1204

1229: Which type of daymark would you see on the Belle Island Corner Lt. at mile 458.6 AHP?

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

1280: On 27 March , your 0330 zone time DR position is LAT 23°32'N, LONG 154°47'E. Your vessel is on a course of 105°T at a speed of 20 knots. What will be the zone time of sunrise at your vessel?

    Y a. 0534
    N b. 0557
    N c. 0612
    N d. 0624

1300: You estimate the current as 2.5 mph. What is the speed over the ground?

    N a. 11.0 mph
    N b. 8.0 mph
    Y c. 6.0 mph
    N d. 5.5 mph

1453: On 15 October , your 0325 zone time DR position is LAT 26°51.0'N, LONG 138°17.0'W. At that time, you observe Canopus bearing 167°pgc. The chronometer reads 00h 25m 36s, and the chronometer error is 00m 20s slow. The variation is 2°E. What is the gyro error?

    Y a. 1.3°W
    N b. 3.2°W
    N c. 3.2°E
    N d. 4.1°W

1543: As you pass under the Natchez-Vidalia Dual Bridge, the gage on the bridge reads -3.6 feet. If the highest point on your vessel is 62 ft. above the water, what is your vertical clearance?

    N a. 60.0 feet
    N b. 63.6 feet
    Y c. 67.6 feet
    N d. 122.0 feet

1661: On 11 May , in DR position LAT 28°13.7'N, LONG 168°36.3'E, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 283°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 13m 19s and is 02m 56s slow. Variation in the area is 13°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 5.2°W
    Y b. 5.6°W
    N c. 7.4°E
    N d. 7.8°E

1734: 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. 0207, 21 October
    Y c. 0519, 21 October
    N d. 0847, 21 October

1841: At 0509, on 26 December, 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 7.5 mph?

    N a. 1.8 mph
    N b. 2.1 mph
    Y c. 4.4 mph
    N d. 5.6 mph

1881: On 13 September , your 1830 ZT DR position was LAT 23°03'S, LONG 105°16'E, when you observed a faint unidentifiable star through a hole in the clouds. The star bore 148.0°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 32°24.3'. The chronometer read 11h 24m 39s and is 05m 08s slow. The index error is 1.0' off the arc, and the height of eye is 52 feet. What star did you observe?

    N a. Beta Gruis
    Y b. Alpha Tucanae
    N c. Beta Aquarii
    N d. Alpha Indi

1885: On 26 November , your 0535 DR position is LAT 27°18.9'S, LONG 30°18.4'E. You observe an unidentified planet bearing 037°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 50°06.4'. The chronometer reads 03h 33m 16s and is 01m 48s slow. What planet did you observe?

    N a. Saturn
    N b. Jupiter
    Y c. Mars
    N d. Venus

1889: On 22 July , your 1759 DR position is LAT 24°50.2'S, LONG 05°16.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 293°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 17°52.8'. The chronometer reads 06h 01m 31s, and is 02m 15s fast. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Regulus
    N b. Antares
    N c. Miaplacidus
    N d. Suhail

2672: While on a course of 283°pgc, a light bears 10° on the port bow at a distance of 8.3 miles. What course should you steer to pass 3.5 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port?

    N a. 289°pgc
    N b. 294°pgc
    Y c. 298°pgc
    N d. 302°pgc

2787: What is the length of the trip?

    Y a. 1088.5 miles
    N b. 1332.2 miles
    N c. 1334.6 miles
    N d. 1566.4 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

3623: Your vessel is steering course 166°psc, variation for the area is 8°W, and deviation is 3°W. The wind is from the west-southwest, producing a 2° leeway. What true course are you making good?

    Y a. 153°T
    N b. 157°T
    N c. 175°T
    N d. 179°T

4004: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°W. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a magnetic compass heading of 166°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 354° 122.5° - 114° 239.5° - 234°
030.5° - 024° 152.0° - 144° 269.0° - 264°
061.5° - 054° 181.0° - 174° 298.0° - 294°
092.0° - 084° 210.0° - 204° 327.5° - 324°

    N a. 2.0°W
    Y b. 1.5°W
    N c. 1.0°W
    N d. 0.5°W

10600: At 1620 your GPS indicates a position of LAT 41°09.0'N, LONG 72°40.0'W. You are on course 134° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 10 knots. At 1700 your GPS indicates your position as LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 72°33.7'W. What were the set and drift?

    N a. 067°T at 1.7 knots
    N b. 078°T at 1.1 knots
    N c. 243°T at 1.0 knot
    Y d. 249°T at 1.6 knots

10703: At 1516 your position is LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 71°48.6'W. You are on course 300° per standard magnetic compass at 9.4 knots. At 1600 your position is LAT 41°14.0'N, LONG 71°58.1'W. What were the set and drift?

    N a. 142°T at 1.9 knots
    N b. 153°T at 1.4 knots
    Y c. 332°T at 1.5 knots
    N d. 347°T at 1.1 knots

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

12505: You are on course 056°psc, when you take the following bearings:
New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" 260°psc Horn Harbor Entrance Light "HH" 285°psc Wolf Trap Light 336°psc What is the position of the fix?

    Y a. LAT 37°19.3'N, LONG 76°08.5'W
    N b. LAT 37°19.3'N, LONG 76°08.8'W
    N c. LAT 37°19.2'N, LONG 76°08.2'W
    N d. LAT 37°19.2'N, LONG 76°08.7'W

13901: The precautionary area southeast of Block Island refers to a __________.

    Y a. recommended traffic lane
    N b. military exercise area
    N c. national marine refuge
    N d. dumping ground for hazardous wastes

15044: At 0841 Chesapeake Light bears 164° true, Cape Charles Light bears 312° true, and Cape Henry Light bears 247°
true. What was your course made good since 0811?

    Y a. 226°true
    N b. 230°true
    N c. 233° true
    N d. 237°true

15046: As you pass through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel,
you take a bearing of 047°pgc along trestle C when it is in line. The helmsman reports the vessel's heading as 316°
pgc and 329°psc. What is the deviation on that heading?

    N a. 3°E
    N b. 1°E
    Y c. 1°W
    N d. 9°W

15069: During extreme low water, the soundings near Saybrook may require corrections up to __________.

    N a. 1 foot (+.3 meters)
    N b. -2 feet (-.6 meters)
    Y c. -3.5 feet (-1.1 meters)
    N d. The sounding datum is based on extreme low water and no correction is necessary

15246: From your 1845 position, you desire to leave Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light 1.0 mile off your starboard beam at 1900. Which course and speed would you order if you allow for a 2.0 knot current with a set of 180°T?

    N a. 205°T at 9.2 knots
    N b. 208°T at 11.4 knots
    Y c. 215°T at 9.2 knots
    N d. 225°T at 11.5 knots

15715: Little Gull Island 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
    Y c. lighted throughout 24 hours
    N d. obscured by trees from 253° to 352°

15867: You anticipate a maximum flood current north of Stratford Shoal. You will be set in which general direction?

    N a. Northerly
    N b. Easterly
    N c. Southerly
    Y d. Westerly

15942: At 1959 Watch Hill Point Light bears 030°T, Montauk Point Light bears 146°T, and Little Gull Light bears 283°T. What is the approximate fathometer reading?

    Y a. 51 feet
    N b. 73 feet
    N c. 95 feet
    N d. 111 feet

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

16060: The short-long dashed, magenta lines parallel to York River Entrance Channel mark __________.

    Y a. fish trap areas
    N b. naval exercise areas
    N c. underwater cables
    N d. recommended track lines

16410: By 1015, visibility has increased to 5.0 miles and you can see Fishers Island. Fishers Island has __________.

    N a. low and sandy beaches with salt ponds and marsh grass
    N b. sheer cliffs rising from the sea to a high, flat plateau
    N c. barren, rocky hills with prominent sandy beaches
    Y d. sparsely wooded hills and is fringed with shoals to the south

16570: NOAA VHF-FM weather broadcasts from Providence, RI are on __________.

    N a. 162.25 MHz
    N b. 162.30 MHz
    Y c. 162.40 MHz
    N d. 162.55 MHz

16738: At 2212 your position is LAT 40° 51'N, LONG 71° 53.5'W.

What is the course to steer, per gyrocompass from your 2212 position, to leave Montauk Point Buoy "MP" abeam to port at 1 mile if easterly winds are causing 3° of leeway?

    N a. 027° pgc
    N b. 030° pgc
    N c. 032° pgc
    Y d. 035° pgc

16740: At 2245 visibility improves and Montauk Point Light bears 355°pgc. At 2314 Montauk Point Light bears 331°pgc, and at 2329 the light bears 311°pgc. Based on your 2329 running fix which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are shoreward of the 90 foot curve.
    N b. Your fathometer reads about 136 feet.
    Y c. You are being set to the left of the track.
    N d. You allowed too much leeway for the easterly winds.