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.

113: What is indicated by the two light gray shaded areas that cross the river above False River Lt. (mile 251.0 AHP)?
115: After passing Wilkinson Lt. (mile 310.0 AHP) you see a flashing amber light on the right descending bank ahead. The flashing light indicates that you should __________.
126: What is your clearance as you pass under the Vicksburg Highway 80 Bridge (mile 437.8 AHP). if the Vicksburg Gage reads 14.8 feet and the highest point on your tow boat is 44.5 feet?
156: What are the dimensions of the Old River Lock? 

    N a. 110 ft x 1190 ft
    N b. 100 ft x 990 ft
    N c. 75 ft x 1000 ft
    Y d. 75 ft x 1190 ft
218: If there is no current, what is the course per gyro compass from your 1600 position to point A located 0.5 mile due east of Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy "12"? 

    N a. 199°pgc
    N b. 196°pgc
    Y c. 193°pgc
    N d. 190°pgc
256: At 0209, your position is LAT 41°01.8'N, LONG 72°40.8'W. What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good 278° magnetic? (assume no set and drift) 

    N a. 262.0°psc
    N b. 265.0°psc
    N c. 270.5°psc
    Y d. 275.5°psc
273: If you correct for the current in the previous question (215°T at 0.5 knot) and maintain an engine speed of 7.5 knots, what is your ETA 0.5 mile south of buoy "W"? 

    N a. 1014
    N b. 1018
    N c. 1021
    Y d. 1026
347: If you change course at 0420, what is the course to make good to leave Twenty Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy abeam to port at 1 mile? 

    N a. 086°T
    Y b. 084°T
    N c. 082°T
    N d. 079°T
369: At 0812, you obtain the following radar information:


Cape Henry Light bearing 284°true @ 3.8 nm

What is your 0812 position? 

    N a. LAT 36°53.7'N, LONG 75°56.0'W
    N b. LAT 36°53.8'N, LONG 75°56.1'W
    Y c. LAT 36°54.6'N, LONG 75°55.8'W
    N d. LAT 36°55.2'N, LONG 75°55.4'W
416: A vessel at LAT 18°54'N, LONG 73°00'E, heads for a destination at LAT 13°12'N, LONG 54°00'E. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 247°T, 1161 miles
    N b. 250°T, 1172 miles
    Y c. 253°T, 1154 miles
    N d. 256°T, 1136 miles
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
504: At 2142, you change course to make good 030°T and increase speed to 14 knots. You rendezvous with another vessel and receive fresh supplies while off New Haven Harbor lighted whistle buoy "NH". What is the light characteristic of this buoy? 

    N a. _ .
    N b. _ _
    N c. . .
    Y d. . _
550: You observe the star Antares at a sextant altitude (hs) of 38°18.7' on 28 February . The index error is 2.4' on the arc. The height of eye is 40 feet (12.2 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)? 

    N a. 38°07.5'
    Y b. 38°09.0'
    N c. 38°10.5'
    N d. 38°12.5'
676: You are planning a voyage from Jacksonville, FL, to the Strait of Gibraltar. Using chart WOXZC 5274, determine which statement is TRUE. 

    N a. All of the courses lie in the northeast quadrant of the compass.
    N b. You will be east of the Northern Hemisphere vertex during the entire voyage.
    N c. The great circle track approximates a rhumb line track because there is little difference in the latitudes.
    Y d. None of the above are true.
739: On 29 April , your 1913 zone time DR position is LAT 22°09.0'N, LONG 56°16.0'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 22°25.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 11h 11m 14s, and the chronometer error is 02m 18s slow. The index error is 1.5' off the arc, and the height of eye is 61.5 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    N a. 21°39.9'N
    N b. 21°55.7'N
    Y c. 22°39.9'N
    N d. 22°48.8'N
809: On 7 November , your 0830 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 27°36.0'N, LONG 163°19.0'W. Your vessel is on course 289°T, and your speed is 19.0 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1138 zone time, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 45°35.0'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN? 

    N a. 27°52.3'N
    N b. 27°53.4'N
    N c. 27°55.1'N
    Y d. 27°57.2'N
1010: On 8 February , your 0800 zone time position is LAT 21°55'S, LONG 52°27'W. Your vessel is on course 056°T at a speed of 17.5 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0938 zone time, and the observed altitude (Ho) is 46°06.5'. The chronometer reads 12h 37m 23s, and the chronometer error is 1m 24s slow. LAN occurs at 1243 zone time, and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 83°56.1'. Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position. 

    N a. LAT 20°57.0'S, LONG 51°21.5'W
    N b. LAT 20°58.0'S, LONG 51°25.5'W
    N c. LAT 21°04.0'S, LONG 51°12.0'W
    Y d. LAT 21°04.0'S, LONG 51°21.5'W
1010: On 8 February , your 0800 zone time position is LAT 21°55'S, LONG 52°27'W. Your vessel is on course 056°T at a speed of 17.5 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0938 zone time, and the observed altitude (Ho) is 46°06.5'. The chronometer reads 12h 37m 23s, and the chronometer error is 1m 24s slow. LAN occurs at 1243 zone time, and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 83°56.1'. Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position. 

    N a. LAT 20°57.0'S, LONG 51°21.5'W
    N b. LAT 20°58.0'S, LONG 51°25.5'W
    N c. LAT 21°04.0'S, LONG 51°12.0'W
    Y d. LAT 21°04.0'S, LONG 51°21.5'W
1109: On 5 May , your 1600 zone time DR position is LAT 17°28'S, LONG 143°39'E. You are on course 316°T at a speed of 17 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1800 running fix. 

    Y a. LAT 17°05.2'S, LONG 143°11.4'E
    N b. LAT 17°07.8'S, LONG 143°17.5'E
    N c. LAT 17°08.2'S, LONG 143°07.9'E
    N d. LAT 17°09.7'S, LONG 143°10.1'E
1189: On 7 February , your 0800 zone time DR position is LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 92°26.0'W. Your vessel is on course 270°
T at a speed of 20.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    N a. 1218
    N b. 1222
    N c. 1226
    Y d. 1230
1363: You are taking a time tick using the 1400 signal from Buenos Aires, Argentina. You hear a 0.4 second dash followed by a series of dots, noting that the 29th and the 56th to 59th dots are omitted. At the start of the following 0.4 second dash (which is followed by an 8 second pulse), the comparing watch reads 02h 00m 15s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 02h 01m 29s, and the chronometer reads 01h 59m 50s. What is the chronometer error? 

    N a. 0m 15s fast
    N b. 1m 14s fast
    Y c. 1m 24s slow
    N d. 1m 54s slow
1416: Which company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Madison Parish (mile 457.0 AHP)? 

    N a. Complex Chemical Co.
    N b. Delta Southern Railroads
    N c. Mid-Delta Helena, LLC
    Y d. Baxter Wilson
1497: On 19 November , your 0146 ZT position is LAT 33°48'N, LONG 25°22'E. You observe Polaris bearing 359.8°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 224°pgc and 222.5°psc. The variation is 2°E. What is the deviation for that heading? 

    N a. 2.0°E
    N b. 0.5°E
    Y c. 1.0°W
    N d. 1.5°W
1666: On 23 October , your vessel's 1722 zone time DR position is LAT 27°36'S, LONG 96°16'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's lower limb is about 20 minutes of arc above the visible horizon and bears 246° per standard compass. Variation in the area is 14.0°E. The chronometer reads 11h 24m 19s and is 01m 43s fast. What is the deviation of the standard compass? 

    N a. 2.3°E
    N b. 2.7°E
    N c. 2.7°W
    Y d. 3.1°W
1675: On 28 November , your vessel's 0652 DR position is LAT 37°30'N, LONG 124°12'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 103° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 16.3°E. The chronometer reads 02h 54m 18s and is 02m 06s fast. What is the deviation of the compass? 

    Y a. 2.5°W
    N b. 3.0°W
    N c. 2.0°E
    N d. 3.0°E
1727: You pass under the Natchez bridge (mile 363.3 AHP) at 1300, on 27 March, and estimate the current to be 3.3 mph. What is your ETA at St. Louis if you continue to turn for 7.5 mph? 

    N a. 0617,  4 April
    Y b. 0316,  4 April
    N c. 1153, 30 March
    N d. 1253, 31 April
1810: You are turning for 9 mph, approaching Fort Adams Lt. (mile 311.4 AHP) and it is reported that the current at Knox Landing is estimated at 4.5 MPH. Which of the following statements is TRUE? 

    Y a. Tows and other vessels should navigate as close to the left descending bank as safety will permit.
    N b. The inflow channel is a navigable channel for any vessel.
    N c. You are making 13.5 mph over the ground.
    N d. Old River Control Structure Light and Fort Adams Light may be used as range lights when entering the outflow channel.
1810: You are turning for 9 mph, approaching Fort Adams Lt. (mile 311.4 AHP) and it is reported that the current at Knox Landing is estimated at 4.5 MPH. Which of the following statements is TRUE? 

    Y a. Tows and other vessels should navigate as close to the left descending bank as safety will permit.
    N b. The inflow channel is a navigable channel for any vessel.
    N c. You are making 13.5 mph over the ground.
    N d. Old River Control Structure Light and Fort Adams Light may be used as range lights when entering the outflow channel.
1929: You are taking a time tick using the 1930 signal from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. You hear the preparatory signal "CQ DE PPE" repeated several times followed by a short dash (0.4 sec), 60 dots (0.1 sec each) and another short dash. At the beginning of the last dash, the comparing watch reads 07h 30m 13s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 07h 31m 56s, and the chronometer reads 07h 30m 21s. What is the chronometer error? 

    N a. 0m 13s fast
    N b. 1m 43s fast
    Y c. 1m 22s slow
    N d. 1m 48s slow
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
2532: At 0715, on March 9, you pass Knox Landing GagE C313.8 AHP) and estimate the current will average 3.5 mph for the remainder of the time on the Mississippi River. What is your ETA at the mouth of the Ohio River if you increase speed to turn for 10 mph? 

    N a. 0640, 11 March
    N b. 0554, 12 March
    Y c. 0943, 13 March
    N d. 1242, 13 March
2577: On 23 July, you take a time tick using the 0900 GMT Cape Town broadcast. You hear a repeating series of 59 dots followed by a dash. At the beginning of the fifth dash you start your stopwatch. The chronometer reads 08h 39m 16s at the time the stopwatch reads 01m 42s. The chronometer error at 0900 GMT, 22 July, was 22m 24s slow. What is the chronometer rate? 

    Y a. 00m 02s losing
    N b. 01m 02s gaining
    N c. 22m 24s losing
    N d. 22m 26s slow
2592: What chart would you need to enter Port Jefferson Harbor? 

    Y a. 12362
    N b. 12364
    N c. 12369
    N d. 12370
2885: Your vessel is steering 194°T at 13 knots. At 0116 a light bears 243°T, and at 0147 the same light bears 267°T. What will be your distance off abeam? 

    N a. 11.2 miles
    N b. 11.6 miles
    Y c. 12.0 miles
    N d. 12.5 miles
3300: You have steamed 156 miles and consumed 19 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 273 miles? 

    N a. 23.6 tons
    N b. 27.9 tons
    Y c. 33.3 tons
    N d. 37.2 tons
3319: You are taking a time tick using the 2000 signal from Kekaha-Kauai, Hawaii (WWVH). You hear a series of 1 second dashes followed by a 9 second silent period, then a long 1.3 second dash. At the beginning of the long dash, your comparing watch reads 08h 00m 12s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 08h 01m 22s, and the chronometer reads 07h 59m 39s. What is the chronometer error? 

    N a. 0m 12s fast
    N b. 1m 10s fast
    N c. 0m 21s slow
    Y d. 1m 31s slow
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
4003: 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 gyro heading of 058°.
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° 

    Y a. 1.5°W
    N b. 1.0°W
    N c. 1.0°E
    N d. 0.5°W
4017: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°E. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a gyro heading of 196°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 350° 122.5° - 110° 239.5° - 230°
030.5° - 020° 152.0° - 140° 269.0° - 260°
061.5° - 050° 181.0° - 170° 298.0° - 290°
092.0° - 080° 210.0° - 200° 327.5° - 320° 

    N a. 2.0°E
    N b. 2.0°W
    N c. 1.0°W
    Y d. 0.0°
11405: At 2125 your GPS position is LAT 41°05.7'N, LONG 72°46.5'W. At 2208 your position is LAT 41°03.3'N, LONG 72°37.9'W. What was your course made good by standard magnetic compass? 

    Y a. 123°psc
    N b. 287°psc
    N c. 303°psc
    N d. 326°psc
12708: You are on course 302° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Little Gull Island Light 283°psc Race Rock Light 311°psc Latimer Reef Light 027°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°12.2'N, LONG 71°57.6'W
    N b. LAT 41°12.4'N, LONG 71°57.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.4'N, LONG 71°57.9'W
    Y d. LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 71°57.6'W
13401: You are planning to anchor in Orient Harbor at LAT 41°07.9'N, LONG 72°18.5'W. Assuming that normal conditions exist, how much anchor cable should you put out? 

    N a. 16 to  18 feet
    N b. 40 to  60 feet
    Y c. 80 to 112 feet
    N d. 120 to 140 feet
13702: What chart should you use in Lynnhaven Bay (west of Cape Henry)? 

    N a. 12221
    N b. 12256
    N c. 12205
    Y d. 12254
15029: What type of daymark will you see as you approach Gold Dust Bar Light (mile 793.3 AHP) ? 

    Y a. Red diamond
    N b. Red triangle
    N c. Green square
    N d. Green diamond
15210: What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass in order to navigate down the center of York River Entrance Channel (ignore set and drift)? 

    N a. 139°psc
    Y b. 141°psc
    N c. 147°psc
    N d. 149°psc
15364: At 0615, Stratford Point Light bears 292°pgc, Falkner Island Light bears 052°pgc, and Branford Reef Light bears 018°pgc. What was the current since 0530? 

    Y a. 083° at 1.2 knots
    N b. 083° at 0.9 knots
    N c. 263° at 1.2 knots
    N d. 263° at 0.9 knots
15413: From your 1915 fix you come right and steer a course of 200°T. At 2000, your position is LAT 37°05.5'N, LONG 76°07.0'W. Your intention is to pass through Chesapeake Channel. If there are no set and drift, what course would you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good a course of 145°T? 

    N a. 134°
    N b. 139°
    N c. 151°
    Y d. 156°
15858: At 0005, on 26 January, your position is LAT 41°11.8'N,
LONG 72°20.5'W. From this position, you plot a course to a position one mile North of Mattituck Breakwater Light "MI". If there are no set and drift, what course should you steer per gyro compass? 

    N a. 219°pgc
    Y b. 222°pgc
    N c. 225°pgc
    N d. 228°pgc
16562: At 1850, you obtain the following bearings and distance:

Block Island North Light 085°T
Watch Hill Light 342°T 5.8 miles

What true speed did you make good between 1830 and 1850? 

    N a. 2.9 knots
    N b. 5.7 knots
    Y c. 8.0 knots
    N d. 8.7 knots
16845: After the pilot boards, he tells you the gyro has a 2°E error. If this is true, what should the bearing be along Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel as your vessel passes abeam of it? 

    N a. 052°pgc
    N b. 049°pgc
    Y c. 047°pgc
    N d. 045°pgc