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.

66: At 2126, you pass Morganza Bend Light (mile 278.4 AHP). At 0122, 4 January, you pass Red River Landing Gage (302.4 AHP). You have been turning for 7.5 mph. What is the current?
88: What is the vertical clearance between the highest point of your towboat, if it is 58 feet above the water, and if the Natchez Gage reads 28.13 feet when passing under the Natchez Upper Highway Bridge?
226: At 2000, your position is LAT 37°04.1'N, LONG 76°05.6'W. You change course for the Eastern Shore. At 2037, Old Plantation Flats Light bears 033°pgc, and York Spit Light bears 282°pgc. The course made good from your 2000 position is __________.
255: From your 0130 position, you change course to adjust for set and drift, and you later obtain the following lbearings:

Mattituck Inlet Light bearing 104.5°true
Falkner Island Light bearing 001°true

What is the latitude and longitude of the fix? 

    N a. LAT 41°00.8'N,  LONG 72°40.8'W
    N b. LAT 41°01.2'N,  LONG 72°40.4'W
    Y c. LAT 41°02.0'N,  LONG 72°39.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°02.6'N,  LONG 72°39.0'W
261: You must arrive at your final destination by 0800. The distance from your 0300 position to the final destination is 40.5 miles. What minimum speed must be made good to arrive on time? 

    N a. 9.6 knots
    N b. 9.3 knots
    N c. 8.5 knots
    Y d. 8.1 knots
287: If the visibility is 11 miles, what is the luminous range of New Point Comfort Spit Light "4"? 

    N a. 6.5 mile
    Y b. 5.0 miles
    N c. 3.3 miles
    N d. 2.0 miles
303: A vessel steams 576 miles on course 260°T from LAT 40°36'N, LONG 50°24'W. What are the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by mid-latitude sailing? 

    N a. LAT 39°12'N, LONG 62°28'W
    N b. LAT 39°06'N, LONG 62°34'W
    N c. LAT 39°02'N, LONG 62°37'W
    Y d. LAT 38°56'N, LONG 62°42'W
411: A vessel steams 3312 miles on course 282°T from LAT 34°24'S, LONG 18°18'E. What is the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by Mercator sailing? 

    N a. LAT 22°39'S, LONG 43°17'W
    N b. LAT 22°42'S, LONG 43°14'W
    N c. LAT 22°47'S, LONG 43°10'W
    Y d. LAT 22°55'S, LONG 43°05'W
419: At 0900, you take the following radar ranges:

Watch Hill Point 5.4 miles
Block Island Grace Point 8.3 miles

Which statement about this fix is TRUE? 

    N a. You are to the left of the track line.
    N b. The bottom in the area is sand and gravel.
    N c. You are governed by the Inland Rules.
    Y d. The fix is indeterminate.
558: At 0530, you change course to 090°T and increase speed to 8.5 knots. What is the course to steer per gyro compass if northerly winds are causing 2° of leeway? 

    N a. 094°pgc
    N b. 092°pgc
    Y c. 090°pgc
    N d. 088°pgc
703: In high water conditions, which publication would you consult for the latest information on buoys between Baton Rouge and Cairo? 

    N a. List of Buoys and Daymarks
    N b. U.S.C.G. Light List
    N c. Army Corps. of Engineers  Navigation Map
    Y d. None of the above
989: On 2 April , your 0830 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 20°16.0'S, LONG 004°12.0'E. Your vessel is steaming a course of 143°T at a speed of 18.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's upper limb is made at 0903 zone time, and the observed altitude (Ho) is 42°39.6'. The chronometer reads 09h 05m 40s, and the chronometer error is 02m 15s fast. Local apparent noon occurs at 1145 zone time,
and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made.
The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 63°46.2'.
Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position. 

    N a. LAT 21°10.1'S, LONG 004°53.9'E
    N b. LAT 21°14.0'S, LONG 004°55.0'E
    Y c. LAT 21°18.0'S, LONG 005°00.5'E
    N d. LAT 22°42.0'S, LONG 004°57.0'E
1086: On 15 July , your vessel is enroute from Portland, OR, to Singapore, Malaysia. You are steering course 243°T and making a speed of 16 knots. Your 1845 zone time DR is LAT 27°42.0'N, LONG 167°02.0'E. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1945 running fix. NP-0016

    Y a. LAT 27°31.1'N, LONG 166°43.0'E
    N b. LAT 27°38.5'N, LONG 166°45.1'E
    N c. LAT 27°45.3'N, LONG 166°32.2'E
    N d. LAT 28°18.1'N, LONG 166°39.8'E
1209: It is 22 October and you are keeping zone time +4. You are on course 083°T, speed 24 knots. Your 0820 DR position is LAT 26°10.0'N, LONG 52°20.0'W. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks? 

    N a. 10h 04m 36s
    N b. 10h 04m 53s
    N c. 11h 04m 37s
    Y d. 11h 08m 54s
1249: What is the white/black within a circle symbol found at mile 592.1 AHP? 

    N a. Terrence Landing Light
    N b. Daymark
    Y c. River Gage
    N d. Information Board
1303: On which map would you find Redman Point, Arkansas? 

    Y a. 20
    N b. 38
    N c. 45
    N d. 60
1366: On which river is New Providence, TN located? 

    N a. Allegheny
    N b. Upper Mississippi
    N c. Ohio
    Y d. Cumberland
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
1768: The Natchez Gage reads 14.5 feet. The high point on your towboat is 47 feet above the water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Natchez - Vidalia Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 58.0 feet
    Y b. 64.5 feet
    N c. 72.5 feet
    N d. 78.6 feet
1811: Where would you find out which buoys, if any, are in place at Concordia Bar crossing (mile 596.0 AHP)? 

    Y a. Notice to Mariners
    N b. Bulletin board at the Rosedale Gage
    N c. Waterways Journal
    N d. None of the above
1888: On 8 April , your evening DR position is LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 157°58.3'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 238°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 50°02.7'. The chronometer reads 05h 09m 57s, and is 01m 23s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Betelgeuse
    N b. Aldebaran
    Y c. Alnilam
    N d. Bellatrix
2110: From your 0100 position, you change course to 258° per standard magnetic compass. Your engine speed is 10.0 knots. A short time later, your fathometer reads 51 feet (15.5 meters) under the keel. What is the water depth? 

    N a. 38.5 feet (11.7 meters)
    N b. 43.5 feet (13.2 meters)
    N c. 51.0 feet (15.5 meters)
    Y d. 59.5 feet (18.0 meters)
2296: If your vessel is making turns for 7.5 mph with an estimated average current of 1.5 mph, what is your ETA at the dock in Angelina, LA? 

    Y a. 1621, 28 Dec
    N b. 2203, 28 Dec
    N c. 0516, 29 Dec
    N d. 1621, 29 Dec
2341: You have steamed 1175 miles at 19 knots, and consumed 257 tons of fuel. If you have to steam 1341 miles to complete the voyage, how many tons of fuel will be consumed while steaming at 18 knots? 

    N a. 293 tons
    Y b. 263 tons
    N c. 202 tons
    N d. 172 tons
2691: While on a course of 159°T, a light bears 11° on the starboard bow at a distance of 10.6 miles. What course should you steer to pass 2 miles abeam of the light leaving it to starboard? 

    Y a. 159°T
    N b. 163°T
    N c. 167°T
    N d. 171°T
2705: While on a course of 192°T, a light bears 11° on the starboard bow at a distance of 12.7 miles. What course should you steer to pass 3 miles abeam of the light leaving it to starboard? 

    N a. 167°T
    N b. 173°T
    N c. 185°T
    Y d. 189°T
2905: You are steaming on a course of 215°T at 14 knots. At 1841 you observe a lighthouse bearing 178°T. At 1904 the same lighthouse bears 156°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing? 

    N a. 5.4 miles
    N b. 6.6 miles
    N c. 7.5 miles
    Y d. 8.7 miles
3094: If the pitch of the propeller is 26.7 feet, and the revolutions per day are 131,717, calculate the day's run allowing 4% negative slip. 

    N a. 555.2 miles
    N b. 578.4 miles
    Y c. 601.6 miles
    N d. 649.4 miles
3098: If the pitch of the propeller is 21.2 feet, and the revolutions per day are 93,660, calculate the day's run allowing 5% positive slip. 

    N a. 163.3 miles
    N b. 217.8 miles
    Y c. 310.3 miles
    N d. 342.9 miles
3317: Your vessel consumes 156 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 13.0 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 16.0 knots? 

    N a. 192 bbls
    N b. 236 bbls
    Y c. 291 bbls
    N d. 315 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
3625: Your vessel is steering course 111°psc, variation for the area is 5°E, and deviation is 3°W. The wind is from the northwest, producing a 1° leeway. What true course are you making good? 

    N a. 108°T
    N b. 110°T
    N c. 112°T
    Y d. 114°T
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
4007: 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 166°.
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° 

    Y a. 1.0°W
    N b. 1.0°E
    N c. 0.5°W
    N d. 0.5°E
10304: Determine the course per standard magnetic compass from the entrance to Ninigret Pond (LAT 41°21.3'N, LONG 71°38.3'W) to the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island. 

    N a. 192.0°psc
    Y b. 184.0°psc
    N c. 154.5°psc
    N d. 152.5°psc
10900: The abandoned lighthouse west of Cape Henry Light is __________. 

    N a. painted black and white
    N b. a low mound of rubble
    Y c. a gray, pyramidal structure
    N d. a steel skeleton structure
10902: Fishermans Island (LAT 37°05.0'N, LONG 75°57.7'W) is __________. 

    N a. privately owned
    N b. sparsely wooded and awash at spring tides
    N c. a high rocky promontory with marshy backwater
    Y d. a National Wildlife Refuge
10903: What is the distance from Norfolk to Philadelphia for a deep draft vessel via the Chesapeake Bay and C and D Canal ? 

    N a. 209 miles
    Y b. 245 miles
    N c. 286 miles
    N d. 302 miles
11104: What is the time of the first PM (Daylight Savings Time) maximum ebb current at Plum Gut on 10 August 1983? 

    N a. 1231
    N b. 1249
    N c. 1340
    Y d. 1445
11503: At 1016 your GPS position is LAT 41°07.6'N, LONG 71°37.9'W. At 1104 your position is LAT 41°00.2'N, LONG 71°29.4'W. What was the true course made good between the two positions? 

    N a. 134°T
    Y b. 139°T
    N c. 143°T
    N d. 145°T
13104: At 0242 your position is LAT 41°16.8'N, LONG 71°39.9'W. You are turning for 9.3 knots. What is your ETA at the West Gap of Pt. Judith Harbor of Refuge? 

    N a. 0319
    N b. 0325
    N c. 0329
    Y d. 0336
13409: You plan to anchor your vessel at LAT 41°00.5'N, LONG 73°02.8'W. What type of bottom should you expect at this position? 

    N a. Gray sand
    Y b. Soft mud
    N c. Hard sand
    N d. Gray mud
13709: Anchorage regulations for this area may be obtained from __________. 

    Y a. Office of the Commander 5th Coast Guard District
    N b. Commanding General, Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC
    N c. Virginia - Maryland Pilots Association
    N d. Chesapeake Bay Port Authority, Hampton, VA
14401: You are underway and steaming in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. Your vessel is positioned in the middle half of Cape Horn Channel and is abeam of Cape Horn Light. What should your fathometer read at this position, if the staff gauge at Portland reads 0 feet? 

    N a. 16 feet
    N b. 18 feet
    Y c. 22 feet
    N d. 24 feet
15359: Based on your running fix, you __________. 

    N a. have a head current
    Y b. have a following current
    N c. are being set to the north
    N d. are not affected by a current
15860: At 0100, your position is LAT 41°05.3 N, LONG 72°29.2 W. You head for the position one mile north of Mattituck Inlet Light and turn to make good 9.0 knots. If the visibility is about 2 miles, at what approximate time will you sight the light? 

    N a. The light is visible at 0100
    N b. 0109
    Y c. 0120
    N d. 0128
15864: At 0200, you take the following bearingss:

Mattituck Inlet Light bearing 125°pgc
Falkner Island Light bearing 355°pgc

What is the position of your 0200 fix? 

    Y a. LAT 41°03.9'N, LONG 72°38.9'W
    N b. LAT 41°03.8'N, LONG 72°39.1'W
    N c. LAT 41°03.7'N, LONG 72°38.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°03.5'N, LONG 72°38.8'W
16009: The maximum ebb current at a location 4.3 miles south of Stratford Point will occur at 0413. The predicted current will be 1.0 knot at 075°. What will be your course made good if you steer 082°T at 8 knots? 

    Y a. 081°T
    N b. 083°T
    N c. 085°T
    N d. 087°T
16041: From your 0847 fix, you change course to arrive at the rendezvous position and, correcting for current, you estimate your speed over the ground at 15 knots. What is your ETA at the rendezvous? 

    N a. 0902
    N b. 0905
    Y c. 0908
    N d. 0911
16213: At 0715 you take the following bearings:

Race Rock Light 328°pgc
Little Gull Island Light 249°pgc
Mt. Prospect Antenna 036°pgc

Based on your 0715 fix, which statement is TRUE? 

    Y a. You are to the left of your track line.
    N b. Your fathometer reads about 265 fathoms.
    N c. You are in a cable area.
    N d. You are governed by the Inland Rules.
16361: At 0400, you take the following bearings:

Sand Shoal Inlet South Light bearing 305°pgc
Cape Charles Light bearing 241°pgc

What was the course made good since 0240? 

    N a. 182°T
    Y b. 185°T
    N c. 189°T
    N d. 192°T
16743: At 0040 you are south of Lewis Point when you receive word that the distress is terminated. You alter course to head for The Race. At 0052 you take the following relative bearings because the starboard gyro repeater is inoperative. Your heading at each bearing was 285°pgc. What is your 0052 position?

Race Rock Light 002°
Watch Hill Light 034°
Block Island North Light 122° 

    N a. LAT 41°08.8'N, LONG 71°41.4'W
    N b. LAT 41°09.0'N, LONG 71°42.3'W
    N c. LAT 41°09.0'N, LONG 71°41.1'W
    Y d. LAT 41°09.1'N, LONG 71°41.7'W