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.


252: At 0100, you obtain the following radar ranges:

Inlet Point - 2.7 miles,
Rocky Point - 4.5 miles,
Horton Point - 1.0 mile.

What was the speed made good between 0045 and 0100?


353: 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?


390: A vessel at LAT 29°38.0'N, LONG 93°49.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 24°38.0'N, LONG 82°55.2'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.


393: A vessel at LAT 32°14.7'N, LONG 66°28.9'W, heads for a destination at LAT 36°58.7'N, LONG 75°42.2'W. Determine the distance by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 241.2° miles
    N b. 270.2° miles
    N c. 300.2° miles
    Y d. 538.2° miles

420: At 0930, your position is LAT 41°16.5'N, LONG 71°41.4'W, and you are turning for 7 knots. Allowing 3° leeway for southerly winds and estimating the current as 035° at 0.3 knot, what is the course to steer (pgc) to point "B"?

    Y a. 096°pgc
    N b. 094°pgc
    N c. 091°pgc
    N d. 089°pgc

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.

530: You observe the planet Jupiter at a sextant altitude (hs) of 66°27.6' on 26 May . The index error is 5.2' on the arc. The height of eye is 52 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 65°39.5'
    N b. 65°32.8'
    N c. 66°27.2'
    Y d. 66°15.0'

530: You observe the planet Jupiter at a sextant altitude (hs) of 66°27.6' on 26 May . The index error is 5.2' on the arc. The height of eye is 52 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 65°39.5'
    N b. 65°32.8'
    N c. 66°27.2'
    Y d. 66°15.0'

731: On 2 January , your 1759 zone time DR position is LONG 45°17.6'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 24°16.5'. The chronometer time of the sight is 08h 57m 10s, and the chronometer error is 02m 16s slow. The index error is 3.5' on the arc, and the height of eye is 42.5 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris?

    N a. 22°50.2'N
    Y b. 23°18.8'N
    N c. 23°30.8'N
    N d. 23°48.8'N

1007: On 30 July , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 17°46'N, LONG 139°30'W. You are on course 129°T, speed 24 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.
ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1220 138°25.0' N 18°22.3' 88°43.3'
1226 139°55.0' N 18°22.2' 88°24.0'

    N a. LAT 17°24.0'N, LONG 138°59.8'W
    N b. LAT 17°21.6'N, LONG 138°56.2'W
    N c. LAT 17°18.7'N, LONG 139°07.6'W
    Y d. LAT 17°15.1'N, LONG 139°00.0'W

1082: On 20 Nov. , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 27°16.0'N, LONG 157°18.6'E. You are on course 060°T at a speed of 20 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1200 running fix. NP-0012

    N a. LAT 27°16.8'N, LONG 157°30.5'E
    N b. LAT 27°22.6'N, LONG 157°37.8'E
    Y c. LAT 27°29.7'N, LONG 157°43.0'E
    N d. LAT 27°33.4'N, LONG 157°48.2'E

1088: On 9 June , your 0000 DR position is LAT 26°14.0'S, LONG 176°38.1'E. You are on course 223°T, speed 17.8 knots. You observed 4 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0630 running fix.

    Y a. LAT 27°44.7'S, LONG 174°57.1'E
    N b. LAT 27°46.2'S, LONG 175°03.0'E
    N c. LAT 27°41.2'S, LONG 175°01.2'E
    N d. LAT 27°38.5'S, LONG 175°06.3'E

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.

1184: On 8 April , your 0830 zone time DR position is LAT 22°49.0'N, LONG 84°37.0'W. Your vessel is on course 228°
T at a speed of 19.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    Y a. 1144
    N b. 1147
    N c. 1150
    N d. 1154

1233: What is the distance from Greenville, MS, to Tiptonville, TN on the Mississippi River System?

    N a. 95 miles
    N b. 136 miles
    Y c. 341 miles
    N d. 520 miles

1279: At 0327 ZT, on 29 May , your DR position is LAT 25°00'N, LONG 64°15'W. You are steering 270°T at a speed of 13.6 knots. What is the zone time of sunrise?

    N a. 0521
    Y b. 0529
    N c. 0536
    N d. 0548

1308: At Filter Point Light (mile 475 AHP) there are 2 close straight dashed lines on the map passing through the black dots. What do these lines represent?

    N a. Submerged oil pipelines
    N b. Submerged gas pipelines
    N c. Submerged telephone cables
    Y d. Aerial power cables

1409: As you pass Solitude Lt. (mile 249.0 AHP) which dayboard would you see?

    N a. Green square
    Y b. Green diamond
    N c. Red triangle
    N d. Red diamond

1425: At 1227, on 19 October, you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge (mile 531.3 AHP). What speed must you average to arrive at Jimmy Hawken Light (mile 663.5 AHP) at 0930 the following day?

    N a. 5.2 mph
    N b. 5.6 mph
    N c. 5.9 mph
    Y d. 6.3 mph

1426: What is the total length of the trip?

    N a. 910.6 miles
    N b. 901.4 miles
    N c. 900.7 miles
    Y d. 873.7 miles

1669: On 19 June , your vessel's 0523 ZT DR position is LAT 25°12.0'N, LONG 123°14.0'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 052.0° per standard compass. Variation in the area is 15°E. The chronometer reads 01h 21m 58s and is 01m 18s slow. What is the deviation of the standard compass?

    N a. 1.4°E
    N b. 1.4°W
    N c. 1.7°W
    Y d. 3.3°W

1679: On 13 October , your vessel's 1722 zone time DR position is LAT 27°36'S, LONG 136°16'E, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 266° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 2°W. The chronometer reads 08h 24m 19s and is 01m 43s fast. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 2.3°E
    Y b. 2.8°W
    N c. 4.8°E
    N d. 6.8°W

1682: On 11 May , in DR position LAT 37°06.0'N, LONG 45°45.0'W you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 089.0°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 57m 06s and is 01m 48s slow. Variation in the area is 20.0°W. What is the deviation?

    N a. 3.6°W
    Y b. 2.2°W
    N c. 1.4°W
    N d. 3.6°E

1801: What is the distance from the Amoco Docks at Baton Rouge, LA, to the new mouth of the White River?

    N a. 981.5 miles
    N b. 953.5 miles
    Y c. 345.3 miles
    N d. 700.2 miles

1805: What is the vertical clearance between the highest point of your towboat, if it is 48 feet above the water, and if the Natchez Gage reads 20.1 feet when passing under the Natchez Upper Highway Bridge?

    N a. 35.9 feet
    N b. 43.2 feet
    N c. 49.3 feet
    Y d. 57.9 feet

1912: On 22 February , your 1857 DR position is LAT 23°46.0'S, LONG 93°16.5'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 108°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 67°53.9'. The chronometer reads 01h 00m 35s, and is 03m 25s fast. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Adhara
    N b. Miaplacidus
    N c. Avior
    N d. Suhail

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

2238: At 1430 ZT, on 16 April , in DR position LAT 34° 03.8' N, LONG 061° 02.5'W, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The center of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 095.2°psc. The variation is 12°W. What is the deviation?

    N a. 1.7°W
    N b. 1.7°E
    N c. 1.9°W
    Y d. 1.9°E

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

2896: You are steaming on a course of 133°T at 16 knots. At 2216 you observe a lighthouse bearing 086°T. At 2223 the lighthouse bears 054°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    N a. 1.7 miles
    N b. 2.0 miles
    N c. 2.3 miles
    Y d. 2.6 miles

3054: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 22.8 feet and a pitch of 19.3 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 287 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 67?

    N a. -6.3%
    Y b. +6.3%
    N c. -24.0%
    N d. +24.0%

3091: If the pitch of the propeller is 25.1 feet, and the revolutions per day are 91,591, calculate the day's run allowing 7% positive slip.

    Y a. 351.6 miles
    N b. 378.1 miles
    N c. 390.0 miles
    N d. 404.6 miles

3265: You have steamed 1587 miles at 11.2 knots, and have consumed one-half of your total fuel capacity of 2840 bbls. What is the maximum speed you can steam to complete the remaining 1951 miles?

    N a. 9.1 knots
    N b. 9.9 knots
    Y c. 10.1 knots
    N d. 11.6 knots

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

3455: You wish to make good a course of 230°T while turning for an engine speed of 12.5 knots. The set is 180°T, and the drift is 1.7 knots. What course should you steer?

    N a. 244°T
    Y b. 236°T
    N c. 231°T
    N d. 222°T

3604: You wish to make good a course of 258°T, allowing 4° leeway for northerly winds. The variation is 21°W. What should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good 258°T?
DEVIATION TABLE
MAGNETIC HDG DEVIATION
285° 5°E
270° 3°E
255° 1°E
240° 1°W

    N a. 242°psc
    N b. 271°psc
    Y c. 278°psc
    N d. 288°psc

10705: At 0726 you depart Lake Montauk with light 1 close aboard and set course 013.5° per standard magnetic compass at 7.6 knots. At 0812 your GPS position is LAT 41°10.0'N, LONG 71°55.9'W. What is the current?

    N a. 151°T at 1.0 knot
    Y b. 164°T at 0.7 knot
    N c. 334°T at 1.1 knots
    N d. 321°T at 0.8 knot

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

11800: What is the course to steer between Port Jefferson Approach buoy "PJ" and New Haven Lighted Buoy "NH"? Your engine speed is 12 knots and you allow for a current of 93°T at 0.8 knot. A NW'ly wind causes 3° leeway.

    Y a. 030°T
    N b. 034°T
    N c. 037°T
    N d. 044°T

11805: What is the true course to steer between Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground Light) and New Haven Light, if the set and drift of the current are 048°T at 2 knots, and a southeasterly wind will cause 2° of leeway? Your engines are making turns for 10 knots.

    N a. 032°T
    Y b. 037°T
    N c. 039°T
    N d. 041°T

12500: You are on course 135° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings per standard magnetic compass: Cape Henry Light 266° Cape Charles Light 353°Chesapeake Light 124° What is your position?

    Y a. LAT 36°57.3'N, LONG 75°50.9'W
    N b. LAT 36°57.5'N, LONG 75°50.1'W
    N c. LAT 36°57.6'N, LONG 75°51.6'W
    N d. LAT 35°57.9'N, LONG 75°50.8'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

14002: At 1630 your vessel exits Bonneville Lock steaming in a westerly direction. What speed must you average to arrive at the Interstate 5 highway bridge with an ETA of 2120?

    N a. 6 mph
    N b. 7 mph
    Y c. 8 mph
    N d. 9 mph

14101: What signal is given by air horn to indicate that Bonneville Lock is ready for entrance?

    N a. two long blasts
    N b. two short blasts
    N c. one short blast
    Y d. one long blast

14404: You are underway and proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. You position your vessel in the middle of the channel and bring Government Island Lower Range in line over your bow. What should your fathometer read at this position, if the staff gauge at Portland reads 10.0 feet?

    Y a. 15 feet
    N b. 24 feet
    N c. 28 feet
    N d. 31 feet

15106: The National Weather Service provides 24 hour weather broadcasts to vessels transiting the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel area on which frequency?

    N a. 147.45 MHz
    Y b. 162.55 MHz
    N c. 181.15 MHz
    N d. 202.35 MHz

15111: At 1810, you sight a buoy on your starboard side labeled "19".
This buoy marks __________.

    N a. a submerged obstruction in York Spit Channel
    N b. the visibility limit of the red sector of Cape Henry Light
    Y c. the side of York Spit Channel
    N d. the junction of the York Spit and York River Entrance Channels

15138: At 2045 you obtained the following Loran readings:
9960-W-14844.0
9960-X-26128.0
9960-Y-43712.5
What is your vessel's position?

    N a. 40°41.1'N, 72°10.5'W
    N b. 40°41.4'N, 72°10.7'W
    Y c. 40°41.8'N, 72°10.8'W
    N d. 40°42.3'N, 72°11.3'W

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°

15822: You are turning for 10 mph, approaching Angola, LA. Angola reports that the current at Red River Landing is estimated at 4.5 MPH. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. You are making 14.5 mph over the ground.
    Y b. You should expect to encounter vessels crossing the river at mile 300.5 AHP.
    N c. You would expect to find a more favorable current near the broken red line in the river.
    N d. Hog Pt. Light and Hog Pt. Lower Light may be used as range lights when entering Shreves cut-off.

15946: At 2132 you sight Block Island Southest Point Light in line with the Aerobeacon (rotating white and green) bearing 308.5°pgc. The helmsman reports he was heading 106°pgc and 119°psc. What is the deviation on that heading?

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

16062: At 1930, your vessel is between York River Entrance Channel Lighted Buoys "1YR" and "2". From this position, you change course to 142°pgc at an engine speed of 8.0 knots. At 2000, you take the following bearings: Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light - 131°pgc Thimble Shoal Light - 247°pgc
What were the set and drift between 1930 and 2000?

    N a. 140°T at 0.2 knot
    Y b. 140°T at 0.4 knot
    N c. 320°T at 0.2 knot
    N d. 320°T at 0.4 knot

16320: Which course should you change to per standard magnetic compass as you pass SW Ledge Light to remain in the channel?

    N a. 007°psc
    N b. 014°psc
    Y c. 021°psc
    N d. 026°psc

16356: What is the course per standard magnetic compass from the anchorage to point "A" located 0.5 mile east of Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy 14?

    N a. 185°
    N b. 188°
    N c. 191°
    Y d. 194°

16719: You are bound for New London. Where will you cross the demarcation line and be governed by the Inland Rules of the Road?

    N a. You are already governed by the Inland Rules.
    Y b. In the Race
    N c. Above the Thames River Bridge
    N d. You will not be governed by the Inland Rules.