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.

44: The highest point on your towboat is 52 feet above the water, and the Helena Gage reads +9.6 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the A-span of the Helena Highway Bridge?
184: At 1930, your position is LAT 37°16.7'N, LONG 75°37.7'W. The depth of water is approximately __________.
249: 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 steer to Mattituck Breakwater Light "MI" with an engine speed of 9.0 knots. If there are no set and drift, what course should you steer?
371: You are steering 087°pgc and turning for 6.8 knots. At 0600, you take the following bearings:

Little Gull Island Light bearing 089.5° pgc
Bartlett Reef Light bearing 047° pgc

What is your 0600 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°11.2'N, LONG 72°14.6'W
    N b. LAT 41°11.7'N, LONG 72°14.4'W
    Y c. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°13.8'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.5'N, LONG 71°14.9'W
405: You depart LAT 33°45.0'N, LONG 118°30.0'W, and steam 2216 miles on course 250°T. What is the longitude of your arrival by Mercator sailing? 

    N a. LONG 156°08.0'W
    N b. LONG 156°36.0'W
    N c. LONG 157°21.0'W
    Y d. LONG 157°31.0'W
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
491: At 0748, you take the following bearings:

Watch Hill Point Light bearing 020.5° pgc
Race Point Light bearing 267.5° pgc

What is the approximate depth of water at this position? 

    N a. 104 feet
    Y b. 130 feet
    N c. 175 feet
    N d. 325 feet
511: At 0130, your position is LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°46.9'W when you change course to 086°T. If you make good 086°T, what is the closest point of approach to Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy? 

    N a. 1.2 mile
    N b. 1.1 mile
    Y c. 0.9 miles
    N d. 0.7 miles
619: Your vessel departs Montevideo, Uruguay, LAT 34°40.3'S, LONG 54°09.1'W (ZD +4), at 1800 zone time, on 15 October . It is bound for New York, LAT 40°27.5'N, LONG 73°49.9'W (ZD +5). The distance is 5,749 miles, and you expect to average 20 knots. What is your estimated zone time of arrival? 

    N a. 0427, 26 October
    N b. 1627, 26 October
    Y c. 1627, 27 October
    N d. 0427, 27 October
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°.
807: On 12 February your 0542 zone time (ZT) fix gives you a position of LAT 26°42.0'N, LONG 60°18.0'W. Your vessel is on course 300°T, and your speed is 9.8 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1220 ZT at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 49°10.0'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN? 

    N a. 27°13.5'N
    Y b. 27°16.3'N
    N c. 27°17.6'N
    N d. 27°19.2'N
816: On 15 November , your 0813 zone time (ZT) fix gives you a position of LAT 22°30.0'N, LONG 67°28.0'W. Your vessel is on course 164°T, and your speed is 13.5 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1215 ZT, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 49°46.0'. What is the latitude at 1200 ZT? 

    Y a. 21°42.5'N
    N b. 21°39.3'N
    N c. 21°36.0'N
    N d. 21°32.8'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
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
1102: On 19 November , your 0200 zone time DR position is LAT 18°41'N, LONG 150°37'E. You are on course 014°T at a speed of 18 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix. NP-0031

    Y a. LAT 19°45.4'N, LONG 150°52.6'E
    N b. LAT 19°42.8'N, LONG 150°56.9'E
    N c. LAT 19°41.2'N, LONG 150°46.3'E
    N d. LAT 19°39.3'N, LONG 150°51.8'E
1130: At 1923, on September 21, you pass Bixby Towhead Light (mile 873.7 AHP). What was your average speed since leaving Cairo? 

    N a. 9.2 mph
    N b. 8.8 mph
    Y c. 8.5 mph
    N d. 7.2 mph
1190: On 12 February , your 0930 zone time DR position is LAT 25°20.0'N, LONG 30°40.0'W. Your vessel is on course 135°
T at a speed of 11.2 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    N a. 1210
    Y b. 1215
    N c. 1220
    N d. 1224
1216: It is 8 March and you are keeping zone time -3. You are on course 104°T, speed 21 knots. Your 0830 DR position is LAT 25°35.0'S, LONG 66°34.0'E. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks? 

    Y a. 10h 41m 26s
    N b. 11h 15m 34s
    N c. 11h 17m 32s
    N d. 11h 36m 54s
1246: Which of the following statements are TRUE? 

    N a. Oil well structures are listed in the Light List.
    N b. All aids to navigation with lights have lateral significance.
    Y c. On the Western Rivers, crossing marks may exhibit white lights.
    N d. None of the above.
1411: After you get underway, what is the first river gage you will pass? 

    N a. Head of Passes
    N b. Baton Rouge
    Y c. Bayou Sara
    N d. Red River Landing
1459: On 28 July , your 1937 zone time DR position is LAT 26°13.0'N, LONG 78°27.0'E. At that time, you observe Deneb bearing 048.7°pgc. The chronometer reads 02h 37m 42s, and the chronometer error is 00m 15s fast. The variation is 4°W. What is the gyro error? 

    N a. 2.4°W
    Y b. 2.8°E
    N c. 3.6°W
    N d. 3.6°E
1681: On 8 December , in DR position LAT 21°56.1'S, LONG 17°21.6'E you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 240.5°psc. The chronometer reads 05h 27m 21s and is 00m 47s fast. Variation in the area is 3.3°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 1.5°W
    N b. 0.3°W
    N c. 0.6°E
    Y d. 1.5°E
1732: You estimate the current at 2.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground? 

    N a. 3.5 mph
    Y b. 4.5 mph
    N c. 7.5 mph
    N d. 9.5 mph
1854: On 22 July , your 1759 ZT DR position is LAT 24°50.2'S, LONG 05°16.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 231°T, at an observed altitude (Ho) of 26°10.0'. The chronometer reads 06h 01m 31s and is 02m 15s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Acamar
    N b. Capella
    N c. Miaplacidus
    Y d. Suhail
2085: At your current speed of 20 knots you only have enough fuel remaining to travel 360 miles. You must travel 440 miles to reach your destination. What should you reduce your speed (knots) to in order to reach your destination? 

    Y a. 18.1
    N b. 17.5
    N c. 16.9
    N d. 16.3
2114: 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
    Y c. 275.5°psc
    N d. 280.5°psc
2169: At 0600 ZT, on 24 July , your DR position is LAT 22°37'N, LONG 32°45'W. You are steering 185°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. Determine the computed altitude (Hc) and azimuth (Zn) for an observation of the Sun's lower limb taken at 1030 ZT. At this time the chronometer reads 00h 30m 16s and is 0m 31s slow. 

    N a. Hc 64°27.5'  Zn 092.3°
    N b. Hc 64°30.8'  Zn 090.1°
    Y c. Hc 64°41.7'  Zn 087.8°
    N d. Hc 64°44.2'  Zn 094.7°
2233: You have orders to drop off the empties at the fleeting area at Cairo Point and add five loaded tank barges to your tow. If you are turning for 9 mph and estimate the current at 1.5 mph, what is your ETA at Cairo? 

    N a. 1031, 22 June
    Y b. 1423, 22 June
    N c. 1741, 22 June
    N d. 2210, 22 June
2332: If you are making 8.3 knots over the ground, what is your ETA at the turning point in York Spit Channel at buoy "29"? 

    Y a. 0521
    N b. 0509
    N c. 0459
    N d. 0448
2683: You are underway on a course of 135°pgc at 15 knots, and you sight a lighthouse dead ahead at a range of 12.5 miles at 1145. What course would you steer to leave the lighthouse 3.0 miles off your port beam? 

    N a. 117°pgc
    N b. 121°pgc
    Y c. 149°pgc
    N d. 154°pgc
2688: While on a course of 214°pgc, a light bears 9° on the port bow at a distance of 7.4 miles. What course should you steer to pass 2 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port? 

    N a. 189°pgc
    N b. 209°pgc
    Y c. 221°pgc
    N d. 229°pgc
2878: Your vessel is steering 143°T at 16 knots. At 2147 a light bears 106°T, and at 2206 the same light bears 078°T. What will be your distance off abeam? 

    N a. 5.1 miles
    N b. 5.4 miles
    Y c. 5.9 miles
    N d. 6.5 miles
3075: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 15.7 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 23.4 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 6% negative slip? 

    Y a. 64
    N b. 68
    N c. 72
    N d. 76
3259: You have steamed 607 miles at 17.0 knots, and consumed 121 tons of fuel. If you have 479 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 14.5 knots? 

    N a. 1211 miles
    N b. 1748 miles
    N c. 2817 miles
    Y d. 3303 miles
3763: Your vessel is proceeding up a channel, and you see a pair of range lights that are in line dead ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 178°T, and the variation is 9°W. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 180° per standard magnetic compass, what is the deviation? 

    N a. 2°E
    N b. 2°W
    Y c. 7°E
    N d. 7°W
10306: You are 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to LAT 41°00.0'N, LONG 71°40.0'W? 

    N a. 145.5°psc
    Y b. 142.5°psc
    N c. 138.5°psc
    N d. 127.0°psc
10508: At 0919 your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. You are on course 270°T at 8.7 knots. At 1000 your position is LAT 37°00.5'N, LONG 75°37.0'W. What was the set and drift? 

    N a. 010° at 0.5 knot
    N b. 017° at 1.0 knot
    N c. 020° at 0.4 knot
    Y d. 032° at 0.9 knot
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
11501: At 2016 your GPS position is LAT 41°07.6'N, LONG 71°33.8'W. At 2128 your position is LAT 41°00.4'N, LONG 71°29.4'W. What was the speed made good between the two positions? 

    N a. 11.9 knots
    N b. 10.2 knots
    N c. 8.9 knots
    Y d. 6.7 knots
11705: Your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to arrive at LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 75°48.5'W, if the current is 043°T at 1.3 knots, a south-southeasterly wind is causing 3° of leeway, and you are turning for 8.7 knots? 

    N a. 260.5°psc
    N b. 264.0°psc
    Y c. 268.0°psc
    N d. 271.5°psc
12304: You are on course 302° per standard magnetic compass when you sight Block Island Southeast Point Light in line with the Block Island Aero Beacon bearing 323° per standard magnetic compass. Based on this you __________. 

    Y a. know the deviation table is correct for that heading
    N b. know the deviation is 15°E
    N c. should swing your vessel to check the deviation table
    N d. know the deviation is equal to the variation
15007: What course should you steer using the standard magnetic compass (psc) to make good the course of 192°pgc? 

    N a. 188°psc
    N b. 195°psc
    Y c. 203°psc
    N d. 205°psc
15018: What course per standard magnetic compass (psc) is the same as 247°pgc? 

    N a. 240°psc
    N b. 246°psc
    Y c. 257°psc
    N d. 260°psc
15045: From your 0841 position, you are steering a course of 241°
true to the northeasterly inbound channel entrance, your speed is now 15 knots. What is your ETA abeam of buoy "NCA" (LL#375)? 

    N a. 0850
    Y b. 0855
    N c. 0901
    N d. 0911
15339: If there is no set or drift, at what time would you be abeam of Bartlett Reef Light? 

    N a. 1719
    Y b. 1724
    N c. 1729
    N d. 1734
15622: What are the dimensions of the Old River Lock on the Lower Old River (304 AHP)? 

    Y a. 1190 x 75 feet
    N b. 1195 x 75 feet
    N c. 1195 x 84 feet
    N d. 1202 x 84 feet
15656: At 0630, Buoy "PI" is close abeam on the starboard side. You are steering 078°T and are headed directly toward Race Rock Light. At 0654, Little Gull Island Light is bearing 210°pgc and Race Rock Light is bearing 075°pgc. What is your 0654 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°19.0'N, LONG 72°05.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°14.4'N, LONG 71°54.6'W
    N c. LAT 41°14.2'N, LONG 72°06.8'W
    Y d. LAT 41°14.0'N, LONG 72°05.3'W
15826: In high water conditions, which publication would you consult for the latest information on buoys between Baton Rouge and Cairo? 

    Y a. U.S.C.G. Local Notice to Mariners
    N b. U.S.C.G. Light List
    N c. Army Corps. of Engineers Navigation Chart
    N d. List of Buoys and Daymarks
15856: What type of bottom is found at Long Sand Shoal? 

    N a. Rocky
    Y b. Hard
    N c. Sandy
    N d. Muddy
16044: At 1038 Branford Reef Light bears 019°pgc, Falkner Island Light bears 075°pgc, and the radar range to Branford Reef Light is 3.0 miles. Which statement is TRUE of your 1038 position? 

    N a. You are required by regulation to change course to avoid steaming through the dumping ground.
    N b. You are making more speed over the ground, since your 1022 fix, than indicated by your engine RPM.
    N c. You are abeam of Townshend Ledge
    Y d. Your fathometer reads about 25 feet.
16265: At 0600, you are on course 241°psc at 6.5 knots. Chesapeake Light bears 153° per standard magnetic compass,
and Cape Henry Light bears 261° per standard magnetic compass. What is the position of your 0600 fix? 

    N a. LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 75°47.4'W
    Y b. LAT 36°59.3'N, LONG 75°47.7'W
    N c. LAT 36°59.5'N, LONG 75°47.8'
    N d. LAT 36°59.3'N, LONG 75°48.0'