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.

38: What are the color and shape of Anconia Pt. Light at mile 528.6 AHP?
237: At 0845, you are on a course of 097°T, and Townshend Ledge Buoy "10A" is close abeam to port. With a westerly current of 1.2 knots, what speed will you have to turn for from your 0845 position in order to arrive abeam of Six Mile Reef Buoy "8C" at 1030?
325: You are entering Norfolk Harbor and have just passed Craney Island. Which chart should you use for your final approach into Norfolk Harbor?
330: Which chart could you use for greater detail of the area at the south end of York Spit Channel? 

    N a. 12254
    N b. 12226
    N c. 12224
    Y d. 12222
430: At 0820, you change course to 301°psc and reduce speed to 7.5 knots. At 0900, you take the following visual bearings:

Branford Reef Light 023°psc
New Haven Light 293°psc
Tweed Airport Aerobeacon 332°psc

Your 0900 position is __________. 

    N a. LAT 41°11.9'N,  LONG 72°50.6'W
    Y b. LAT 41°12.1'N,  LONG 72°48.6'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.3'N,  LONG 72°47.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.5'N,  LONG 72°44.3'W
497: At 0845, Montauk Pt. Light is bearing 205°T at a radar distance of 6.6 miles. What is your speed made good from your 0815 position? 

    N a. 10.5 knots
    N b. 10.0 knots
    N c. 9.2 knots
    Y d. 8.4 knots
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'
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'
673: You estimate the current at 2.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground? 

    N a. 3.5 mph
    N b. 4.5 mph
    Y c. 5.5 mph
    N d. 9.5 mph
686: The Vaucluse Trench fill revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________. 

    Y a. 535.6 - 532.9 RDB
    N b. 535.9 - 534.3 RDB
    N c. 535.9 - 534.3 LDB
    N d. 534.3 - 532.6 LDB
701: At 1118, on 24 May, you pass Natchez Gage and estimate the current will average 3.0 mph for the remainder of the time on the Mississippi River. What is your ETA at Cairo, IL if you continue to turn for 10 mph? 

    N a. 0840, 26 May
    N b. 2218, 26 May
    N c. 2218, 27 May
    Y d. 2339, 27 May
1163: What is the mile point of the Fulton Gage? 

    N a. 598 AHP
    N b. 632 AHP
    N c. 687 AHP
    Y d. 778 AHP
1234: What is the distance from the Amoco Docks at Baton Rouge, LA, to Pittsburgh, PA? 

    Y a. 1681.7 miles
    N b. 1575.3 miles
    N c. 981.7 miles
    N d. 727.9 miles
1242: The solid lines extending into the channel at mile 948 AHP are __________. 

    Y a. dikes
    N b. revetments
    N c. spoil areas
    N d. Westvaco Service Facilities
1250: What facility is not found near La Grange Towhead Light (538.2 AHP) on Greenville Harbour? 

    N a. Mississippi Limestone
    N b. Ergon, Inc.
    N c. American Commercial Barge Lines
    Y d. Greenville Casino Wharf
1295: After passing Wilkinson Lt. you see a flashing amber light on the right descending bank ahead. The flashing light indicates that you should __________. 

    N a. stay in the deepest water
    N b. slow down due to dredging operations
    Y c. keep as close to the left descending bank as safety permits
    N d. keep as close to the right descending bank as safety permits
1339: At 1300, 5 January, the river will be temporarily closed to navigation for six hours at mile 531.3 AHP due to repairs to a bridge. What minimum speed over the ground must you make from Natchez Gage in order not to be delayed? 

    N a. 5.7 mph
    Y b. 6.0 mph
    N c. 6.8 mph
    N d. 7.3 mph
1415: The highest point on your towboat is 52 feet above the water, and the Helena Gage reads +9.6 feet. What will be the vertical clearance when you pass under the A-span of the Helena Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 49.8 feet
    N b. 53.9 feet
    Y c. 57.8 feet
    N d. 73.1 feet
1482: On 20 July , your vessel's 1626 zone time DR position is LAT 27°13.0'N, LONG 63°42.0'W, when you take an azimuth of the Sun. Determine the gyro error using the azimuth information.
Chronometer time: 08h 24m 18s Chronometer error: slow 02m 12s Gyro bearing: 279.3°
Variation: 15°W 

    Y a. 1.9°W
    N b. 2.6°W
    N c. 1.4°E
    N d. 2.6°E
1501: On 3 October , your 0330 zone time (ZD + 5) DR position is LAT 47°41'N, LONG 86°49'W. At that time, you observe Polaris bearing 357.5°pgc. The chronometer time of the observation is 08h 32m 04s, and the chronometer is 0m 27s slow. The variation is 5.5°W. What is the gyro error? 

    N a. 7.5°E
    N b. 5.0°E
    N c. 3.5°E
    Y d. 2.0°E
1541: At 0119, on 10 September, you pass Springfield Bend Lt. (mile 244.8 AHP) 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 8.5 mph? 

    N a. 1746, 12 September
    N b. 1244, 13 September
    Y c. 2329, 14 September
    N d. 0210, 15 September
1545: You are downbound, passing by Warfield Point Lt. (mile 537 AHP), when you observe on your Mississippi River map several black lines extending into the river from the bank. These indicate __________. 

    N a. revetments
    N b. weirs
    N c. fleeting areas
    Y d. dikes
1662: On 5 September , in DR position LAT 23°17.0'S, LONG 154°35.0'E, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 275° per standard magnetic compass. The chronometer reads 07h 49m 26s and is 01m 52s fast. Variation in the area is 3°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 2.1°E
    N b. 2.4°W
    Y c. 5.1°E
    N d. 5.4°W
1671: On 9 May , your vessel's 1809 ZT DR position is LAT 48°13.7'N, LONG 168°36.3'E, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 283.7° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 13.0°E. The chronometer reads 07h 13m 19s and is 02m 56s fast. What is the deviation of the standard compass? 

    Y a. 0.1°W
    N b. 1.1°W
    N c. 1.1°E
    N d. 1.9°W
1674: On 4 July , your vessel's 1722 zone time DR position is LAT 34°30'S, LONG 174°48'E, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 282° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 17.2°E. The chronometer reads 05h 21m 48s and is 02m 01s fast. What is the deviation of the compass? 

    Y a. 1.5°W
    N b. 2.0°W
    N c. 1.5°E
    N d. 2.0°E
1705: What is the mile point of the Rosedale, MS Gage? 

    N a. 554.2 AHP
    Y b. 592.2 AHP
    N c. 632.5 AHP
    N d. 663.0 AHP
1750: In addition to the Army Corps. of Engineers maps, data on bridge clearances may be found in the __________. 

    N a. Army Corps. of Engineers Regulations
    Y b. Light List
    N c. Waterways Journal
    N d. Channel Report
1897: On 22 June , your 0424 DR position is LAT 26°18.5'N, LONG 124°18.2'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 249°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 52°50.7'. The chronometer reads 00h 23m 24s, and is 01m 32s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Peacock
    N b. Schedar
    N c. Ankaa
    Y d. Altair
2203: 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. 2210, 22 June
    N b. 1741, 22 June
    Y c. 1423, 22 June
    N d. 1031, 22 June
2351: What is the distance in river miles, from the new mouth of the White River to the Petroleum Fuel & Terminal Co. (mile 144.6 AHP)? 

    Y a. 454 miles
    N b. 427 miles
    N c. 384 miles
    N d. 370 miles
2424: As you approach mile 225 AHP, you notice on the map a brown broken-lined rectangular shaped area along the bank. This indicates __________. 

    N a. weirs
    N b. a revetment
    Y c. a fleeting area
    N d. utility crossing
2533: 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. Coast Pilot
    N c. Army Corps. of Engineers Navigation Chart
    Y d. U.S.C.G. Local Notice to Mariners
2708: While on a course of 349°T, a light bears 13° on your starboard bow at a distance of 10.8 miles. What course should you steer to pass 2.5 miles abeam of the light, leaving it to starboard? 

    N a. 323°
    N b. 336°
    Y c. 349°
    N d. 002°
3256: You have steamed 918 miles at 15.0 knots, and consumed 183 tons of fuel. If you have 200 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 12 knots? 

    N a. 1021 miles
    N b. 1261 miles
    Y c. 1568 miles
    N d. 1960 miles
3299: You have steamed 174 miles and consumed 18 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 416 miles? 

    N a. 34.9 tons
    N b. 38.4 tons
    Y c. 43.0 tons
    N d. 46.2 tons
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
3610: While enroute from Sydney to the Panama Canal a vessel's true course is 071°. Variation is 14°E. Deviation is 4°W. A northerly breeze causes 2° leeway. What course would you steer psc in order to make good the true course? 

    Y a. 059°psc
    N b. 061°psc
    N c. 063°psc
    N d. 079°psc
3615: You want to make good a true course of 137°. A north-northeast wind produces a 3° leeway. The variation is 11° west, deviation is 5° east, and gyrocompass error is 2° east. What course must you steer per gyrocompass to make the true course good? 

    Y a. 132°pgc
    N b. 134°pgc
    N c. 136°pgc
    N d. 138°pgc
3757: Your vessel is proceeding up a channel, and you see a pair of range lights that are in line ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 311°T, and the variation is 8°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 305° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation? 

    N a. 2°E
    Y b. 2°W
    N c. 6°E
    N d. 6°W
12109: You sight Tue Marshes Light (LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 76°23.2'W) in line with Goodwin Thorofare Light "16" (LAT 37°13.7'N, LONG 76°25.0'W) dead ahead bearing 264° per standard magnetic compass. Which statement is TRUE? 

    Y a. The compass error is 11°W.
    N b. The deviation table must be corrected for the change in date.
    N c. The deviation is 1°W for a bearing of 264° only.
    N d. The variation is 9°W for a bearing of 264° only.
12601: You are on course 062° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Branford Reef Light 060°psc Stratford Point Light 272°psc New Haven Light 324°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°07.1'N, LONG 72°53.4'W
    Y b. LAT 41°10.5'N, LONG 72°52.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°11.6'N, LONG 72°50.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°13.3'N, LONG 72°48.7'W
15158: At 1630, you reach point "A" and come right to 204°T. Your engine speed is 12 knots. Your 1715 position is LAT 37°09.8'N, LONG 75°37.4'W. The current was __________. 

    N a. 067°T at 1.1 knots
    Y b. 067°T at 1.5 knots
    N c. 247°T at 1.1 knots
    N d. 247°T at 1.6 knots
15358: At 0507, Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light bears 208°pgc. What is the position of your 0507 running fix? 

    N a. LAT 41°04.8'N, LONG 73°05.0'W
    N b. LAT 41°04.9'N, LONG 73°04.8'W
    Y c. LAT 41°05.1'N, LONG 73°05.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 73°04.8'W
15362: The south shore of Long Island Sound near your position is __________. 

    N a. marked by gradual shoaling
    N b. low and marshy
    N c. backed by marshes and wooded uplands
    Y d. bluff and rocky
15445: As you proceed up York Spit Channel, what are the three base courses that you must steer to conform to the channel,
if steering by standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 337.5°, 359.5°, 028.0°
    N b. 337.5°, 357.5°, 026.0°
    N c. 324.0°, 352.5°, 009.5°
    Y d. 340.0°, 000.5°, 025.0°
15519: As an option to heading into Long Island Sound, you consider anchoring in the vicinity of the Gardiners Point Ruins approximately one mile off the north end of Gardiners Island. What is the minimum recommended distance from the ruins for fishing,
trawling, or anchoring? 

    Y a. 300 yards (91 meters)
    N b. 1.0 mile
    N c. 0.5 mile
    N d. No distance is prescribed since any such activities in the area are prohibited.
15540: At 2200 Middle Ground Light is bearing 270° true at 9 nm

Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. The current is flooding.
    Y b. You are being set to the left of the track.
    N c. The set is towards the southwest.
    N d. The drift is 0.6 knot.
15644: At 2045 You take the following set of bearings:

Watch Hill Point Light bears 005° true
Montauk Point Light bears 350° true

Determine your 2103 fix. 

    Y a. LAT 41°09.2'N, LONG 71°52.5'W
    N b. LAT 41°09.1'N, LONG 71°52.2'W
    N c. LAT 41°09.0'N, LONG 71°52.9'W
    N d. LAT 41°08.8'N, LONG 71°52.5'W
15721: You are turning for 7.8 mph and estimate the current at 1.0 mph. What is your speed over the ground? 

    Y a. 8.8 mph
    N b. 7.9 mph
    N c. 7.8 mph
    N d. 6.8 mph
15768: At 0830, Watch Hill Point bears 343°T at 3.5 miles by radar. What was the speed made good since 0745? 

    Y a. 7.1 knots
    N b. 6.7 knots
    N c. 5.8 knots
    N d. 5.4 knots
15966: The yellow buoys on either side of your vessel that lead to Mobjack Bay mark __________. 

    N a. the limits of the dredged channel
    Y b. fish trap areas
    N c. underwater cable areas
    N d. ferry routes
16319: As you enter the New Haven Outer Channel, you sight the outer range markers in line directly ahead. Your heading at this time is 347°psc. What is your compass deviation by observation? 

    Y a. 0.5°East
    N b. 3.0°East
    N c. 3.5°West
    N d. 4.5°East
16638: At 0400 your position is:

Latitude 40° 50.2' North
Longitude 071° 36.2' West

From your 0400 fix, you steer a course to make good 347°T at 12.5 knots. Visibility is good. What is the earliest time you can expect to raise Montauk Point Light? (Nominal range - 24 miles, height above water - 168 feet) 

    Y a. The light is visible at 0400.
    N b. 0426
    N c. 0435
    N d. 0442
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