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.

206: At 1850, you obtain the following bearings and distances:

Montauk Point 189°pgc 8.7 miles
Watch Hill Light 340°pgc 5.7 miles

What true course did you make good between 1830 and 1850?
212: If you were to head into Fishers Island Sound, which of the following charts would you switch to for better detail of Mystic and Mystic Harbor?
260: At 0300, your position is LAT 41°01.7'N, LONG 72°55.1'W. From this position you steer a course of 289° per standard magnetic compass at an engine speed of 10.0 knots. At what time can you first expect to see Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light if the luminous range is 8.0 miles?
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
488: At 0705, with your gyro again functioning properly, you change course to 096°T. At this time Race Rock Light is bearing 000°T at 0.35 mile. You are now governed by which Navigation Rules? 

    Y a. International Rules
    N b. Local Pilot Rules
    N c. Inland Rules
    N d. Coastal Fishery Rules
489: At 0728, Race Rock Light is bearing 282°T at 3.8 miles, and the closest point on Fishers Island is at a radar range of 2.1 miles. What speed have you been making since you changed course at 0705? 

    N a. 11.4 knots
    N b. 10.6 knots
    Y c. 9.9 knots
    N d. 9.2 knots
522: In clear weather, how far away will you sight Point Judith Light? (use charted range of 20 miles as nominal range) 

    Y a. 14.0 nm
    N b. 12.3 nm
    N c. 10.6 nm
    N d. 9.2 nm
993: Your 0745 ZT, 15 July , position is LAT 29°04.0'N, LONG 71°17.5'W. You are on course 165°T, and your speed is 8.0 knots. You observed 3 morning sun lines. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1130 running fix? NP-0003

    Y a. LAT 28°35.0'N, LONG 71°08.5'W
    N b. LAT 28°39.8'N, LONG 71°04.0'W
    N c. LAT 28°40.5'N, LONG 71°13.0'W
    N d. LAT 28°43.3'N, LONG 71°02.5'W
1005: On 18 May , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 20°41'N, LONG 63°32'W. You are on course 106°T, speed 24 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.

ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1204 61°54.6' N 19°37.6' 88°39.7'
1210 63°24.6' N 19°37.7' 88°59.2' 

    Y a. LAT 20°32.6'N, LONG 62°57.5'W
    N b. LAT 20°30.1'N, LONG 63°01.9'W
    N c. LAT 20°27.6'N, LONG 62°52.4'W
    N d. LAT 20°25.2'N, LONG 62°56.9'W
1093: On 22 Nov. , your vessel is enroute from Accra, Ghana to Montevideo, Uruguay. You are on course 240°T and making a speed of 15.0 knots. Your 1129 DR position is LAT 28°25.0'S, LONG 42°40.0'W. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1137 running fix. NP-0023

    Y a. LAT 28°27.0'S, LONG 42°38.0'W
    N b. LAT 28°25.2'S, LONG 42°40.0'W
    N c. LAT 28°25.0'S, LONG 42°36.0'W
    N d. LAT 28°23.4'S, LONG 42°42.0'W
1193: On 26 September , your 0830 zone time DR position is LAT 23°04.0'N, LONG 129°16.0'E. Your vessel is on course 119°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    N a. 1158
    N b. 1205
    Y c. 1210
    N d. 1214
1296: At which of the following times would you be able to listen to lower Mississippi River conditions on VHF Channel 22? 

    N a. 0900 hours
    N b. 1100 hours
    N c. 1200 hours
    Y d. 1300 hours
1364: 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 Chart
    Y d. None of the above
1488: At 2326 ZT, on 22 June , your vessel's position is LAT 28°30'N, LONG 150°04'W. An azimuth of the planet Jupiter is observed, and the standard compass bearing is 250.4°. The chronometer reads 09h 24m 36s and is 01m 12s slow. The variation of this area is 13.5°E. What is the deviation of the standard compass? 

    N a. 3.0°W
    N b. 3.5°W
    N c. 1.5°E
    Y d. 2.3°E
1654: On 28 September , in DR position LAT 27°16.7'S, LONG 113°27.2'W, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 273°psc. The chronometer reads 01h 17m 26s and is 01m 49s slow. Variation in the area is 6°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 0.2°W
    Y b. 0.4°E
    N c. 0.6°W
    N d. 0.8°E
1731: What is the total length of the trip? 

    N a. 910.6 miles
    Y b. 901.2 miles
    N c. 900.3 miles
    N d. 873.7 miles
1765: The river will be temporarily closed to navigation at mile 531.3 AHP due to repairs to the bridge. This will occur at 1530, 5 January, and last for six hours. What minimum speed over the ground must you make from Red River Landing Gage in order not to be delayed? 

    Y a. 6.2 mph
    N b. 6.4 mph
    N c. 6.8 mph
    N d. 7.3 mph
1766: What type of daymark will you see as you approach Black Hills Light (mile 337.7 AHP)? 

    N a. Private aid - no daymark
    N b. Red square
    N c. Red diamond
    Y d. Red triangle
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
1874: On 2 October , your 1845 DR position is LAT 28°09.2'S, LONG 167°48.1'E. You observe a faint star through a hole in the clouds at a sextant altitude (hs) of 25°19.4' bearing 273°T. The index error is 1.3' off the arc, and the height of eye is 42 feet. The chronometer reads 07h 46m 19s and is 0m 51s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Alpha Serpentis
    Y b. Beta Librae
    N c. Beta Lupi
    N d. Epsilon Bootis
2061: As you approach mile 225 AHP, you notice on the map a black broken line crossing the river at mile 224.2 AHP. This line indicates __________. 

    N a. ferry crossing
    N b. submarine crossing
    N c. gas pipelines
    Y d. power lines
2118: You are northwest of Port Jefferson Harbor steering 242°
per standard magnetic compass. As you continue westward, you see that the Port Jefferson Range Front Light and Rear Light come into line. If the deviation table is correct, the bearing of the range should be __________. 

    N a. 140°psc
    N b. 146°psc
    Y c. 157°psc
    N d. 160°psc
2176: On 9 November , at 0426 ZT, your position was LAT 25°17.0'S, LONG 154°16.0'E. Your vessel is steaming at 14.0 knots on course 066°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0837 ZT. The chronometer reads 10h 35m 21s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 50°26.9'. The index error is 1.5' on the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 48s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 56.0 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho) and azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position? 

    N a. 50°18.1',  086.3°T
    N b. 50°18.1',  093.7°T
    Y c. 50°33.5',  085.9°T
    N d. 50°33.5',  093.7°T
2212: At 1650 you decrease speed to make good 7.1 mph. At 2020 you are __________. 

    Y a. abeam of Old River Control Structure Light
    N b. entering the Vicksburg District of the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers
    N c. at Palmetto Point
    N d. at Latitude 31°10'N
2866: Your vessel is on a course of 311°T at 21 knots. At 1957 a light bears 337.5°T, and at 2018 the light bears 356°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    N a. 2027, 5.2 miles
    N b. 2033, 6.8 miles
    Y c. 2039, 7.4 miles
    N d. 2043, 10.3 miles
3252: You have steamed 803 miles at 13 knots, and consumed 179 tons of fuel. If you have 371 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 16 knots? 

    Y a. 1099 miles
    N b. 1374 miles
    N c. 1833 miles
    N d. 2581 miles
3293: Your vessel consumes 274 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 17.5 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 13.5 knots? 

    Y a. 126 bbls
    N b. 163 bbls
    N c. 211 bbls
    N d. 253 bbls
3295: Your vessel consumes 178 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 13.5 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 15.0 knots? 

    N a. 172 bbls
    N b. 198 bbls
    N c. 219 bbls
    Y d. 244 bbls
12200: You are on course 119°psc. You sight New Haven Outer Channel Range Rear Light in line with the Outer Channel Range Front Light bearing 346° per standard magnetic compass. This indicates that __________. 

    N a. you should swing the vessel to determine the deviation
    Y b. the existing deviation table is correct for that heading
    N c. your compass is affected by a local magnetic disturbance
    N d. the compass error is 16°W
12604: You are on course 082° per standard magnetic compass (psc) when you take the following bearings: New London Ledge Light - 036.5°psc Little Gull Island Light - 157.0°psc Saybrook Break Water Light - 294.5°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°02.3'N, LONG 72°04.5'W
    N b. LAT 41°09.5'N, LONG 72°07.1'W
    Y c. LAT 41°13.6'N, LONG 72°07.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.1'N, LONG 72°12.8'W
13808: The chart symbol depicted at LAT 41°13.5'N, LONG 72°29.7'W indicates __________. 

    N a. the exact position of a dangerous wreck
    Y b. the approximate position of a wreck dangerous to surface navigation
    N c. a wreck cleared by wire drag to a depth of 39 feet
    N d. a wreck not dangerous to surface navigation
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
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
15020: While navigating inbound in the Thimble Shoal Channel system you must __________. 

    N a. navigate in the main channel when between Trestles A & B
    N b. maintain a minimum speed of 6 knots
    N c. remain 1500 yards (1360 meters) from large naval vessels
    Y d. use the north auxiliary channel
15116: According to your track line, how far off New Point Comfort Spit Light "4" will you be when abeam of this light? 

    Y a. 0.9 mile
    N b. 1.2 miles
    N c. 1.5 miles
    N d. 1.8 miles
15367: At 0700, Falkner Island Light bears 023°pgc, and the range to the south tip of Falkner Island is 7.1 miles. What was the course made good since 0615? 

    N a. 078°T
    Y b. 081°T
    N c. 084°T
    N d. 087°T
15443: As you enter Chesapeake Bay, visibility improves. At 2235 you are between Chesapeake Channel Buoys "5" and "6" in the 41 foot dredged section of Chesapeake Channel. At that time, you change course to pass between buoys "9" and "10". If buoys "11" and "12" are extinguished, your best leading light to keep you in deep water in the Chesapeake Channel, as you approach the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, would be __________. 

    N a. fixed red light on trestle "C"
    Y b. fixed green light on trestle "B"
    N c. fixed red light on trestle "B"
    N d. Thimble Shoal Light
15508: From your position you observe a rotating white and green light to the north. This light is most likely __________. 

    N a. from a submarine on the surface
    N b. the light at Southeast Point
    Y c. at an airport
    N d. on a coastal patrol vessel
15510: From your 1800 position you steer a course of 350°psc at a speed of 10.0 knots. At 1830, your position is LAT 41°11.7'N, LONG 71°45.8'W. What are the set and drift of the current? 

    N a. 029°T, 0.7 knot
    Y b. 029°T, 1.4 knots
    N c. 209°T, 0.7 knot
    N d. 209°T, 1.4 knots
15726: The charts show a circle with two black quadrants located at mile 846.0 AHP. What does this indicate? 

    N a. Hazardous chemical dock
    N b. Bulletin Board
    N c. Betz-Tipton Veneers Terminal
    Y d. River Gage
15744: Montauk Point Light has a radar range of 3.9 miles and bears 170°T at 2232. What is the depth of water below your keel? 

    Y a. 40 feet
    N b. 60 feet
    N c. 70 feet
    N d. 80 feet
15806: What type of bottom is found at Long Sand Shoal? 

    N a. Rocky
    N b. Muddy
    N c. Sandy
    Y d. Hard
16038: At 0820 Old Field Point Light bears 206° per gyrocompass,
and Stratford Shoals Middle Ground Light bears 322° per gyrocompass. The radar range to Middle Ground Light is 1.5 miles. Your 0820 fix gives you a position of __________. 

    N a. LAT 41°02.6'N, LONG 73°05.2'W
    Y b. LAT 41°02.5'N, LONG 73°04.9'W
    N c. LAT 41°02.3'N, LONG 73°05.2'W
    N d. LAT 41°02.0'N, LONG 73°05.1'W
16064: At 2015, your vessel is at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel midway between buoys "13" and "14". If the height of tide is -1 foot (-.3 meter). What is the approximate depth under the keel? 

    N a. 51 feet (15.5 meters)
    Y b. 45 feet (13.6 meters)
    N c. 40 feet (12.1 meters)
    N d. 35 feet (10.6 meters)
16215: The wind is southerly, and you estimate 3° leeway. Allowing for leeway, what is the course to steer from your 0745 position to pass 1 mile south of Watch Hill Buoy "WH"? 

    N a. 079°pgc
    N b. 081°pgc
    N c. 085°pgc
    Y d. 087°pgc
16413: At 1104, Watch Hill Point Light is in line with Stonington Outer Breakwater Light, the range to the south tip of Watch Hill Point is 2.6 miles and the range to the beach is 1.9 miles. You are steering to make good 075°T, speed 10.0 knots. At 1110, you change course to head for a position of LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 71°50.0'W. What is the true course? 

    N a. 185°
    N b. 187°
    Y c. 190°
    N d. 193°
16417: You are encountering heavy weather. What action should you take based on your 1430 fix? 

    Y a. Alter course to the right, to pass well clear of Southwest Ledge.
    N b. Continue on the same course at the same speed.
    N c. Slow to 8.3 knots to compensate for the current.
    N d. Continue on the same course but increase speed.
16441: When you get underway, you will take the most direct route to buoy "CBJ", while remaining west of York Spit Channel. You will be turning for 9.7 knots and estimate an average ebb of 0.3 knot during the transit. How long will it take to steam from the anchor position to buoy "CBJ"? 

    N a. 2h 16m
    Y b. 2h 33m
    N c. 2h 42m
    N d. 2h 51m
16444: At 1042 you take the following round of bearings:

Cape Henry Light 259°T
Chesapeake Light 101°T
Cape Charles Light 006°T
From this position, you set course 070°T at a speed of 9.5 knots.

What is the course per standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 069.5°psc
    N b. 060.5°psc
    Y c. 079.5°psc
    N d. 080.5°psc
16542: At 2308 your position is LAT 41°12.7'N, LONG 72°22.8'W.
You steer a course to make good 255°T from this position. At 2310 you receive a distress call from a vessel anchored 2.1 miles due north of Mattituck Inlet Light. If you change course at 2314, what is the course to steer per gyrocompass to arrive at the distress site if you allow 2°
leeway for northerly winds, 3°E gyro error and correct your course for a current of 073°T at 1.3 knots? 

    N a. 208°pgc
    N b. 212°pgc
    N c. 216°pgc
    Y d. 220°pgc
16617: At 0200, you take the following bearings:

Falkner Island Light 004.5°T
Kelsey Pt. Breakwater Lt. 054.0°T
Horton Point Light 115.0°T

What were the set and drift from 0130? 

    N a. 260° at 0.5 knot
    N b. 080° at 1.0 knot
    Y c. 260° at 1.0 knot
    N d. There is no current.