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.


42: What is the distance from Greenville, MS, to St. Louis, MO, on the Mississippi River System?


68: The river will be temporarily closed to navigation at mile 531.3 AHP due to repairs to the bridge. This will occur at 1300, 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?


74: You are turning for 7.8 mph and estimate the current at 1.0 mph. What is your speed over the ground?


80: The Helena Gage reads 9.4 feet. The high point on your towboat is 46 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge?

    N a. 106.1 feet
    N b. 79.5 feet
    Y c. 64.2 feet
    N d. 56.0 feet

165: Which company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Helena (mile 661 to 665 AHP)?

    Y a. Helena Grain, Inc.
    N b. Helena Bridge Terminal, Inc.
    N c. Quincy Soybean Co.
    N d. Texas Eastern Pipeline Co.

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 __________.

    N a. 020°T
    N b. 014°T
    N c. 006°T
    Y d. 359°T

315: From your 1430 fix, you order turns for 8 knots. You steer 045°T and experience no set and drift. At what time would you expect to have New Point Comfort Spit Light "4" abeam?

    N a. 1510
    N b. 1504
    Y c. 1458
    N d. 1452

373: What is your ETA at point "A"?

    N a. 0702
    N b. 0655
    Y c. 0651
    N d. 0640

375: As you near Little Gull Island, you use your loran to insure that you do not come within 0.5 mile of the island. Which of the following loran readings will act as a danger line and keep you off Little Gull Island by a minimum of 0.5 mile?

    N a. Not less than 9960-W-14735.8
    N b. Not more than 9960-W-14735.9
    Y c. Not less than 9960-Y-43953.5
    N d. Not more than 9960-X-26149.0

395: A vessel at LAT 45°36.0'N, LONG 11°36.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 24°16.0'N, LONG 73°52.0'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

    Y a. 247°T, 3299.3 miles
    N b. 247°T, 3951.6 miles
    N c. 251°T, 3298.5 miles
    N d. 251°T, 3951.6 miles

670: You are on a voyage from Cape May (LAT 39°50'N, LONG 74°45'W) to the English Channel (LAT 49°00'N, LONG 05°00'W). What will NOT prohibit the use of a great circle track from departure to arrival? (Use gnomonic chart WOXZC5274.)

    N a. Newfoundland
    N b. Icebergs north of 48°N and west of 49°W
    N c. Islands approximately 50 miles south of Cape Cod
    Y d. The high latitude in which the vertex lies

733: On 12 March , your 1846 zone time DR position is LONG 129°16.5'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 28°01.5'. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 44m 10s, and the chronometer error is 01m 55s slow. The index error is 2.2' off the arc, and the height of eye is 59.8 feet (18.2 m). What is your latitude by Polaris?

    Y a. 27°33.7'N
    N b. 27°40.9'N
    N c. 27°54.4'N
    N d. 28°06.9'N

990: On 24 March , your 0800 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 31°45.0'W. Your vessel is steaming a course of 285°T at a speed of 16.5 knots. An observation of the Sun's upper limb is made at 0938 zone time, and the observed altitude (Ho) is 46°32.2'. The chronometer reads 11h 41m 01s, and the chronometer error is 02m 50s fast. Local apparent noon occurs at 1214 zone time, and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 68°55.8'. Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position.

    N a. LAT 22°35.0'N, LONG 30°29.0'W
    Y b. LAT 22°35.0'N, LONG 32°51.0'W
    N c. LAT 22°36.0'N, LONG 32°10.5'W
    N d. LAT 22°36.0'N, LONG 32°55.2'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

1133: The Helena Gage reads 9.4 feet. The high point on your towboat is 42 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge?

    N a. 53.0 feet
    N b. 62.6 feet
    N c. 64.2 feet
    Y d. 68.0 feet

1166: At 1032 on 24 June, you pass Carolina Landing Light(mile 508.8 AHP). What has been the average current since 2350, 23 June, if you have been making turns for 9.0 mph?

    N a. 8.5 mph
    N b. 5.7 mph
    N c. 1.5 mph
    Y d. 0.5 mph

1167: Where can scheduled broadcast times of river stages be found?

    N a. Sailing Directions
    N b. List of Lights
    Y c. Light List
    N d. Coast Pilot

1277: On 22 June , your 0400 zone time DR position is LAT 23°00'N, LONG 81°45'W. You are steaming on course 110°T at a speed of 8.6 knots. What will be the zone time of sunrise at your vessel?

    N a. 0537
    Y b. 0541
    N c. 0545
    N d. 0547

1465: On 22 April , your 0344 zone time DR position is LAT 21°16.0'N, LONG 107°32.0'W. At that time, you observe Spica bearing 236°psc. The chronometer reads 10h 45m 16s,
and the chronometer error is 00m 25s fast. The variation is 7.5°E. What is the deviation of the standard compass?

    N a. 1.1°W
    Y b. 5.2°E
    N c. 5.2°W
    N d. 6.1°W

1748: As you approach Walnut Point Light (mile 522.5 AHP),
which type of daymark would you see on the light structure?

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

1774: You pass New Madrid, MO (mile 889.0 AHP) at 1412. What was your average speed since leaving Cairo?

    Y a. 8.0 mph
    N b. 7.8 mph
    N c. 7.6 mph
    N d. 7.3 mph

1881: On 13 September , your 1830 ZT DR position was LAT 23°03'S, LONG 105°16'E, when you observed a faint unidentifiable star through a hole in the clouds. The star bore 148.0°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 32°24.3'. The chronometer read 11h 24m 39s and is 05m 08s slow. The index error is 1.0' off the arc, and the height of eye is 52 feet. What star did you observe?

    N a. Beta Gruis
    Y b. Alpha Tucanae
    N c. Beta Aquarii
    N d. Alpha Indi

2029: As you approach mile 659 AHP, you notice on the map a dashed line crossing the river at mile 659.9 AHP. This line indicates __________.

    N a. ferry crossing
    N b. submarine crossing
    Y c. power lines
    N d. gas pipelines

2051: On which map would you find Redman Point, Arkansas?

    N a. 23
    Y b. 20
    N c. 17
    N d. 5

2090: At your current speed of 17 knots you only have enough fuel remaining to travel 316 miles. You must travel 622 miles to reach your destination. What should you reduce your speed (knots) to in order to reach your destination?

    Y a. 12.1
    N b. 13.3
    N c. 14.5
    N d. 15.7

2285: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 45°49.7' on 13 November . The index error is 1.0' on the arc. The height of eye is 61 feet (18.6 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 45°59.3'
    Y b. 45°56.4'
    N c. 45°52.9'
    N d. 45°49.8'

2329: You sighted Trestle "B" in line at 0706 and are steering 108°T. At 0731, Cape Henry Light bears 136°T; Cape Charles Light bears 032.5°T; and Thimble Shoal Tunnel South Light bears 282°T. What was the speed made good between 0706 and 0731?

    Y a. 8.3 knots
    N b. 8.8 knots
    N c. 9.2 knots
    N d. 9.4 knots

2654: You are steering 231°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 12.3 miles at 0338. You change course to pass the light 4 miles off abeam to starboard. If you are making 16.5 knots, what is your ETA at the position 4 miles off the light?

    Y a. 0420
    N b. 0423
    N c. 0426
    N d. 0429

2675: At 1423 you are on course 072 T° at 12.2 knots, when you sight a rock awash bearing 070°T at a range of 3.6 miles. If you change course at 1427, what course would you steer to leave the rock 1.0 mile abeam to port?

    N a. 049°
    N b. 054°
    N c. 086°
    Y d. 091°

3080: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 21.6 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 22.5 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 2% positive slip?

    N a. 81
    N b. 87
    N c. 95
    Y d. 99

3097: If the pitch of the propeller is 19.4 feet, and the revolutions per day are 96,713, calculate the day's run allowing 6% positive slip.

    N a. 266.4 miles
    Y b. 290.1 miles
    N c. 308.6 miles
    N d. 327.1 miles

3280: While steaming at 14.5 knots, your vessel consumes 319 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 217 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?

    N a. 9.8 knots
    N b. 11.9 knots
    Y c. 12.8 knots
    N d. 13.5 knots

10103: Your GPS position is LAT 37°01.5'N, LONG 75°31.7'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to Chesapeake Light?

    Y a. 243°
    N b. 240°
    N c. 237°
    N d. 231°

10303: Determine the course per standard magnetic compass from 0.2 mile south of Race Rock Light (LAT 41°14.6'N, LONG 72°02.8'W) to the entrance of the channel to Lake Montauk (west of Montauk Point).

    N a. 137.0°psc
    N b. 152.0°psc
    N c. 165.5°psc
    Y d. 168.5°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

10909: What will be the average direction of the current in Lynnhaven Roads at 1000 DST (ZD +4) on 23 July 1983?

    N a. 305°T
    N b. 125°T
    N c. 070°T
    Y d. Almost slack water

12103: You sight Wolf Trap Light in line with New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" bearing 048° per standard magnetic compass. You are on course 203°psc. Based on this, you know __________.

    N a. the compass error is 12°W
    N b. the deviation is 9°W
    Y c. that the deviation table is in error
    N d. the deviation is 3°E for bearings of 048° per standard magnetic compass

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

15259: At 0830, you obtain the following radar information::

Branford Reef Light bearing 259° true @ 4.35 nm


What is your vessel's position?

    N a. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 73°53.8'W
    N b. LAT 40°12.2'N, LONG 73°54.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.3'N, LONG 72°53.6'W
    Y d. LAT 41°12.4'N, LONG 72°54.0'W

15857: You are southeast of Saybrook Breakwater Light passing a horizontally-banded buoy. This buoy marks __________.

    N a. a sunken wreck
    N b. a tide rips area
    N c. the junction with the Connecticut River
    Y d. shoal water

15944: From your 2038 position you change course to 104°T and increase engine speed to 18 knots. If you make good this course and speed, at what time will Southwest Ledge Lighted Bell Buoy "2" bear 157°T?

    N a. 2047
    Y b. 2052
    N c. 2056
    N d. 2101

16019: The south shore of Long Island Sound from Horton Point to Orient Point is __________.

    N a. low and marshy
    Y b. bluff and rocky
    N c. marked by sandy beaches and wooded uplands
    N d. bound by gradual shoaling

16114: As you pass through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel,
you sight Trestle "A" in line bearing 198°pgc. What is the gyro error?

    N a. 2°E
    N b. 0°E
    Y c. 2°W
    N d. 4°W

16208: What is your ETA at point "A"?

    N a. 0640
    Y b. 0651
    N c. 0655
    N d. 0702

16370: The wind is westerly and will cause 2° of leeway. The current is 180° at 0.5 knot. If your engines are turning for 8.0 knots, what should you steer to remain in York River Entrance Channel?

    N a. 304°T
    N b. 307°T
    Y c. 311°T
    N d. 314°T

16411: You get underway at 1030. The wind is out of the SSE and you estimate 3° leeway. What course should you steer per gyrocompass to make good a desired course of 075°T?

    N a. 074°pgc
    N b. 076°pgc
    N c. 078°pgc
    Y d. 080°pgc

16469: As you pass between trestle "B" and trestle "C" of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge - Tunnel, you sight along the trestle "C" when it is in line. The trestle bears 057° per standard magnetic compass while the vessel is heading 320°T. From this you know the __________.

    Y a. vessel should be swung to check the deviation table
    N b. compass error is 12°W
    N c. deviation table is correct for that bearing
    N d. deviation is 10°W

16561: From your 1830 fix, you come left to a course of 290°T.
Which statement concerning Watch Hill Light is TRUE?

    N a. The nominal range of its white light is 16 miles.
    Y b. It displays both red and white lights.
    N c. Its horn blasts every 15 seconds in fog.
    N d. Its geographic range is 18.5 miles at a 35-foot (10.7 meters) height of eye.

16567: From your 1915 position, you come left and set a course for Gardiners Point. At 1930, your position is LAT 41°12.7'N,
LONG 71°56.8'W. What type of bottom is charted at this position?

    N a. Blue mud, gritty shells
    N b. Buried mussels, gritty shells
    Y c. Blue mud, gray sand
    N d. Bumpy mud with gravel surface

16643: At 0520 your position is LAT 41°07.2'N, LONG 71°41.6'W. You set course to leave Race Rock Light abeam to starboard at 0.5 mile. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass? (Assume no current)

    N a. 301.5°
    N b. 305.0°
    Y c. 307.5°
    N d. 309.0°