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.

34: You estimate the current at 3.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground?
126: What is your clearance as you pass under the Vicksburg Highway 80 Bridge (mile 437.8 AHP). if the Vicksburg Gage reads 14.8 feet and the highest point on your tow boat is 44.5 feet?
128: At Filter Point Light (mile 475 AHP) there are 2 close straight dashed lines on the map. What do these lines represent?
154: You see a buoy with red and green bands. This buoy marks __________. 

    N a. the center of the channel
    Y b. the preferred channel
    N c. a channel crossing
    N d. an isolated danger
176: What is your 2118 position? 

    N a. LAT 36°56.6'N,  LONG 76°01.0'W
    N b. LAT 36°57.0'N,  LONG 76°01.5'W
    Y c. LAT 36°57.4'N,  LONG 76°01.9'W
    N d. LAT 36°58.0'N,  LONG 76°02.4'W
240: At 1100, your position is LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 72°28.0'W. You are steering a course of 069°T to leave Black Point one mile off your port beam. It has been reported that the Long Sand Shoal Buoys and Hatchett Reef Buoys are off station. Which of the following will serve as a line marking the hazards and keep your vessel in safe water? 

    N a. A bearing to Little Gull Island Light of not less than 090°
    N b. Maintaining a 7nm range off Orient point
    Y c. Danger bearing to Black Point of not more than 064°T
    N d. A distance to Saybrook Breakwater Light of not less than 1.3 miles
401: Your vessel receives a distress call from a vessel reporting her position as LAT 35°01'S, LONG 18°51'W. Your position is LAT 30°18'S, LONG 21°42'W. Determine the true course from your vessel to the vessel in distress by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 135°T
    N b. 149°T
    Y c. 153°T
    N d. 160°T
409: A vessel steams 1082 miles on course 047°T from LAT 37°18.0'N, LONG 24°40.0'W. What is the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by Mercator sailing? 

    N a. LAT 49°30.0'N, LONG 06°22.0'W
    N b. LAT 49°33.0'N, LONG 06°25.0'W
    Y c. LAT 49°36.0'N, LONG 06°28.0'W
    N d. LAT 49°39.0'N, LONG 06°31.0'W
431: At 0900, the current is flooding in a direction of 350°T at 1.2 knots. If your engines are turning RPMs for 9 knots, which course should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good a course of 297° true? 

    N a. 319°psc
    N b. 317°psc
    N c. 311°psc
    Y d. 302°psc
453: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 08°36.0'N, LONG 126°17.0'E to LAT 02°12.0'S, LONG 81°53.0'W. 

    N a. 9015 miles, 067°T
    N b. 9076 miles, 067°T
    N c. 9105 miles, 079°T
    Y d. 9076 miles, 079°T
593: What is the length of the trip? 

    N a. 1195.4 miles
    N b. 1223.1 miles
    Y c. 1520.1 miles
    N d. 1657.8 miles
1104: On 19 November , your 0200 zone time DR position is LAT 20°29.0'N, LONG 150°21.3'E. You are on course 136°T at a speed of 18 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix. NP-0033

    N a. LAT 19°30.1'N, LONG 151°06.0'E
    N b. LAT 19°31.7'N, LONG 151°04.9'E
    Y c. LAT 19°33.0'N, LONG 151°10.0'E
    N d. LAT 19°35.8'N, LONG 151°13.6'E
1123: What is the vertical clearance of the Vicksburg Highway 80 Bridge when the river level is the same as the Low Water Reference Plane? 

    N a. 128.3 ft
    N b. 125.6 ft
    N c. 119.5 ft
    Y d. 116.3 ft
1137: What is the length of the trip? 

    N a. 1195.4 miles
    N b. 1223.1 miles
    N c. 1464.8 miles
    Y d. 1520.1 miles
1202: Your 0830 DR position is LAT 27°33'S, LONG 79°17'E. Your vessel is on a course of 066°T, at a speed of 19.5 knots. Determine the time of LAN on 10 December . 

    Y a. 1131
    N b. 1136
    N c. 1153
    N d. 1215
1232: The Vaucluse Trench fill revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________. 

    N a. 524.3 - 522.6 RDB
    Y b. 535.6 - 532.9 RDB
    N c. 535.9 - 534.3 LDB
    N d. 534.3 - 532.6 LDB
1363: You are taking a time tick using the 1400 signal from Buenos Aires, Argentina. You hear a 0.4 second dash followed by a series of dots, noting that the 29th and the 56th to 59th dots are omitted. At the start of the following 0.4 second dash (which is followed by an 8 second pulse), the comparing watch reads 02h 00m 15s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 02h 01m 29s, and the chronometer reads 01h 59m 50s. What is the chronometer error? 

    N a. 0m 15s fast
    N b. 1m 14s fast
    Y c. 1m 24s slow
    N d. 1m 54s slow
1457: On 25 August , your 1926 zone time DR position is LAT 24°17.0'S, LONG 05°47.0'W. At that time, you observe Fomalhaut bearing 117°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 26m 52s, and the chronometer error is 00m 15s fast. The variation is 1.5°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 0.2°W
    N b. 0.4°E
    N c. 1.3°W
    Y d. 2.8°W
1661: On 11 May , in DR position LAT 28°13.7'N, LONG 168°36.3'E, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 283°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 13m 19s and is 02m 56s slow. Variation in the area is 13°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 5.2°W
    Y b. 5.6°W
    N c. 7.4°E
    N d. 7.8°E
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
1804: You pass Red River Gage at 2015 on 16 April and estimate the current will average 3.0 mph for the remainder of the time on the Mississippi River. What is your ETA at the mouth of the Ohio River if you continue to turn for 10 mph? 

    Y a. 1718, 20 April
    N b. 1830, 20 April
    N c. 0028, 21 April
    N d. 0821, 21 April
1913: On 14 January , your 0550 DR position is LAT 25°26.0'N, LONG 38°16.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 212°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 41°42.3'. The chronometer reads 08h 48m 51s, and is 01m 22s slow. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Gienah
    N b. Kochab
    N c. Gacrux
    N d. Eltanin
1914: On 14 January , your 0550 DR position is LAT 25°26.0'N, LONG 38°16.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 192°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 06°15.2'. The chronometer reads 08h 48m 51s, and is 01m 22s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Gienah
    N b. Kochab
    Y c. Gacrux
    N d. Eltanin
1922: On 17 March , your 1845 DR position is LAT 25°10.0'N, LONG 66°48.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 320°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 50°02.9'. The chronometer reads 10h 47m 49s, and is 1m 54s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Capella
    Y b. Mirfak
    N c. Pollux
    N d. Rigel
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
2108: You alter course from your 0045 position to head for a point 0.5 mile north of Mattituck Breakwater Light "MI". If the visibility is 10 miles and you make good 9 knots, at approximately what time will you lose sight of Saybrook Breakwater Light? 

    N a. You have already lost sight at 0045
    Y b. 0055
    N c. 0120
    N d. The light is visible all the way to Mattituck Inlet
2122: At 1538 ZT, on 15 October , in DR LAT position LAT 18° 12.8' S, LONG 160° 48.4' E, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The center of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 276.2°psc. Variation is 10° E. What is the deviation? 

    N a. 2.6°E
    N b. 2.6°W
    N c. 3.6°E
    Y d. 3.6°W
2175: On 13 November , at 0438 ZT, morning stars were observed and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 22°14.0'S, LONG 79°23.0'E. Your vessel is steaming at 13.0 knots on a course of 242°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0822 ZT. The chronometer reads 03h 20m 16s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 45°49.7'. The index error is 1.0' on the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 47s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 61.0 feet (18.6 meters). What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position? 

    Y a. 092.6°T
    N b. 096.2°T
    N c. 098.7°T
    N d. 099.7°T
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
2690: While on a course of 066°pgc, a light bears 13° on the port bow at a distance of 12.3 miles. What course should you steer to pass 4 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port? 

    N a. 067°pgc
    Y b. 072°pgc
    N c. 079°pgc
    N d. 085°pgc
2877: Your vessel is steering 263°T at 22 knots. At 0413 a light bears 294°T, and at 0421 the same light bears 312°T. What will be your distance off abeam? 

    N a. 3.4 miles
    Y b. 3.7 miles
    N c. 4.3 miles
    N d. 4.9 miles
2906: You are steaming on a course of 211°T at 17 knots. At 0417 a light bears 184°T, and at 0428 the same light bears 168°T. What is the distance off the light at 0428? 

    N a. 3.4 miles
    N b. 4.6 miles
    Y c. 5.1 miles
    N d. 5.6 miles
3643: While enroute from Montevideo to Walvis Bay a vessel's course is 116°psc. The variation for the locality is 25°W and the deviation is 6°W. What is the true course made good if a northerly wind produces 1° leeway? 

    N a. 084°T
    Y b. 086°T
    N c. 148°T
    N d. 085°T
3771: Two beacons form a range in the direction of 221.5°T. The range is seen in line from your vessel bearing 223° per gyro compass. The variation in the area is 4°E. What is the error of your gyro compass? 

    Y a. 1.5°W
    N b. 2.5°W
    N c. 5.5°W
    N d. 2.5°E
4003: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°W. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a gyro heading of 058°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 354° 122.5° - 114° 239.5° - 234°
030.5° - 024° 152.0° - 144° 269.0° - 264°
061.5° - 054° 181.0° - 174° 298.0° - 294°
092.0° - 084° 210.0° - 204° 327.5° - 324° 

    Y a. 1.5°W
    N b. 1.0°W
    N c. 1.0°E
    N d. 0.5°W
4015: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°W. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a true heading of 319°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 354° 122.5° - 114° 239.5° - 234°
030.5° - 024° 152.0° - 144° 269.0° - 264°
061.5° - 054° 181.0° - 174° 298.0° - 294°
092.0° - 084° 210.0° - 204° 327.5° - 324° 

    N a. 0.5°E
    N b. 1.0°W
    Y c. 2.5°E
    N d. 2.5°W
10301: Determine the course per standard magnetic compass from Cerberus Shoal Buoy 9 (LAT 41°10.4'N, LONG 71°57.1'W) to the entrance to Quonochontaug Pond (LAT 41°19.8'N, LONG 71°43.2'W). 

    N a. 030°psc
    N b. 036°psc
    Y c. 059°psc
    N d. 067°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
10900: The abandoned lighthouse west of Cape Henry Light is __________. 

    N a. painted black and white
    N b. a low mound of rubble
    Y c. a gray, pyramidal structure
    N d. a steel skeleton structure
11308: At 1919 your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. At 2011 your position is LAT 36°59.5'N, LONG 75°44.9'W. What was the speed made good? 

    Y a. 13.7 knots
    N b. 12.0 knots
    N c. 11.6 knots
    N d. 10.9 knots
11901: You are turning for 7.5 knots and a westerly wind is causing 2° of leeway. There is a current of 047°T at 1.2 knots. What course should you steer between the entrance to Quonochontaug Pond (LAT 41°19.8'N, LONG 71°43.2'W) and the entrance to Great Salt Pond (LAT 41°12.0'N,
LONG 71°35.6'W)? 

    N a. 156°T
    Y b. 155°T
    N c. 144°T
    N d. 140°T
13108: At 1103 you are in the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island with buoy "5" close aboard. What is your ETA at light "1" at the mouth of the approaches to Lake Montauk if you make good 8.2 knots? 

    N a. 1249
    N b. 1254
    N c. 1259
    Y d. 1310
13803: NOAA Weather Broadcasts for the New London area may be received by turning your radio to __________. 

    Y a. 162.550 MHz
    N b. 162.475 MHz
    N c. 162.400 MHz
    N d. 162.350 MHz
13806: The chart symbol surrounding Saybrook Breakwater Light warns mariners that the navigational light structure is __________. 

    N a. no longer maintained
    Y b. protected by riprap
    N c. privately maintained
    N d. awash at high tide
14503: You have just cleared Bonneville Lock and are proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. The pool level of the Bonneville reservoir stands at 78 feet above MSL. If the highest point on your vessel is 46 feet above the water, what will be the vertical clearance when you pass under the overhead power cables at mile 146.5? 

    N a. 134 feet
    Y b. 138 feet
    N c. 144 feet
    N d. 150 feet
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
15008: At 1920, the buoy forward of your starboard beam is __________. 

    N a. an interrupted quick flashing buoy
    N b. Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy
    N c. South Light Buoy
    Y d. Sand Shoal Inlet Lighted Buoy "A"
15038: At 0705 you obtained the following Loran readings:

9960-X-27091.2
9960-Y-41612.8
9960-Z-58744.2

What is your vessel's position? 

    N a. 37°20.4'N 75°30.2'W
    Y b. 37°20.8'N 75°29.9'W
    N c. 37°21.3'N 75°29.5'W
    N d. 37°21.2'N 75°30.4'W
15406: At 1400, your position is LAT 37°14.7'N, LONG 76°22.3'W. From this position, you head for the York River Entrance Channel Buoy "17". What should you steer per standard magnetic compass for this heading? 

    N a. 108°psc
    N b. 119°psc
    N c. 122°psc
    Y d. 125°psc
15840: You should expect to pass how far off buoy "12"? 

    Y a. 0.8 mile
    N b. 1.2 miles
    N c. 1.7 miles
    N d. 2.1 miles
16256: What is the course per gyro compass from the anchorage to point A located 0.5 mile east of Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy 14? 

    N a. 180°
    Y b. 184°
    N c. 198°
    N d. 199.5°
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°
16443: As you transit the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, you take a gyro bearing of trestle C when it is in line. The gyro bearing was 050°. At that time, the helmsman noted that he was heading 139°pgc and 146° per standard magnetic compass. What is the deviation? 

    Y a. 2°E
    N b. 0°
    N c. 2°W
    N d. 4°W
16846: Your vessel's heading is 330°pgc and 345°psc with a 2°E gyro error. What is the deviation on this heading? 

    N a. 0°
    Y b. 3°W
    N c. 4°E
    N d. 7°W