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.


178: If the Old Point Comfort main light was inoperative what emergency light would be shown?


189: At 0645, Watch Hill Point (left tangent) bears 316.5°pgc at 2.75 miles. What was the speed made good between 0600 and 0645?


236: From your 0830 position, you wish to make good 097°T. There is no current, but a southerly wind is producing 3° leeway. What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass in order to make good your true course?


265: At 0740, you take the following Radar Ranges:

Branford Reef Light @ 2.5 nm
New Haven Light @ 3.9 nm

What is your position?

    Y a. LAT 41°12.4'N, LONG 72°51.5'W
    N b. LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 72°51.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.7'N, LONG 72°51.9'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.2'N, LONG 72°52.0'W

294: What is the maximum allowable speed of vessels underway up river from Tue Marshes Light?

    Y a. 12 knots
    N b. 10 knots
    N c. 8 knots
    N d. 6 knots

369: At 0812, you obtain the following radar information:


Cape Henry Light bearing 284°true @ 3.8 nm

What is your 0812 position?

    N a. LAT 36°53.7'N, LONG 75°56.0'W
    N b. LAT 36°53.8'N, LONG 75°56.1'W
    Y c. LAT 36°54.6'N, LONG 75°55.8'W
    N d. LAT 36°55.2'N, LONG 75°55.4'W

500: Your position is LAT 40°59.0'N, LONG 73°06.2'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to New Haven Harbor Lighted Whistle Buoy "NH"?

    Y a. 052°
    N b. 049°
    N c. 046°
    N d. 035°

594: After you get underway, what is the first river gage you will pass?

    N a. Head of Passes
    Y b. Donaldsonville
    N c. Baton Rouge
    N d. Red River Landing

1094: On 12 Oct. , your vessel is on course 081°T, speed 20 knots. Your 1800 zone time DR position is LAT 26°11.0'S, LONG 77°18.0'E. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1835 running fix. NP-0024

    N a. LAT 26°05.5'S, LONG 77°14.5'E
    N b. LAT 26°07.5'S, LONG 77°34.0'E
    N c. LAT 26°09.0'S, LONG 77°27.5'E
    Y d. LAT 26°12.0'S, LONG 77°31.0'E

1136: The Arkansas City Yellow Bend revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________.

    Y a. 555.0-549.7 RDB
    N b. 549.0-548.5 RDB
    N c. 556.9-554.9 LDB
    N d. 548.5-546.5 LDB

1168: Which company does NOT have a marine facility in Rosedale harbor (mile 585 AHP)?

    Y a. T.L. James
    N b. Rosedale-Boliver County Port Commission
    N c. Cives Steel Company
    N d. Sanders Elevator Corp

1177: On 2 April , your 0900 zone time DR position is LAT 28°04.0'S, LONG 94°14.0'E. Your vessel is on course 316°T at a speed of 18.5 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1138
    N b. 1143
    N c. 1146
    Y d. 1149

1289: The horizontal clearance of the center span on the Baton Rouge RR and Highway 190 Bridge is __________.

    N a. 443
    N b. 500
    N c. 575
    Y d. 623

1499: On 16 June , your 0430 zone time DR position is LAT 29°24.0'S, LONG 36°16.0'E. At that time, you observe Vega bearing 341.0°psc. The chronometer reads 02h 32m 06s, and the chronometer error is 01m 54s fast. The variation is 20.5°W. What is the deviation?

    N a. 3.2°E
    N b. 3.2°W
    Y c. 2.4°W
    N d. 2.8°E

1538: At 1032 on 24 June, you pass Carolina Landing Light(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

1708: At 0300 on 19 April, you pass under the Greenville Bridge (mile 531.3 AHP). What was your average speed since departing Amoco Pipeline Co. Docks (mile 253.6 AHP)?

    N a. 6.2 mph
    N b. 5.2 mph
    N c. 4.8 mph
    Y d. 4.3 mph

1859: On 22 March , your 0519 ZT DR position is LAT 27°20.6'N, LONG 69°25.6'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 094°T, at an observed altitude (Ho) of 30°15.0'. The chronometer reads 10h 16m 47s and is 02m 15s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Acamar
    Y b. Enif
    N c. Menkar
    N d. Rigel

2023: On 1 October , you determine the zone time of evening twilight will be 1835. Your DR position at this time is LAT 27°18.0'N, LONG 48°52.0'W. Considering their magnitude and location, which group of three stars are best suited to be used in obtaining a fix at star time?

    N a. Altair, Rasalhague, Vega
    Y b. Alphecca, Kochab, Deneb
    N c. Diphda, Hamal, Mirfak
    N d. Antares, Rigil Kentaurus, Peacock

2060: The highest point on your towboat is 67 feet above the water, and the Helena Gage reads +22.3 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the A-span of the Helena Highway Bridge?

    Y a. 30.1 feet
    N b. 49.8 feet
    N c. 52.4 feet
    N d. 74.7 feet

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

2165: On 25 February , at 0622 ZT, you observe the upper limb of the Moon with a sextant altitude of 59°58.6'. Your DR position is LAT 30°28.3'S, LONG 102°39.3 E. The chronometer reading at the time of the sight is 11h 21m 18s and the chronometer is 48s slow. The height of eye is 59 feet and the index error is 2.5' on the arc. What are the azimuth (Zn) and intercept (a) of this sight using the assumed position?

    Y a. Zn 305.4°, a 4.2°T
    N b. Zn 234.6°, a 4.2° A
    N c. Zn 305.4°, a 1.5°T
    N d. Zn 305.4°, a 9.2°T

2289: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 38°07.5' on 8 August . The index error is 5.2' off the arc. The height of eye is 72 feet (22 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 38°08.4'
    N b. 38°13.3'
    Y c. 38°19.2'
    N d. 38°23.4'

2291: You are taking a time tick using the 2100 signal from Callao, Peru. You hear a series of 1 second dashes followed by a 9 second silent period, then a long 1.3 second dash. At the beginning of the long dash, your comparing watch reads 09h 00m 10s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 09h 01m 20s, and the chronometer reads 08h 59m 22s. What is the chronometer error?

    Y a. 1m 48s slow
    N b. 0m 38s slow
    N c. 1m 10s fast
    N d. 0m 10s fast

2458: You have steamed 560 miles at 23 knots and burning 524 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 260 barrels per day with 316 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    N a. 16.3
    N b. 18.6
    N c. 19.9
    Y d. 21.6

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

2686: While on a course of 034°pgc, a light bears 8° on the port bow at a distance of 8.8 miles. What course should you steer to pass 2.5 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port?

    N a. 035°pgc
    Y b. 043°pgc
    N c. 051°pgc
    N d. 059°pgc

2700: You are underway on course 163°T at a speed of 15.8 knots.
You sight a buoy bearing 161°T at a radar range of 5.5 miles at 1319. If you change course at 1325, what is the course to steer to leave the buoy abeam to starboard at 1.0 mile?

    Y a. 145°T
    N b. 148°T
    N c. 151°T
    N d. 175°T

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°

2896: You are steaming on a course of 133°T at 16 knots. At 2216 you observe a lighthouse bearing 086°T. At 2223 the lighthouse bears 054°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    N a. 1.7 miles
    N b. 2.0 miles
    N c. 2.3 miles
    Y d. 2.6 miles

3061: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 20.2 feet and a pitch of 19.0 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 367 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 84?

    Y a. +2.9%
    N b. -2.9%
    N c. +5.2%
    N d. -5.2%

3077: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 23.7 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 20.8 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 7% negative slip?

    Y a. 108
    N b. 112
    N c. 116
    N d. 124

3602: You are heading 328°pgc to make good a course of 332°T, allowing 3° leeway for westerly winds and 1°E gyro error. The variation is 17°E. What should your heading be by standard magnetic compass to make good 332°T.
DEVIATION TABLE
MAGNETIC HEADING DEV.
345° 1°E
330° 1°W
315° 3°W

    Y a. 315°psc
    N b. 318°psc
    N c. 343°psc
    N d. 345°psc

3632: You desire to make good a true course of 157°. The variation is 15°E, magnetic compass deviation is 9°W, and gyrocompass error is 3°E. A southwesterly wind produces a 2° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good?

    N a. 145°psc
    N b. 147°psc
    N c. 150°psc
    Y d. 153°psc

3644: While enroute from Cape Town to Rio a vessel's course is 281°pgc. The variation for the locality is 24°W. The deviation is 4°E. The gyro error is 2°W. What is the true course made good?

    Y a. 279°T
    N b. 261°T
    N c. 301°T
    N d. 283°T

3768: While entering a harbor on a course of 225° per gyrocompass, you take a bearing on a pair of range lights and get 220° per gyrocompass. The bearing on the chart is 217°T. The variation for the area is 6°W, and deviation is 2°W. What course would you steer per gyrocompass to make good a true course of 232°?

    N a. 229°pgc
    N b. 231°pgc
    N c. 233°pgc
    Y d. 235°pgc

4008: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°E. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a gyro heading of 037°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 350° 122.5° - 110° 239.5° - 230°
030.5° - 020° 152.0° - 140° 269.0° - 260°
061.5° - 050° 181.0° - 170° 298.0° - 290°
092.0° - 080° 210.0° - 200° 327.5° - 320°

    Y a. 1.0°W
    N b. 1.5°W
    N c. 1.5°E
    N d. 2.0°E

10203: Your present position is LAT 41°05.5'N, LONG 72°38.0'W. Assuming there is no set and drift, what course must you steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to arrive at a position 3 miles due north of Horton Point Light?

    N a. 077°psc
    N b. 081°psc
    Y c. 085°psc
    N d. 088°psc

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

15409: At 1540, your position is LAT 37°18.4'N, LONG 76°10.5'W. Which course should you steer per gyrocompass to head for the entrance to Cape Charles City?

    N a. 109°pgc
    N b. 117°pgc
    N c. 123°pgc
    Y d. 129°pgc

15561: At what time will you cross the 60 foot curve if you make good 12 knots?

    Y a. 0527
    N b. 0534
    N c. 0541
    N d. 0544

15612: At 1920, Cape Henry Light bears 225°pgc, and Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light bears 288°pgc. If your heading is 268°T, what is the relative bearing of Chesapeake Light?

    N a. 194°
    N b. 205°
    Y c. 213°
    N d. 220°

15710: From your 0830 position, you wish to make good 097°T. There is no current, but a southerly wind is producing 3°
leeway. What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass in order to make good your true course?

    N a. 118°psc
    Y b. 115°psc
    N c. 112°psc
    N d. 109°psc

15718: Your vessel is entering New London Harbor Channel. If there is no current, what should you steer per gyro compass to stay on the range?

    Y a. 351°
    N b. 354°
    N c. 357°
    N d. 006°

15799: 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?

    N a. 8.5 knots
    N b. 9.7 knots
    Y c. 10.9 knots
    N d. 12.1 knots

15816: 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

15962: Based on dead reckoning, at approximately 1817 you would expect to __________.

    N a. enter a traffic separation zone
    N b. depart a restricted area
    N c. cross a submerged pipeline
    Y d. depart a regulated area

16139: From your 1930 position, you set a course of 150°T. Your engine speed is 13 knots. What will be your distance off Valiant Rock Bell Buoy "1A" when abeam, if you make good your true course of 150°?

    N a. 0.8 mile
    Y b. 1.0 miles
    N c. 1.2 miles
    N d. 1.4 miles

16419: You estimate the current to be 160°T at 1.2 knots. What should your course and speed be in order to make good 000°
T at 10 knots?

    Y a. 358°T at 11.1 knots
    N b. 358°T at 09.8 knots
    N c. 002°T at 11.2 knots
    N d. 002°T at 09.9 knots

16644: Visibility becomes variable in patchy fog and you maintain 5 knots speed. At 0610 you sight Montauk Point Light bearing 239°pgc, and at 0630 you sight Watch Hill Point Light bearing 333°pgc. What is the position of your 0630 running fix?

    Y a. LAT 41°08.3'N, LONG 71°45.4'W
    N b. LAT 41°08.2'N, LONG 71°45.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°08.1'N, LONG 71°45.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°08.0'N, LONG 71°45.2'W

16714: What was the current between 0520 and 0600?

    N a. 201° at 1.0 knot
    N b. 201° at 1.5 knot
    N c. 021° at 1.0 knot
    Y d. 021° at 1.5 knots

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