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.


264: At 0720, you are in the outer channel between buoy "1" and buoy "2" and change course to pass Townshend Ledge Lighted Bell Buoy "10A" abeam to port at 200 yards. What is your ETA off the buoy?


358: From your 0410 fix, what is the course per standard magnetic compass to the entrance to York Spit Channel between buoys "37" and "38"?


366: At 0731, approximately how much water is under your keel?


398: You depart LAT 32°16.6'N, LONG 68°28.0'W. What is the course and distance as calculated by Mercator sailing to a position at LAT 43°12.2'N, LONG 55°39.0'W?

    Y a. 042.8°T, 896.2 miles
    N b. 049.1°T, 955.1 miles
    N c. 132.8°T, 896.2 miles
    N d. 136.6°T, 955.1 miles

405: You depart LAT 33°45.0'N, LONG 118°30.0'W, and steam 2216 miles on course 250°T. What is the longitude of your arrival by Mercator sailing?

    N a. LONG 156°08.0'W
    N b. LONG 156°36.0'W
    N c. LONG 157°21.0'W
    Y d. LONG 157°31.0'W

412: A vessel steams 1650 miles on course 077°T from LAT 12°47'N, LONG 45°10'E. What is the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by Mercator sailing?

    N a. LAT 18°54'N, LONG 72°58'E
    Y b. LAT 18°58'N, LONG 72°52'E
    N c. LAT 19°02'N, LONG 72°44'E
    N d. LAT 19°06'N, LONG 72°36'E

420: At 0930, your position is LAT 41°16.5'N, LONG 71°41.4'W, and you are turning for 7 knots. Allowing 3° leeway for southerly winds and estimating the current as 035° at 0.3 knot, what is the course to steer (pgc) to point "B"?

    Y a. 096°pgc
    N b. 094°pgc
    N c. 091°pgc
    N d. 089°pgc

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

566: Your cargo vessel is berthed near Lamberts Point in Norfolk. You are on a voyage to Baltimore, Maryland. Which larger scale chart should you use to show the area from Lamberts Point to Hampton Roads?

    N a. 12224
    N b. 12241
    Y c. 12245
    N d. 12256

1215: It is 9 February and you are keeping zone time -6. You are on course 258°T, speed 19 knots. Your 0840 DR position is LAT 26°21.0'S, LONG 78°39.0'E. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks?

    N a. 12h 05m 21s
    N b. 12h 37m 12s
    N c. 13h 13m 40s
    Y d. 13h 05m 44s

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

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

1305: As you approach Ashland Light (mile 378.1 AHP) which daymark would you see?

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

1413: You complete changing out your tow and get underway enroute Ark City Tank Storage (mile 554.0 AHP) to deliver the tank barges. What is the distance you must travel from Cairo Point Light?

    N a. 202.1 miles
    Y b. 400.7 miles
    N c. 554.2 miles
    N d. 605.8 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

1876: 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 11°37.6' bearing 066°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. Scheat
    N b. Ruckbah
    N c. Caph
    Y d. Algenib

1888: On 8 April , your evening DR position is LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 157°58.3'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 238°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 50°02.7'. The chronometer reads 05h 09m 57s, and is 01m 23s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Betelgeuse
    N b. Aldebaran
    Y c. Alnilam
    N d. Bellatrix

1950: The Greenville Gage reads 10.6 feet. The high point of your towboat is 54 feet above water. What is the vertical
clearance as you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge?

    N a. 44.4 feet
    N b. 54.2 feet
    Y c. 65.4 feet
    N d. 75.4 feet

1964: The Platte River empties into which river?

    N a. Mississippi
    Y b. Missouri
    N c. Ohio
    N d. Tennessee

2031: After passing Wilkinson Lt. (mile 310.0 AHP) 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
    N c. keep as close to the right descending bank as safety permits
    Y d. keep as close to the left descending bank as safety permits

2109: At 0100, you obtain the following bearings:

Rocky Point Lookout Tower 062°T
Horton Point Lighthouse 189°T

What was the speed made good between 0045 and 0100?

    Y a. 7.4 knots
    N b. 8.0 knots
    N c. 8.7 knots
    N d. 9.2 knots

2120: At 1502 ZT, on 4 August , in DR position LAT 11° 21.6' S, LONG 088° 14.3' E, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The upper limb of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 289° psc. The variation is 15° W. What is the deviation?

    N a. 1.1°E
    Y b. 1.1°W
    N c. 1.9°E
    N d. 1.9°W

2151: On 16 June , 0612 zone time, morning stars were observed. The vessel's position was LAT 27°23.0'S, LONG 56°22.0'W. The vessel is steaming at 16.0 knots on a course of 212°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0850 zone time. The chronometer reads 00h 53m 19s, and the sextant altitude is 22°58.6'. The index error is 2.0' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 02m 43s fast. Your height of eye is 61.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    Y a. 044.3°
    N b. 052.6°
    N c. 136.1°
    N d. 148.4°

2162: On 5 April , at 0509 zone time, morning stars were observed and the vessel's position was LAT 28°32'N, LONG 177°13.0'W. Your vessel is steaming at 19.0 knots on a course of 258°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 1021 zone time. The chronometer reads 10h 20m 09s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 58°06.6'. The index error is 1.0' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 00m 54s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 55.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    N a. 125.8°T
    N b. 128.8°T
    Y c. 129.2°T
    N d. 130.2°T

2664: You are on course 061°T, at a speed of 12.4 knots. At 0839 you see a rock bearing 059°T at a range of 4.4 miles. If you change course at 0845 to leave the rock abeam to starboard at 1.5 mile, at what time will the rock be abeam?

    N a. 0854
    Y b. 0859
    N c. 0903
    N d. 0906

2720: Which company utility crossing is at mile 529.7 AHP?

    Y a. Texas Gas Transmission Corp. submerged gas pipeline
    N b. Tennessee Gas Co. submerged gas pipeline
    N c. ANR Pipeline Co. submerged gas pipeline
    N d. Trunkline Gas Co. submerged gas pipeline

2783: Which daymark would you see as you approach Red Store Light (mile 269.5 AHP)?

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

2860: Your vessel is on a course of 144°T at 16 knots. At 0126 a light bears 166.5°T, and at 0152 the light bears 189°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0205, 4.1 miles
    Y b. 0210, 4.8 miles
    N c. 0215, 6.0 miles
    N d. 0220, 6.4 miles

2870: Your vessel is on a course of 126°T at 17 knots. At 0251 a light bears 099.5°T, and at 0313 the light bears 081°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0327, 4.4 miles
    Y b. 0335, 6.2 miles
    N c. 0345, 6.8 miles
    N d. 0351, 7.4 miles

3083: The speed necessary to reach port at a designated time is 18.7 knots. The propeller pitch is 24'03", and you estimate 3% positive slip. How many RPM's will the shaft have to turn?

    Y a. 81 RPM
    N b. 87 RPM
    N c. 98 RPM
    N d. 104 RPM

3085: You must average 16.25 knots to reach port at a designated time. Your propeller has a pitch of 21'08", and you estimate 4% negative slip. How many RPM's must you average to arrive on time?

    Y a. 73 RPM
    N b. 77 RPM
    N c. 82 RPM
    N d. 88 RPM

3099: The propellers on your twin screw vessel have a pitch of 16'04". What is the distance in a day's run if the average RPM is 94, and you estimate 7% positive slip?

    Y a. 338.3 miles
    N b. 389.3 miles
    N c. 676.6 miles
    N d. 778.6 miles

3279: While steaming at 15.0 knots, your vessel consumes 326 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 178 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?

    N a. 8.1 knots
    N b. 8.5 knots
    N c. 11.1 knots
    Y d. 12.2 knots

3308: You have steamed 142 miles and consumed 21.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 465 miles?

    N a. 43.4 tons
    N b. 57.6 tons
    Y c. 68.8 tons
    N d. 72.8 tons

3628: Your vessel is steering course 352°psc, variation for the area is 11°E, and deviation is 9°W. The wind is from the northeast, producing a 1° leeway. What true course are you making good?

    N a. 349°T
    N b. 351°T
    Y c. 353°T
    N d. 355°T

3635: You desire to make good a true course of 236°. The variation is 8°E, magnetic compass deviation is 1°E, and gyrocompass error is 3°W. A south-southeasterly wind produces a 1° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to make the true course good?

    Y a. 226°psc
    N b. 228°psc
    N c. 244°psc
    N d. 246°psc

3646: The true course between two points is 041°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 1°W. You make an allowance of 2° leeway for a east-southeast wind. What gyro course should be steered to make the true course good?

    N a. 040°pgc
    N b. 042°pgc
    N c. 043°pgc
    Y d. 044°pgc

3760: 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 352°T, and the variation is 4°W. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 359° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation?

    Y a. 3°W
    N b. 7°E
    N c. 11°E
    N d. 11°W

10101: Your GPS position is LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 75°48.6'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to a position one mile east of Cape Charles Buoy "14" (LAT 37°07.4'N, LONG 75°41.0'W)?

    N a. 040°psc
    Y b. 045°psc
    N c. 049°psc
    N d. 053°psc

10902: Fishermans Island (LAT 37°05.0'N, LONG 75°57.7'W) is __________.

    N a. privately owned
    N b. sparsely wooded and awash at spring tides
    N c. a high rocky promontory with marshy backwater
    Y d. a National Wildlife Refuge

11309: At 1919 your position is LAT 37°00.5'N, LONG 75°43.8'W. At 2019 your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. What is the course made good?

    N a. 090°T
    Y b. 093°T
    N c. 096°T
    N d. 099°T

11500: At 2016 your GPS position is LAT 41°07.6'N, LONG 71°37.8'W. At 2128 your GPS position is LAT 41°00.4'N, LONG 71°29.4'W. What was the speed made good between the two positions?

    N a. 11.9 knots
    N b. 10.2 knots
    Y c. 8.0 knots
    N d. 7.4 knots

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

12901: Your 1152 position is LAT 37°23.9'N, LONG 76°05.5'W. You are turning for 10.3 knots. What is your ETA at Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel if you follow York Spit Channel?

    Y a. 1404
    N b. 1349
    N c. 1342
    N d. 1339

12906: At 0919 you are in Chesapeake Channel between Trestle B and Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. What is your ETA between York River Entrance Channel Buoys "17" and "18" if you are making 11.3 knots?

    N a. 1034
    N b. 1039
    Y c. 1044
    N d. 1049

13008: Your 2215 position is LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 72°59.4'W. You are making 15 knots. What is your ETA at Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy (LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°30.5'W)?

    N a. 2338
    Y b. 2343
    N c. 2349
    N d. 2354

13700: Local magnetic disturbances of up to how many degrees have been noted from Cape Henry to Currituck Beach Light?

    N a. 2 degrees
    Y b. 6 degrees
    N c. 11 degrees
    N d. 17 degrees

15310: Which chart could you use for greater detail of the area at the south end of York Spit Channel?

    Y a. 12222
    N b. 12224
    N c. 12226
    N d. 12254

16260: If your vessel draws 6.5 feet (2 meters), what is the approximate depth of water under your keel at 0320?

    N a. 52 feet (15.8 meters)
    N b. 48 feet (14.5 meters)
    N c. 44 feet (13.3 meters)
    Y d. 40 feet (12.0 meters)

16466: The abandoned lighthouse at Cape Henry is a(n) __________.

    Y a. gray, pyramidal tower
    N b. mound of broken rubble
    N c. octagonal, black and white tower
    N d. black, skeleton structure

16513: At 0748, you change course to 160°T. What loran reading can you follow to remain on this course?

    Y a. 9960-W-14651.0
    N b. 9960-W-14660.0
    N c. 9960-Y-43852.0
    N d. 9960-Y-43943.8

16520: Which chart should you use to enter Great Salt Pond?

    N a. 13214
    N b. 13205
    Y c. 13217
    N d. 13207