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.


44: The highest point on your towboat is 52 feet above the water, and the Helena Gage reads +9.6 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the A-span of the Helena Highway Bridge?


61: What is the width of the navigable channel at Grand Gulf Island Light (mile 404.9 AHP) ?


79: The map shows a circle with two black quadrants located at mile 846.4 AHP. What does this indicate?


147: After passing Oak Bend Lt. (mile 425.6 AHP) you see a light gray shaded area extending into the river shown on the map. This indicates a __________.

    N a. fleeting area
    N b. weir
    N c. dike
    Y d. revetment

157: At 1710 on 27 November, you are abeam of Kings Point Lt. (mile 439.8 AHP). At this time you receive a message that there will no be space for you at the Redneb Services Dock until after 1200 on the 29 November. What speed over the ground will you have to slow to so as not to arrive before this time?

    N a. 5.4 mph
    N b. 6.1 mph
    N c. 6.9 mph
    Y d. 7.9 mph

199: You are underway in the vicinity of Block Island and obtain the following lines of position:

Montauk Point Light 263°pgc
Block Island Southeast Light 026°pgc
Radar Bearing to Block Island Southwest Point 348°pgc

What is your position at the time of these sightings?

    N a. LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 71°36.2'W
    Y b. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 71°35.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 71°35.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 71°35.0'W

242: At 1210, you are in position LAT 41°14.3'N, LONG 72°16.5'W. What is the depth of water below your keel?

    N a. 92 feet (28.0 meters)
    Y b. 97 feet (29.4 meters)
    N c. 108 feet (32.7 meters)
    N d. 115 feet (35.0 meters)

298: You have just passed York River Entrance Channel Lighted Buoys "13" and "14". The chart shows a light approximately 1.0 mile off your port beam with a light characteristic "Fl 6 sec". What is the name of this light?

    Y a. York Spit Light
    N b. New Point Comfort Shoal Light
    N c. Mobjack Bay Entrance Light
    N d. York River Entrance Channel Light "1"

312: A vessel at LAT 07°05'N, LONG 81°45'W is to proceed to LAT 08°40'N, LONG 88°00'W. What are the course and distance by mid-latitude sailing?

    N a. 283.1°T, 381.2 miles
    Y b. 284.3°T, 384.6 miles
    N c. 285.6°T, 385.0 miles
    N d. 286.8°T, 387.4 miles

528: You depart LAT 38°12'S, LONG 12°06'W and steam 1543 miles on course 270°. What is the Longitude of arrival?

    Y a. 44°49'W
    N b. 45°12'W
    N c. 45°37'W
    N d. 45°42'W

549: In order to check your compasses, you sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light bearing 074°pgc. The helmsman was steering 303°pgc and 315° per standard magnetic compass at the time.

Which of the following is TRUE?

    N a. The true line of the range is 072°.
    N b. The deviation based on the observation is 15°W.
    N c. The magnetic compass error is 12°W.
    Y d. The gyro error is exactly 1.5°E.

558: At 0530, you change course to 090°T and increase speed to 8.5 knots. What is the course to steer per gyro compass if northerly winds are causing 2° of leeway?

    N a. 094°pgc
    N b. 092°pgc
    Y c. 090°pgc
    N d. 088°pgc

1286: As you pass under the Vicksburg Bridges, you estimate the current as 3.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground, if your vessel is making turns for 10.5 mph?

    N a. 16.5 mph
    Y b. 13.5 mph
    N c. 10.5 mph
    N d. 7.5 mph

1392: On 3 February , your 0550 zone time DR position is LAT 26°16.0'N, LONG 112°05.0'W. Considering their magnitude,
azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time?

    N a. Spica, Antares, Saturn
    N b. Vega, Antares, Dubhe
    N c. Venus, Regulus, Vega
    Y d. Spica, Kochab, Rasalhague

1408: The horizontal clearance of the center span on the Baton Rouge RR and Highway 190 Bridge is __________.

    N a. 443
    N b. 500
    Y c. 623
    N d. 748

1497: On 19 November , your 0146 ZT position is LAT 33°48'N, LONG 25°22'E. You observe Polaris bearing 359.8°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 224°pgc and 222.5°psc. The variation is 2°E. What is the deviation for that heading?

    N a. 2.0°E
    N b. 0.5°E
    Y c. 1.0°W
    N d. 1.5°W

1675: On 28 November , your vessel's 0652 DR position is LAT 37°30'N, LONG 124°12'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 103° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 16.3°E. The chronometer reads 02h 54m 18s and is 02m 06s fast. What is the deviation of the compass?

    Y a. 2.5°W
    N b. 3.0°W
    N c. 2.0°E
    N d. 3.0°E

2111: According to the DR track line from your 0100 position, how far off Roanoke Point Shoal Buoy "5" should you be when the buoy is abeam?

    N a. 0.2 mile
    Y b. 0.6 mile
    N c. 1.3 mile
    N d. 1.8 miles

2209: 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

2853: Your vessel is on a course of 343°T at 14 knots. At 2156 a light bears 320.5°T, and at 2217 the light bears 298°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    Y a. 2232, 3.4 miles
    N b. 2235, 4.3 miles
    N c. 2228, 4.9 miles
    N d. 2241, 6.9 miles

2880: Your vessel is steering 218°T at 19 knots. At 2223 a light bears 261°T, and at 2234 the same light bears 289°T. What will be your distance off abeam?

    N a. 4.5 miles
    Y b. 4.9 miles
    N c. 5.3 miles
    N d. 5.7 miles

3055: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 24.6 feet and a pitch of 26.1 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 462 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 72?

    N a. -2.7%
    N b. +2.7%
    Y c. -3.8%
    N d. +3.8%

3094: If the pitch of the propeller is 26.7 feet, and the revolutions per day are 131,717, calculate the day's run allowing 4% negative slip.

    N a. 555.2 miles
    N b. 578.4 miles
    Y c. 601.6 miles
    N d. 649.4 miles

3267: Your vessel arrives in port with sufficient fuel to steam 726 miles at 16 knots. If you are unable to take on bunkers, at what speed must you proceed to reach your next port, 873 miles distant?

    Y a. 14.6 knots
    N b. 15.1 knots
    N c. 16.3 knots
    N d. 16.8 knots

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

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

3757: 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 311°T, and the variation is 8°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 305° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation?

    N a. 2°E
    Y b. 2°W
    N c. 6°E
    N d. 6°W

10104: Your GPS position is LAT 36°55.2'N, LONG 75°33.1'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to Rudee Inlet (LAT 36°49.8'N, LONG 75°58.0'W)?

    N a. 246.0°psc
    N b. 254.5°psc
    N c. 261.0°psc
    Y d. 265.5°psc

11906: Your position is 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course to steer to arrive at LAT 41°00.0'N, LONG 71°30.0'W, if you are turning for 8.7 knots, the current is 130° at 1.2 knots, and a northerly wind causes 3° of leeway?

    N a. 112°T
    N b. 108°T
    N c. 105°T
    Y d. 102°T

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

14001: At 1745 Lady Island Range is in line dead ahead and Government Island Upper Range is in line on your starboard bow. Your vessel is steaming in a westerly direction. At 1851 you pass under the Interstate 5 highway bridge. What speed have you averaged?

    N a. 10 mph
    Y b. 11 mph
    N c. 12 mph
    N d. 13 mph

14003: At 1430 your vessel passes under the Interstate 5 highway bridge east bound. Your engines are making RPM's for 12 mph. If the current is ebbing at 3 mph, what is your ETA at Bonneville Lock?

    N a. 1744
    N b. 1753
    N c. 1834
    Y d. 1848

15013: At 2020, what is the course to steer to enter the inbound lane of North Chesapeake Entrance traffic separation scheme if a northwesterly wind causes 3° of leeway?

    N a. 227°pgc
    N b. 224°pgc
    Y c. 221°pgc
    N d. 215°pgc

15015: At 2100, Cape Charles Light bears 321°pgc, and Cape Henry Light bears 247°pgc. Your latitude is __________.

    N a. 37°00.0'N
    N b. 36°59.7'N
    Y c. 36°59.4'N
    N d. 36°59.1'N

15022: You are upbound approaching Springfield Bend Lt. (mile 244.8 AHP) downriver from Profit Island. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. Profit Island Chute is open to navigation and is a shortcut for single-barge tows.
    N b. Tow length must not exceed 600 feet to use Profit Island Chute.
    Y c. Profit Island Chute is closed to navigation.
    N d. Tows must navigate towards right descending bank when passing Profit Island Chute.

15168: Which chart provides more detail of Cape Charles harbor and its approaches?

    N a. 12238
    N b. 12225
    Y c. 12224
    N d. 12222

15209: At 1800, Tue Marshes Light bears 264.5°pgc, York Spit Swash Channel Light "3" bears 007°pgc. Your position is __________.

    N a. LAT 37°15.5'N, LONG 76°19.8'W
    N b. LAT 37°15.2'N, LONG 76°20.3'W
    N c. LAT 37°15.0'N, LONG 76°20.0'W
    Y d. LAT 37°14.5'N, LONG 76°20.1'W

15212: At 1930, your vessel is between York River Entrance Channel Lighted Buoys "1YR" and "2". From this position, you change course to 142°pgc at an engine speed of 8.0 knots. At 2001, you obtain the following information:
Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light - 131°pgc;
Thimble Shoal Light - 248°pgc

What were the set and drift between 1930 and 2001?

    N a. 127° at 1.1 knot
    Y b. 127° at 0.5 knot
    N c. 307° at 1.1 knot
    N d. 307° at 0.5 knot

15314: Your gyro and electronic gear are again operating. At 1710, Chesapeake Light bears 137°pgc at 6.6 miles. The current is setting 160°T at 2 knots. At your speed of 6 knots, what is your true course to steer to remain in the inbound traffic lane?

    Y a. 269°
    N b. 265°
    N c. 261°
    N d. 250°

15364: At 0615, Stratford Point Light bears 292°pgc, Falkner Island Light bears 052°pgc, and Branford Reef Light bears 018°pgc. What was the current since 0530?

    Y a. 083° at 1.2 knots
    N b. 083° at 0.9 knots
    N c. 263° at 1.2 knots
    N d. 263° at 0.9 knots

15416: At 2200, you are in position LAT 36°57.5'N, LONG 76°02.5'W. You intend to travel up the Thimble Shoals auxiliary Channel to Hampton Roads. According to the Coast Pilot,
what is the depth of the auxiliary channel on either side of the main channel?

    N a. 28 feet (8.5 meters)
    Y b. 32 feet (9.8 meters)
    N c. 36 feet (11.0 meters)
    N d. 45 feet (13.7 meters)

15717: From your 1210 position, you are steering a course of 083°
T. Your engines are turning RPMs for 10 knots. The set and drift of the current are 310° at 1.7 knots. At what time should you expect to enter the red sector of New London Harbor Light?

    N a. 1241
    Y b. 1249
    N c. 1256
    N d. 1309

15729: If the Rosedale Gage reads -0.5 feet, what is the water level if the low water reference plane for Rosedale is 3.0 feet?

    N a. 0.5 foot below the plane
    N b. 0.5 foot above the plane
    N c. 2.5 feet above the plane
    Y d. 3.5 feet below the plane

15814: At 0130, you obtain the following bearings:

Horton Point Lighthouse 078°T
Mattituck Breakwater Light tower 196°T

What were the course and speed made good between 0100 and 0130?

    Y a. 246°T at 9.8 knots
    N b. 253°T at 9.4 knots
    N c. 259°T at 9.8 knots
    N d. 267°T at 9.4 knots

15938: At 1910 you obtain the following bearings:

Bartlett Reef Light 268°T
Race Rock Light 147°T
Little Gull Island Light 198°T

Which of the following is your position at 1910?

    N a. LAT 41°17.4'N, LONG 72°05.6'W
    N b. LAT 41°17.0'N, LONG 72°07.1'W
    Y c. LAT 41°16.6'N, LONG 72°04.6'W
    N d. LAT 41°16.2'N, LONG 72°06.4'W

15958: Your 1752 position is __________.

    N a. less than 0.2 mile to the west of York Spit Channel
    N b. less than 0.2 mile to the east of York Spit Channel
    Y c. more than 0.2 mile to the west of York Spit Channel
    N d. more than 0.2 mile to the east of York Spit Channel

16062: At 1930, your vessel is between York River Entrance Channel Lighted Buoys "1YR" and "2". From this position, you change course to 142°pgc at an engine speed of 8.0 knots. At 2000, you take the following bearings: Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light - 131°pgc Thimble Shoal Light - 247°pgc
What were the set and drift between 1930 and 2000?

    N a. 140°T at 0.2 knot
    Y b. 140°T at 0.4 knot
    N c. 320°T at 0.2 knot
    N d. 320°T at 0.4 knot

16118: You will enter waters governed by the International Rules when __________.

    N a. you cross the territorial sea boundary line
    N b. abeam of buoy "CBJ"
    N c. you cross the boundary of the contiguous zone
    Y d. Cape Charles Light bears 022°T

16207: If you change course at 0610, what is the course to steer to a point where Little Gull Island Light bears 180°T at 0.7 mile (Point "A")?

    N a. 072°pgc
    N b. 076°pgc
    Y c. 080°pgc
    N d. 084°pgc

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°

16363: At 0405, you increase speed and at 0500 your position is LAT 37°06.0'N, LONG 75°41.1'W. What is the approximate depth of water?

    N a. 46 feet (13.9 meters)
    Y b. 54 feet (16.4 meters)
    N c. 62 feet (18.8 meters)
    N d. 66 feet (20.0 meters)

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