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.


41: The Delta-Friar Point revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________.


62: 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?


211: You decide to use the 9960-Y and 9960-W rates. At 1915,
you obtain the following readings:

9960-Y-43936.0
9960-W-14653.3

What is your 1915 position?


244: 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?

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

282: From your 1752 position, you steer 307°pgc at 9 knots. At 1805, you obtain the visual bearings. What are the latitude and longitude of your 1805 position? Old Pt. Comfort Light 232°pgc. Chesapeake Bay Tunnel North Light 130°pgc.

    Y a. LAT 37°05.9'N, LONG 76°08.0'W
    N b. LAT 37°06.0'N, LONG 76°08.4'W
    N c. LAT 37°05.9'N, LONG 76°07.7'W
    N d. LAT 37°06.1'N, LONG 76°07.5'W

399: A vessel at LAT 11°22'S, LONG 009°18'E heads for a destination at LAT 06°52'N, LONG 57°23'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 296°T, 3,825.3 miles
    N b. 296°T, 4,154.2 miles
    N c. 285°T, 3,825.3 miles
    Y d. 285°T, 4,154.2 miles

414: A vessel at LAT 49°45'N, LONG 6°35'W, heads for a destination at LAT 25°50'N, LONG 77°00'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

    Y a. 246.5°T, 3597 miles
    N b. 253.0°T, 3648 miles
    N c. 268.6°T, 3483 miles
    N d. 066.4°T, 3602 miles

441: 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?

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

829: On 8 May , in DR position LAT 30°26.0'N, LONG 46°55.1'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of Dubhe. The chronometer time of the sight is 11h 10m 54s, and the chronometer error is 01m 18s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 58°35.0'. The index error is 1.5' on the arc, and your height of eye is 44 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    N a. LAT 30°12.5'N
    Y b. LAT 30°19.8'N
    N c. LAT 30°27.6'N
    N d. LAT 30°35.8'N

983: On 17 January , your 0730 zone time position was LAT 22°26.0'N, LONG 152°17.0'E. Your vessel was steaming on course 136°T at a speed of 17.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 1015 ZT. The chronometer read 00h 13m 23s and was slow 01m 49s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 40°25.7'. LAN occurred at 1222 zone time. The observed altitude (Ho) was 47°48.1'. What was the longitude of your 1200 zone time running fix?

    N a. LONG 153°04.2'E
    N b. LONG 153°08.3'E
    Y c. LONG 153°13.1'E
    N d. LONG 153°18.6'E

1080: On 20 Feb. , your 0530 ZT DR position is LAT 24°15.0'N, LONG 137°33.0'W. You are on course 033°T at a speed of 18 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix. NP-0010

    N a. LAT 24°23.3'N, LONG 137°35.5'W
    N b. LAT 24°26.0'N, LONG 137°25.8'W
    Y c. LAT 24°27.5'N, LONG 137°31.8'W
    N d. LAT 24°30.1'N, LONG 137°24.5'W

1410: What is the distance from the Amoco Docks at Baton Rouge, LA, to Pittsburgh, PA?

    Y a. 1681 miles
    N b. 1575 miles
    N c. 981 miles
    N d. 727 miles

1463: On 26 May , your 0723 zone time DR position is LAT 24°50.0'N, LONG 38°11.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 076.5°psc. The chronometer reads 10h 25m 43s, and the chronometer error is 02m 57s fast. The variation is 7°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 3.3°E
    N b. 3.7°W
    N c. 8.3°W
    Y d. 10.7°E

1642: From your 2129 position you reduce engine speed to 14 knots. What is the course to make good from your 2129 position to arrive 0.3 mile north of Lighted Whistle Buoy "NCA" (LL#375) assuming no set and drift?

    N a. 216°T
    N b. 219°T
    Y c. 222°T
    N d. 225°T

1728: As you approach Canon Point Light (mile 418.3 AHP), what daymark will you see on the light structure?

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

1959: The charts show two dashed lines crossing the river just south of St. Catherine Bar Light. What does this indicate?

    N a. Overhead power lines
    N b. Louisiana-Mississippi ferry crossings
    N c. Two railroad trestles
    Y d. Two submerged oil pipelines

1986: You are in charge of a vessel that damages an aid to navigation established and maintained by the United States. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You must take the aid in tow and deliver it to the nearest Coast Guard, Marine Safety Office.
    N b. You must report the allision to the nearest Army Corps.. of
    Engineers Office.

    N c. You may wait until you reach your destination before reporting the allision to the U.S. Coast Guard.
    Y d. You must report the accident to the nearest Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.

2124: If the visibility is 10 miles and you are in the red sector, at what distance off should you sight Cape Henry Light?

    Y a. 15 miles
    N b. 12 miles
    N c. 10 miles
    N d. 08 miles

2161: On 28 April , your vessel's 0515 zone time position is LAT 23°26'S, LONG 95°30'E. At this time, the observed altitude (Ho) of the star Rigil Kentaurus is 24°51.4'. Your chronometer reads 11h 16m 36s and is 01m 18s fast. What is the intercept (a) based on the assumed position method?

    N a. 30.9 miles
    N b. 32.3 miles
    N c. 33.1 miles
    Y d. 34.4 miles

2177: On 21 November , at 0430 ZT, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was LAT 22°14.0'S, LONG 79°23.0'E. Your vessel is steaming at 14.5 knots on a course of 246°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0816 ZT. The chronometer reads 03h 14m 16s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 44°29.2'. The index error is 1.0' on the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 47s slow. Your height of eye is 61.0 feet (18.6 meters). What is the azimuth (Zn) and intercept (a) of this sight using the assumed position?

    N a. Zn 084.2°, a 6.6' A
    N b. Zn 084.2°, a 6.6' T
    N c. Zn 095.6°, a 6.6' A
    Y d. Zn 095.6°, a 6.6' T

2210: The low water reference plane (LWRP) for Bayou Sara is 5.25 feet. If the Bayou Sara Gage reads -0.5 feet, what is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane?

    N a. 4.75 feet above the plane
    N b. 5.75 feet above the plane
    Y c. 5.75 feet below the plane
    N d. 4.75 feet below the plane

2275: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 24°00.7' on 10 January . The index error is 2.6' off the arc. The height of eye is 55 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 24°07.4'
    N b. 24°08.9'
    Y c. 24°10.2'
    N d. 24°11.8'

2281: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 62°22.2' on 6 June . The index error is 1.2' on the arc. The height of eye is 28 feet (8.5 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 62°24.8'
    N b. 62°26.9'
    Y c. 62°31.4'
    N d. 62°36.7'

2460: You have steamed 499 miles at 21 knots and burning 462 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 221 barrels per day with 311 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    N a. 17.3
    Y b. 18.4
    N c. 19.1
    N d. 20.0

2688: While on a course of 214°pgc, a light bears 9° on the port bow at a distance of 7.4 miles. What course should you steer to pass 2 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port?

    N a. 189°pgc
    N b. 209°pgc
    Y c. 221°pgc
    N d. 229°pgc

2776: The charts show a circle with two black quadrants located at mile 846.0 AHP. What does this indicate?

    N a. Hazardous chemical dock
    Y b. River Gage
    N c. Betz-Tipton Veneers Terminal
    N d. Bulletin Board

2863: Your vessel is underway on a course of 115°T at 18 knots. At 1850 a lighthouse bears 137.5°T. At 1920, the same lighthouse bears 160°T. What time will the lighthouse pass abeam to starboard?

    N a. 1929
    Y b. 1941
    N c. 1949
    N d. 1955

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

3309: You have steamed 142 miles and consumed 15.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 472 miles?

    N a. 36.5 tons
    Y b. 49.9 tons
    N c. 53.8 tons
    N d. 61.4 tons

3319: You are taking a time tick using the 2000 signal from Kekaha-Kauai, Hawaii (WWVH). 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 08h 00m 12s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 08h 01m 22s, and the chronometer reads 07h 59m 39s. What is the chronometer error?

    N a. 0m 12s fast
    N b. 1m 10s fast
    N c. 0m 21s slow
    Y d. 1m 31s slow

10608: At 1825 your GPS position is LAT 41°04.9'N, LONG 72°42.1'W. You are on course 085° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 10 knots. At 1910 your GPS position is 1 mile due south of Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy. What were your set and drift?

    N a. 233°T at 2.9 knots
    N b. 227°T at 2.5 knots
    Y c. 054°T at 2.8 knots
    N d. 051°T at 2.1 knots

10702: At 1922 your position is LAT 41°09.2'N, LONG 71°40.6'W. You are on course 028° per standard magnetic compass at 6.4 knots. At 2046 your position is LAT 41°17.2'N, LONG 71°38.6'W. What were the set and drift?

    Y a. 235°T at 0.8 knot
    N b. 247°T at 1.1 knots
    N c. 049°T at 0.7 knot
    N d. 062°T at 1.0 knots

11407: At 1930 your GPS position is LAT 41°00.5'N, LONG 72°49.5'W. At 2018 your position is LAT 41°08.6'N, LONG 72°41.6'W. What was your true course and speed made good?

    N a. 219° at 10.1 knots
    N b. 214° at 12.5 knots
    Y c. 036° at 12.6 knots
    N d. 039° at 11.2 knots

13100: Your position is LAT 41°15.2'N, LONG 71°50.1'W at 1347. You are turning for 6.9 knots. What is your ETA at Shagwong Reef Buoy "7SR"?

    Y a. 1506
    N b. 1515
    N c. 1521
    N d. 1527

13808: The chart symbol depicted at LAT 41°13.5'N, LONG 72°29.7'W indicates __________.

    N a. the exact position of a dangerous wreck
    Y b. the approximate position of a wreck dangerous to surface navigation
    N c. a wreck cleared by wire drag to a depth of 39 feet
    N d. a wreck not dangerous to surface navigation

14303: What is the height above the water of light No. 84 on the Columbia River below Bonneville lock & dam?

    N a. 10 feet
    Y b. 14 feet
    N c. 18 feet
    N d. 24 feet

15014: If you make good 12 knots, what is the ETA at North Chesapeake Channel Entrance Buoy "NCA" (LL #375)?

    N a. 2116
    Y b. 2111
    N c. 2106
    N d. 2101

15315: At 1810, you obtain the following radar reading:

Cape Henry Light bearing 252.5° true @4.0 nm


What is your position?

    N a. LAT 36°56.0'N, LONG 75°58.5'W
    N b. LAT 36°55.4'N, LONG 75°56.0'W
    N c. LAT 36°54.9'N, LONG 75°53.8'W
    Y d. LAT 36°56.8'N, LONG 75°55.6'W

15565: From your 0600 position, what is the course per gyrocompass to leave Watch Hill Light abeam to starboard at 2.0 miles if a southerly wind is producing 3° of leeway?

    N a. 251°pgc
    N b. 254°pgc
    N c. 257°pgc
    Y d. 261°pgc

15724: You pass Morrison Towhead Light (mile 890.5 AHP) at 1723. What was your average speed since leaving Cairo?

    N a. 7.5 mph
    N b. 7.8 mph
    Y c. 8.5 mph
    N d. 8.8 mph

15819: You must arrive at your final destination by 0800. The distance from your 0300 position to the final destination is 40.5 miles. What minimum speed must be made good to arrive on time?

    Y a. 8.1 knots
    N b. 8.5 knots
    N c. 9.3 knots
    N d. 9.6 knots

15968: What was the speed made good from 1900 to 1925?

    N a. 8.5 knots
    N b. 8.7 knots
    N c. 8.8 knots
    Y d. 9.1 knots

16018: At 0550, engineering repairs are complete and speed is increased to 9.6 knots. At 0630, Falkner Island Light bears 023°pgc and Horton Point Light bears 097°pgc. From your 0630 fix you steer to make good a course of 086°T while turning for 9.6 knots. At 0700, Falkner Island Light bears 336.0°pgc and Horton Point Light bears 105.5°pgc. The radar range to the south tip of Falkner Island is 5.7 miles. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Your course made good from 0630 to 0700 was 082°T.
    N b. The speed made good from 0630 to 0700 was 10.1 knots.
    N c. The current from 0630 to 0700 was 279°T at 0.6 knot.
    Y d. You are making good your intended speed.

16065: If you steer 143°pgc at an engine speed of 8.0 knots from your 2015 position, at what time would you reach a point midway between buoys "11" and "12" (ignore set and drift)?

    N a. 2020
    Y b. 2029
    N c. 2032
    N d. 2039

16210: 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?

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

16240: The speed that you can expect to make good, while steering to make good your desired course, is __________.

    N a. 13.5 knots
    Y b. 14.3 knots
    N c. 15.1 knots
    N d. 15.9 knots

16458: If your engines turn for 6.5 knots, and you encounter a 0.5 knot southerly current, what is your ETA at point A?

    N a. 0400
    Y b. 0450
    N c. 0501
    N d. 0511

16517: At 0815, you change course to 079°T and head for the entrance of Great Salt Pond on Block Island. To compensate for a northerly wind, you estimate a 5° leeway is necessary. What course should you steer per gyrocompass to make good 079°T?

    N a. 079°pgc
    N b. 076°pgc
    N c. 074°pgc
    Y d. 071°pgc

16740: At 2245 visibility improves and Montauk Point Light bears 355°pgc. At 2314 Montauk Point Light bears 331°pgc, and at 2329 the light bears 311°pgc. Based on your 2329 running fix which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are shoreward of the 90 foot curve.
    N b. Your fathometer reads about 136 feet.
    Y c. You are being set to the left of the track.
    N d. You allowed too much leeway for the easterly winds.