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.

154: You see a buoy with red and green bands. This buoy marks __________.
162: At 1923, you decrease speed to make good 9.2 mph. What is the first Gage you will pass after your speed change?
234: Which structure should you look for while trying to locate Southwest Ledge Light?
258: During twilight on 28 December , about 1800 GMT, in DR position LAT 4°00'N, LONG 0°06'W, the sextant altitude (hs) of Venus was 30°46.8'. The height of eye was 36 feet, and the index error was 2.0' on the arc. The temperature was 68°F. The barometer read 1030 mb. Calculate the observed altitude (Ho). 

    N a. Ho 30°35.2'
    N b. Ho 30°37.1'
    Y c. Ho 30°38.1'
    N d. Ho 30°40.3'
288: According to your track line, how far off New Point Comfort Spit Light "4" will you be when abeam of this light? 

    N a. 0.5 mile
    Y b. 0.9 miles
    N c. 1.5 miles
    N d. 1.8 miles
344: The maximum ebb current at a location 4.3 miles south of Stratford Point will occur at 0413. The predicted current will be 1.0 knot at 075°. What will be your course made good if you steer 082°T at 8 knots? 

    N a. 087°T
    N b. 085°T
    N c. 083°T
    Y d. 081°T
357: If the visibility is 5 miles and you are in the red sector, at what distance off should you sight Cape Henry Light? 

    Y a. 09 miles
    N b. 11 miles
    N c. 13 miles
    N d. 15 miles
410: A vessel steams 666 miles on course 135°T from LAT 40°24.0'N, LONG 74°30.0'W. What is the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by Mercator sailing? 

    N a. LAT 32°30.0'N, LONG 64°41.0'W
    Y b. LAT 32°33.0'N, LONG 64°46.0'W
    N c. LAT 32°36.0'N, LONG 64°49.0'W
    N d. LAT 32°39.0'N, LONG 64°53.0'W
465: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 34°51.0'N, LONG 115°01.2'E to LAT 10°16.0'S, LONG 51°42.6'E. 

    N a. 4436 miles, 245.3°T
    N b. 4598 miles, 245.6°T
    Y c. 4493 miles, 245.6°T
    N d. 4582 miles, 245.6°T
467: Determine the great circle initial course from LAT 29°46.0'S, LONG 30°26.0'E to LAT 31°52.0'S, LONG 115°22.0'E. 

    N a. 074°T
    N b. 113°T
    Y c. 117°T
    N d. 121°T
472: The great circle distance from LAT 38°17.0'N, LONG 123°16.0'W to LAT 35°01.0'N, LONG 142°21.0'E is 4330 miles and the initial course is 300.9°T. The latitude of the vertex is 47°40.5'N. What is the longitude of the vertex? 

    N a. 173°04.6'E
    N b. 167°18.0'E
    N c. 173°04.6'W
    Y d. 167°18.5'W
518: Point Judith Harbor of Refuge __________. 

    N a. is used mostly by towing vessels
    N b. has a maximum depth of 14 feet at MHW
    Y c. is entered through the East Gap or the West Gap
    N d. is easily accessible in heavy southerly seas
667: You are planning a voyage from departure Seattle (LAT 48°30'N, LONG 125°00'W) to a position at LAT 44°00'N, LONG 161°00'E. Which statement is TRUE? (Use gnomonic chart WOXZC 5270.) 

    N a. You must plot a composite sailing to remain south of the Aleutians.
    N b. The northern hemisphere vertex lies to the west of your arrival position.
    Y c. Military exercises north of 53°N, between 150°W and 165°W, will not affect your voyage.
    N d. At your highest latitude, the sun will be visible at upper  and lower transit if the voyage occurs on 21 June.
738: On 24 September , your 1841 zone time DR position is LAT 25°15.0'N, LONG 129°34.5'E. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 25°20.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 09h 38m 12s, and the chronometer error is 03m 12s slow. The index error is 4.3' off the arc, and the height of eye is 52.0 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    N a. 24°28.4'N
    N b. 25°16.0'N
    Y c. 25°37.6'N
    N d. 25°42.3'N
1001: On 26 July , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 18°25'N, LONG 51°15'W. You are on course 231°T, speed 15 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.

ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1228 50°23.5' N 19°21.9' 88°14.3'
1236 52°23.5' N 19°21.8' 88°29.0' 

    N a. LAT 18°00.9'N, LONG 51°31.9'W
    N b. LAT 18°03.5'N, LONG 51°36.2'W
    Y c. LAT 18°07.2'N, LONG 51°30.4'W
    N d. LAT 18°10.6'N, LONG 51°25.1'W
1009: On 22 February , your 0800 zone time position is LAT 24°16'S, LONG 95°37'E. Your vessel is on course 126°T at a speed of 14 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0945 zone time. The chronometer reads 03h 47m 22s, and the chronometer error is 02m 37s fast. The observed altitude (Ho) is 57°02.1'. LAN occurs at 1148 zone time, and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made. The observed meridian altitude (Ho) is 75°22.3'.
Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position. 

    N a. LAT 24°49.3'S, LONG 96°24.0'E
    N b. LAT 24°49.3'S, LONG 96°27.2'E
    Y c. LAT 24°52.2'S, LONG 96°24.0'E
    N d. LAT 24°52.2'S, LONG 96°27.2'E
1145: The Memphis Gage reads 18.4 feet. The high point of your towboat is 48 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Memphis Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 75.4 feet
    N b. 66.4 feet
    N c. 53.8 feet
    Y d. 46.4 feet
1176: On 24 January , your 0700 zone time DR position is LAT 22°25.0'N, LONG 46°10.0'W. Your vessel is on course 110°T at a speed of 12.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    N a. 1203
    N b. 1208
    Y c. 1212
    N d. 1215
1213: It is 23 November and you are keeping zone time +4. You are on course 262°T, speed 21 knots. Your 0800 DR position is LAT 24°30.0'N, LONG 48°40.0'W. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks? 

    Y a. 11h 05m 54s
    N b. 11h 34m 22s
    N c. 12h 06m 02s
    N d. 12h 08m 36s
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
1240: As you approach Ashland Light (mile 378.1 AHP), which type of daymark would you see on the light structure? 

    N a. Green square
    N b. Green diamond
    N c. Red diamond
    Y d. Red triangle
1414: What is the mile point of the Fulton Gage? 

    N a. 598 AHP
    N b. 632 AHP
    N c. 687 AHP
    Y d. 778 AHP
1416: Which company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Madison Parish (mile 457.0 AHP)? 

    N a. Complex Chemical Co.
    N b. Delta Southern Railroads
    N c. Mid-Delta Helena, LLC
    Y d. Baxter Wilson
1683: You are taking a time tick using the 1930 signal from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. You hear the preparatory signal "CQ DE PPE" repeated several times followed by a short dash (0.4 sec), 60 dots (0.1 sec each) and another short dash. At the beginning of the last dash, the comparing watch reads 07h 30m 08s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 07h 31m 48s, and the chronometer reads 07h 32m 16s. What is the chronometer error? 

    N a. 0m 28s slow
    N b. 1m 40s slow
    N c. 0m 08s fast
    Y d. 0m 36s fast
1709: A stretch where the channel changes from one side of the river to the other is called a __________. 

    N a. bifurcation
    N b. transit
    Y c. crossing
    N d. changeover
1778: At 2234 ZT, on 14 July , in DR position LAT 34°03'N, LONG 150°16'W you observe an amplitude of Saturn. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 272.1°pgc. The variation is 14°E. What is the gyro error? 

    N a. 0.5°W
    N b. 0.5°E
    Y c. 1.5°W
    N d. 2.5°E
1811: Where would you find out which buoys, if any, are in place at Concordia Bar crossing (mile 596.0 AHP)? 

    Y a. Notice to Mariners
    N b. Bulletin board at the Rosedale Gage
    N c. Waterways Journal
    N d. None of the above
1857: On 22 May , your 0437 ZT DR position is LAT 25°18.5'N, LONG 51°18.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 097°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 48°20.0'. The chronometer reads 07h 40m 40s and is 03m 24s fast. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Markab
    N b. Diphda
    N c. Sabik
    N d. Hamal
1921: On 17 March , your 1845 DR position is LAT 25°10.0'N, LONG 66°48.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 340°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 66°25.1'. The chronometer reads 10h 47m 49s, and is 1m 54s fast. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Capella
    N b. Mirfak
    N c. Pollux
    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
2174: On 18 October , at 0518 ZT, morning stars were observed and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 25°31.0'N, LONG 146°29.2'E. Your vessel is steaming at 19.0 knots on a course of 308°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0915 ZT. The chronometer reads 11h 17m 11s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 34°51.4'. The index error is 2.0' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 57s fast. Your height of eye on the bridge is 54.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position? 

    N a. 120.6°T
    N b. 121.9°T
    Y c. 125.5°T
    N d. 127.3°T
2186: At 0922, on 24 May, you are abreast the St. Catherine Bar Lt. (mile 348.6 AHP). If you are turning for 8.0 mph, what is the current? 

    Y a. 1.0 mph
    N b. 1.4 mph
    N c. 2.0 mph
    N d. 7.0 mph
2213: Controlling depth of a channel __________. 

    Y a. is the least depth within the limits of the channel
    N b. is the greatest depth within the limits of the channel
    N c. permits the safe use of the channel to drafts of more than that depth
    N d. is the designed dredging depth of a channel constructed by the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers
2367: At 0850, 4 January, you pass the Gage at Natchez, MS which reads 26.8 feet. The low water reference plane (LWRP) for Natchez is 6.1 feet. What is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane? 

    N a. 20.7 ft below
    Y b. 20.7 ft above
    N c. 32.9 ft below
    N d. 32.9 ft above
2536: You have steamed 463 miles at 19 knots and burning 440 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 200 barrels per day with 410 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel? 

    N a. 12.1
    Y b. 13.6
    N c. 15.2
    N d. 17.5
2779: If the Fair Landing, AR. Gage reads -1.2 feet, what is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane? The low water reference plane (LWRP) for Fair Landing, AR. is -0.9 feet. 

    N a. 2.1 foot above the plane
    N b. 0.3 foot above the plane
    Y c. 0.3 feet below the plane
    N d. 1.2 feet below the plane
2851: Your vessel is on a course of 297°T at 11 knots. At 0019 a light bears 274.5°T, and at 0048 the light bears 252°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    N a. 0102, 2.6 miles
    Y b. 0108, 3.7 miles
    N c. 0057, 4.6 miles
    N d. 0117, 5.0 miles
2897: You are steaming on a course of 327°T at 13 knots. At 0207 you observe a lighthouse bearing 020°T. At 0226 the lighthouse bears 042°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing? 

    N a. 8.5 miles
    Y b. 8.9 miles
    N c. 9.2 miles
    N d. 9.7 miles
3075: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 15.7 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 23.4 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 6% negative slip? 

    Y a. 64
    N b. 68
    N c. 72
    N d. 76
3607: You desire to make good 152°T. The magnetic compass deviation is 4°E, the variation is 5°E, and the gyro error is 3°E. A southwesterly wind produces a 4° leeway. Which course would you steer per standard compass to make good the true course? 

    N a. 137°psc
    N b. 141°psc
    N c. 143°psc
    Y d. 147°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
4013: 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 039°.
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. 0.8°E
    N b. 0.0°
    N c. 0.5°W
    Y d. 1.0°W
10603: At 1300 your GPS position is LAT 41°09.2' N, LONG 72°36.9'W. You are steering course 291° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 8 knots. At 1345 you fix your position by plotting several compass bearings on nearby known fixed objects. These result in a position of LAT 41°09.9'N, LONG 72°46.1'W. Which statement is TRUE with respect to the combined effects of wind and current experienced since 1300? 

    N a. There has been no set and drift.
    N b. Set and drift are westerly at approximately 0.9 knot.
    Y c. Your speed over the bottom is approximately 9.2 knots.
    N d. Set and drift are easterly at approximately 1.0 knot.
11707: Your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to arrive at LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 75°48.5'W, if you are turning for 7.8 knots, the current is 139°T at 1.3 knots, and a northwesterly wind is causing 3° of leeway? 

    N a. 290.0°psc
    Y b. 286.0°psc
    N c. 283.5°psc
    N d. 280.5°psc
11908: 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 7.8 knots, the current is 330° at 1.2 knots, and a southerly wind causes 3° of leeway? 

    Y a. 117°T
    N b. 112°T
    N c. 104°T
    N d. 102°T
13400: You are going to anchor at Gardiners Bay in LAT 41°04.5'N, LONG 72°13.0'W. What type of bottom should you expect? 

    N a. Streaked mud
    N b. Sand
    N c. Hard rocks
    Y d. Soft mud
15156: Your 1600 position is LAT 37°22.5'N, LONG 75°32.3'W. The depth of water is about __________. 

    N a. 38 feet (11.5 meters)
    N b. 45 feet (13.6 meters)
    Y c. 52 feet (15.8 meters)
    N d. 59 feet (17.3 meters)
15208: At 1750, your position is LAT 37°14.5'N, LONG 76°22.9'W. What was the course made good between 1730 and 1750? 

    N a. 072°T
    N b. 075°T
    Y c. 078°T
    N d. 080°T
15269: New London Harbor is __________. 

    Y a. limited to vessels drawing less than 36 feet (10.8 meters)
    N b. closed during the winter season
    N c. subject to dangerous freshets in the fall
    N d. difficult to enter at night
15757: If you change course at 0610, what is the course to steer per gyro compass to a point where Little Gull Island Light bears 180°T at 0.7 mile (Point "A")? 

    N a. 072°pgc
    Y b. 076°pgc
    N c. 080°pgc
    N d. 084°pgc
15906: As you enter the New Haven Outer Channel, you sight the range markers in line directly over the stern. Your heading at the time is 155.5° per gyrocompass. What is the gyro error? 

    N a. 1.0°E
    N b. 1.0°W
    Y c. 2.0°W
    N d. 0°
15908: At 0740, you obtain the following radar information:

Branford Reef Light bearing 250° true @ 2.55 nm

What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 72°51.3'W
    N b. LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 72°51.8'W
    Y c. LAT 41°12.4'N, LONG 72°51.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.3'N, LONG 72°52.0'W
15940: At 1934 Little Gull Island Light bears 277°T and Race Rock Light bears 000°T. Which were the set and drift between 1910 and 1934? 

    N a. 321°T, 2.2 knots
    N b. 321°T, 0.9 knots
    Y c. 331°T, 2.2 knots
    N d. 331°T, 0.9 knots