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.

140: If the highest point on your towboat is 52 feet and the West Memphis Gage reads 26 feet what is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Hernando Desoto Bridge (mile 736.6 AHP)?
161: At 1923, on September 21, you pass Bixby Towhead Light (mile 873.7 AHP). What was your average speed since leaving Cairo?
212: If you were to head into Fishers Island Sound, which of the following charts would you switch to for better detail of Mystic and Mystic Harbor?
296: 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
    Y c. LAT 37°14.5'N,  LONG 76°20.1'W
    N d. LAT 37°15.0'N,  LONG 76°20.4'W
380: A vessel at LAT 21°18.5'N, LONG 157°52.2'W, heads for a destination at LAT 8°53.0'N, LONG 79°31.0'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 081°T, 4617.5 miles
    N b. 081°T, 4915.8 miles
    Y c. 099°T, 4617.5 miles
    N d. 099°T, 4915.8 miles
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
456: At 0630, you pass Buoy "PI" close abeam on the starboard side. You are steering 078°T and are headed directly toward Race Rock Light. At 0654, Little Gull Island Light is bearing 207°T and Race Rock Light is bearing 072°T. What is your 0654 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°13.6'N, LONG 72°03.3'W
    Y b. LAT 41°14.0'N, LONG 72°05.3'W
    N c. LAT 41°14.7'N, LONG 72°06.8'W
    N d. LAT 41°19.0'N, LONG 72°05.2'W
466: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 25°50.0'N, LONG 77°00.0'W to LAT 35°56.0'N, LONG 06°15.0'W. 

    N a. 3470 miles, 298°T
    N b. 3518 miles, 028°T
    Y c. 3616 miles, 062°T
    N d. 3718 miles, 118°T
636: As you approach Dean Island Light (mile 754.8 AHP), which type of daymark will be observed at the light? 

    N a. Green triangle
    N b. Red and green banded square
    N c. Green square daymark
    Y d. Diamond-shaped green daymark
1002: On 13 November , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 19°03'S, LONG 6°34'E. You are on course 164°T, speed 12 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.
ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1112 351°55.4' S 18°00.4' 88°08.0'
1121 354°10.4' S 18°00.5' 88°33.9' 

    Y a. LAT 19°22.3'S, LONG 6°37.8'E
    N b. LAT 19°20.1'S, LONG 6°41.4'E
    N c. LAT 19°17.6'S, LONG 6°39.2'E
    N d. LAT 19°15.8'S, LONG 6°36.8'E
1201: On 10 October , your 0930 zone time position is LAT 25°00.0'S, LONG 164°38.6'W. Your vessel is on course 180°T at a speed to 10.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    Y a. 1145
    N b. 1151
    N c. 1203
    N d. 1206
1209: It is 22 October and you are keeping zone time +4. You are on course 083°T, speed 24 knots. Your 0820 DR position is LAT 26°10.0'N, LONG 52°20.0'W. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks? 

    N a. 10h 04m 36s
    N b. 10h 04m 53s
    N c. 11h 04m 37s
    Y d. 11h 08m 54s
1271: At 0400 zone time, on 24 June , your DR position is LAT 23°10.0'N, LONG 085°33'W. You are steering 295°T at a speed of 10.0 knots. What is the zone time of sunrise? 

    N a. 0452
    Y b. 0458
    N c. 0504
    N d. 0510
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
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
1483: On 31 May , your vessel's 1420 zone time DR position is LAT 29°06'N, LONG 120°06'W, when an azimuth of the Sun is observed. The bearing of the Sun per standard magnetic compass was 255.3°. The chronometer time of the observation is 10h 17m 24s. The chronometer error is 02m 32s slow. The variation for this area is 12.9°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    Y a. 2.5°W
    N b. 2.9°W
    N c. 2.9°E
    N d. 3.2°E
1543: As you pass under the Natchez-Vidalia Dual Bridge, the gage on the bridge reads -3.6 feet. If the highest point on your vessel is 62 ft. above the water, what is your vertical clearance? 

    N a. 60.0 feet
    N b. 63.6 feet
    Y c. 67.6 feet
    N d. 122.0 feet
1678: On 2 January , your vessel's 1948 zone time position is LAT 21°42'S, LONG 39°12'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 260° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 19°W. The chronometer reads 10h 44m 36s and is 03m 24s slow. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    Y a. 4.3°E
    N b. 4.3°W
    N c. 5.1°E
    N d. 5.1°W
1702: You are upbound approaching Springfield Bend Lt. (mile 244.8 AHP) downriver from Profit Island. Which of the following statements is TRUE? 

    Y a. Profit Island Chute is closed to navigation.
    N b. Tow length must not exceed 600 feet to use Profit Island Chute.
    N c. Tows must navigate toward left ascending bank when passing Profit Island Chute.
    N d. Profit Island Chute is open to navigation and is a shortcut for single barge tows.
1712: What is the distance from Cairo Point, IL, to Arkansas City? 

    N a. 28 miles
    N b. 110 miles
    N c. 218 miles
    Y d. 400 miles
1863: On 14 January , your 1922 ZT DR position is LAT 27°18.5'S, LONG 67°18.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 029°T, at an observed altitude (Ho) of 29°35.0'. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 43s and is 03m 15s fast. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Elnath
    N b. Fomalhaut
    N c. Pollux
    N d. Markab
1898: On 22 May , your 0437 DR position is LAT 25°18.5'N, LONG 51°18.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 142°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 23°10.2'. The chronometer reads 07h 40m 40s, and is 03m 24s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Markab
    N b. Diphda
    N c. Sabik
    Y d. Fomalhaut
1907: On 22 March , your 1834 DR position is LAT 26°13.5'S, LONG 108°36.5'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 062°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 23°22.0'. The chronometer reads 01h 32m 37s, and is 01m 50s slow. Which star did you observe? 

    Y a. Regulus
    N b. Menkar
    N c. Rigel
    N d. Alphard
2026: On 10 June , your 1712 zone time DR position is LAT 25°10.0'S, LONG 06°58.0'E. You are on course 213°T at a speed of 9.0 knots. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three stars best suited for a fix at star time? 

    N a. Procyon, Antares, Sirius
    N b. Sirius, Procyon, Regulus
    N c. Acrux, Canopus, Regulus
    Y d. Acrux, Procyon, Arcturus
2116: At 0300, your position is LAT 41°01.7'N, LONG 72°55.1'W. From this position you steer a course of 289° per standard magnetic compass at an engine speed of 10.0 knots. At what time can you first expect to see Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light if the luminous range is 8.0 miles? 

    Y a. 0303
    N b. 0309
    N c. 0312
    N d. 0318
2116: At 0300, your position is LAT 41°01.7'N, LONG 72°55.1'W. From this position you steer a course of 289° per standard magnetic compass at an engine speed of 10.0 knots. At what time can you first expect to see Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light if the luminous range is 8.0 miles? 

    Y a. 0303
    N b. 0309
    N c. 0312
    N d. 0318
2157: On 25 May , your vessel's 1917 zone time position is LAT 24°16.0'N, LONG 017°26.0'W. At that time a sextant observation of the planet Saturn was made. The sextant altitude is 63°05.1', and the chronometer reads 08h 18m 24s. The index error is 4.5' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 05s fast. Your height of eye is determined to be 62.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position? 

    N a. 143.8°
    Y b. 147.3°
    N c. 148.7°
    N d. 149.9°
2214: Which of the following statements regarding aids to navigation shown in the Corps. of Engineers map book is TRUE? 

    N a. The U.S. Army Corps.. of Engineers is responsible for placing and maintaining all aids to navigation.
    Y b. Buoys should always be given as wide a berth in passing as possible.
    N c. Buoy positions as shown on the chart are exact.
    N d. Lights and daymarks are always shown in their exact location.
2327: After you enter Thimble Shoal Channel, you will alter course to pass between Trestle "A" and "B". Based upon your present position, passing buoy "12" to port, what is TRUE? 

    N a. You are required to proceed outbound in the North Auxiliary Channel to avoid ferry traffic
    N b. You may proceed outbound in Thimble Shoal Channel
    Y c. You should cross the main channel and proceed outbound in the South Auxiliary Channel
    N d. Water depth is 38 feet.
2339: You have steamed 1260 miles at 18 knots, and consumed 205 tons of fuel. If you have to steam 1423 miles to complete the voyage, how many tons of fuel will be consumed while steaming at 16 knots? 

    N a. 143 tons
    N b. 183 tons
    Y c. 293 tons
    N d. 333 tons
2787: What is the length of the trip? 

    Y a. 1088.5 miles
    N b. 1332.2 miles
    N c. 1334.6 miles
    N d. 1566.4 miles
2874: Your vessel is on a course of 207°T at 13 knots. At 0539 a light bears 180.5°T, and at 0620 the light bears 162°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    N a. 0633, 5.9 miles
    N b. 0641, 6.5 miles
    N c. 0653, 7.6 miles
    Y d. 0701, 8.9 miles
3106: You are turning 85 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 19 feet, and an estimated slip of +3%. What is the speed of advance? 

    N a. 14.7 knots
    Y b. 15.5 knots
    N c. 16.4 knots
    N d. 17.1 knots
3311: You have steamed 162 miles and consumed 14.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 285 miles? 

    Y a. 24.6 tons
    N b. 34.7 tons
    N c. 43.3 tons
    N d. 54.8 tons
3461: You wish to make good a course of 053°T while turning for an engine speed of 16 knots. The set is 345°T, and the drift is 2.4 knots. What speed will you make good along the track line? 

    N a. 14.1 knots
    N b. 15.2 knots
    N c. 16.1 knots
    Y d. 16.8 knots
3601: You are steering 142°pgc to make good your desired course. The gyro error is 1°E . The variation is 8°W. What should you steer by standard magnetic compass to make good the desired course?
DEVIATION TABLE MAGNETIC HEADING DEV.
120° 4°E 135° 2°E 150° 0° 

    N a. 133°psc
    N b. 146°psc
    N c. 148°psc
    Y d. 151°psc
3614: The true course between two points is 057°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 3° east and you make an allowance of 1° leeway for a north-northwest wind. Which gyro course should be steered to make the true course good? 

    Y a. 053°pgc
    N b. 056°pgc
    N c. 059°pgc
    N d. 060°pgc
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
11301: At 1256 your GPS position is LAT 36°57.0'N, LONG 75°41.0'W. At 1331 your position is LAT 37°07.5'N, LONG 75°39.1'W. What was the speed made good between the fixes? 

    N a. 14.6 knots
    N b. 15.2 knots
    N c. 16.6 knots
    Y d. 18.3 knots
11503: At 1016 your GPS position is LAT 41°07.6'N, LONG 71°37.9'W. At 1104 your position is LAT 41°00.2'N, LONG 71°29.4'W. What was the true course made good between the two positions? 

    N a. 134°T
    Y b. 139°T
    N c. 143°T
    N d. 145°T
12701: You are on course 298° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Block Island Southeast Point Light - 058°psc Block Island Aero Beacon - 005°psc Montauk Point Light - 268°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°08.3'N, LONG 71°35.0'W
    Y b. LAT 41°08.2'N, LONG 71°34.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°08.1'N, LONG 71°33.8'W
    N d. LAT 41°08.0'N, LONG 71°34.1'W
14704: At 0800 your vessel is at mile 110 on the Columbia River. Thirty minutes later your vessel is at mile 115. What is your speed in knots? 

    N a. 4.3 knots
    N b. 5.7 knots
    N c. 7.8 knots
    Y d. 8.7 knots
15019: At 2215, Cape Henry Light bears 242°pgc, Cape Charles Light bears 010.5°pgc, and Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light bears 319°pgc. You are heading 271°pgc. What is the relative bearing of Thimble Shoal Light? 

    N a. 280°
    N b. 332°
    Y c. 014°
    N d. 017°
15028: At what time would you listen to VHF Channel 22 (157.1 MHz) for information concerning the stage of the river between Memphis and Cairo? 

    N a. 1115
    N b. 1235
    Y c. 1300
    N d. 1815
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
15460: At 0845, you are approaching the entrances to Thimble Shoal Channel. What channel must you use? 

    Y a. The South Auxiliary Channel since your draft is less than 25 feet (7.6 meters), and you are not a passenger vessel.
    N b. The South Auxiliary Channel or Thimble Shoal Channel, but you must remain on the right hand side of the main channel.
    N c. The North Auxiliary Channel since you are going to turn to a northerly heading near buoy "12".
    N d. You are not permitted to use any of the channels, but must remain outside the buoyed channel line.
15464: What is the course per standard magnetic compass on the southern leg of York Spit Channel between buoys "15" and "23"? 

    N a. 319°
    N b. 322°
    Y c. 339°
    N d. 341°
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
15919: At 1200, your position is 2.0 miles southwest of Bartlett Reef Light. Your heading is 075°T. Visibility is less than 0.2 mile in fog and rain. Which of the following signals is most likely to be from another vessel? 

    N a. Whistle from 125° relative
    Y b. Whistle from 075° relative
    N c. Bell from 350° relative
    N d. Horn from 330° relative
16014: From your 0430 position, what is the course per standard magnetic compass to a position where Twenty-eight foot Shoal lighted buoy "TE" is abeam to port at 1 mile? 

    N a. 082.5°
    N b. 086.0°
    N c. 098.0°
    Y d. 101.5°
16270: The wind is northerly and will cause 2° leeway. The current is 018° at 0.5 knot. If your engines are turning for 8.0 knots. What should you steer to remain in York River Entrance Channel? 

    N a. 304°T
    N b. 306°T
    Y c. 309°T
    N d. 314°T
16317: Which chart would you use for more detailed information on New Haven Harbor? 

    N a. 12370
    Y b. 12371
    N c. 12372
    N d. 12373
16445: At 1126 you take the following set of bearings:

Chesapeake Litght bears 142° true
Cape Henry Light bears 225° true.

What was the current encountered since your 1042 fix? 

    N a. Set 276°, Drift 0.5 knot
    N b. Set 276°, Drift 0.7 knot
    N c. Set 096°, Drift 0.5 knot
    Y d. Set 096°, Drift 0.7 knot
16610: At 2142, you change course to make good 030°T and increase speed to 14 knots. You rendezvous with another vessel and receive fresh supplies while off New Haven Harbor lighted whistle buoy "NH". What is the light characteristic of this buoy? 

    N a. _ .
    N b. _ _
    Y c. . _
    N d. . .