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.


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?


250: At 0045, you obtain the following information:

Radar range to Inlet Point is 1.4 miles;
Radar range to Rocky Point is 2.8 miles.
Radar range to Horton Point is 2.8 miles.

What were the set and drift between 0005 and 0045?


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?


313: At 1400, your position is LAT 37°14.7'N, LONG 76°22.3'W. From this position, you head for the York River Entrance Channel Buoy "17". What should you steer per standard magnetic compass for this heading?

    Y a. 125°psc
    N b. 122°psc
    N c. 119°psc
    N d. 108°psc

369: At 0812, you obtain the following radar information:


Cape Henry Light bearing 284°true @ 3.8 nm

What is your 0812 position?

    N a. LAT 36°53.7'N, LONG 75°56.0'W
    N b. LAT 36°53.8'N, LONG 75°56.1'W
    Y c. LAT 36°54.6'N, LONG 75°55.8'W
    N d. LAT 36°55.2'N, LONG 75°55.4'W

418: At 0830, Watch Hill Point bears 343°T at 3.5 miles by radar. What was the speed made good since 0745?

    Y a. 7.1 knots
    N b. 6.7 knots
    N c. 5.8 knots
    N d. 5.4 knots

434: As you enter the New Haven Outer Channel, you sight the outer range markers in line directly ahead. Your heading at this time is 347°psc. What is your compass deviation by observation?

    N a. 4.5°West
    N b. 3.5°West
    N c. 3.0°East
    Y d. 0.5°East

470: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 35°08.0'S, LONG 19°26.0'E to LAT 33°16.0'S, LONG 115°36.0'E.

    N a. 4457 miles, 126°T
    Y b. 4559 miles, 121°T
    N c. 4682 miles, 059°T
    N d. 4688 miles, 126°T

475: The great circle distance from LAT 35°08.0'S, LONG 19°26.0'E to LAT 33°16.0'S, LONG 115°36.0'E is 4559 miles and the initial course is 121°T. Determine the latitude of the vertex.

    N a. 44°29.1'S
    Y b. 45°30.9'S
    N c. 46°18.2'S
    N d. 43°41.8'S

496: 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?

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

561: At 0615 you change course to 078°T. If there is no current, when will Falkner Island Light be abeam?

    Y a. 0730
    N b. 0735
    N c. 0743
    N d. 0750

640: Which of the following statements concerning the buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE?

    N a. The position of river buoys can be determined by consulting the latest Light List - Vol. V.
    N b. A preferred channel mark is a lateral mark indicating a channel junction which must always be passed to starboard.
    Y c. Setting a buoy is the act of placing a buoy on assigned position in the water.
    N d. None of the above.

651: You are planning a voyage by great circle from Reykjavik (LAT 63°30'N, LONG 24°00'W) to the Azores (LAT 39°30'N, LONG 29°00'W). Which statement is TRUE? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5274)

    N a. The distance is measured in sixty-mile segments based on the length of a degree of latitude at the mid-latitude and mid-longitude position.
    N b. The Northern Hemisphere vertex lies south of Reykjavik.
    Y c. The great circle track is not appreciably shorter than a rhumb line track.
    N d. When plotted on a Mercator chart, the great circle track will be convex to the British Isles.

809: On 7 November , your 0830 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 27°36.0'N, LONG 163°19.0'W. Your vessel is on course 289°T, and your speed is 19.0 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1138 zone time, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 45°35.0'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN?

    N a. 27°52.3'N
    N b. 27°53.4'N
    N c. 27°55.1'N
    Y d. 27°57.2'N

978: On 11 November , your 0730 zone time position was LAT 19°58.0'N, LONG 143°54.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 084°T at a speed of 15.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0931 ZT. The chronometer read 07h 29m 22s and was slow 02m 22s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 44°17.6'. LAN occurred at 1125 zone time (ZD +10). The observed altitude (Ho) was 52°17.4'. What was the longitude of your 1200 zone time running fix?

    N a. 142°34.7'W
    N b. 142°37.1'W
    Y c. 142°40.2'W
    N d. 142°44.2'W

982: On 15 August , your 0512 zone time position was LAT 29°18.0'N, LONG 57°24.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 262°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0824 ZT. The chronometer read 00h 22m 24s and was slow 01m 34s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 38°16.7'. LAN occurred at 1204 zone time.
The observed altitude (Ho) was 74°58.0'. What was the longitude of your 1204 zone time running fix?

    N a. LONG 59°52.0'W
    N b. LONG 59°54.0'W
    Y c. LONG 59°58.5'W
    N d. LONG 60°02.0'W

1119: At 2142, on January 3, you pass Sebastapol Light (mile 283.3 AHP). At 0137, January 4, you pass Fort Adams Light(311.4 AHP). You have been turning for 9.0 mph. What was the current?

    N a. 4.2 mph
    N b. 3.3 mph
    N c. 2.7 mph
    Y d. 1.8 mph

1202: Your 0830 DR position is LAT 27°33'S, LONG 79°17'E. Your vessel is on a course of 066°T, at a speed of 19.5 knots. Determine the time of LAN on 10 December .

    Y a. 1131
    N b. 1136
    N c. 1153
    N d. 1215

1228: As you pass under the Natchez-Vidalia Dual Bridge, the gage on the bridge reads 8.9 ft. If the highest point on your vessel is 54 ft. above the water, what is your vertical clearance?

    Y a. 63.1 feet
    N b. 65.3 feet
    N c. 67.2 feet
    N d. 122.0 feet

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

1471: On 21 February , your 0823 zone time DR position is LAT 21°44.0'S, LONG 80°14.0'E. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 096°psc. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 19s, and the chronometer error is 01m 52s fast. The variation is 5°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 2.2°E
    Y b. 4.7°W
    N c. 5.7°E
    N d. 6.3°W

1663: On 7 April , in DR position LAT 27°42.0'N, LONG 114°03.0'W, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 076°psc. The chronometer reads 02h 10m 17s and is 01m 52s slow. Variation in the area is 8°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    Y a. 1.8°W
    N b. 2.3°E
    N c. 6.2°E
    N d. 7.8°W

1866: On 12 June , your 1845 DR position is LAT 21°47'N, LONG 46°52'W when you observe a faint unidentifiable star through a break in the clouds. The star bears 019.0°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 53°56.2'. The index error is 0.5' on the arc, and the height of eye is 45 feet. The chronometer reads 09h 43m 27s, and the chronometer error is 1m 46s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Phecda
    N b. Mimosa
    N c. Gamma Ursae Minoris
    Y d. Mizar

2332: If you are making 8.3 knots over the ground, what is your ETA at the turning point in York Spit Channel at buoy "29"?

    Y a. 0521
    N b. 0509
    N c. 0459
    N d. 0448

2531: When you pass under the Jefferson Barracks Highway Bridge (mile 168.6 UMR) what will be your vertical clearance if the highest point on your towboat is 55 feet and the St Louis Gage reads 21 feet?

    Y a. 11.8 feet
    N b. 14.6 feet
    N c. 19.7 feet
    N d. 25.8 feet

2531: When you pass under the Jefferson Barracks Highway Bridge (mile 168.6 UMR) what will be your vertical clearance if the highest point on your towboat is 55 feet and the St Louis Gage reads 21 feet?

    Y a. 11.8 feet
    N b. 14.6 feet
    N c. 19.7 feet
    N d. 25.8 feet

3054: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 22.8 feet and a pitch of 19.3 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 287 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 67?

    N a. -6.3%
    Y b. +6.3%
    N c. -24.0%
    N d. +24.0%

3058: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 20.9 feet and a pitch of 19.6 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 447 miles in a 23 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 108?

    N a. -5.6%
    N b. +5.6%
    N c. -7.0%
    Y d. +7.0%

3079: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 18.2 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 23.9 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 2% negative slip?

    N a. 70
    N b. 73
    Y c. 76
    N d. 79

3632: You desire to make good a true course of 157°. The variation is 15°E, magnetic compass deviation is 9°W, and gyrocompass error is 3°E. A southwesterly wind produces a 2° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good?

    N a. 145°psc
    N b. 147°psc
    N c. 150°psc
    Y d. 153°psc

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

3766: Your vessel is proceeding down a channel, and you see a pair of range lights that are in line dead ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 229°T, and variation is 6°W. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 232° per standard magnetic compass, what is the deviation?

    Y a. 3°E
    N b. 9°E
    N c. 3°W
    N d. 9°W

10105: What is the course psc from Chesapeake Light to North Chesapeake Entrance Buoy NCA?

    N a. 313°psc
    N b. 317°psc
    Y c. 321°psc
    N d. 325°psc

10109: What is the base course (psc) in the inbound northeasterly traffic lane of the Chesapeake Bay entrance traffic separation scheme?

    Y a. 261°psc
    N b. 258°psc
    N c. 250°psc
    N d. 244°psc

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.

11012: Which statement is FALSE with regard to Plum Island Harbor West Dolphin Light?

    N a. The light is maintained from sundown to 0130 daily.
    Y b. The light is white.
    N c. The light is maintained by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.
    N d. The light is located on a dolphin.

11504: At 1016 your position is LAT 41°07.6'N, LONG 71°38.5'W. At 1116 your position is LAT 41°01.4'N, LONG 71°29.4'W. What was the course made good between the two positions?

    Y a. 132°T
    N b. 135°T
    N c. 140°T
    N d. 143°T

12704: You are on course 137° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Watch Hill Point Light - 051°psc Montauk Point Light - 184°psc Race Rock Light - 279°psc What is your position?

    Y a. LAT 41°15.2'N, LONG 71°54.4'W
    N b. LAT 41°15.1'N, LONG 71°53.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°15.1'N, LONG 71°54.9'W
    N d. LAT 41°15.0'N, LONG 71°53.7'W

12908: At 0919 you are inbound, approximately 3.3 miles east of Cape Henry with buoy "15" close aboard to port. What is your ETA between Trestle B and Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel if you are making 11.3 knots?

    N a. 1010
    Y b. 1014
    N c. 1019
    N d. 1025

13007: Your 1600 position is LAT 41°08.0'N, LONG 72°44.8'W. You are making turns for 10 knots. What is your ETA at Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy "TE" (LAT 41°09.3'N LONG 72°30.5'W)?

    N a. 1647
    N b. 1651
    N c. 1702
    Y d. 1706

14404: You are underway and proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. You position your vessel in the middle of the channel and bring Government Island Lower Range in line over your bow. What should your fathometer read at this position, if the staff gauge at Portland reads 10.0 feet?

    Y a. 15 feet
    N b. 24 feet
    N c. 28 feet
    N d. 31 feet

15010: At 1950, your position is LAT 37°12.3'N, LONG 75°38.6'W. The set and drift from 1930 to 1950 were __________.

    N a. 150°T at 0.6 knot
    Y b. 150°T at 1.6 knots
    N c. 330°T at 0.6 knot
    N d. 330°T at 1.6 knots

15117: At 1930, you take a fix using the following radar ranges:

York Spit Light - 3.6 miles
New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" - 2.0 miles
York Spit Swash Channel Light "3" - 2.5 miles

Your longitude is __________.

    N a. 76°16.5'W
    Y b. 76°16.8'W
    N c. 76°17.0'W
    N d. 76°17.2'W

15259: At 0830, you obtain the following radar information::

Branford Reef Light bearing 259° true @ 4.35 nm


What is your vessel's position?

    N a. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 73°53.8'W
    N b. LAT 40°12.2'N, LONG 73°54.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.3'N, LONG 72°53.6'W
    Y d. LAT 41°12.4'N, LONG 72°54.0'W

15261: You make good 097°T from your 0830 fix. With a westerly current of 1.2 knots, what engine speed will you have to turn for from your 0830 position in order to arrive abeam of Six Mile Reef Buoy "8C" at 1030?

    N a. 9.7 knots
    Y b. 10.5 knots
    N c. 10.9 knots
    N d. 12.1 knots

15418: At 2205, you are in Thimble Shoal North Auxiliary Channel abeam of lighted gong buoy "4". At this time the visibility decreases to 5 miles. You continue to turn RPMs for 6 knots and experience no set and drift. What time would you expect Old Point Comfort Light (white sector) to become visible?

    N a. 2230
    Y b. 2240
    N c. 2246
    N d. 2258

15744: Montauk Point Light has a radar range of 3.9 miles and bears 170°T at 2232. What is the depth of water below your keel?

    Y a. 40 feet
    N b. 60 feet
    N c. 70 feet
    N d. 80 feet

15767: Which statement describes the shore between Watch Hill Point and Point Judith?

    N a. Low, rocky cliffs with heavily wooded hills inland
    Y b. Sandy beaches broken by rocky points
    N c. Sand dunes and beaches with a mud and sand bottom
    N d. Wooded, barren hills with isolated prominent buildings

15956: The National Weather Service provides 24-hour weather broadcasts to vessels transiting the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The broadcasts may be found on __________.

    N a. 202.35 MHz
    N b. 181.15 MHz
    Y c. 162.55 MHz
    N d. 147.45 MHz

15964: Your 1900 position is LAT 37°12.9'N, LONG 76°13.5'W. You change course to 323°pgc. What is the course per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 309°psc
    N b. 311°psc
    Y c. 329°psc
    N d. 331°psc

16358: What is the distance from the anchorage to point "A"?

    N a. 13.9 miles
    Y b. 15.1 miles
    N c. 15.9 miles
    N d. 17.0 miles

16510: At 0728, Race Rock Light is bearing 282°T at 3.8 miles,
and the closest point on Fishers Island is at a radar range of 2.0 miles. What speed have you been making since you changed course at 0705?

    N a. 9.2 knots
    Y b. 9.8 knots
    N c. 10.6 knots
    N d. 11.4 knots

16618: What is the distance from your 0200 position to the point where Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal lighted buoy is abeam to starboard?

    N a. 6.6 miles
    Y b. 6.9 miles
    N c. 7.1 miles
    N d. 7.3 miles