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.

40: Which of the following statements regarding aids to navigation shown in the Army Corps. of Engineers map book is TRUE?
88: What is the vertical clearance between the highest point of your towboat, if it is 58 feet above the water, and if the Natchez Gage reads 28.13 feet when passing under the Natchez Upper Highway Bridge?
165: Which company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Helena (mile 661 to 665 AHP)?
202: Which statement concerning Montauk Point Light is TRUE? 

    N a. The light comes on at sunset.
    Y b. There is an emergency light if the main light is extinguished.
    N c. The height of the light is 24 feet.
    N d. The tower is painted with black and white stripes.
245: On chart 12354, the datum from which heights of objects are taken is __________. 

    N a. lowest low water
    N b. mean low water
    Y c. mean high water
    N d. mean lower low water
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? 

    N a. 275°true, 0.9 knot
    N b. 275°true, 1.4 knots
    Y c. 095°true, 1.4 knot
    N d. 095°True, 0.9 knots
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
519: At 0520 you are on course 243°pgc at 12 knots. What is the course per standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 227°psc
    N b. 233°psc
    N c. 258°psc
    Y d. 262°psc
625: You are on a voyage from Boston, MA, to the South Pass, LA. The distance is 1870 miles, and the speed of advance is 13.6 knots. You estimate 16.5 hours for bunkering enroute at Port Everglades, FL. If you sailed at 0836 hours (ZD +5), 26 February , what was your ETA (ZD +6) at the South Pass? 

    N a. 2336, 3 March
    N b. 1136, 4 March
    N c. 1236, 4 March
    Y d. 1736, 4 March
659: You are planning a voyage from LAT 48°30'N, LONG 125°00'W to Korea via LAT 48°30'N, LONG 153°00'E. Which of the following track lines would you select for the safest and most direct route? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5270) 

    N a. Parallel sailing along 48°30'N
    N b. Great circle track line between the two points
    Y c. Great circle to LAT 51°00'N, LONG 178°00'W, parallel sailing for 80 miles, then great circle to the via point
    N d. Rhumb line track between the two points
822: On 10 March , in DR position LAT 21°42.0'S, LONG 57°28.0'E, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Sun's lower limb. The chronometer time of the sight is 08h 28m 17s, and the chronometer error is 00m 00s. The sextant altitude (hs) is 72°08.0'. The index error is 3.4' on the arc, and your height of eye is 52.7 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit? 

    N a. LAT 21°32.5'S
    N b. LAT 21°40.6'S
    Y c. LAT 21°45.5'S
    N d. LAT 21°50.2'S
823: On 15 October , an ex-meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb at upper transit was observed at 1146 ZT. Your DR position is LAT 22°42.0'N, LONG 139°52.0'E, and your sextant altitude (hs) is 58°30.4'. The index error is 3.4' on the arc, and your height of eye is 56.7 feet. The chronometer time of the observation is 02h 45m 06s, and the chronometer error is 01m 06s slow. Find the latitude at meridian transit from the ex-meridian observation. 

    N a. LAT 22°29.1'N
    Y b. LAT 22°35.2'N
    N c. LAT 22°58.1'N
    N d. LAT 23°20.6'N
839: On 22 August , in DR position LAT 29°41.8'N, LONG 33°15.5'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Moon's upper limb at upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 08h 00m 02s, and the chronometer error is 02m 20s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 74°32.4'. The index error is 1.5' off the arc, and your height of eye is 48 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit? 

    N a. LAT 29°39.3'N
    N b. LAT 29°41.3'N
    Y c. LAT 29°47.8'N
    N d. LAT 29°49.7'N
1004: On 15 November , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 19°41'S, LONG 41°37'W. You are on course 239°T, speed 22 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.

ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1128 40°50.4' S 18°33.6' 88°18.4'
1133 42°05.4' S 18°33.6' 88°37.7' 

    Y a. LAT 20°01.0'S, LONG 42°05.9'W
    N b. LAT 20°04.3'S, LONG 42°09.8'W
    N c. LAT 20°06.7'S, LONG 42°06.1'W
    N d. LAT 20°08.1'S, LONG 42°00.7'W
1203: You are keeping ZD +4 on your vessel. On 21 June ,
at 0906 DST, your position is LAT 30°48.0'N,
LONG 71°00.0'W. You are on a course of 167°T at 15.2 knots. At what time will local apparent noon (LAN) occur ZT at your vessel? You are keeping DST. 

    N a. 1145
    N b. 1202
    N c. 1218
    Y d. 1245
1230: At 1814, on 11 September, you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge (mile 531.3 AHP). What speed must you average to arrive at Jimmy Hawken Light (mile 663.5 AHP) at 0930 the following day? 

    Y a. 8.7 mph
    N b. 7.7 mph
    N c. 6.3 mph
    N d. 5.6 mph
1453: On 15 October , your 0325 zone time DR position is LAT 26°51.0'N, LONG 138°17.0'W. At that time, you observe Canopus bearing 167°pgc. The chronometer reads 00h 25m 36s, and the chronometer error is 00m 20s slow. The variation is 2°E. What is the gyro error? 

    Y a. 1.3°W
    N b. 3.2°W
    N c. 3.2°E
    N d. 4.1°W
1622: 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.
    N c. Buoys should be passed as close as possible.
    Y d. Setting a buoy is the act of placing a buoy on assigned position in the water.
1752: After you get underway, what is the fourth river gage you will pass? 

    N a. Head of Passes
    Y b. Natchez
    N c. Bayou Sara
    N d. Red River Landing
1960: The low water reference plane for Greenville Highway Bridge is 11.3 feet. If the Gage at the Greenville Highway Bridge reads 22.0 feet, what is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane (LWRP)? 

    N a. 22.1 feet below the LWRP
    N b. 10.7 feet below the LWRP
    Y c. 10.7 feet above the LWRP
    N d. 0.5  feet below the LWRP
2107: At 0045, you obtain the following bearings:

Rocky Point lookout tower 072°T
Horton Point lighthouse 213°T

What were the set and drift between 0005 and 0045? 

    N a. 272°true, 0.9 knot
    N b. 272°true, 1.4 knots
    N c. 092°true, 0.9 knot
    Y d. 092°True, 1.4 knots
2110: From your 0100 position, you change course to 258° per standard magnetic compass. Your engine speed is 10.0 knots. A short time later, your fathometer reads 51 feet (15.5 meters) under the keel. What is the water depth? 

    N a. 38.5 feet (11.7 meters)
    N b. 43.5 feet (13.2 meters)
    N c. 51.0 feet (15.5 meters)
    Y d. 59.5 feet (18.0 meters)
2461: You have steamed 540 miles at 22 knots and burning 618 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 372 barrels per day with 299 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel? 

    Y a. 16.5
    N b. 17.6
    N c. 19.1
    N d. 20.0
2862: Your are on course 317°T at 13 knots. A light is bearing 22.5° relative at 0640. At 0659 the same light is bearing 45° relative. At what time should the light be abeam? 

    N a. 0709
    Y b. 0712
    N c. 0718
    N d. 0721
2900: You are steaming on a course of 167°T at 19.5 knots. At 1837 you observe a lighthouse bearing 224°T. At 1904 the lighthouse bears 268°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing? 

    N a. 8.8 miles
    N b. 9.5 miles
    Y c. 10.4 miles
    N d. 11.3 miles
2905: You are steaming on a course of 215°T at 14 knots. At 1841 you observe a lighthouse bearing 178°T. At 1904 the same lighthouse bears 156°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing? 

    N a. 5.4 miles
    N b. 6.6 miles
    N c. 7.5 miles
    Y d. 8.7 miles
3100: The pitch of the propeller on your vessel is 19'09". You estimate the slip at -3%. If you averaged 82 RPM for the day's run, how many miles did you steam? 

    N a. 370.8
    N b. 373.6
    N c. 393.7
    Y d. 395.3
3104: You are turning 84 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 22 feet, and an estimated slip of 0%. What is the speed of advance? 

    N a. 16.8 knots
    N b. 17.7 knots
    N c. 18.0 knots
    Y d. 18.2 knots
3608: You are steering 125°pgc. The wind is southwest by south causing a 3° leeway. The variation is 6°E, the deviation is 2°W, and the gyro error is 1°W. What is the true course made good? 

    Y a. 121°T
    N b. 123°T
    N c. 127°T
    N d. 129°T
3772: Your ship is entering port from sea, and you sight a pair of range lights. When in line, they bear 315° per standard magnetic compass. The chart shows that the range bearing is 312°T, and that variation is 6°W. What is the deviation of your compass at the time of the sighting? 

    Y a. 3°E
    N b. 3°W
    N c. 9°E
    N d. 9°W
10204: Your present position is LAT 41°05.5'N, LONG 72°38.0'W. Assuming that there is no set and drift, what course must you steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to arrive at a position 5 miles due south of Saybrook Breakwater Light? 

    N a. 089°psc
    Y b. 080°psc
    N c. 077°psc
    N d. 066°psc
10707: At 0726 you depart Lake Montauk with light 1 close aboard and set course 065° per standard magnetic compass at 6.7 knots. At 0912 your GPS position is LAT 41°12.8'N, LONG 71°48.2'W. What is the current? 

    N a. 151°T at 1.0 knot
    N b. 164°T at 0.7 knot
    Y c. 287°T at 2.0 knots
    N d. 321°T at 0.8 knot
10906: What correction should be applied to the charted depths of the Poquoson River at York Point at the PM low water on 18 December 1983? 

    N a. +1.9 feet
    N b. -0.1 feet
    Y c. -0.4 feet
    N d. No correction is necessary
12201: Your vessel is steady on a heading of 203° per standard magnetic compass when you sight New Haven Light and New Haven Outer Channel Range Front Light in line over the stern. This information indicates that the __________. 

    N a. existing deviation table is correct for this heading
    N b. compass error is 17°W
    Y c. deviation table is in error for this heading
    N d. deviation is 1°E
12201: Your vessel is steady on a heading of 203° per standard magnetic compass when you sight New Haven Light and New Haven Outer Channel Range Front Light in line over the stern. This information indicates that the __________. 

    N a. existing deviation table is correct for this heading
    N b. compass error is 17°W
    Y c. deviation table is in error for this heading
    N d. deviation is 1°E
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
13504: A vessel anchoring in the middle of Cherry Harbor, 1 mile off Gardiner's Island, will find what type of bottom? 

    N a. Rocky
    N b. Shells
    Y c. Mud
    N d. Silt
15026: The highest point on your towboat is 53 feet above the water, and the Helena Gage (mile 663 AHP) reads 6.7 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge in Helena? 

    Y a. 59.9 feet
    N b. 62.5 feet
    N c. 64.1 feet
    N d. 65.5 feet
15240: At 1130, Horton Point Light bears 172° true at a range of 3.45nm

The fathometer reads 81 ft. Your position is __________. 

    N a. north of your intended track line
    N b. 41°09.4'N, 72°22.6'W
    N c. three miles southeast of Six Mile Reef Buoy "8A"
    Y d. 41°08.5'N, 72°27.3'W
15312: You arrive at the rendezvous point, secure the tow, and head back southward. At 1200, you take the following bearings:

Cape Charles Light bearing 240.5° true
Sand Shoal Inlet South Light bearing 289° true

What is your 1200 position? 

    N a. LAT 37°10.5'N, LONG 75°33.0'W
    N b. LAT 37°12.0'N, LONG 75°35.0'W
    Y c. LAT 37°15.0'N, LONG 75°37.5'W
    N d. LAT 37°19.0'N, LONG 75°40.5'W
15640: At which point in the voyage is your vessel bound by the International Rules of the Roads (COLREGS)? 

    N a. At the mouth of New London Harbor
    Y b. Upon entering Block Island Sound
    N c. After crossing the line of the Territorial Sea
    N d. After passing between Montauk Point and Lewis Point on Block Island
15643: The light on Block Island Sound South Entrance Obstruction Buoy "BIS" is reported extinguished. Which of the following will serve as a positive warning that you are being set onto the obstruction? 

    N a. Radar ranges to Southwest Point of less than 7.9 miles
    N b. Soundings of less than 50 feet
    N c. Shagwong Reef Lighted Bell Buoy "7SR" 3.1 miles off  abeam
    Y d. Race Rock Light bearing 299°T and decreasing
15669: The area between Block Island and Montauk Point that is bounded by dashed magenta lines is a __________. 

    N a. naval exercise area
    N b. fish trap area
    Y c. submerged cable area
    N d. restricted navigation area
16006: You are on course 082°T, and the engines are turning for 8 knots. At 0352, you take the following bearings:

Stratford Point Light 016°pgc
Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground) Light 137°pgc

What is your 0352 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 73°08.0'W
    Y b. LAT 41°05.2'N, LONG 73°07.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 73°07.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 73°07.7'W
16140: Available information indicates that there is a set and drift in this area of 290°T at 2 knots. Allowing for this set and drift, what course must you steer to make good a true course of 150°, while maintaining an engine speed of 13 knots, from your 1930 position? 

    N a. 141°T
    Y b. 145°T
    N c. 149°T
    N d. 153°T
16362: The visibility is about 5 miles. Which statement about Cape Charles Light is TRUE? 

    N a. The light has been visible from the time you departed the anchorage.
    Y b. You should see Cape Charles Light at about 0400.
    N c. The light will become visible when you enter the inbound leg of the traffic separation scheme.
    N d. The light will not be visible until you are within 5 miles of the light.
16368: Why should mariners use extreme care when navigating within the precautionary area centered on Chesapeake Bay Entrance Junction Lighted Gong Buoy CBJ? 

    N a. There are numerous underwater obstructions that are a hazard to vessels with drafts exceeding 2 meters (6.5 feet).
    N b. Fishing vessels of limited maneuverability routinely operate in this area when hunting oyster and crabs.
    Y c. Vessels may approach from different directions from the inbound separation lanes and from Chesapeake and Thimble Shoal Channel.
    N d. Large naval vessels having the right of way often enter the area when bound to or from the Norfolk Naval Base.
16512: At 0748, you take the following bearings:

Watch Hill Point Light bearing 020.5°pgc
Race Point Light Light bearing 269.5°pgc

What is the approximate depth of water at this position? 

    N a. 325 feet
    N b. 175 feet
    Y c. 130 feet
    N d. 104 feet
16562: At 1850, you obtain the following bearings and distance:

Block Island North Light 085°T
Watch Hill Light 342°T 5.8 miles

What true speed did you make good between 1830 and 1850? 

    N a. 2.9 knots
    N b. 5.7 knots
    Y c. 8.0 knots
    N d. 8.7 knots