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.


112: Which of the following statements regarding buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE?


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)?


142: As you approach West Memphis Lt. (mile 727.4 AHP) you notice on the map a dashed line crossing the river. This line indicates a __________.


203: At 1800, your position is LAT 41°06.5'N, LONG 71°43.5'W. How would the buoy which bears 030°T from your position at a range of approximately 0.5 mile be painted?

    N a. Horizontally banded, red over green
    Y b. Horizontally banded, green over red
    N c. Vertically striped, red and green
    N d. Solid green with red letters "BIS"

232: At 0700, Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light bears 137°pgc. From your radar, you get a bearing of 007°pgc to the south tip of Stratford Point with a range of 4.5 miles. What is your 0700 position?

    N a. LAT 41°04.6'N, LONG 73°07.0'W
    N b. LAT 41°04.6'N, LONG 73°06.6'W
    N c. LAT 41°04.6'N, LONG 73°07.4'W
    Y d. LAT 41°04.6'N, LONG 73°07.2'W

260: 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?

    N a. 0318
    N b. 0312
    N c. 0309
    Y d. 0303

300: You are bound for New London. Where will you cross the demarcation line and be governed by the Inland Rules of the Road?

    N a. You are already governed by the Inland Rules.
    N b. Above the Thames River Bridge
    Y c. In the Race
    N d. You will not be governed by the Inland Rules.

479: The great circle distance from LAT 24°25.3'N, LONG 83°02.6'W to LAT 35°57.2'N, LONG 5°45.7'W is 3966.5 miles. Determine the latitude of the vertex.

    N a. 38°46.2'N
    N b. 38°16.4'N
    Y c. 38°09.4'N
    N d. 37°57.3'N

495: At 0815, visibility is excellent and you can see Montauk Point. Montauk Point is __________.

    N a. low and rocky with scattered small pine trees
    N b. a low lying wetland
    Y c. a high sandy bluff
    N d. a flat wooded plain

638: What is the mile point of the Fulton Gage?

    Y a. 778 AHP
    N b. 687 AHP
    N c. 632 AHP
    N d. 598 AHP

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.

1005: On 18 May , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 20°41'N, LONG 63°32'W. You are on course 106°T, speed 24 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.

ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1204 61°54.6' N 19°37.6' 88°39.7'
1210 63°24.6' N 19°37.7' 88°59.2'

    Y a. LAT 20°32.6'N, LONG 62°57.5'W
    N b. LAT 20°30.1'N, LONG 63°01.9'W
    N c. LAT 20°27.6'N, LONG 62°52.4'W
    N d. LAT 20°25.2'N, LONG 62°56.9'W

1181: On 4 January , your 0800 zone time DR position is LAT 25°25.0 S, LONG 16°09.0'W. Your vessel is on course 290°T at a speed of 13.5 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1157
    N b. 1205
    N c. 1209
    Y d. 1213

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

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

1495: On 9 September , your 2043 ZT position is LAT 24°18'N, LONG 66°46'W. You observe Polaris bearing 001°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 031°pgc and 040°psc. The variation is 11°W. What is the deviation for that heading?

    N a. 0°
    N b. 1°W
    N c. 3°W
    Y d. 2°E

1671: On 9 May , your vessel's 1809 ZT DR position is LAT 48°13.7'N, LONG 168°36.3'E, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 283.7° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 13.0°E. The chronometer reads 07h 13m 19s and is 02m 56s fast. What is the deviation of the standard compass?

    Y a. 0.1°W
    N b. 1.1°W
    N c. 1.1°E
    N d. 1.9°W

1672: On 11 May , your vessel's 1839 ZT position is LAT 17°30'N, LONG 63°55'W, when an amplitude of the Sun's center is observed on the celestial horizon bearing 301° per standard magnetic compass. Variation for this area is 10.5°W. The chronometer reads 10h 37m 10s and is 02m 08s slow. What is the deviation of the compass?

    N a. 2.5°W
    N b. 2.0°W
    Y c. 1.5°W
    N d. 2.0°E

2013: On 28 October , morning twilight will occur around 0524 ZT in LAT 25°25.0'N, LONG 32°33.3'W. Considering their magnitude and location, which group will be the three stars best suited to observe for a star fix at star time?

    N a. Sirius, Hamal, Denebola
    N b. Sirius, Denebola, Dubhe
    Y c. Sirius, Capella, Denebola
    N d. Sirius, Mirfak, Hamal

2061: As you approach mile 225 AHP, you notice on the map a black broken line crossing the river at mile 224.2 AHP. This line indicates __________.

    N a. ferry crossing
    N b. submarine crossing
    N c. gas pipelines
    Y d. power lines

2424: As you approach mile 225 AHP, you notice on the map a brown broken-lined rectangular shaped area along the bank. This indicates __________.

    N a. weirs
    N b. a revetment
    Y c. a fleeting area
    N d. utility crossing

2655: You are steering 078°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 15.6 miles at 2316. You change course to pass the light 4.5 miles off abeam to port. If you are making 17 knots, what is your ETA at the position 4.5 miles off the light?

    N a. 0006
    Y b. 0009
    N c. 0012
    N d. 0015

2700: You are underway on course 163°T at a speed of 15.8 knots.
You sight a buoy bearing 161°T at a radar range of 5.5 miles at 1319. If you change course at 1325, what is the course to steer to leave the buoy abeam to starboard at 1.0 mile?

    Y a. 145°T
    N b. 148°T
    N c. 151°T
    N d. 175°T

2717: The Natchez Gage reads 16.3 feet. The high point on your towboat is 38 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Natchez Highway Bridge?

    N a. 79.0 feet
    Y b. 71.7 feet
    N c. 65.2 feet
    N d. 59.1 feet

2781: Your engine speed is 9.8 mph and you estimate the current at 1.6 mph. What is your speed over the ground?

    N a. 11.0 mph
    N b. 9.8 mph
    N c. 8.6 mph
    Y d. 8.2 mph

2887: Your vessel is steering 283°T at 10 knots. At 0538 a light bears 350°T, and at 0552 the same light bears 002°T. What will be your distance off abeam?

    N a. 9.6 miles
    Y b. 10.3 miles
    N c. 10.7 miles
    N d. 11.3 miles

3103: You are turning 93 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 25 feet, and an estimated slip of 0%. What is the speed of advance?

    N a. 20.2 knots
    N b. 21.9 knots
    N c. 22.4 knots
    Y d. 22.9 knots

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

3761: Your vessel is proceeding up 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 283°
T, and the variation is 13°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 278° per standard compass, what is the deviation?

    N a. 5°E
    N b. 5°W
    N c. 8°E
    Y d. 8°W

10308: You are 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to a position 1.5 miles due east of Watch Hill Point Light?

    N a. 341°psc
    N b. 337°psc
    N c. 011°psc
    Y d. 007°psc

10701: At 0947 your position is LAT 41°15.9'N, LONG 71°41.7'W. You are on course 182° per magnetic compass at 11.3 knots. At 1020 your position is LAT 41°09.2'N, LONG 71°40.6'W. What were the set and drift?

    N a. 211°T at 1.0 knot
    Y b. 229°T at 2.0 knots
    N c. 058°T at 1.8 knots
    N d. 043°T at 1.1 knots

10907: What is the time (DST ZD +4) of the AM high tide at York Point, Poquoson River on 8 September 1983?

    N a. 0955
    Y b. 1048
    N c. 1055
    N d. 1102

11304: At 1422 your GPS position is LAT 37°07.5'N, LONG 75°39.1'W. At 1549 your position is LAT 36°57.0'N, LONG 75°41.0'W. What was the course made good between the fixes?

    N a. 185°T
    Y b. 188°T
    N c. 194°T
    N d. 198°T

11402: At 1018 your position is LAT 41°14.4'N, LONG 72°07.2'W. At 1036 your vessels position is LAT 41°13.1'N, LONG 72°16.1'W. What was your true course and speed made good?

    Y a. 259° at 22.6 knots
    N b. 245° at 23.1 knots
    N c. 079° at 22.8 knots
    N d. 065° at 25.5 knots

11801: What course should you steer by standard magnetic compass (psc) between Horton Pt. Light and Falkner Island Light, if the set and drift of the current are 040°T at 0.9 knot, and a westerly wind will cause 2° of leeway? Your engines are making turns for 10 knots.

    Y a. 314.0°psc
    N b. 319.0°psc
    N c. 324.5°psc
    N d. 328.5°psc

12102: You sight Thimble Shoal Light in line with Old Point Comfort Light bearing 265° per standard magnetic compass. You are on course 135°psc. Based on this, you know __________.

    N a. there is no compass error
    N b. there is a local magnetic disturbance
    N c. you should swing your vessel and check the deviation table
    Y d. the deviation is 0°

12305: You sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light (LAT 41°18.2'N, LONG 71°56.0'W) bearing 095° per standard magnetic compass. If your vessel was heading 056° per standard magnetic compass at the time, which of the following is TRUE?

    N a. You should subtract 15°Compass error for bearings of 095°.
    N b. The deviation table is correct for all bearings of 095°.
    Y c. The vessel should be swung, and the deviation table checked.
    N d. The compass error is 19°W for all headings.

12507: You are on course 300° per standard magnetic compass (psc) when you take the following bearings: New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" 240°psc Horn Harbor Entrance Light HH 268°psc Wolf Trap Light 003°psc What is the position of the fix?

    N a. LAT 37°20.8'N, LONG 76°09.6'W
    Y b. LAT 37°20.8'N, LONG 76°11.0'W
    N c. LAT 37°20.9'N, LONG 76°11.5'W
    N d. LAT 37°21.1'N, LONG 76°08.2'W

13403: Your vessel has become disabled and is dead in the water. Your GPS set fixes your position at LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°43.5'W. You decide to anchor at this position. Which type of bottom should you expect?

    N a. Soft clay and sand
    Y b. Soft mud and shell
    N c. Hard sand and rocks
    N d. Blue mud and gray sand

13702: What chart should you use in Lynnhaven Bay (west of Cape Henry)?

    N a. 12221
    N b. 12256
    N c. 12205
    Y d. 12254

14501: You are proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. The pool level of the Bonneville Reservoir stands at 65 feet above MSL. If the highest point on your vessel is 54 feet above the water, what will be the vertical clearance as you pass under the overhead power cables at mile 186.2?

    N a. 94 feet
    N b. 101 feet
    Y c. 108 feet
    N d. 117 feet

14601: Where would you look for information on the restricted areas shown on the chart immediately above and below the spillway at The Dalles Lock & Dam ?

    N a. Light List - Vol II
    Y b. Coast Pilot 7 - Chapter 2
    N c. Notice to Mariners
    N d. Sailing directions

15008: At 1920, the buoy forward of your starboard beam is __________.

    N a. an interrupted quick flashing buoy
    N b. Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy
    N c. South Light Buoy
    Y d. Sand Shoal Inlet Lighted Buoy "A"

15141: At 2146 your position is 40°51.3'N, 71°59.2'W. If your engine speed has been 13 knots, what were the set and drift of the current you encountered since your 2100 position?

    N a. 115°true at 1.1 knots
    N b. 115°true at 1.5 knots
    N c. 295° true at 1.1 knots
    Y d. 295°true at 1.5 knots

15218: What is your 2118 position?

    N a. LAT 36°57.0'N, LONG 76°01.5'W
    Y b. LAT 36°57.4'N, LONG 76°01.9'W
    N c. LAT 36°57.8'N, LONG 76°01.5'W
    N d. LAT 36°58.2'N, LONG 76°02.4'W

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

15920: What chart should you use after you enter New London Harbor?

    N a. 13211
    Y b. 13213
    N c. 13214
    N d. 13272

16039: From your 0820 position you change course to your rendezvous position, one mile due south of buoy "NH", speed 14.5 knots. You estimate the current to be 260°T at 0.5 knot. The wind is northwesterly at 20 knots and you estimate 2° leeway. What is your course per gyrocompass (pgc) to the rendezvous position, if you correct your heading for current and leeway?

    N a. 039°
    N b. 041°
    N c. 043°
    Y d. 045°

16319: 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?

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

16515: What action should you take to compensate for the above current?

    N a. Continue on the same course and speed.
    Y b. Alter your course to the left.
    N c. Slow to 8.5 knots.
    N d. Alter your course to the right.

16559: At 1800, your position is LAT 41°06.5'N, LONG 71°43.5'W. How should the buoy which bears 030°T from your position at a range of approximately 0.5 mile be painted?

    N a. Horizontally banded, red over green, with a red buoyancy chamber
    Y b. Horizontally banded, green over red, with a green buoyancy chamber
    N c. Vertically striped, red and green
    N d. Solid red with green letters "BIS"

16565: You decide to use the 9960-Y and 9960-W rates. At 1915,
you obtain the following readings:

9960-Y-43937.5
9960-W-14651.2

What is your 1915 position?

    N a. LAT 41°13.6'N, LONG 71°54.0'W
    Y b. LAT 41°13.5'N, LONG 71°53.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°13.4'N, LONG 71°53.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.4'N, LONG 71°53.7'W