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.

38: What are the color and shape of Anconia Pt. Light at mile 528.6 AHP?
183: At 1920, the buoy off your starboard bow is __________.
256: At 0209, your position is LAT 41°01.8'N, LONG 72°40.8'W. What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good 278° magnetic? (assume no set and drift)
257: At 0705, you change course to head for The Race. You wish to leave Race Rock Light bearing due north at 0.4 mile. If the current is 110°T, at 2.8 knots, and you are turning for 12.0 knots, what course (pgc) should you steer? 

    N a. 252°pgc
    N b. 257°pgc
    N c. 265°pgc
    Y d. 271°pgc
278: The National Weather Service provides 24 hour weather broadcasts to vessels transiting the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel area on which frequency? 

    Y a. 162.55 MHz
    N b. 162.85 MHz
    N c. 181.15 MHz
    N d. 202.35 MHz
394: A vessel at LAT 38°03.0'S, LONG 49°38.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 41°26.0'S, LONG 38°32.0'W. Determine the true course by Mercator sailing. 

    Y a. 111.5°T
    N b. 113.5°T
    N c. 158.5°T
    N d. 160.5°T
396: A vessel at LAT 10°22.0'S, LONG 7°18.0'E, heads for a destination at LAT 6°52.0'N, LONG 57°23.0'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 285°T, 3825.3 miles
    Y b. 285°T, 4025.7 miles
    N c. 296°T, 3825.3 miles
    N d. 296°T, 4025.7 miles
417: A vessel at LAT 21°32'N, LONG 160°30'W, heads for a destination at LAT 30°00'N, LONG 150°00'E. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 273°T, 2645 miles
    N b. 273°T, 2692 miles
    Y c. 281°T, 2733 miles
    N d. 284°T, 2762 miles
423: At 0530, your position is LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 72°08.5'W. What is the color of New London Harbor Light? 

    N a. Green
    N b. White
    Y c. Red
    N d. Alternating white and green
732: On 3 January , your 1759 zone time DR position is LONG 60°53.2'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 22°55.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 09h 57m 10s, and the chronometer error is 02m 26s slow. The index error is 2.9' off the arc, and the height of eye is 52.5 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    N a. 21°35.2'N
    N b. 21°52.5'N
    Y c. 22°03.6'N
    N d. 22°22.6'N
748: On 7 May , you observe Polaris for latitude at 0303 ZT. Your DR position is LAT 56°35.4'N, LONG 05°38.9'W. The sextant altitude is 56°11.1'. The height of eye is 36', and the index error is 3.3' off the arc. What is the latitude at the time of the sight? 

    N a. 56°24.6'N
    N b. 56°32.6'N
    N c. 56°35.0'N
    Y d. 56°38.7'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
1109: On 5 May , your 1600 zone time DR position is LAT 17°28'S, LONG 143°39'E. You are on course 316°T at a speed of 17 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1800 running fix. 

    Y a. LAT 17°05.2'S, LONG 143°11.4'E
    N b. LAT 17°07.8'S, LONG 143°17.5'E
    N c. LAT 17°08.2'S, LONG 143°07.9'E
    N d. LAT 17°09.7'S, LONG 143°10.1'E
1123: What is the vertical clearance of the Vicksburg Highway 80 Bridge when the river level is the same as the Low Water Reference Plane? 

    N a. 128.3 ft
    N b. 125.6 ft
    N c. 119.5 ft
    Y d. 116.3 ft
1187: On 17 March , your 0800 zone time DR position is LAT 21°27.0'N, LONG 65°25.0'W. Your vessel is on course 105°T at a speed of 17.5 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    N a. 1210
    N b. 1218
    Y c. 1225
    N d. 1231
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
1298: Your company wants to know at what time you will be arriving at the fleeting area at Sycamore Chute Light (mile 740.3 AHP) in Memphis, TN You are making turns for 9.0 mph and you estimate the average current at 2.2 mph. Figuring the distance and time from Hole in the Wall Lt. (mile 373.4 AHP), what is your ETA at Sycamore Chute Lt.? 

    Y a. 1242, April 19th
    N b. 1645, April 19th
    N c. 2242, April 19th
    N d. 2333, April 19th
1306: What is your clearance as you pass under the Vicksburg Highway 80 Bridge (mile 437.8 AHP). if the Vicksburg Gage reads 14.8 feet and the highest point on your tow boat is 44.5 feet? 

    N a. 36 feet
    N b. 42 feet
    N c. 48 feet
    Y d. 57 feet
1667: On Sunday, 8 November, your ship is enroute from Texas City, TX, to Portland, ME. At 0632 ZT, you fix your position at LAT 27°06'N, LONG 90°36'W. When the lower limb of the Sun was two-thirds of a diameter above the visible horizon, the Sun bore 105° per standard magnetic compass. At this time the chronometer read 12h 39m 20s and is 3m 20s slow. If the variation is 3°E, determine the deviation of the standard compass. 

    Y a. 0.8°E
    N b. 0.8°W
    N c. 3.8°E
    N d. 3.8°W
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
1772: What is your ETA at the Fulton Gage? 

    N a. 1405, 12 Sept
    N b. 1052, 12 Sept
    N c. 0828, 12 Sept
    Y d. 0204, 12 Sept
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
2001: On 3 February , your 0451 zone time DR position is LAT 24°15.0'S, LONG 124°24.0'W. Considering their magnitude, azimuth and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time? 

    Y a. Alphard, Denebola, Acrux
    N b. Spica, Venus, Procyon
    N c. Jupiter, Dubhe, Antares
    N d. Mars, Arcturus, Spica
2102: Sounding contours in unshaded water areas are at what interval? 

    N a. 10 foot up to 100 ft depths then at 30 foot intervals
    Y b. 30 foot intervals up to 180 feet
    N c. 10 fathom intervals
    N d. The interval will vary to ensure any major underwater hazard is highlighted.
2248: Which company does NOT have a marine facility in Rosedale Harbor (mile 585 AHP)? 

    Y a. T.L. James
    N b. Rosedale-Boliver County Port Commission
    N c. Cives Steel Company
    N d. Sanders Elevator Corp
2320: The highest point on your towboat is 48 feet above the water, and the Memphis Gage reads +7.5 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis? 

    N a. 48.0 feet
    Y b. 53.2 feet
    N c. 68.2 feet
    N d. 116.0 feet
2776: The charts show a circle with two black quadrants located at mile 846.0 AHP. What does this indicate? 

    N a. Hazardous chemical dock
    Y b. River Gage
    N c. Betz-Tipton Veneers Terminal
    N d. Bulletin Board
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
2861: Your vessel is on a course of 196°T at 17 knots. At 0417 a light bears 218.5°T, and at 0442 the light bears 241°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    Y a. 0500, 5.0 miles
    N b. 0504, 6.2 miles
    N c. 0500, 6.2 miles
    N d. 0504, 5.0 miles
3076: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 16.4 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 23.8 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 6% positive slip? 

    N a. 66
    Y b. 74
    N c. 82
    N d. 90
3077: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 23.7 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 20.8 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 7% negative slip? 

    Y a. 108
    N b. 112
    N c. 116
    N d. 124
3278: While steaming at 14 knots, your vessel burns 276 bbls of fuel per day. What will be the rate of fuel consumption if you decrease speed to 11.7 knots? 

    N a. 135 bbls/day
    Y b. 161 bbls/day
    N c. 196 bbls/day
    N d. 245 bbls/day
3293: Your vessel consumes 274 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 17.5 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 13.5 knots? 

    Y a. 126 bbls
    N b. 163 bbls
    N c. 211 bbls
    N d. 253 bbls
3318: While steaming at 12 knots, your vessel burns 45 tons of fuel per day. What will be the rate of fuel consumption if you decrease speed to 11.5 knots? 

    N a. 31 tons/day
    N b. 36 tons/day
    Y c. 40 tons/day
    N d. 43 tons/day
3611: The track line on the chart is 274°T. Variation is 4°E, and deviation is 2°E. The gyro error is 1.5°E. What course would be steered by gyrocompass to make good the desired course? 

    N a. 280.5°pgc
    N b. 278.0°pgc
    N c. 275.5°pgc
    Y d. 272.5°pgc
10303: Determine the course per standard magnetic compass from 0.2 mile south of Race Rock Light (LAT 41°14.6'N, LONG 72°02.8'W) to the entrance of the channel to Lake Montauk (west of Montauk Point). 

    N a. 137.0°psc
    N b. 152.0°psc
    N c. 165.5°psc
    Y d. 168.5°psc
10611: You are off the coast of Mexico and are taking a time tick for 1800. At approximately 1754, you hear the preparatory signal "VVVV de XDD" from the time signal station. Then you hear a series of 1 second dashes followed by a 9 second silent period and then a long 1.3 second dash. At the beginning of the long dash, your comparing watch reads 06h 00m 07s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 06h 01m 24s, and the chronometer reads 05h 59m 23s. What is the chronometer error? 

    N a. 0m 07s fast
    N b. 1m 17s fast
    N c. 0m 37s slow
    Y d. 1m 54s slow
10904: What is the distance from Chesapeake Bay entrance to Baltimore? 

    Y a. 150 nm
    N b. 162 nm
    N c. 173 nm
    N d. 247 nm
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
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
12601: You are on course 062° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Branford Reef Light 060°psc Stratford Point Light 272°psc New Haven Light 324°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°07.1'N, LONG 72°53.4'W
    Y b. LAT 41°10.5'N, LONG 72°52.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°11.6'N, LONG 72°50.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°13.3'N, LONG 72°48.7'W
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
13305: What are the bottom characteristics of Nautilus Shoal (LAT 37°03'N, LONG 75°56'W)? 

    N a. Sand and shells
    N b. Hard sand
    Y c. Fine gray sand
    N d. Mud and sand
14101: What signal is given by air horn to indicate that Bonneville Lock is ready for entrance? 

    N a. two long blasts
    N b. two short blasts
    N c. one short blast
    Y d. one long blast
14203: What is the vertical clearance of the fixed bridge across the entrance to Rock Creek at Stevenson, Washington? 

    Y a. 18 feet
    N b. 36 feet
    N c. 54 feet
    N d. 70 feet
15025: What is the mile point of the Arkansas City Gage? 

    Y a. 554.1 AHP
    N b. 556.8 AHP
    N c. 560.0 AHP
    N d. 562.8 AHP
15220: If the Old Point Comfort main light was inoperative what emergency light would be shown? 

    N a. Flashing yellow
    N b. Alternating red and white
    Y c. Light of reduced intensity
    N d. Strobe light
15270: The distance from New London to the east entrance of the Cape Cod Canal is __________. 

    N a. 66 miles
    N b. 77 miles
    Y c. 89 miles
    N d. 136 miles
15314: Your gyro and electronic gear are again operating. At 1710, Chesapeake Light bears 137°pgc at 6.6 miles. The current is setting 160°T at 2 knots. At your speed of 6 knots, what is your true course to steer to remain in the inbound traffic lane? 

    Y a. 269°
    N b. 265°
    N c. 261°
    N d. 250°
15668: At 0839, Montauk Pt. Light is bearing 205°T at a radar distance of 6.6 miles. What is your speed made good from your 0815 position? 

    N a. 8.2 knots
    Y b. 9.2 knots
    N c. 10.0 knots
    N d. 10.5 knots
15760: As you near Little Gull Island, you use your loran to insure that you do not come within 0.5 mile of the island. Which loran reading will act as a danger line and keep you off Little Gull Island by a minimum of 0.5 mile? 

    N a. Not more than 9960-W-14735.9
    N b. Not more than 9960-X-26149.0
    N c. Not less than 9960-X-26140.0
    Y d. Not less than 9960-Y-43953.5
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
16017: What is the approximate distance to New Bedford, MA, from your 0530 DR position, if your 0352 position was 7 miles from Bridgeport, CT? 

    N a. 77 miles
    N b. 91 miles
    Y c. 104 miles
    N d. 115 miles
16044: At 1038 Branford Reef Light bears 019°pgc, Falkner Island Light bears 075°pgc, and the radar range to Branford Reef Light is 3.0 miles. Which statement is TRUE of your 1038 position? 

    N a. You are required by regulation to change course to avoid steaming through the dumping ground.
    N b. You are making more speed over the ground, since your 1022 fix, than indicated by your engine RPM.
    N c. You are abeam of Townshend Ledge
    Y d. Your fathometer reads about 25 feet.
16217: 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
16611: At 0109 you get underway, and at 0112 you take the following set of bearings:

Branford Reef Light bearing 051°true
Stratford Point Light bearing 258°true

What is your 0112 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°11.2'N, LONG 72°51.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°11.4'N, LONG 72°50.5'W
    Y c. LAT 41°11.4'N, LONG 72°51.3'W
    N d. LAT 41°11.8'N, LONG 72°51.5'W