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.

122: From Baton Rouge to Cairo, what is the maintained minimum channel depth during low water?
167: The Arkansas City Yellow Bend revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________.
174: Which of the following concerning Thimble Shoal Channel is TRUE?
194: At 2100, you alter course to 250°T and reduce speed to 7 knots. You enter the traffic separation scheme on the inbound side. At 2200, your fix shows you crossing a broken purple line on the chart, and you observe North Chesapeake Entrance Lighted Gong Buoy "NCD" to port. This area is __________. 

    N a. an area with local magnetic disturbances
    N b. a pilotage area
    Y c. a precautionary area centered on buoy "CBJ"
    N d. in inland waters
204: From your 1800 position you steer a course of 350°psc at a speed of 10.0 knots. At 1830, your position is LAT 41°11.7'N, LONG 71°45.8'W. What are the set and drift of the current? 

    Y a. 029°T, 1.4 knot
    N b. 029°T, 0.7 knots
    N c. 209°T, 0.7 knot
    N d. 209°T, 1.4 knots
244: Your vessel is entering New London Harbor Channel. If there is no current, what should you steer per gyro compass to stay on the range? 

    N a. 006°
    N b. 357°
    N c. 354°
    Y d. 351°
270: At 0830, you wish to get the latest weather forecasts for the Falkner Island area. On what frequency would you set your FM radio for this information? 

    N a. 2181 kHz
    Y b. 162.40 Mhz
    N c. 156.80 Mhz
    N d. 156.65 Mhz
293: At 1730, your position is LAT 37°13.9'N, LONG 76°26.4'W. You are steering course 088° per standard magnetic compass (psc) at an engine speed of 8.0 knots. What is your distance off Tue Marshes Light at 1730? 

    N a. 3.2 miles
    N b. 3.0 miles
    N c. 2.8 miles
    Y d. 2.6 miles
298: You have just passed York River Entrance Channel Lighted Buoys "13" and "14". The chart shows a light approximately 1.0 mile off your port beam with a light characteristic "Fl 6 sec". What is the name of this light? 

    Y a. York Spit Light
    N b. New Point Comfort Shoal Light
    N c. Mobjack Bay Entrance Light
    N d. York River Entrance Channel Light "1"
305: A vessel steams 666 miles on course 295°T from LAT 24°24'N, LONG 83°00'W. What are the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by mid-latitude sailing? 

    N a. LAT 29°01'N, LONG 94°18'W
    Y b. LAT 29°06'N, LONG 94°16'W
    N c. LAT 29°10'N, LONG 94°10'W
    N d. LAT 29°13'N, LONG 94°06'W
366: At 0731, approximately how much water is under your keel? 

    N a. 26 feet (7.9 meters)
    Y b. 31 feet (9.4 meters)
    N c. 48 feet (14.5 meters)
    N d. 54 feet (16.4 meters)
438: You estimate that you are making 9.3 knots over the ground. At what time will you enter waters governed by the COLREGS? 

    N a. 0258
    N b. 0255
    Y c. 0251
    N d. 0247
667: You are planning a voyage from departure Seattle (LAT 48°30'N, LONG 125°00'W) to a position at LAT 44°00'N, LONG 161°00'E. Which statement is TRUE? (Use gnomonic chart WOXZC 5270.) 

    N a. You must plot a composite sailing to remain south of the Aleutians.
    N b. The northern hemisphere vertex lies to the west of your arrival position.
    Y c. Military exercises north of 53°N, between 150°W and 165°W, will not affect your voyage.
    N d. At your highest latitude, the sun will be visible at upper  and lower transit if the voyage occurs on 21 June.
1094: On 12 Oct. , your vessel is on course 081°T, speed 20 knots. Your 1800 zone time DR position is LAT 26°11.0'S, LONG 77°18.0'E. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1835 running fix. NP-0024

    N a. LAT 26°05.5'S, LONG 77°14.5'E
    N b. LAT 26°07.5'S, LONG 77°34.0'E
    N c. LAT 26°09.0'S, LONG 77°27.5'E
    Y d. LAT 26°12.0'S, LONG 77°31.0'E
1133: The Helena Gage reads 9.4 feet. The high point on your towboat is 42 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 53.0 feet
    N b. 62.6 feet
    N c. 64.2 feet
    Y d. 68.0 feet
1212: It is 21 November and you are keeping zone time +8. You are on course 082°T, speed 19 knots. Your 0830 DR position is LAT 24°14.8'N, LONG 133°35.5'W. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks? 

    N a. 13h 35m 02s
    N b. 13h 03m 20s
    N c. 12h 35m 59s
    Y d. 12h 34m 51s
1291: As you pass Solitude Lt. (mile 249.0 AHP) which dayboard would you see? 

    Y a. Green diamond
    N b. Green square
    N c. Red triangle
    N d. Red diamond
1467: On 17 April , your 1610 ZT DR position is LAT 22°07.0'N, LONG 158°16.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 271°psc. The chronometer reads 03h 08m 52s, and the chronometer error is 01m 16s slow. The variation is 4°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 1.1°W
    N b. 1.7°E
    Y c. 2.3°W
    N d. 2.9°E
1886: On 8 April , your evening DR position is LAT 22°16'N, LONG 157°58.3'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 246°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 58°45.5'. The chronometer reads 05h 09m 57s, and is 01m 23s slow. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Betelgeuse
    N b. Aldebaran
    N c. Alnilam
    N d. Bellatrix
1986: You are in charge of a vessel that damages an aid to navigation established and maintained by the United States. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. You must take the aid in tow and deliver it to the nearest Coast Guard, Marine Safety Office.
    N b. You must report the allision to the nearest Army Corps.. of
    
Engineers Office.
    N c. You may wait until you reach your destination before reporting the allision to the U.S. Coast Guard.
    Y d. You must report the accident to the nearest Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
2052: 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? 

    Y a. 53.2 feet
    N b. 58.1 feet
    N c. 68.2 feet
    N d. 96.3 feet
2088: At your current speed of 19 knots you only have enough fuel remaining to travel 265 miles. You must travel 731 miles to reach your destination. What should you reduce your speed (knots) to in order to reach your destination? 

    N a. 13.8
    N b. 12.6
    Y c. 11.4
    N d. 10.2
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
2282: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 42°44.0' on 22 June . The index error is 0.8' off the arc. The height of eye is 70 feet (21.3 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)? 

    N a. 42°19.8'
    N b. 42°21.7'
    Y c. 42°51.7'
    N d. 42°54.2'
2328: As you pass through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, you sight Trestle "B" in line bearing 018°pgc. What is the gyro error by observation? 

    N a. 2°E
    Y b. 0°
    N c. 2°W
    N d. 4°W
2587: What VHF frequency would you use to listen to a weather forecast for the eastern part of Long Island Sound? 

    N a. 156.65 MHz
    N b. 156.85 MHz
    Y c. 162.475 MHz
    N d. 162.775 MHz
2692: While on a course of 097°pgc, a light bears 8° on the port bow at a distance of 11.7 miles. What course should you steer to pass 3 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port? 

    N a. 082°pgc
    N b. 091°pgc
    Y c. 104°pgc
    N d. 112°pgc
2869: Your vessel is on a course of 237°T at 18 knots. At 0404 a light bears 263.5°T, and at 0430 the light bears 282°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    N a. 0448, 6.8 miles
    N b. 0452, 7.2 miles
    Y c. 0456, 7.8 miles
    N d. 0500, 8.4 miles
2869: Your vessel is on a course of 237°T at 18 knots. At 0404 a light bears 263.5°T, and at 0430 the light bears 282°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    N a. 0448, 6.8 miles
    N b. 0452, 7.2 miles
    Y c. 0456, 7.8 miles
    N d. 0500, 8.4 miles
3061: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 20.2 feet and a pitch of 19.0 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 367 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 84? 

    Y a. +2.9%
    N b. -2.9%
    N c. +5.2%
    N d. -5.2%
3284: While steaming at 18.9 knots, your vessel consumes 386 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 251 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for? 

    N a. 11.6 knots
    N b. 12.3 knots
    N c. 15.2 knots
    Y d. 16.4 knots
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
10506: At 0919 your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. You are on course 270°T at 8.7 knots. At 1031 your position is LAT 36°59.5'N, LONG 75°44.9'W. What was the set and drift? 

    N a. 239° at 0.8 knot
    Y b. 252° at 1.3 knots
    N c. 060° at 0.7 knot
    N d. 073° at 1.2 knots
11105: What is the height of the tide at Great Salt Pond on Block Island at the afternoon high water (daylight savings time) on 1 July 1983? 

    N a. 3.9 feet
    N b. 3.0 feet
    N c. 2.4 feet
    Y d. 2.1 feet
11508: At 1014 you depart the entrance to Lake Montauk with light "1" close aboard. Your course is 066° per standard magnetic compass, and the speed is 8.6 knots. At 1232 your position is LAT 41°20.0'N, LONG 71°40.0'W. What is the speed made good? 

    N a. 8.2 knots
    Y b. 8.5 knots
    N c. 8.9 knots
    N d. 9.2 knots
11807: What course should you steer by your standard magnetic compass (psc) between Horton Pt. Light and a position 2 miles due south of Branford Reef Light, if the set and drift of the current are 111°T at 2.5 knots, and a southwesterly wind will cause 4° of leeway? (Your engines are turning for 18 knots.) 

    N a. 306°psc
    Y b. 301°psc
    N c. 295°psc
    N d. 275°psc
12208: You sight Stratford Pt. Light in line with the Igor I. Sikorsky Airport Aero Beacon bearing 319° per standard magnetic compass. What is the compass error? 

    N a. 4°E
    N b. 10°W
    N c. 14°E
    Y d. 18°W
12612: You are on course 242° per standard magnetic compass (psc) when you take the following bearings: Stratford Point Light 325°psc Old Field Point Light 239°psc Middle Ground Light 270°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°04.4'N, LONG 72°59.5'W
    Y b. LAT 41°05.1'N, LONG 72°59.3'W
    N c. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 73°00.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°04.8'N, LONG 73°59.3'W
13001: At 1222 your position is LAT 41°05.5'N, LONG 72°47.3'W. You are making turns for 14.5 knots. What is your ETA at Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy (LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°30.5'W)? 

    N a. 1309
    Y b. 1317
    N c. 1321
    N d. 1328
13309: What type of bottom can be expected at the northern end of York Spit Channel? 

    N a. Hard clay
    N b. Fine gray sand
    N c. Soft black mud
    Y d. Mud and sand
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
15119: What is the height above water of Davis Creek Channel Light "1"? 

    N a. 6 feet (1.8 meters)
    Y b. 15 feet (4.6 meters)
    N c. 17 feet (5.2 meters)
    N d. 24 feet (7.3 meters)
15566: At 0520 you take the following observations:

Point Judith Light 036°pgc
Point Judith Harbor of Refuge
Main Breakwater Center Light 312°pgc

What is the position of your 0520 fix? 

    Y a. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°29.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°30.0'W
    N c. LAT 41°20.6'N, Long 71°30.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°20.5'N, Long 71°29.8'W
15618: If you want a more detailed chart of the area at your 2115 DR position, which chart should you use? 

    N a. 12222
    Y b. 12224
    N c. 12225
    N d. 12238
15764: From your 0715 position, you set a course of 085°T. At 0745, you take the following bearings:

Race Rock Light 274°pgc
Watch Hill Point Light 045°pgc
Fisher's Island East Harbor Cupola 006°pgc

What was the current encountered between 0715 and 0745? 

    N a. Set 030°T,  drift 0.4 knot
    Y b. Set 070°T,  drift 0.7 knot
    N c. Set 210°T,  drift 0.8 knot
    N d. Set 238°T,  drift 1.0 knot
15846: At 2200, you alter course to 204°T, at 14 knots. You expect a current on this leg of the trip, setting 325° at 1.5 knots. Which course should you steer per gyro compass to make good the true course? 

    N a. 184°pgc
    N b. 190°pgc
    N c. 194°pgc
    Y d. 201°pgc
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
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°
16040: At 0847 you take a round of bearings as follows:

Middle Ground Shoal Light - 237° pgc
Stratford Point Light - 289° pgc
New Haven Light - 019° pgc

What were the set and drift since your 0820 position? 

    N a. Set 180°T, drift 0.6 kt
    N b. Set 360°T, drift 0.3 kt
    N c. Set 180°T, drift 0.3 kt
    Y d. Set 360°T, drift 0.6 kt
16064: At 2015, your vessel is at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel midway between buoys "13" and "14". If the height of tide is -1 foot (-.3 meter). What is the approximate depth under the keel? 

    N a. 51 feet (15.5 meters)
    Y b. 45 feet (13.6 meters)
    N c. 40 feet (12.1 meters)
    N d. 35 feet (10.6 meters)
16065: If you steer 143°pgc at an engine speed of 8.0 knots from your 2015 position, at what time would you reach a point midway between buoys "11" and "12" (ignore set and drift)? 

    N a. 2020
    Y b. 2029
    N c. 2032
    N d. 2039
16145: At 2054 Block Island Southeast Point Light bears 054°T at 6.9 miles and Southwest Ledge Lighted Bell Buoy 2 is 1.6 miles off to port. The set and drift from 2027 to 2054 is __________. 

    Y a. 127°T at 3.1 knots
    N b. 127°T at 1.4 knots
    N c. 307°T at 3.1 knots
    N d. 307°T at 1.4 knots