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.


97: The highest point on your towboat is 57 feet above the water, and the Memphis Gage reads +1.3 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Memphis Highway Bridge in Memphis?


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


289: 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 __________.


290: What was the speed made good from 1845 to 1930?

    N a. 6.2 knots
    N b. 6.8 knots
    N c. 7.5 knots
    Y d. 8.3 knots

334: 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?

    N a. 250°
    N b. 261°
    N c. 265°
    Y d. 269°

340: Inbound, the color of Cape Henry Light will __________.

    N a. alternate regardless of your position
    N b. change after you reach Chesapeake Channel Lighted Bell Buoy "2C"
    N c. remain the same
    Y d. change before you reach Chesapeake Channel Lighted Bell Buoy "2C"

344: The maximum ebb current at a location 4.3 miles south of Stratford Point will occur at 0413. The predicted current will be 1.0 knot at 075°. What will be your course made good if you steer 082°T at 8 knots?

    N a. 087°T
    N b. 085°T
    N c. 083°T
    Y d. 081°T

374: You calculate that the current will be ebbing at the Race at 0700. You should expect to be set in which general direction at the Race?

    N a. West
    Y b. East
    N c. Northeast
    N d. North

433: What true course and speed did you make good between 0730 and 0900?

    N a. 271°T, 8.9 knots
    N b. 273°T, 8.7 knots
    Y c. 277°T, 8.4 knots
    N d. 284°T, 7.5 knots

596: At 0921, on 24 July, you are abreast the St. Catherine Bar Lt. (mile 348.6 AHP). If you are turning for 10.0 mph, what was the current since departure?

    N a. 1.4 mph
    Y b. 1.7 mph
    N c. 2.0 mph
    N d. 7.0 mph

604: At 1820 zone time, on 21 March , you depart San Francisco, LAT 37°48.5'N, LONG 122°24.0'W (ZD +8). You are bound for Melbourne, LAT 37°49.2'S, LONG 144°56.0'E, and you estimate your speed of advance at 21 knots. The distance is 6,970 miles. What is your estimated zone time of arrival at Melbourne?

    N a. 1214, 4 April
    N b. 2214, 4 April
    Y c. 0814, 5 April
    N d. 1314, 5 April

614: Your vessel departs Arkhangel'sk, from position LAT 64°32'N, LONG 40°31'E at 0236 zone time, on 19 August. It is bound for New York, at position LAT 40°42'N, LONG 74°01'W. The distance is determined to be 4,216 miles, and you estimate that you will average 13.0 knots. What is your estimated zone time of arrival?

    N a. 1155, 31 August
    N b. 1755, 31 August
    Y c. 0655, 1 September
    N d. 1155, 1 September

627: You are on a voyage from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Galveston, TX. The distance is 2138 miles, and the speed of advance is 12.5 knots. You estimate 18.0 hours for bunkering enroute at Port Everglades, FL. If you sail at 0648 hours (ZD +4), 12 June, what is your ETA (ZD +5) at Galveston?

    Y a. 0250, 20 June
    N b. 0350, 20 June
    N c. 0550, 20 June
    N d. 1350, 20 June

660: You are planning a voyage between Portland, LAT 46°05'N, LONG 124°00'W, and Korea via LAT 44°00'N, LONG 155°00'E. Which statement is TRUE? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5270)

    N a. You can sail a great circle track between the two points.
    N b. The vertex of the great circle track is north of the Aleutian Islands.
    N c. Distance is measured in 60-mile segments using the length of a degree of latitude at the mid-latitude.
    Y d. You can steam on course 270°T, at latitude 52°N, between longitudes 149°W and 160°W in a composite sailing.

700: Which facility is located on the right descending bank at mile 363.6 AHP?

    N a. River Cement Corps..
    Y b. Vidalia Dock and Storage Co.
    N c. T.L. James
    N d. Bunge Corps..

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

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

1466: On 21 April , your 1542 zone time DR position is LAT 28°54.0'S, LONG 19°07.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 299°psc. The chronometer reads 04h 44m 11s, and the chronometer error is 01m 54s fast. The variation is 3°E. What is the deviation of the standard compass?

    Y a. 0.3°W
    N b. 0.4°E
    N c. 2.7°W
    N d. 2.7°E

1681: On 8 December , in DR position LAT 21°56.1'S, LONG 17°21.6'E you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 240.5°psc. The chronometer reads 05h 27m 21s and is 00m 47s fast. Variation in the area is 3.3°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 1.5°W
    N b. 0.3°W
    N c. 0.6°E
    Y d. 1.5°E

1688: As you approach Ashland Light (mile 378.1 AHP), which type of daymark would you see on the light structure?

    N a. Green square
    N b. Green triangle
    N c. Red diamond
    Y d. Red triangle

1855: On 22 July , your 0442 ZT DR position is LAT 26°35.6'N, LONG 22°16.7'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 112°T, at an observed altitude (Ho) of 44°16.0'. The chronometer reads 05h 39m 03s and is 03m 14s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Hamal
    N b. Rigel
    Y c. Menkar
    N d. Acamar

1876: On 2 October , your 1845 DR position is LAT 28°09.2'S, LONG 167°48.1'E. You observe a faint star through a hole in the clouds at a sextant altitude (hs) of 11°37.6' bearing 066°T. The index error is 1.3' off the arc, and the height of eye is 42 feet. The chronometer reads 07h 46m 19s and is 0m 51s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Scheat
    N b. Ruckbah
    N c. Caph
    Y d. Algenib

1899: On 22 May , your 0437 DR position is LAT 25°18.5'N, LONG 51°18.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 116°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 11°27.8'. The chronometer reads 07h 40m 40s, and is 03m 24s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Markab
    Y b. Diphda
    N c. Sabik
    N d. Hamal

1955: 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

2024: On 3 December , evening twilight for your vessel will occur at 1901 zone time. Your vessel's DR position for this time will be LAT 24°18.5'S, LONG 110°30.6'W. Considering their magnitude and location, what are the three stars best suited to observe for a fix at star time?

    N a. Canopus, Hamal, Deneb
    Y b. Alpheratz, Achernar, Nunki
    N c. Antares, Fomalhaut, Mirfak
    N d. Rigel, Canopus, Regulus

2403: At 0812 you obtain the following information:

Chesapeake Light bearing 091° true @ a range of 10.5 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°54.4'N, LONG 75°55.9'W
    N d. LAT 36°54.6'N, LONG 75°55.8'W

2663: You are on course 035°T, speed 18.3 knots. At 0719 you see a buoy bearing 036°T at a range of 4.1. If you change course at 0725 to leave the buoy abeam to port at 1.0 mile,
at what time will the buoy be abeam?

    N a. 0740
    N b. 0738
    N c. 0735
    Y d. 0732

2696: You are underway on course 059°T at a speed of 13.8 knots.
You sight a light bearing 064°T at a radar range of 5.1 miles at 1839. If you change course at 1845, what is the course to steer to leave the light abeam to starboard at 1.0 mile?

    N a. 047°T
    Y b. 050°T
    N c. 053°T
    N d. 058°T

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

2875: Your vessel is on a course of 316°T at 12 knots. At 2326 a light bears 289.5°T, and at 2354 the light bears 271°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0014, 4.8 miles
    N b. 0018, 5.2 miles
    Y c. 0022, 5.6 miles
    N d. 0026, 6.4 miles

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

3651: The true course between two points is 337°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 3°E and you make an allowance of 5° leeway for a west wind. Which gyro course should be steered to make the true course good?

    Y a. 329°pgc
    N b. 335°pgc
    N c. 339°pgc
    N d. 345°pgc

3757: Your vessel is proceeding up a channel, and you see a pair of range lights that are in line ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 311°T, and the variation is 8°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 305° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation?

    N a. 2°E
    Y b. 2°W
    N c. 6°E
    N d. 6°W

10208: Your GPS position is LAT 41°08.5'N, LONG 72°28.8'W. What course must you steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to leave Cornfield Lighted Whistle Buoy "CF" 0.5 mile abeam to starboard?

    N a. 032°psc
    N b. 048°psc
    N c. 055°psc
    Y d. 067°psc

10606: At 0915 your GPS position is LAT 41°04.9'N, LONG 72°42.1'W. You are on course 085° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 6 knots. At 1030 your GPS position is 0.5 mile due south of Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy "TE". What were your set and drift?

    N a. 042°T at 2.4 knots
    Y b. 045°T at 1.9 knots
    N c. 221°T at 2.0 knots
    N d. 225°T at 2.3 knots

10608: At 1825 your GPS position is LAT 41°04.9'N, LONG 72°42.1'W. You are on course 085° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 10 knots. At 1910 your GPS position is 1 mile due south of Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy. What were your set and drift?

    N a. 233°T at 2.9 knots
    N b. 227°T at 2.5 knots
    Y c. 054°T at 2.8 knots
    N d. 051°T at 2.1 knots

12209: You sight South West Ledge Light in line with New Haven Outer Channel Range Rear Light bearing 338.5° per standard magnetic compass. What is the deviation?

    Y a. 3°E
    N b. 4°W
    N c. 6°E
    N d. 9°W

12702: You are on course 282° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Point Judith Light - 073°psc Block Island North Light - 156°psc Watch Hill Point Light - 293°psc What is your position?

    Y a. LAT 41°17.0'N, LONG 71°38.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°17.1'N, LONG 71°39.1'W
    N c. LAT 41°17.2'N, LONG 71°38.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°17.2'N, LONG 71°37.8'W

12708: You are on course 302° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Little Gull Island Light 283°psc Race Rock Light 311°psc Latimer Reef Light 027°psc What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41°12.2'N, LONG 71°57.6'W
    N b. LAT 41°12.4'N, LONG 71°57.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.4'N, LONG 71°57.9'W
    Y d. LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 71°57.6'W

14102: Your vessel is awaiting lockage at Bonneville Locks when you notice that the lock is displaying an amber signal light. What type of vessel is allowed to enter the chamber under this signal?

    N a. Vessels owned or operated by the United States
    N b. Passenger vessels
    Y c. Commercial freight and log-tow vessels
    N d. All vessels

14204: The mooring float at Beacon Rock State Park is restricted to pleasure boats and to periods not to exceed __________.

    N a. 12 hours
    N b. 24 hours
    Y c. 36 hours
    N d. 48 hours

15108: Your 1752 position places you __________.

    Y a. less than 0.5 mile westward of York Spit Channel
    N b. less than 0.5 mile eastward of York Spit Channel
    N c. greater than 0.5 mile westward of York Spit Channel
    N d. greater than 0.5 mile eastward of York Spit Channel

15159: From your 1715, fix you steer 214°T at 12 knots. At 1800,
you take the following bearings:

Cape Charles Light bearing 296° true
Cape Henry light bearing 242° true

Your 1800 position is __________.

    N a. LAT 37°02.8'N, LONG 75°43.9'W
    Y b. LAT 37°02.9'N, LONG 75°43.1'W
    N c. LAT 37°03.0'N, LONG 75°43.3'W
    N d. LAT 37°03.1'N, LONG 75°42.8'W

15262: At 0910, your DR position is LAT 41°11.9'N, LONG 72°47.8'W. Your vessel is on course 097°T at 9.5 knots, and the weather is foggy. At 0915, Branford Reef Light is sighted through a break in the fog bearing 318°T. At 0945,
Falkner Island Light is sighted bearing 042°T. What is your 0945 running fix position?

    N a. LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 72°41.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 72°41.0'W
    Y c. LAT 41°11.5'N, LONG 72°40.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°11.6'N, LONG 72°41.0'W

15458: You are delayed in sailing due to engineering problems. You get underway at 0630. A Coast Guard radio broadcast advises that an aircraft carrier will transit the Elizabeth River enroute Norfolk Naval Shipyard and a safety zone is in effect. Further information on how far you must remain from the carrier found is in __________.

    N a. PUB 117
    N b. Light List
    Y c. Coast Pilot
    N d. Chart Number 1

15461: At 0908, you change course to 010°T. What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 003°
    N b. 017°
    Y c. 021°
    N d. 359°

15839: From your 2000 position you change course to 206°T. What time would you expect to be abeam of Hog Island Buoy "12"?

    N a. 2021
    Y b. 2026
    N c. 2031
    N d. 2040

15869: After you raise Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light, how will the bearings change if you pass to the north of the light?

    Y a. The bearings will change to the left.
    N b. The bearings will remain steady.
    N c. The bearings will change to the right.
    N d. Magnetic compass bearings will change to the left and gyro compass bearings will change to the right.

15915: At 0925, you obtain the following radar information:

Falkner Island Light bearing 252° true @ 1.65 nm

If you correct for a current setting 215°T at 0.5 knot,
what course will you steer from the 0925 position to arrive at a position 0.5 mile south of Long Sand Shoal West End Horn Buoy "W"?

    Y a. 089°T
    N b. 093°T
    N c. 096°T
    N d. 102°T

16056: At 1730, your position is LAT 37°13.9'N, LONG 76°26.4'W. What is your distance off Tue Marshes Light?

    N a. 2.2 miles
    Y b. 2.6 miles
    N c. 3.0 miles
    N d. 3.4 miles

16243: At 2207 Cape Charles Light bears 276°T, Chesapeake Light bears 194°T, and Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy "14" bears 312°T and is 2.0 miles off. What were the set and drift of the current acting on your vessel from 2129 to 2207?

    N a. 258°T at 2.4 knots
    N b. 258°T at 1.5 knots
    N c. 078°T at 1.5 knots
    Y d. 078°T at 2.4 knots

16341: At 2230 you take the following visual bearings:

Montauk Point Light, Long Island 317°pgc
Southeast Point Light, Block Island 009°pgc

What is your position?

    N a. LAT 40°51.2'N, LONG 71°35.9'W
    N b. LAT 40°51.5'N, LONG 71°36.4'W
    N c. LAT 40°52.2'N, LONG 71°36.6'W
    Y d. LAT 40°52.0'N, LONG 71°37.4'W