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?
52: You are downbound when you observe on your Mississippi River map a white square with a number inside located on either bank. This indicates __________.
108: The horizontal clearance of the center span on the Baton Rouge RR and Highway 190 Bridge is __________.
189: At 0645, Watch Hill Point (left tangent) bears 316.5°pgc at 2.75 miles. What was the speed made good between 0600 and 0645? 

    N a. 8.1 knots
    N b. 9.8 knots
    Y c. 10.3 knots
    N d. 11.4 knots
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"
318: From your 1915 fix you come right and steer a course of 200°T. At 2000, your position is LAT 37°05.5'N, LONG 76°07.0'W. Your intention is to pass through Chesapeake Channel. If there are no set and drift, what course would you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good a course of 145°T? 

    Y a. 156°
    N b. 151°
    N c. 139°
    N d. 134°
342: If the visibility is 11 miles, what is the earliest time you can expect to see New Haven Light? 

    N a. The light is visible at 0352.
    Y b. 0443
    N c. 0414
    N d. You will not sight the light.
428: At 0730, visibility is 5.5 miles. At what time will you lose sight of Horton Point Light? 

    N a. It is not visible at 0730
    N b. 0733
    Y c. 0751
    N d. 0812
460: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 35°27.0'N, LONG 140°20.5'E to LAT 47°51.0'N, LONG 122°51.0'W. 

    N a. 4087 miles, 036°T
    Y b. 4115 miles, 045°T
    N c. 4122 miles. 076°T
    N d. 4136 miles, 076°T
476: The great circle distance from LAT 35°08.0'S, LONG 19°26.0'E to LAT 33°16.0'S, LONG 115°36.0'E is 4559 miles and the initial course is 121°T. Determine the longitude of the vertex. 

    N a. 26°50.9'E
    Y b. 65°45.9'E
    N c. 69°19.1'E
    N d. 72°18.3'E
478: The great circle distance from LAT 38°17'N, LONG 123°16'W to LAT 35°01'N, LONG 142°21'E is 4330 miles, and the initial course is 300.9°T. Determine the latitude of the vertex. 

    N a. 46°54.8'N
    N b. 47°24.7'N
    N c. 47°35.2'N
    Y d. 47°40.5'N
496: At 0815, you change course to 079°T and head for the entrance of Great Salt Pond on Block Island. To compensate for a northerly wind, you estimate a 5° leeway is necessary. What course should you steer per gyrocompass to make good 079°T? 

    Y a. 071°pgc
    N b. 074°pgc
    N c. 076°pgc
    N d. 079°pgc
602: At 1845 zone time, on 24 October , you depart Bimini Island, LAT 25°50.0'N, LONG 77°00.0'W (ZD +5). You are bound for Bishop Rock, LAT 49°40.0'N, LONG 6°34.0'W, and you estimate your speed of advance at 13.6 knots. The distance is 3,491 miles. What is your estimated zone time of arrival at Bishop Rock? 

    N a. 0627, 3 November
    N b. 1642, 3 November
    N c. 0939, 4 November
    Y d. 1627, 4 November
602: At 1845 zone time, on 24 October , you depart Bimini Island, LAT 25°50.0'N, LONG 77°00.0'W (ZD +5). You are bound for Bishop Rock, LAT 49°40.0'N, LONG 6°34.0'W, and you estimate your speed of advance at 13.6 knots. The distance is 3,491 miles. What is your estimated zone time of arrival at Bishop Rock? 

    N a. 0627, 3 November
    N b. 1642, 3 November
    N c. 0939, 4 November
    Y d. 1627, 4 November
641: At 1032 on 24 June, you pass Carolina Landing Light(508.8 AHP). What has been the average current since 2350, 23 June, if you have been making turns for 9.0 mph? 

    Y a. 0.5 mph
    N b. 1.5 mph
    N c. 5.7 mph
    N d. 8.5 mph
668: A great circle track would be most advantageous when compared to the rhumb line track on which route? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC5274) 

    N a. Cayenne (LAT 4°40'N, LONG 52°15'W) to Sao Tome (LAT 0°00', LONG 6°45'E)
    Y b. Palm Beach, FL, to the English Channel
    N c. Natal, Brazil, to Reykjavik, Iceland
    N d. Recife, Brazil, to Monrovia
989: On 2 April , your 0830 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 20°16.0'S, LONG 004°12.0'E. Your vessel is steaming a course of 143°T at a speed of 18.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's upper limb is made at 0903 zone time, and the observed altitude (Ho) is 42°39.6'. The chronometer reads 09h 05m 40s, and the chronometer error is 02m 15s fast. Local apparent noon occurs at 1145 zone time,
and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made.
The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 63°46.2'.
Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position. 

    N a. LAT 21°10.1'S, LONG 004°53.9'E
    N b. LAT 21°14.0'S, LONG 004°55.0'E
    Y c. LAT 21°18.0'S, LONG 005°00.5'E
    N d. LAT 22°42.0'S, LONG 004°57.0'E
1079: On 12 Dec. , your 1830 ZT DR position is LAT 24°16.0'S, LONG 41°18.0'W. You are on course 235°T at a speed of 16.0 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1930 running fix. NP-0009

    N a. LAT 24°12.5'S, LONG 41°10.9'W
    Y b. LAT 24°16.9'S, LONG 41°18.2'W
    N c. LAT 24°25.2'S, LONG 41°39.9'W
    N d. LAT 27°46.9'S, LONG 41°31.2'W
1297: At 0645, on the 17th of April, you pass Hole in the Wall Lt. (mile 373.4 AHP). What has been your average speed since departing the Exxon Refinery? 

    N a. 8.8 mph
    N b. 7.3 mph
    N c. 6.8 mph
    Y d. 6.3 mph
1499: On 16 June , your 0430 zone time DR position is LAT 29°24.0'S, LONG 36°16.0'E. At that time, you observe Vega bearing 341.0°psc. The chronometer reads 02h 32m 06s, and the chronometer error is 01m 54s fast. The variation is 20.5°W. What is the deviation? 

    N a. 3.2°E
    N b. 3.2°W
    Y c. 2.4°W
    N d. 2.8°E
1653: On 28 Sept. , in DR position LAT 24°12.0'S, LONG 85°25.0'E, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 094°psc. The chronometer reads 11h 29m 42s and is 03m 30s slow. Variation in the area is 4°W. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass? 

    N a. 1.5°W
    N b. 2.1°W
    N c. 1.8°E
    Y d. 2.4°E
1749: Which light characteristics does Black Hawk Light (mile 318.3 AHP) have? 

    N a. 1 red flash every 4 seconds
    N b. 1 green flash every 4 seconds
    Y c. 1 white flash every 4 seconds
    N d. 2 white flashes every 5 seconds
1981: Where can scheduled broadcast times of river stages be found? 

    N a. Sailing Directions
    Y b. Light List
    N c. List of Lights
    N d. Coast Pilot
2003: On 20 June , your 1742 zone time DR position is LAT 24°55.0'S, LONG 8°19.6'E. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which three stars are best suited for a fix at star time? 

    Y a. Regulus, Canopus, Antares
    N b. Spica, Arcturus, Alioth
    N c. Arcturus, Achernar, Pollux
    N d. Avior, Sabik, Fomalhaut
2182: On 18 August , at 0600 ZT, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 19°48'N, LONG 108° 34'W. Your vessel is steaming on course 166°T at a speed of 16 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 1036 ZT. The chronometer reads 05h 34m 48s and is slow 01m 24s. What is the computed altitude (Hc) and azimuth (Zn) for this 1036 ZT observation using the assumed position method? 

    N a. Hc 65°18.5', Zn 102.1°
    Y b. Hc 65°14.8', Zn 100.4°
    N c. Hc 65°11.3', Zn 099.4°
    N d. Hc 65°07.2', Zn 101.2°
2207: As you pass under the Natchez-Vidalia Dual Bridge, the gage on the bridge reads 8.9 ft. If the highest point on your vessel is 54 ft. above the water, what is your vertical clearance? 

    Y a. 63.1 feet
    N b. 65.3 feet
    N c. 67.2 feet
    N d. 122.0 feet
2242: At 1620 ZT, on 10 September , in DR position LAT 34° 03.8' N, LONG 050° 28.4' W, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The Moon’s upper limb is observed on the visible horizon and bears 110.2° psc. The variation is 2° E. What is the deviation? 

    N a. 2.0°E
    N b. 2.0°W
    Y c. 1.2°E
    N d. 1.2°W
2857: Your vessel is on a course of 253°T at 18 knots. At 2027 a light bears 275.5°T, and at 2055 the light bears 298°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    Y a. 2115, 5.9 miles
    N b. 2109, 6.4 miles
    N c. 2123, 7.3 miles
    N d. 2104, 7.7 miles
2877: Your vessel is steering 263°T at 22 knots. At 0413 a light bears 294°T, and at 0421 the same light bears 312°T. What will be your distance off abeam? 

    N a. 3.4 miles
    Y b. 3.7 miles
    N c. 4.3 miles
    N d. 4.9 miles
3106: You are turning 85 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 19 feet, and an estimated slip of +3%. What is the speed of advance? 

    N a. 14.7 knots
    Y b. 15.5 knots
    N c. 16.4 knots
    N d. 17.1 knots
3290: While steaming at 15.5 knots, your vessel consumes 333 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 176 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for? 

    N a. 11.3 knots
    Y b. 12.5 knots
    N c. 13.6 knots
    N d. 14.8 knots
3313: You have steamed 300 miles and consumed 34 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 700 miles? 

    Y a. 79.3 tons
    N b. 74.3 tons
    N c. 68.4 tons
    N d. 66.2 tons
3653: The true course between two points is 106°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 2°E and you make an allowance of 2° leeway for a south wind. What gyro course should be steered to make the true course good? 

    N a. 102°pgc
    N b. 104°pgc
    Y c. 106°pgc
    N d. 108°pgc
6143: At 2027 you obtain a radar range to Shagwong Point of 3.4 miles and a tangent bearing to the east end of Long Island of 172°T. Which statement is TRUE? 

    Y a. You are to the left of your DR track.
    N b. You are inside a precautionary area.
    N c. Your speed made good from 1949 to 2027 is 14.0 knots.
    N d. Your course made good from 1949 to 2027 is 111°T.
10603: At 1300 your GPS position is LAT 41°09.2' N, LONG 72°36.9'W. You are steering course 291° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 8 knots. At 1345 you fix your position by plotting several compass bearings on nearby known fixed objects. These result in a position of LAT 41°09.9'N, LONG 72°46.1'W. Which statement is TRUE with respect to the combined effects of wind and current experienced since 1300? 

    N a. There has been no set and drift.
    N b. Set and drift are westerly at approximately 0.9 knot.
    Y c. Your speed over the bottom is approximately 9.2 knots.
    N d. Set and drift are easterly at approximately 1.0 knot.
10708: At 0726 you depart Lake Montauk with light 1 close aboard and set course 309° per standard magnetic compass at 6.7 knots. At 0818 your GPS position is LAT 41°07.1'N, LONG 72°02.6'W. What is the current? 

    Y a. 102°T at 0.6 knot
    N b. 164°T at 0.7 knot
    N c. 334°T at 0.9 knot
    N d. 321°T at 0.6 knot
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
13101: At 1523 your position is LAT 41°08.2'N, LONG 71°34.4'W. You are turning for 8.7 knots. What is your ETA at Shagwong Reef Buoy "7SR"? 

    N a. 1653
    N b. 1700
    Y c. 1711
    N d. 1718
13106: At 1048 you are in the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island with buoy "5" close aboard. What is your ETA at the west gap of Point Judith Harbor of Refuge if you make good 11.3 knots? 

    Y a. 1144
    N b. 1154
    N c. 1159
    N d. 1205
13306: In the northern quadrant of the circle surrounding Chesapeake Bay Entrance Junction Buoy CBJ the number 20 over a bracket appears 5 times. What do these indicate? 

    N a. Markers or piles are 20 feet above mean low water.
    N b. The maximum draft permitted in this area is 20 feet.
    Y c. Obstructions have been cleared by a wire drag to 20 feet.
    N d. Bench marks used to measure channel depths while dredging.
13508: The bottom approximately three miles to the ESE of Block Island Southeast Point has __________. 

    Y a. gravel
    N b. shale
    N c. stones
    N d. grit
13810: Which chart would you use if you planned to continue westward beyond the coverage of this chart? 

    Y a. 12363
    N b. 12373
    N c. 13205
    N d. 13218
13909: The irregular black line around a charted light such as Race Rock Light indicates that it is __________. 

    N a. unwatched
    Y b. surrounded by riprap
    N c. a minor light
    N d. constructed on an artificial island
14517: From your 2200 fix, you steer course 288°T to travel up the Thimble Shoal North Auxiliary Channel. If you are making good 6.0 knots, at what time would you expect to pass buoy "18" at the west end of the channel? (There are no set and drift.) 

    N a. 2239
    N b. 2255
    N c. 2315
    Y d. 2344
15014: If you make good 12 knots, what is the ETA at North Chesapeake Channel Entrance Buoy "NCA" (LL #375)? 

    N a. 2116
    Y b. 2111
    N c. 2106
    N d. 2101
15207: What is the maximum allowable speed of vessels underway up river from Tue Marshes Light? 

    N a. 6 knots
    N b. 8 knots
    N c. 10 knots
    Y d. 12 knots
15543: At 2236 Falkner Island Light bears 024° true at a range of 8.6 nm

What was the speed made good along the track line since your 2200 fix? 

    N a. 12.7 knots
    Y b. 13.5 knots
    N c. 13.9 knots
    N d. 14.2 knots
15613: Which statement concerning your 1920 position is TRUE? 

    Y a. You are entering a restricted area.
    N b. You are governed by the Inland Rules of the Road.
    N c. You are within the Chesapeake Bay Entrance traffic separation scheme.
    N d. You can expect differences of as much as 6° from the normal magnetic variation of the area.
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
16259: You are on track from the anchorage to point A. At 0250, Great Machipongo Inlet Light "5" (37°21.8'N, 75°43.7'W) bears 279°pgc. At 0320, the light bears 320°pgc. What is the position of your 0320 running fix if you are making good 6.5 knots? 

    Y a. LAT 37°18.10'N, LONG 75°39.55'W
    N b. LAT 37°18.10'N, LONG 75°39.30'W
    N c. LAT 37°18.00'N, LONG 75°39.75'W
    N d. LAT 37°17.95'N, LONG 75°39.95'W
16310: At 0730, your position is LAT 41°10.5'N, LONG 72°32.2'W. From this position you steer course 286°psc with an engine speed of 9.0 knots. What is the approximate depth of water under your keel? 

    Y a. 52 feet (15.8 meters)
    N b. 57 feet (17.3 meters)
    N c. 62 feet (18.8 meters)
    N d. 67 feet (20.3 meters)