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.

63: In addition to the Army Corps. of Engineers maps, data on bridge clearances may be found in the __________.
73: The area between Island 67 Upper Light (mile 623.1 AHP) and Sunflower Cut-off Foot Light (mile 624.8 AHP) is known as a __________.
119: What is the length of the trip?
162: At 1923, you decrease speed to make good 9.2 mph. What is the first Gage you will pass after your speed change? 

    Y a. Cottonwood Point
    N b. New Madrid
    N c. Fulton
    N d. Tiptonville
180: On 4 July you observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 25°29.8'. The index error is 3.1' off the arc. The height of eye is 48 feet (14.6 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)? 

    N a. 25°37.1'
    Y b. 25°40.2'
    N c. 25°42.8'
    N d. 25°44.3'
213: From your 1915 position, you come left and set a course for Gardiners Point. At 1930, your position is LAT 41°12.7'N, LONG 71°56.8'W. What type of bottom is charted at this position? 

    N a. Blue mud, gritty shells
    N b. Buried mussels, gritty shells
    N c. Bumpy muck with grainy surface
    Y d. Blue mud, gray sand
215: As an option to heading into Long Island Sound, you consider anchoring in the vicinity of the Gardiners Point Ruins at the north end of Gardiners Island. What is the minimum recommended distance from the ruins for fishing, trawling, or anchoring? 

    N a. 1.0 mile
    N b. 0.8 mile
    N c. 0.5 mile
    Y d. 300 yards (91 meters)
482: The great circle distance from LAT 25°50'N, LONG 77°00'W to LAT 35°56'N, LONG 06°15'W is 3616 miles, and the initial course is 061.7°T. Determine the longitude of the vertex, given the latitude of the vertex as 37°34.9'N. 

    N a. 25°49.8'W
    N b. 25°53.2'W
    Y c. 25°59.0'W
    N d. 26°03.4'W
530: You observe the planet Jupiter at a sextant altitude (hs) of 66°27.6' on 26 May . The index error is 5.2' on the arc. The height of eye is 52 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)? 

    N a. 65°39.5'
    N b. 65°32.8'
    N c. 66°27.2'
    Y d. 66°15.0'
539: Determine the distance from LAT 59°12'N, LONG 14°00'W to LAT 59°12'N, LONG 03°20'W by parallel sailing. 

    N a. 324.2 miles
    N b. 325.4 miles
    Y c. 327.7 miles
    N d. 328.9 miles
630: You are on a voyage from Corpus Christi, TX, to Fort de France, Martinique. The distance from pilot to pilot is 2190 miles (2521 statute miles). The speed of advance is 15.0 knots. You estimate a layover in Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands, of 16.0 hours. If you take departure at 0654 (ZD +6), 27 November, what is your ETA (ZD +4) at Fort de France? 

    N a. 2054, 3 December
    N b. 2254, 3 December
    Y c. 0254, 4 December
    N d. 2054, 4 December
705: At 1554, on 25 May, you pass Huntington Point Light (mile 555.2 AHP). What was your average speed since departing Amoco Pipeline Co. DockS (mile 253.6 AHP)? 

    Y a. 6.2 mph
    N b. 5.2 mph
    N c. 4.8 mph
    N d. 4.3 mph
1076: On 25 Mar , your 0500 ZT DR position is LAT 28°14.0'S, LONG 93°17.0'E. You are on course 291°T at a speed of 16.0 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0550 running fix. NP-0006

    Y a. LAT 28°15.9'S, LONG 92°56.9'E
    N b. LAT 28°19.3'S, LONG 92°59.0'E
    N c. LAT 28°06.4'S, LONG 93°02.5'E
    N d. LAT 27°53.2'S, LONG 93°17.6'E
1092: On 3 April , your vessel's 1400 ZT DR position is LAT 20°08.0'N, LONG 147°45.0'W. You are steering course 023°T at 18.0 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1900 running fix. NP-0022

    N a. LAT 21°39.8'N, LONG 146°59.7'W
    Y b. LAT 21°40.0'N, LONG 147°03.2'W
    N c. LAT 21°41.8'N, LONG 147°05.5'W
    N d. LAT 21°41.8'N, LONG 147°01.5'W
1136: The Arkansas City Yellow Bend revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________. 

    Y a. 555.0-549.7 RDB
    N b. 549.0-548.5 RDB
    N c. 556.9-554.9 LDB
    N d. 548.5-546.5 LDB
1486: On 1 September , your 1115 zone time DR position is LAT 25°20.0'N, LONG 28°24.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 160.5°psc. The chronometer reads 01h 14m 58s, and the chronometer error is 01m 17s fast. The variation is 13.5°W. What is the deviation of the standard compass? 

    Y a. 2.1°E
    N b. 4.1°E
    N c. 11.0°W
    N d. 11.0°E
1544: What is the distance in river miles, from the new mouth of the White River to the Petroleum Fuel & Terminal Co.(144.6 AHP)? 

    N a. 370 miles
    N b. 384 miles
    N c. 437 miles
    Y d. 454 miles
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
1703: At 1218, on 16 March, you are passing the Vicksburg Gage (mile 437.0 AHP). What has been the average current since 0630, 15 March, if you have been making turns for 8.0 mph? 

    N a. 0.2 mph
    N b. 0.5 mph
    N c. 0.8 mph
    Y d. 1.2 mph
1733: What are the dimensions of the channel maintained at Baton Rouge, LA? 

    N a. 30 feet x 300 feet
    N b. 40 feet x 300 feet
    Y c. 45 feet x 500 feet
    N d. 30 feet x 500 feet
1762: What are the dimensions of the Old River Lock on the Lower Old River (mile 304 AHP)? 

    N a. 1175 x 75 feet
    Y b. 1190 x 75 feet
    N c. 1195 x 84 feet
    N d. 1202 x 84 feet
1953: You are downbound when you observe on your Mississippi River map a circel with black and white quadrants on the left bank. This indicates a __________. 

    Y a. river gage
    N b. daymark
    N c. control tower
    N d. information board
2092: At your current speed of 23 knots you only have enough fuel remaining to travel 386 miles. You must travel 785 miles to reach your destination. What should you reduce your speed (knots) to in order to reach your destination? 

    N a. 19.3
    N b. 17.7
    Y c. 16.1
    N d. 14.5
2272: As you approach Buckridge Light (mile 412.5 AHP), which type of daymark would you see on the light structure? 

    N a. Red diamond
    N b. Red triangle
    N c. Green diamond
    Y d. Green square
2585: At 2000 you plot your position as: LAT 41°11'N, LONG 072°35'W. The set and drift is 095°T at 0.8 knot. What course must you steer, and what engine speed must you turn, in order to make good 255°T at 8.5 knots? 

    Y a. 257°T,  9.3 knots
    N b. 253°T,  9.3 knots
    N c. 257°T,  7.7 knots
    N d. 253°T,  7.7 knots
2704: You are underway on course 340°T at a speed of 14.8 knots.
You sight a buoy bearing 342°T at a radar range of 4.8 miles at 1422. If you change course at 1428, what is the true course to steer to leave the buoy abeam to port at 1.0 mile? 

    N a. 327°T
    N b. 354°T
    N c. 357°T
    Y d. 001°T
3053: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 19.9 feet and a pitch of 21.6 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 395 miles in a 23 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 78? 

    Y a. -3.2%
    N b. +3.2%
    N c. -12.0%
    N d. +12.0%
3081: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 12.6 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 13.6 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming no slip? 

    N a. 81
    N b. 85
    N c. 90
    Y d. 94
3094: If the pitch of the propeller is 26.7 feet, and the revolutions per day are 131,717, calculate the day's run allowing 4% negative slip. 

    N a. 555.2 miles
    N b. 578.4 miles
    Y c. 601.6 miles
    N d. 649.4 miles
3263: You have steamed 1124 miles at 21 knots, and consumed 326 tons of fuel. If you have 210 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 17 knots? 

    N a. 1096 miles
    Y b. 1105 miles
    N c. 1218 miles
    N d. 1304 miles
3288: While steaming at 13.5 knots, your vessel consumes 251 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 129 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for? 

    N a. 6.9 knots
    N b. 9.7 knots
    Y c. 10.8 knots
    N d. 12.7 knots
3764: 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 064°T, and the variation is 17°W. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 094° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation? 

    N a. 4°E
    N b. 4°W
    N c. 13°E
    Y d. 13°W
10309: You are 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to LAT 41°00.0'N, LONG 71°30.0'W? 

    N a. 108°psc
    Y b. 122°psc
    N c. 124°psc
    N d. 130°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
11108: The passage between Great Gull Island and Plum Island __________. 

    N a. is subject to weak and variable tidal currents
    N b. uncovers at extreme low water
    Y c. should be avoided
    N d. shows a whirlpool at maximum ebb current when accompanied by NW gales
11400: At 1035 your GPS position of LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 72°33.7'W. At 1103 your position is LAT 41°09.0'N, LONG 72°40.0'W. What was your speed made good? 

    N a. 6.1 knots
    N b. 9.5 knots
    Y c. 13.0 knots
    N d. 14.8 knots
11707: Your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to arrive at LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 75°48.5'W, if you are turning for 7.8 knots, the current is 139°T at 1.3 knots, and a northwesterly wind is causing 3° of leeway? 

    N a. 290.0°psc
    Y b. 286.0°psc
    N c. 283.5°psc
    N d. 280.5°psc
12100: You sight Wolf Trap Light in line with New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" bearing 040° per standard magnetic compass. You are on course 319° per standard magnetic compass. Based on this, you __________. 

    Y a. know the compass error is 8°W
    N b. should apply 3°Easterly deviation to the bearing
    N c. know the deviation table is incorrect
    N d. should suspect the compass may be affected by a local magnetic disturbance
12109: You sight Tue Marshes Light (LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 76°23.2'W) in line with Goodwin Thorofare Light "16" (LAT 37°13.7'N, LONG 76°25.0'W) dead ahead bearing 264° per standard magnetic compass. Which statement is TRUE? 

    Y a. The compass error is 11°W.
    N b. The deviation table must be corrected for the change in date.
    N c. The deviation is 1°W for a bearing of 264° only.
    N d. The variation is 9°W for a bearing of 264° only.
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.
13003: At 2102 your position is LAT 41°02.9'N, LONG 72°57.4'W. You are making turns for 16 knots. What is your ETA at a position 5 miles due south of Falkner Island Light? 

    N a. 2149
    Y b. 2155
    N c. 2159
    N d. 2204
13007: Your 1600 position is LAT 41°08.0'N, LONG 72°44.8'W. You are making turns for 10 knots. What is your ETA at Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy "TE" (LAT 41°09.3'N LONG 72°30.5'W)? 

    N a. 1647
    N b. 1651
    N c. 1702
    Y d. 1706
13210: At 0943, your position is LAT 41°14.8'N, LONG 71°54.3'W. You are turning for 12.2 knots. What is your ETA at the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island? 

    Y a. 1054
    N b. 1048
    N c. 1040
    N d. 1032
15219: From your 2118 position, you steer a course of 288°T at an engine speed of 7.0 knots. At 2120 visibility is suddenly reduced to 2 miles. At what time can you expect to see Old Point Comfort Light? 

    N a. 2136
    N b. 2143
    N c. 2202
    Y d. 2228
15245: After departing the New Haven terminals, your 1800 position puts the New Haven Harbor Lighted Bell Buoy "NH" bearing 130°T at a range of 0.2 mile. From this position you set a course to leave Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light 1.0 mile off your starboard beam. Your speed is 12.5 knots. At 1845 you determine your position to be LAT 41°05.5'N,
LONG 73°03.1'W. What were the set and drift of the current? 

    N a. 294°T at 0.5 knot
    Y b. 294°T at 0.8 knot
    N c. 114°T at 0.5 knot
    N d. 114°T at 0.8 knot
15319: The coastline by Cape Henry is best described as __________. 

    N a. rocky with pine scrubs
    Y b. sandy hills about eighty feet high
    N c. low wetlands
    N d. low and thinly wooded with many beach houses
15645: You round Montauk Point and steer to make good 206°T. Speed is increased to 13.0 knots. The current, if any, is unknown. The visibility has improved and is estimated to be 5 miles. At 2144 Montauk Point Light bears 273°T. At 2202 the same light bears 320°T. Which statement concerning your 2202 running fix is TRUE? 

    N a. You are inside the lobster pot area.
    Y b. The fathometer reads about 12 fathoms.
    N c. You are inside of the 90 foot curve.
    N d. You are outside the boundary of the Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone.
15738: At 1830 you obtained the following Loran-C readings:

9960-W-14820.0
9960-X-26097.0
9960-Y-43713.5

What is your vessel's position? 

    N a. LAT 40°41.0'N,  LONG 72°06.0'W
    N b. LAT 40°41.0'N,  LONG 72°10.6'W
    Y c. LAT 40°42.5'N,  LONG 72°07.1'W
    N d. LAT 40°47.5'N,  LONG 72°02.9'W
16317: Which chart would you use for more detailed information on New Haven Harbor? 

    N a. 12370
    Y b. 12371
    N c. 12372
    N d. 12373
16541: At 2255 you take the following visual bearings.

Saybrook Breakwater Light 333°pgc
Little Gull Island Light 094°pgc
Horton Point Light 211°pgc

What is your position? 

    Y a. LAT 41°13.6'N, LONG 72°19.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°13.8'N, LONG 72°19.6'W
    N c. LAT 41°14.0'N, LONG 72°19.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.2'N, LONG 72°19.7'W
16568: From your 1930 position, you plot a course to pass 0.5 mile due south of Race Rock Light. If your vessel's speed is 8.0 knots, the current's set and drift are 040°T at 1.4 knots,
and a south wind produces a 3° leeway, what true course should you steer to make good your desired course? 

    Y a. 275°T
    N b. 280°T
    N c. 290°T
    N d. 294°T