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.

35: What are the dimensions of the channel maintained at Baton Rouge, LA?
61: What is the width of the navigable channel at Grand Gulf Island Light (mile 404.9 AHP) ?
69: Which type of daymark will you see as you approach Joe Pierce Light (mile 335.4 AHP)?
127: After entering Milliken Bend (mile 455 AHP) you wish to locate the river service in Madison Parish, Louisiana. The river service is indicated by the square containing which number? 

    N a. 7
    N b. 6
    N c. 5
    Y d. 4
144: What is the distance from the Arkansas River mouth to the Ohio River mouth in river miles? 

    N a. 594 miles
    N b. 546 miles
    N c. 422 miles
    Y d. 372 miles
211: You decide to use the 9960-Y and 9960-W rates. At 1915,
you obtain the following readings:

9960-Y-43936.0
9960-W-14653.3

What is your 1915 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°13.0'N, LONG 71°54.1'W
    N b. LAT 41°13.0'N, LONG 71°53.9'W
    Y c. LAT 41°13.2'N, LONG 71°53.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°13.4'N, LONG 71°53.4'W
216: NOAA VHF-FM weather broadcasts from New London, CT are on __________. 

    Y a. 162.55 MHz
    N b. 162.40 MHz
    N c. 162.30 MHz
    N d. 162.25 MHz
249: At 0005, on 26 January, your position is LAT 41°11.8'N, LONG 72°20.5'W. From this position, you plot a course to steer to Mattituck Breakwater Light "MI" with an engine speed of 9.0 knots. If there are no set and drift, what course should you steer? 

    N a. 225.0°psc
    N b. 230.5°psc
    Y c. 233.0°psc
    N d. 236.0°psc
249: At 0005, on 26 January, your position is LAT 41°11.8'N, LONG 72°20.5'W. From this position, you plot a course to steer to Mattituck Breakwater Light "MI" with an engine speed of 9.0 knots. If there are no set and drift, what course should you steer? 

    N a. 225.0°psc
    N b. 230.5°psc
    Y c. 233.0°psc
    N d. 236.0°psc
251: You alter course from your 0045 position to head for Mattituck Breakwater Light "MI". If the visibility is 10 miles and you make good 9 knots, at what time will you lose sight of Saybrook Breakwater Light? 

    Y a. 0100
    N b. 0123
    N c. 0131
    N d. The light is visible all the way to Mattituck Inlet
266: From your 0740 position, you change course to pass 1.1 miles north of Falkner Island Light. What loran reading will ensure that you will remain clear of the 18' shoal located 1 mile NW of Falkner Island Light? 

    Y a. 9960 Y: not less than 44014
    N b. 9960 X: not more than 26452
    N c. 9960 W: not less than 14942
    N d. None of the above
393: A vessel at LAT 32°14.7'N, LONG 66°28.9'W, heads for a destination at LAT 36°58.7'N, LONG 75°42.2'W. Determine the distance by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 241.2° miles
    N b. 270.2° miles
    N c. 300.2° miles
    Y d. 538.2° miles
430: At 0820, you change course to 301°psc and reduce speed to 7.5 knots. At 0900, you take the following visual bearings:

Branford Reef Light 023°psc
New Haven Light 293°psc
Tweed Airport Aerobeacon 332°psc

Your 0900 position is __________. 

    N a. LAT 41°11.9'N,  LONG 72°50.6'W
    Y b. LAT 41°12.1'N,  LONG 72°48.6'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.3'N,  LONG 72°47.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.5'N,  LONG 72°44.3'W
459: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 25°47.0'N, LONG 79°59.5'W to LAT 38°42.0'N, LONG 09°10.5'W. 

    N a. 3341.0 miles, 063°T
    N b. 3347.0 miles, 063°T
    N c. 3427.8 miles, 061°T
    Y d. 3588.6 miles, 059°T
459: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 25°47.0'N, LONG 79°59.5'W to LAT 38°42.0'N, LONG 09°10.5'W. 

    N a. 3341.0 miles, 063°T
    N b. 3347.0 miles, 063°T
    N c. 3427.8 miles, 061°T
    Y d. 3588.6 miles, 059°T
480: 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. The position of the vertex is LAT 37°34.9'N, LONG 25°59.0'W. Determine the latitude intersecting the great circle track 600 miles west of the vertex, along the great circle track. 

    Y a. 36°54.9'N
    N b. 36°50.2'N
    N c. 36°45.9'N
    N d. 36°36.8'N
495: At 0815, visibility is excellent and you can see Montauk Point. Montauk Point is __________. 

    N a. low and rocky with scattered small pine trees
    N b. a low lying wetland
    Y c. a high sandy bluff
    N d. a flat wooded plain
561: At 0615 you change course to 078°T. If there is no current, when will Falkner Island Light be abeam? 

    Y a. 0730
    N b. 0735
    N c. 0743
    N d. 0750
612: At 0530 zone time, on 20 December , you depart Cape Town (ZD -1). You are bound for New York (ZD +5), and you estimate your speed of advance at 25 knots. The distance is 6,762 miles. What is your estimated zone time of arrival at New York? 

    N a. 1200, 31 December
    N b. 1100, 31 December
    N c. 0700, 31 December
    Y d. 0600, 31 December
637: 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
672: What is the total length of the trip? 

    Y a. 922.3 miles
    N b. 985.3 miles
    N c. 1155.8 miles
    N d. 1187.3 miles
987: On 17 January , your 0730 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 22°26.0'S, LONG 152°17.0'E. Your vessel is steaming on a course of 116°T at a speed of 17 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 1015 zone time. The chronometer reads 00h 13m 23s, and the chronometer error is 01m 49s slow. The observed altitude (Ho) is 66°02.1'. LAN occurs at 1152 zone time and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made. The observed altitude (Ho) is 87°54.2'. Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position. 

    Y a. LAT 22°53.8'S, LONG 153°25.6'E
    N b. LAT 22°53.8'S, LONG 153°28.8'E
    N c. LAT 22°56.3'S, LONG 153°25.6'E
    N d. LAT 22°56.3'S, LONG 153°28.8'E
990: On 24 March , your 0800 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 31°45.0'W. Your vessel is steaming a course of 285°T at a speed of 16.5 knots. An observation of the Sun's upper limb is made at 0938 zone time, and the observed altitude (Ho) is 46°32.2'. The chronometer reads 11h 41m 01s, and the chronometer error is 02m 50s fast. Local apparent noon occurs at 1214 zone time, and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 68°55.8'. Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position. 

    N a. LAT 22°35.0'N, LONG 30°29.0'W
    Y b. LAT 22°35.0'N, LONG 32°51.0'W
    N c. LAT 22°36.0'N, LONG 32°10.5'W
    N d. LAT 22°36.0'N, LONG 32°55.2'W
1260: On 16 March , your 0330 ZT DR position is LAT 22°36.0'S, LONG 76°16.0'E. You are on course 098°T at a speed of 16 knots. What will be the ZT of sunrise at your vessel? 

    N a. 0545
    Y b. 0553
    N c. 0600
    N d. 0608
1294: What are the light characteristics of Greenwood Light (mile 288.6 AHP)? 

    N a. Fixed red light
    Y b. 2 red flashes every 5 seconds
    N c. 1 red flash every 4 seconds
    N d. 2 white flashes every 4 seconds
1294: What are the light characteristics of Greenwood Light (mile 288.6 AHP)? 

    N a. Fixed red light
    Y b. 2 red flashes every 5 seconds
    N c. 1 red flash every 4 seconds
    N d. 2 white flashes every 4 seconds
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
1905: On 22 March , your 0519 DR position is LAT 27°20.6'N, LONG 69°25.6'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 200°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 33°05.5'. The chronometer reads 10h 16m 47s, and is 02m 15s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Acamar
    N b. Enif
    Y c. Antares
    N d. Rigel
1924: On 23 September , your 1836 DR position is LAT 25°18'S, LONG 162°23'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 000°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 26°18'. The chronometer reads 07h 34m 12s, and is 01m 54s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Antares
    N b. Canopus
    N c. Achernar
    Y d. Vega
1925: On 23 September , your 1836 DR position is LAT 25°18'S, LONG 162°36'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 148°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 13°32'. The chronometer reads 07h 34m 12s, and is 01m 54s slow. Which star did you observe? 

    N a. Antares
    N b. Canopus
    Y c. Achernar
    N d. Sirius
2004: On 28 February , your 1850 zone time DR position is LAT 27°49.0'N, LONG 159°24.0'W. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three stars best suited for a fix at star time? 

    Y a. Rigel, Schedar, Regulus
    N b. Sirius, Mirfak, Elnath
    N c. Hamal, Alkaid, Canopus
    N d. Bellatrix, Vega, Regulus
2324: At 1547 ZT, on 22 May , in DR position LAT 45° 12.8' N, LONG 028° 15.4' W, the Moon’s upper limb is observed on the visible horizon, bearing 120.0° psc. Variation is 2° W. What is the deviation? 

    N a. 1.4°W
    Y b. 2.6°E
    N c. 1.4°E
    N d. 2.6°W
2658: You are steering 202°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 14.6 miles at 2234. You change course to pass the light 5 miles off abeam to starboard. If you are making 21 knots, what is your ETA at the position 5 miles off the light? 

    N a. 2310
    Y b. 2313
    N c. 2316
    N d. 2319
2689: You are steering 107°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 11 miles at 0847. You change course to leave the light 3 miles off to starboard. If you are making 15.5 knots, what is your ETA at the position 3 miles off the light? 

    Y a. 0928
    N b. 0931
    N c. 0934
    N d. 0937
3279: While steaming at 15.0 knots, your vessel consumes 326 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 178 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for? 

    N a. 8.1 knots
    N b. 8.5 knots
    N c. 11.1 knots
    Y d. 12.2 knots
3451: You are underway and intend to make good a course of 040°T. You experience a current with a set and drift of 190°T at 1.4 knots, and a northwest wind produces a leeway of 3°. You adjust your course to compensate for the current and leeway, while maintaining an engine speed of 10 knots. What will be your speed made good over your intended course of 040°T? 

    N a. 7.8 knots
    Y b. 8.8 knots
    N c. 9.8 knots
    N d. 11.0 knots
3654: You are taking a time tick using the 2000 signal from Kekaha-Kauai, Hawaii (WWVH). You hear a series of 1 second dashes followed by a 9 second silent period, then a long 1.3 second dash. At the beginning of the long dash, your comparing watch reads 07h 59m 54s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 08h 00m 00s, and the chronometer reads 08h 00m 06s. What is the chronometer error? 

    N a. 0m 06s slow
    N b. 0m 06s fast
    N c. 0m 12s fast
    Y d. No error
3762: 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 196°T, and the variation is 7°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 192° per standard magnetic compass, what is the deviation? 

    N a. 3°E
    Y b. 3°W
    N c. 4°E
    N d. 4°W
11103: Point Judith Harbor of Refuge (LAT 41°22'N, LONG 71°30'W) __________. 

    N a. is used only by tows
    N b. has moorings for small craft along the breakwater
    N c. is easily entered in all sea conditions
    Y d. is entered through either the East Gap or the West Gap
11104: What is the time of the first PM (Daylight Savings Time) maximum ebb current at Plum Gut on 10 August 1983? 

    N a. 1231
    N b. 1249
    N c. 1340
    Y d. 1445
11803: What is the true course to steer between Falkner Island Light and Horton Point Light, if the set and drift of the current are 041° at 2.4 knots, and a northeasterly wind will cause 4° of leeway? Your engines are making turns for 15 knots. 

    N a. 116°T
    N b. 124°T
    Y c. 134°T
    N d. 142°T
12909: At 0914 you are in Chesapeake Bay southeast inbound lane with buoy "CBJ" close aboard to port. What is your ETA at Thimble Shoal Channel Buoy "19" if you are making 10.9 knots? 

    N a. 1034
    Y b. 1038
    N c. 1046
    N d. 1042
13102: At 2330 your position is LAT 41°16.9'N, LONG 71°38.2'W. You are turning for 9.3 knots. What is your ETA at the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island? 

    N a. 2355
    Y b. 0005
    N c. 0012
    N d. 0019
13905: The Ruins (LAT 41°08.5'N, L0NG 72°08.8'W) is __________. 

    N a. a classic example of 18th century military fortifications
    N b. in an area of unpredictable, treacherous currents
    N c. restricted to surface navigation due to fishery conservation projects nearby
    Y d. prohibited to the public
15046: As you pass through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel,
you take a bearing of 047°pgc along trestle C when it is in line. The helmsman reports the vessel's heading as 316°
pgc and 329°psc. What is the deviation on that heading? 

    N a. 3°E
    N b. 1°E
    Y c. 1°W
    N d. 9°W
15364: At 0615, Stratford Point Light bears 292°pgc, Falkner Island Light bears 052°pgc, and Branford Reef Light bears 018°pgc. What was the current since 0530? 

    Y a. 083° at 1.2 knots
    N b. 083° at 0.9 knots
    N c. 263° at 1.2 knots
    N d. 263° at 0.9 knots
15466: At 1015, you estimate you have 139 miles to complete the voyage. If you average 9.5 knots, you will complete the voyage in __________. 

    N a. 14 hours 22 minutes
    N b. 14 hours 30 minutes
    Y c. 14 hours 38 minutes
    N d. 14 hours 44 minutes
15617: Your height of eye is 25 feet (7.6 meters). If the visibility is 5.5 nautical miles, what is the luminous range of Wolf Trap Light? 

    Y a. 7.5 miles
    N b. 12.0 miles
    N c. 16.0 miles
    N d. 17.0 miles
16066: Which statement concerning Thimble Shoal Channel is TRUE? 

    Y a. The project width of the main channel is 1000 feet (30.3 meters)
    N b. The channel is 14.5 miles in length.
    N c. A tow drawing 30 feet (9.1 meters) is excluded from the main channel.
    N d. Thimble Shoal Channel is in international waters.
16211: From point "A", you lay out an intended track line to a point where Block Island North Light bears 180°T at 2.9 miles (Point "B"). What is the length of this leg of the voyage? 

    N a. 20.4 miles
    N b. 23.7 miles
    N c. 23.9 miles
    Y d. 24.4 miles
16363: At 0405, you increase speed and at 0500 your position is LAT 37°06.0'N, LONG 75°41.1'W. What is the approximate depth of water? 

    N a. 46 feet (13.9 meters)
    Y b. 54 feet (16.4 meters)
    N c. 62 feet (18.8 meters)
    N d. 66 feet (20.0 meters)
16514: At 0815, Montauk Pt. Light House is bearing 167°T,
Shagwong Pt. has a radar range of 4.5 miles, and Cerberus Shoal "9" Buoy is bearing 284°T. If the engine is making turns for 10 knots, what was the set and drift of the current since 0748? 

    N a. Set 065°T, drift 1.1 knots
    N b. Set 065°T, drift 2.4 knots
    N c. Set 245°T, drift 1.1 knots
    Y d. Set 245°T, drift 2.4 knots
16519: As you head toward Great Salt Pond, visibility is unlimited. At what time will you lose sight of Montauk Pt.
Light? 

    N a. 0905
    N b. 0928
    N c. 0950
    Y d. It will remain visible to Great Salt Pond.
16638: At 0400 your position is:

Latitude 40° 50.2' North
Longitude 071° 36.2' West

From your 0400 fix, you steer a course to make good 347°T at 12.5 knots. Visibility is good. What is the earliest time you can expect to raise Montauk Point Light? (Nominal range - 24 miles, height above water - 168 feet) 

    Y a. The light is visible at 0400.
    N b. 0426
    N c. 0435
    N d. 0442
16719: You are bound for New London. Where will you cross the demarcation line and be governed by the Inland Rules of the Road? 

    N a. You are already governed by the Inland Rules.
    Y b. In the Race
    N c. Above the Thames River Bridge
    N d. You will not be governed by the Inland Rules.