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.


45: You are in charge of a vessel that damages an aid to navigation established and maintained by the United States. Which statement is TRUE?


148: You are turning for 8.2 mph and estimate the current at 1.5 mph. What is you speed over the ground?


162: At 1923, you decrease speed to make good 9.2 mph. What is the first Gage you will pass after your speed change?


241: Little Gull Island Light is __________.

    N a. lighted only during daytime when the sound signal is in operation
    Y b. lighted throughout 24 hours
    N c. maintained only from May 1 to Oct 1
    N d. obscured by trees from 253° to 352°

329: The engineer has advised that it will be necessary to secure the gyrocompass and the electronic equipment. From your 0315 position, what is your course per standard magnetic compass to York Spit Channel Buoy "38", if there is no current?

    N a. 218°psc
    Y b. 216°psc
    N c. 214°psc
    N d. 212°psc

360: If you are making 8.3 knots over the ground, what is your ETA at the first turning point in York Spit Channel between buoys "29" and "30"?

    Y a. 0522
    N b. 0508
    N c. 0456
    N d. 0448

454: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 26°00.0'S, LONG 56°00.0'W to LAT 34°00.0'S, LONG 18°15.0'E.

    N a. 3705 miles, 153°T
    N b. 3841 miles, 068°T
    N c. 3849 miles, 248°T
    Y d. 3805 miles, 117°T

473: The great circle distance from LAT 08°50.0'N, LONG 80°21.0'W to LAT 22°36.0'N, LONG 128°16.0'E is 7801 miles and the initial course is 318°45' T. The latitude of the vertex is 49°20.6'N. What is the longitude of the vertex?

    N a. 156°43'W
    Y b. 162°41'W
    N c. 159°32'W
    N d. 161°18'W

514: The shoreline along Rocky Point should give a good radar return because __________.

    Y a. the shore is bluff and rocky
    N b. of offshore exposed rocks
    N c. submerged reefs cause prominent breakers
    N d. the lookout tower is marked with radar reflectors

658: You are planning a voyage by great circle from LAT 59°00'N, LONG 07°00'W via LAT 38°00'N, LONG 61°30'W. Which of the following statements is TRUE? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5274)

    N a. You are to the east of the Northern Hemisphere vertex.
    N b. When plotted on a Mercator chart the track line will be concave to Cape Farwell (Kap Farvel).
    Y c. All courses are in the southwest quadrant of the compass.
    N d. Distance is measured by using the length of a degree of latitude at the midpoint of the track line.

751: On 16 July , at 2000 zone time, you take a sextant observation of Polaris. Your vessel's DR position is LAT 27°22.0'N, LONG 148°35.0'W, and your sextant reads 26°57.5'. Your chronometer reads 05h 59m 16s, and your chronometer error is 01m 28s slow. Your height of eye is 48 feet, and the index error for your sextant is 1.3' off the arc. What is the latitude of your vessel from your observation of Polaris?

    N a. 26°52.1'N
    N b. 26°58.8'N
    Y c. 27°36.1'N
    N d. 27°43.4'N

832: On 19 November , in DR position LAT 20°03.5'N, LONG 129°48.0'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the planet Venus at upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 11h 29m 44s, and the chronometer error is 01m 23s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 43°54.3'. The index error is 2.0' off the arc, and your height of eye is 48 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    N a. 20°08.2'N
    Y b. 19°58.0'N
    N c. 19°53.2'N
    N d. 19°50.6'N

845: On 16 September , your 0600 ZT fix gives you a position of LAT 29°47.2'N, LONG 65°28.4'W. Your vessel is on course 242°T and your speed is 13.5 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1227 ZT, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 63°25.3'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN?

    N a. 29°07.9'N
    N b. 29°06.1'N
    Y c. 29°04.7'N
    N d. 29°01.6'N

1146: The Linwood Bend revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________.

    N a. 828.1-823.1 RDB
    N b. 831.7-829.4 RDB
    N c. 845.4-842.5 LDB
    Y d. 841.3-838.7 LDB

1195: On 23 June , your 0900 zone time DR position is LAT 21°26.0'N, LONG 137°46.0'W. Your vessel is on course 059°T at a speed of 19.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1159
    N b. 1205
    Y c. 1210
    N d. 1214

1262: On 27 September , your 0345 ZT DR position is LAT 26°18.0'S, LONG 4°18.0'W. You are on course 271°T at a speed of 15 knots. What will be the zone time of sunrise at your vessel?

    N a. 0525
    N b. 0545
    N c. 0555
    Y d. 0605

1274: On 13 February , at 0325 zone time, your DR position is LAT 23°20'N, LONG 155°15'W. You are steering 240°T at a speed of 13.6 knots. What is the zone time of sunrise?

    N a. 0652
    Y b. 0657
    N c. 0706
    N d. 0711

1299: What is the length of the trip?

    N a. 405.8 miles
    Y b. 904.0 miles
    N c. 1002.0 miles
    N d. 1136.8 miles

1418: How far is it to the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis, TN?

    N a. 980.8 miles
    N b. 736.6 miles
    N c. 312.3 miles
    Y d. 218.1 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

1700: As you approach French Point Light (mile 915.4 AHP), you see 2 daymarks on the structure. What significance do the daymarks have?

    N a. They indicate the starboard side of the channel from seaward and mid-channel fairway.
    Y b. They indicate the starboard side of the channel from seaward and a channel crossing.
    N c. They indicate the port side of the channel from seaward and a range marking.
    N d. They indicate the port side of the channel and a channel crossing.

1877: 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 63°29.1' bearing 237.5°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?

    Y a. Kappa Scorpii
    N b. Beta Ophiuchi
    N c. Alpha Arae
    N d. Beta Draconis

2090: At your current speed of 17 knots you only have enough fuel remaining to travel 316 miles. You must travel 622 miles to reach your destination. What should you reduce your speed (knots) to in order to reach your destination?

    Y a. 12.1
    N b. 13.3
    N c. 14.5
    N d. 15.7

2118: You are northwest of Port Jefferson Harbor steering 242°
per standard magnetic compass. As you continue westward, you see that the Port Jefferson Range Front Light and Rear Light come into line. If the deviation table is correct, the bearing of the range should be __________.

    N a. 140°psc
    N b. 146°psc
    Y c. 157°psc
    N d. 160°psc

2280: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 28°24.7' on 17 May . The index error is 1.5' off the arc. The height of eye is 86 feet (26 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 28°29.7'
    N b. 28°30.6'
    Y c. 28°31.5'
    N d. 28°32.9'

2594: What will be the current at Port Jefferson entrance at 0130 on December 5, 1983?

    N a. 1.4 knots, flood
    N b. 1.4 knots, ebb
    N c. 0.8 knot, flood
    Y d. 0.8 knot, ebb

2681: Your vessel is on course 312°pgc and you sight a lighthouse dead ahead at a range of 10 miles. The gyro error is 3°E. What course would you steer to leave the lighthouse 1.5 miles abeam to starboard?

    N a. 309°pgc
    Y b. 304°pgc
    N c. 309°T
    N d. 304°T

3283: While steaming at 17.5 knots, your vessel consumes 378 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 194 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?

    N a. 12.5 knots
    Y b. 14.0 knots
    N c. 15.5 knots
    N d. 16.8 knots

3308: You have steamed 142 miles and consumed 21.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 465 miles?

    N a. 43.4 tons
    N b. 57.6 tons
    Y c. 68.8 tons
    N d. 72.8 tons

3624: Your vessel is steering course 073°psc, variation for the area is 15°E, and deviation is 4°E. The wind is from the southeast, producing a 4° leeway. Which true course are you making good?

    N a. 050°T
    N b. 058°T
    Y c. 088°T
    N d. 096°T

3645: The true course between two points is 119°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 3°E. You allow of 4° leeway for a south-southwest wind. What gyro course should be steered to make the true course good?

    N a. 112°pgc
    N b. 118°pgc
    Y c. 120°pgc
    N d. 126°pgc

3646: The true course between two points is 041°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 1°W. You make an allowance of 2° leeway for a east-southeast wind. What gyro course should be steered to make the true course good?

    N a. 040°pgc
    N b. 042°pgc
    N c. 043°pgc
    Y d. 044°pgc

3647: The true course between two points is 220°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 1°E. You make an allowance of 1° leeway for a north-northwest wind. What gyro course should be steered to make the true course good?

    Y a. 220°pgc
    N b. 221°pgc
    N c. 222°pgc
    N d. 223°pgc

3771: Two beacons form a range in the direction of 221.5°T. The range is seen in line from your vessel bearing 223° per gyro compass. The variation in the area is 4°E. What is the error of your gyro compass?

    Y a. 1.5°W
    N b. 2.5°W
    N c. 5.5°W
    N d. 2.5°E

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

12604: You are on course 082° per standard magnetic compass (psc) when you take the following bearings: New London Ledge Light - 036.5°psc Little Gull Island Light - 157.0°psc Saybrook Break Water Light - 294.5°psc What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41°02.3'N, LONG 72°04.5'W
    N b. LAT 41°09.5'N, LONG 72°07.1'W
    Y c. LAT 41°13.6'N, LONG 72°07.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.1'N, LONG 72°12.8'W

13108: At 1103 you are in the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island with buoy "5" close aboard. What is your ETA at light "1" at the mouth of the approaches to Lake Montauk if you make good 8.2 knots?

    N a. 1249
    N b. 1254
    N c. 1259
    Y d. 1310

14604: Contour elevations on this chart refer to heights in feet above mean __________.

    N a. lower low water
    N b. high water
    N c. low water
    Y d. sea level

15007: What course should you steer using the standard magnetic compass (psc) to make good the course of 192°pgc?

    N a. 188°psc
    N b. 195°psc
    Y c. 203°psc
    N d. 205°psc

15018: What course per standard magnetic compass (psc) is the same as 247°pgc?

    N a. 240°psc
    N b. 246°psc
    Y c. 257°psc
    N d. 260°psc

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

15113: At 1845, you obtain the following bearings:

Old Plantation Flats Light bearing 251° true
New Point Comfort Light bearing 334° true

Your latitude is __________.

    N a. 37°10.7'N
    N b. 37°10.9'N
    N c. 37°11.0'N
    Y d. 37°11.2'N

15145: At 2357 your position is 41°09.0'N, 71°47.0'W and Montauk Point Light bears 216° true. You change to a course of 293° true and your speed is 14.5 knots. At 0012 Montauk Point Light bears 177° true. Which statement about your 0012 running fix is TRUE?

    N a. You are being set to the north.
    Y b. The fathometer reading is about 14 fathoms.
    N c. You are governed by the Inland Rules of the Road.
    N d. The fathometer trace shows you passed over the 89 foot sounding.

15156: Your 1600 position is LAT 37°22.5'N, LONG 75°32.3'W. The depth of water is about __________.

    N a. 38 feet (11.5 meters)
    N b. 45 feet (13.6 meters)
    Y c. 52 feet (15.8 meters)
    N d. 59 feet (17.3 meters)

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

15545: At 2342 the gyro alarm sounds and you commence steering by standard magnetic compass. If you allow 3° leeway for southerly winds and do not correct for any existing current, what is the course to steer by standard magnetic compass to make good 068°T?

    N a. 054.0°
    N b. 079.5°
    N c. 081.0°
    Y d. 084.5°

15614: From your 1920 position, you change course to enter Chesapeake Channel between buoys 9 and 10. What is the course per standard magnetic compass (psc) ?

    N a. 286°psc
    Y b. 283°psc
    N c. 280°psc
    N d. 274°psc

15629: In order to determine what buoys, if any, are in place at Concordia Bar crossing (mile 596.0 AHP), what should you check?

    N a. Bulletin board at the Rosedale Gage
    N b. Waterways Journal
    Y c. Notice to Mariners
    N d. Light List

15862: At 0125, you change course to make good 280°T. What is the course per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 290°psc
    Y b. 292°psc
    N c. 294°psc
    N d. 296°psc

15868: Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light is __________.

    N a. 13 foot high
    N b. a fixed white light
    N c. shown from a white tower
    Y d. equipped with a HORN

15908: At 0740, you obtain the following radar information:

Branford Reef Light bearing 250° true @ 2.55 nm

What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 72°51.3'W
    N b. LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 72°51.8'W
    Y c. LAT 41°12.4'N, LONG 72°51.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.3'N, LONG 72°52.0'W

16565: You decide to use the 9960-Y and 9960-W rates. At 1915,
you obtain the following readings:

9960-Y-43937.5
9960-W-14651.2

What is your 1915 position?

    N a. LAT 41°13.6'N, LONG 71°54.0'W
    Y b. LAT 41°13.5'N, LONG 71°53.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°13.4'N, LONG 71°53.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.4'N, LONG 71°53.7'W

16843: At what time will you enter the inbound traffic lane with Buoy "NCA" (LL #375) bearing 180°T at 0.3 mile?

    N a. 1003
    Y b. 0957
    N c. 0951
    N d. 0948