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.


15: The Vicksburg Gage reads 31.9 feet. The high point on your towboat is 43 feet above the water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Vicksburg Highway 80 Bridge?


65: What are the dimensions of the Old River Lock on the Lower Old River (mile 304 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?


149: Your engines are turning for 8.2 mph. You estimate the current at 1.5 mph. What is your speed over the ground?

    Y a. 9.7 mph
    N b. 8.8 mph
    N c. 8.2 mph
    N d. 6.7 mph

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)

275: At 1038, you are 0.4 mile south of Long Sand Shoal Buoy "8A" on course 090°T when visibility is reduced to 1 mile in rain and haze. You intend to stay on 090°T until your Loran shows a reading that you can safely follow to the approaches of New London. Which of the following Loran readings will you look for?

    Y a. 9960-Y-43980
    N b. 9960-X-26290
    N c. 9960-W-14730
    N d. 9960-W-14810

286: Your 1900 position is LAT 37°12.9'N, LONG 76°13.5'W. You change course to 317°pgc and slow to 8.0 knots. What is the course per standard magnetic compass?

    Y a. 329°psc
    N b. 319°psc
    N c. 311°psc
    N d. 309°psc

299: At 1930, your vessel is between York River Entrance Channel Lighted Buoys "1YR" and "2". From this position, you change course to 142°pgc at an engine speed of 8.0 knots. At 2001, you obtain the following information:

Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light - 131°pgc; Thimble Shoal Light - 248°pgc

What were the set and drift between 1930 and 2001?

    Y a. 127° at 0.5 knot
    N b. 127° at 1.1 knot
    N c. 307° at 1.1 knot
    N d. 307° at 0.5 knot

353: At 0550, engineering repairs are complete and speed is increased to 9.6 knots. At 0630, Falkner Island Light bears 023°pgc and Horton Point Light bears 097°pgc. From your 0630 fix you steer to make good a course of 086°T while turning for 9.6 knots. At 0700, Falkner Island Light bears 336.0°pgc and Horton Point Light bears 105.5°pgc. The radar range to the south tip of Falkner Island is 5.7 miles. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Your course made good from 0630 to 0700 was 082°T.
    N b. The speed made good from 0630 to 0700 was 10.1 knots.
    Y c. You are making good your intended speed.
    N d. The current from 0630 to 0700 was 279°T at 0.6 knot.

365: You sighted Trestle "A" in line at 0707 and are steering 108°T. At 0731, Cape Henry Light bears 136°T; Cape Charles Light bears 032.5°T; and Thimble Shoal Tunnel South Light bears 282°T. What was the speed made good between 0707 and 0731?

    N a. 9.4 knots
    N b. 9.2 knots
    Y c. 8.8 knots
    N d. 8.3 knots

403: You receive a distress call from a vessel reporting her position as LAT 30°21'N, LONG 88°34'W. Your position is LAT 24°30'N, LONG 83°00'W. Determine the true course and distance to the distress scene by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 317°T, 470 miles
    Y b. 320°T, 460 miles
    N c. 322°T, 455 miles
    N d. 324°T, 460 miles

406: You depart LAT 49°45.0'N, LONG 06°35.0'W, and steam 3599 miles on course 246.5°T. What is the longitude of your arrival by Mercator sailing?

    N a. LONG 76°36.2'W
    Y b. LONG 77°02.8'W
    N c. LONG 78°14.0'W
    N d. LONG 78°22.6'W

423: At 0530, your position is LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 72°08.5'W. What is the color of New London Harbor Light?

    N a. Green
    N b. White
    Y c. Red
    N d. Alternating white and green

431: At 0900, the current is flooding in a direction of 350°T at 1.2 knots. If your engines are turning RPMs for 9 knots, which course should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good a course of 297° true?

    N a. 319°psc
    N b. 317°psc
    N c. 311°psc
    Y d. 302°psc

501: You depart from the position in the previous question at 2114 and make good 12 knots on a course of 040°T. At what time will you sight New Haven Light if the visibility is 11 miles?

    N a. The light is visible at 2114.
    N b. 2152
    Y c. 2159
    N d. 2206

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

688: What is the distance from the Amoco Docks at Baton Rouge, LA, to Pittsburgh, PA?

    N a. 727.9 miles
    N b. 981.5 miles
    N c. 1575.3 miles
    Y d. 1681.7 miles

702: If the highest point of your towboat is 54 feet above the water and the Natchez Gage reads 24.8 feet, what will be your vertical clearance when passing under the Natchez-Vidalia westbound Highway Bridge?

    N a. 35.9 feet
    N b. 43.2 feet
    Y c. 47.2 feet
    N d. 57.5 feet

752: On 5 May , at 1953 zone time, you take a sextant observation of Polaris. Your vessel's DR position is LAT 29°30.0'N, LONG 66°25.7'W, and your sextant reads 29°07.2'. Your chronometer reads 11h 51m 45s, and your chronometer error is 01m 36s slow. Your height of eye is 56 feet, and the index error for your sextant is 1.5' on the arc. What is the latitude of your vessel from your observation of Polaris?

    N a. 29°14.3'N
    Y b. 29°23.6'N
    N c. 29°32.3'N
    N d. 29°38.8'N

1007: On 30 July , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 17°46'N, LONG 139°30'W. You are on course 129°T, speed 24 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.
ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1220 138°25.0' N 18°22.3' 88°43.3'
1226 139°55.0' N 18°22.2' 88°24.0'

    N a. LAT 17°24.0'N, LONG 138°59.8'W
    N b. LAT 17°21.6'N, LONG 138°56.2'W
    N c. LAT 17°18.7'N, LONG 139°07.6'W
    Y d. LAT 17°15.1'N, LONG 139°00.0'W

1233: What is the distance from Greenville, MS, to Tiptonville, TN on the Mississippi River System?

    N a. 95 miles
    N b. 136 miles
    Y c. 341 miles
    N d. 520 miles

1282: On 1 November , your 1600 zone time DR position is LAT 27°48'S, LONG 91°26'E. Your vessel is on a course of 327°
T at a speed of 16 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel?

    Y a. 1813
    N b. 1821
    N c. 1829
    N d. 1836

1343: At 1019, on 10 March, you pass under the Greenville Bridge (mile 531.3 AHP). What was your average speed since departing River Cement Co. Dock?

    Y a. 7.2 mph
    N b. 6.8 mph
    N c. 6.5 mph
    N d. 6.2 mph

1343: At 1019, on 10 March, you pass under the Greenville Bridge (mile 531.3 AHP). What was your average speed since departing River Cement Co. Dock?

    Y a. 7.2 mph
    N b. 6.8 mph
    N c. 6.5 mph
    N d. 6.2 mph

1494: On 5 August , your 0310 ZT position is LAT 09°02'N, LONG 21°08'W. You observe Polaris bearing 002°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 316°pgc and 329°psc. The variation is 15°W. What is the deviation for that heading?

    N a. 0.0°
    N b. 1.5°W
    N c. 3.0°W
    Y d. 0.5°E

1662: On 5 September , in DR position LAT 23°17.0'S, LONG 154°35.0'E, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 275° per standard magnetic compass. The chronometer reads 07h 49m 26s and is 01m 52s fast. Variation in the area is 3°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 2.1°E
    N b. 2.4°W
    Y c. 5.1°E
    N d. 5.4°W

1742: The highest point on your towboat is 32 feet above the
water, and the Helena Gage reads +6.6 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the A-span of the Helena Highway Bridge?

    Y a. 80.8 feet
    N b. 73.1 feet
    N c. 68.0 feet
    N d. 56.1 feet

1837: 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

2156: At 1300 ZT, on 9 May , your DR position is LAT 24°00'N, LONG 83°26'W. Determine the computed altitude (Hc) of the Sun for the assumed position (AP) nearest to the above given latitude and longitude, given a chronometer time of 07h 00m 00s.

    N a. Hc 68°22.8'
    N b. Hc 68°24.1'
    N c. Hc 68°25.2'
    Y d. Hc 68°26.6'

2284: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 35°26.3' on 25 June . The index error is 1.5' on the arc. The height of eye is 58 feet (17.6 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 35°28.2'
    N b. 35°29.9'
    Y c. 35°32.1'
    N d. 35°36.7'

2851: Your vessel is on a course of 297°T at 11 knots. At 0019 a light bears 274.5°T, and at 0048 the light bears 252°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0102, 2.6 miles
    Y b. 0108, 3.7 miles
    N c. 0057, 4.6 miles
    N d. 0117, 5.0 miles

3051: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 20.6 feet and a pitch of 23.4 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 538 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 87?

    Y a. -11.6%
    N b. +11.6%
    N c. -10.3%
    N d. +10.3%

3297: Your vessel consumes 236 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 16.5 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 13.0 knots?

    N a. 102 bbls
    Y b. 115 bbls
    N c. 147 bbls
    N d. 186 bbls

10301: Determine the course per standard magnetic compass from Cerberus Shoal Buoy 9 (LAT 41°10.4'N, LONG 71°57.1'W) to the entrance to Quonochontaug Pond (LAT 41°19.8'N, LONG 71°43.2'W).

    N a. 030°psc
    N b. 036°psc
    Y c. 059°psc
    N d. 067°psc

10901: The area around Cape Charles is _______________ .

    Y a. low and bare, but the land back of it is high and wooded
    N b. composed of low to medium rolling hills
    N c. well defined with rocky outcroppings
    N d. marked by high, barren hills

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

11811: What is the true course to steer between Horton Pt. Light and a position 2 miles due south of Branford Reef Light, if the set and drift of the current are 40°T at 1.5 knots, and an easterly wind will cause 3° of leeway? Your engines are making turns for 12 knots.

    N a. 277°T
    N b. 283°T
    Y c. 287°T
    N d. 291°T

11902: What is the true course to steer between the entrance to Lake Montauk (LAT 41°04.8'N, LONG 71°56.3'W) and Winnapaug Pond entrance) LAT 41°19.6'N, LONG 71°45.8'W), if you are turning for 9.5 knots, allow for a current of 075°T at 1.2 knots, and a westerly wind is causing 3° of leeway?

    Y a. 021°T
    N b. 024°T
    N c. 027°T
    N d. 029°T

13702: What chart should you use in Lynnhaven Bay (west of Cape Henry)?

    N a. 12221
    N b. 12256
    N c. 12205
    Y d. 12254

13808: The chart symbol depicted at LAT 41°13.5'N, LONG 72°29.7'W indicates __________.

    N a. the exact position of a dangerous wreck
    Y b. the approximate position of a wreck dangerous to surface navigation
    N c. a wreck cleared by wire drag to a depth of 39 feet
    N d. a wreck not dangerous to surface navigation

13900: The trapezoidal shaped areas enclosed by a thin broken magenta line and located along the south coast of Long Island are __________.

    N a. designated training areas for Navy amphibious craft
    N b. disposal areas for unexploded munitions
    Y c. fish trap areas
    N d. anchorage areas for small craft

15020: While navigating inbound in the Thimble Shoal Channel system you must __________.

    N a. navigate in the main channel when between Trestles A & B
    N b. maintain a minimum speed of 6 knots
    N c. remain 1500 yards (1360 meters) from large naval vessels
    Y d. use the north auxiliary channel

15111: At 1810, you sight a buoy on your starboard side labeled "19".
This buoy marks __________.

    N a. a submerged obstruction in York Spit Channel
    N b. the visibility limit of the red sector of Cape Henry Light
    Y c. the side of York Spit Channel
    N d. the junction of the York Spit and York River Entrance Channels

15357: If the visibility is 10 miles, what is the earliest time you can expect to see New Haven Light?

    N a. The light is visible at 0452.
    N b. 0458
    N c. 0510
    Y d. You will not sight the light.

15357: If the visibility is 10 miles, what is the earliest time you can expect to see New Haven Light?

    N a. The light is visible at 0452.
    N b. 0458
    N c. 0510
    Y d. You will not sight the light.

15723: What daymark should you see as you approach Parker Landing Light (mile 924.6 AHP)?

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

15916: If you correct for the current in the preceding question (215°T at 0.5 knot) and maintain an engine speed of 7.5 knots, what is your ETA 0.5 mile south of buoy "W"?

    N a. 1016
    N b. 1021
    Y c. 1026
    N d. 1030

16041: From your 0847 fix, you change course to arrive at the rendezvous position and, correcting for current, you estimate your speed over the ground at 15 knots. What is your ETA at the rendezvous?

    N a. 0902
    N b. 0905
    Y c. 0908
    N d. 0911

16065: If you steer 143°pgc at an engine speed of 8.0 knots from your 2015 position, at what time would you reach a point midway between buoys "11" and "12" (ignore set and drift)?

    N a. 2020
    Y b. 2029
    N c. 2032
    N d. 2039

16068: From your 2118 position, you proceed to Norfolk, VA, a distance of approximately 26.0 miles. To arrive at Norfolk by 0200 the next day, what is the minimum speed to make good from your 2118 position to arrive at this time?

    N a. 5.0 knots
    N b. 5.3 knots
    N c. 5.8 knots
    Y d. 5.5 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