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.

124: At 1000, on May 11th, you are passing George Prince Lt. (mile 364.1 AHP) in Natchez, Mississippi and must send an ETA to the Monsanto Terminal in St. Louis (mile 178.0 UMR). Your engines are still turning for 8.5 mph and you estimate the current at 2.5 mph. What will be your arrival time in St. Louis?
171: At 2015, your vessel is at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel midway between buoys "13" and "14". If the height of tide is -1 foot (-0.3 meters), what is the approximate depth of water?
320: At 2150, your position is LAT 36°57.2'N, LONG 76°01.3'W. In this position on the chart, you note a light magenta line running in a direction of 030°T. This line indicates the limits of __________.
348: At 0430, you take the following radar ranges:

Stratford Point Light @ 5.25 nm
Middle Ground Light @ 4.55 nm

What is your 0430 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°08.9'N, LONG 73°00.0'W
    N b. LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 73°01.1'W
    Y c. LAT 41°05.8'N, LONG 73°00.8'W
    N d. LAT 41°06.5'N, LONG 73°01.4'W
541: You depart LAT 16°24'S, LONG 169°38'W, for LAT 16°24'S, LONG 174°52'E. What are the course and distance by parallel sailing? 

    N a. 090°T, 301 miles
    N b. 090°T, 892 miles
    N c. 270°T, 301 miles
    Y d. 270°T, 892 miles
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
654: In planning a North Pacific voyage, you wish to steam the minimum distance from LAT 48°30'N, LONG 124°45'W to LAT 44°00'N, LONG 150°00'E, while remaining south of 51°N latitude. Which track meets these requirements? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5270) 

    N a. A Mercator sailing from departure to the mid-longitude at 51°N, thence great circle to arrival
    N b. A great circle between departure and arrival with parallel  sailing between the longitudes where the great circle intersects 51°N
    N c. A great circle tangent to 51°N from departure to the mid-longitude then a great circle to arrival
    Y d. A great circle from departure to LAT 51°N, LONG 148°W, parallel sailing to LAT 51°N, LONG 171°W, then a great circle to arrival
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
740: On 14 March , your 1846 ZT DR position is LAT 21°57.6'N, LONG 132°16.2'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 22°16.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 45m 10s, and the chronometer error is 01m 32s slow. The index error is 3.2' off the arc, and the height of eye is 44.9 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    N a. 21°32.4'N
    Y b. 21°49.8'N
    N c. 21°51.0'N
    N d. 21°53.1'N
992: At 0100 zone time, on 23 September , your DR position is LAT 24°25.0'N, LONG 83°00.0'W. You are steering course 315°T. The speed over the ground is 10.0 knots. You observed 3 morning sun lines. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1100 running fix? NP-0002

    Y a. LAT 25°35.3'N, LONG 84°17.0'W
    N b. LAT 25°42.6'N, LONG 84°18.7'W
    N c. LAT 25°30.4'N, LONG 84°28.6'W
    N d. LAT 25°28.3'N, LONG 84°34.3'W
1080: On 20 Feb. , your 0530 ZT DR position is LAT 24°15.0'N, LONG 137°33.0'W. You are on course 033°T at a speed of 18 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix. NP-0010

    N a. LAT 24°23.3'N, LONG 137°35.5'W
    N b. LAT 24°26.0'N, LONG 137°25.8'W
    Y c. LAT 24°27.5'N, LONG 137°31.8'W
    N d. LAT 24°30.1'N, LONG 137°24.5'W
1198: On 3 October , your 0830 zone time DR position is LAT 26°15.0'S, LONG 73°16.0'E. Your vessel is on course 280°T at a speed of 19.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    Y a. 1201
    N b. 1158
    N c. 1155
    N d. 1152
1246: Which of the following statements are TRUE? 

    N a. Oil well structures are listed in the Light List.
    N b. All aids to navigation with lights have lateral significance.
    Y c. On the Western Rivers, crossing marks may exhibit white lights.
    N d. None of the above.
1259: On 10 April , your 1630 ZT DR position is LAT 21°03.0'N, LONG 63°11.0'W. You are on course 324°T at a speed of 22 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel? 

    N a. 1805
    N b. 1814
    N c. 1818
    Y d. 1833
1471: On 21 February , your 0823 zone time DR position is LAT 21°44.0'S, LONG 80°14.0'E. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 096°psc. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 19s, and the chronometer error is 01m 52s fast. The variation is 5°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 2.2°E
    Y b. 4.7°W
    N c. 5.7°E
    N d. 6.3°W
1720: As you approach mile 427.6 AHP, you see on the right side a white buoy with orange bands and open face diamond. This buoy shows __________. 

    N a. safe water
    N b. preferred channel
    Y c. danger
    N d. special marks
1724: What is the mile point of the Natchez, MS Gage? 

    N a. 228.4 AHP
    N b. 265.4 AHP
    N c. 302.4 AHP
    Y d. 363.3 AHP
1746: The Crooked River empties into which river? 

    Y a. Missouri
    N b. Mississippi
    N c. Tennessee
    N d. Ohio
1783: At 2048 ZT, on 13 October , in DR position LAT 44°02.8'S, LONG 146°58.3'E, you observe an amplitude of Venus. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 222.2°psc. The variation is 15°E. What is the deviation? 

    N a. 0.0°
    N b. 1.1°E
    Y c. 1.0°W
    N d. 1.5°W
1927: 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 (253.6 AHP)? 

    N a. 6.9 mph
    Y b. 6.2 mph
    N c. 4.8 mph
    N d. 4.3 mph
2016: On 23 March , your 1600 ZT DR position is LAT 27°16.3'N, LONG 156°48.2'W. You are on course 063°T at a speed of 18.0 knots. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three stars best suited for a fix at star time? 

    N a. Arcturus, Regulus, Sirius
    N b. Procyon, Sirius, Capella
    Y c. Hamal, Rigel, Alphard
    N d. Betelgeuse, Dubhe, Regulus
2240: At 1542 ZT, on 23 October , in DR position LAT 37° 28.5'N, LONG 156° 17.3'E, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The center of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 282.5°psc. The variation is 0.0°. What is the deviation? 

    Y a. 2.2°E
    N b. 2.2°W
    N c. 1.2°E
    N d. 1.2°W
2319: You complete changing out your tow and get underway enroute Ark City Tank Storage (mile 554.0 AHP) to deliver the tank barges. What is the distance you must travel from Cairo Point Light? 

    N a. 606.8 miles
    N b. 554.0 miles
    Y c. 399.8 miles
    N d. 202.1 miles
2536: You have steamed 463 miles at 19 knots and burning 440 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 200 barrels per day with 410 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel? 

    N a. 12.1
    Y b. 13.6
    N c. 15.2
    N d. 17.5
2701: You are underway on course 204°T at a speed of 17.3 knots. You sight a light bearing 205°T at a radar range of 4.7 miles at 1222. If you change course at 1228, what is the course to steer to leave the light abeam to port at 1.5 miles? 

    N a. 223°T
    N b. 229°T
    Y c. 236°T
    N d. 240°T
2712: What is the length of the trip? 

    N a. 720.8 miles
    N b. 777.4 miles
    Y c. 897.2 miles
    N d. 906.3 miles
3100: The pitch of the propeller on your vessel is 19'09". You estimate the slip at -3%. If you averaged 82 RPM for the day's run, how many miles did you steam? 

    N a. 370.8
    N b. 373.6
    N c. 393.7
    Y d. 395.3
3639: You desire to make good a true course of 132°. The variation is 10°W, magnetic compass deviation is 5°E, and gyrocompass error is 5°W. A northeast by east wind produces a 5° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good? 

    Y a. 132°psc
    N b. 135°psc
    N c. 137°psc
    N d. 142°psc
11001: What time will high water occur at Saybrook Jetty on the morning of 29 October 1983? 

    N a. 0145
    N b. 0255
    Y c. 0405
    N d. 0920
11105: What is the height of the tide at Great Salt Pond on Block Island at the afternoon high water (daylight savings time) on 1 July 1983? 

    N a. 3.9 feet
    N b. 3.0 feet
    N c. 2.4 feet
    Y d. 2.1 feet
11402: At 1018 your position is LAT 41°14.4'N, LONG 72°07.2'W. At 1036 your vessels position is LAT 41°13.1'N, LONG 72°16.1'W. What was your true course and speed made good? 

    Y a. 259° at 22.6 knots
    N b. 245° at 23.1 knots
    N c. 079° at 22.8 knots
    N d. 065° at 25.5 knots
11506: At 1014 you depart the entrance to Lake Montauk with Light "1" close aboard. Your course is 066° per standard magnetic compass, and the speed is 8.6 knots. At 1238 your position is LAT 41°20.0'N, LONG 71°40.0'W. What is the speed made good? 

    Y a. 8.2 knots
    N b. 8.6 knots
    N c. 8.9 knots
    N d. 9.2 knots
11506: At 1014 you depart the entrance to Lake Montauk with Light "1" close aboard. Your course is 066° per standard magnetic compass, and the speed is 8.6 knots. At 1238 your position is LAT 41°20.0'N, LONG 71°40.0'W. What is the speed made good? 

    Y a. 8.2 knots
    N b. 8.6 knots
    N c. 8.9 knots
    N d. 9.2 knots
11704: What is the true heading to steer in York River Entrance Channel if your engines are turning for 10.2 knots, the current is 220°T at 1.2 knots and a southwesterly wind causes 3° of leeway? 

    N a. 316°T
    Y b. 313°T
    N c. 309°T
    N d. 300°T
12205: Your vessel is steady on a heading of 160° per standard magnetic compass when you sight Southwest Ledge Light and New Haven Outer Channel Range Rear Light in line dead astern. What is the deviation of the compass based on this observation? 

    Y a. 2°E
    N b. 2°W
    N c. 5°E
    N d. 5°W
12703: You are on course 025° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Point Judith Light - 072°psc Block Island North Point Light - 118°psc Watch Hill Light - 306°psc What s your position?) 

    N a. LAT 41°14.9'N, LONG 71°43.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°15.1'N, LONG 71°44.0'W
    Y c. LAT 41°15.4'N, LONG 71°43.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°15.6'N, LONG 71°42.8'W
12900: Your 1302 position is LAT 37°14.7'N, LONG 76°22.7'W. You are turning for 9.6 knots. What is your ETA at Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel if you follow York River Entrance Channel? 

    N a. 1516
    Y b. 1505
    N c. 1500
    N d. 1451
14301: What are the characteristics of Washougal Light on the Columbia River? 

    N a. Equal interval green, 6 seconds
    N b. Quick flashing red, 2 seconds
    N c. Flashing green, 4 seconds
    Y d. Flashing red, 2.5 seconds
14502: You are proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. The pool level of the Bonneville reservoir stands at 84 feet above MSL. If the highest point on your vessel is 49 feet above the water, what will be the vertical clearance as you pass under the center of the Bridge of the Gods? 

    Y a. 74.0 feet
    N b. 86.0 feet
    N c. 97.5 feet
    N d. 123 feet
15258: Which structure should you look for while trying to locate Stratford Point Light? 

    Y a. White conical tower with a brown band midway of height
    N b. White octagonal house on a cylindrical pier
    N c. Conical tower, upper half white, lower half brown
    N d. Black skeleton tower on a granite dwelling
15362: The south shore of Long Island Sound near your position is __________. 

    N a. marked by gradual shoaling
    N b. low and marshy
    N c. backed by marshes and wooded uplands
    Y d. bluff and rocky
15516: If you were to head into Fishers Island Sound, which of the following charts would you switch to for better detail of Mystic and Mystic Harbor? 

    N a. 13209
    N b. 13212
    N c. 13213
    Y d. 13214
15716: At 1210, you are in position LAT 41°14.3'N, LONG 72°16.5'W. What is the depth of water below your keel? 

    Y a. 97 feet (29.4 meters)
    N b. 108 feet (32.7 meters)
    N c. 119 feet (36.1 meters)
    N d. 125 feet (37.9 meters)
15760: As you near Little Gull Island, you use your loran to insure that you do not come within 0.5 mile of the island. Which loran reading will act as a danger line and keep you off Little Gull Island by a minimum of 0.5 mile? 

    N a. Not more than 9960-W-14735.9
    N b. Not more than 9960-X-26149.0
    N c. Not less than 9960-X-26140.0
    Y d. Not less than 9960-Y-43953.5
15764: From your 0715 position, you set a course of 085°T. At 0745, you take the following bearings:

Race Rock Light 274°pgc
Watch Hill Point Light 045°pgc
Fisher's Island East Harbor Cupola 006°pgc

What was the current encountered between 0715 and 0745? 

    N a. Set 030°T,  drift 0.4 knot
    Y b. Set 070°T,  drift 0.7 knot
    N c. Set 210°T,  drift 0.8 knot
    N d. Set 238°T,  drift 1.0 knot
15911: What publication contains information on the navigational hazards in the vicinity of Falkner Island? 

    N a. The navigational regulations in Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations
    N b. Inland Navigation Rules
    N c. U.S. Coast Guard Light List
    Y d. U.S. Coast Pilot
16110: 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"? 

    N a. 0444
    N b. 0456
    N c. 0508
    Y d. 0522
16413: At 1104, Watch Hill Point Light is in line with Stonington Outer Breakwater Light, the range to the south tip of Watch Hill Point is 2.6 miles and the range to the beach is 1.9 miles. You are steering to make good 075°T, speed 10.0 knots. At 1110, you change course to head for a position of LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 71°50.0'W. What is the true course? 

    N a. 185°
    N b. 187°
    Y c. 190°
    N d. 193°
16442: The area bounded by the buoys "C51" to "C47A" to "M6" to "M14", west of your anchorage, is __________. 

    N a. a training area for naval small craft
    N b. restricted to oil and mineral exploration
    N c. an anchorage for ammunition barges
    Y d. a fish trap area
16458: If your engines turn for 6.5 knots, and you encounter a 0.5 knot southerly current, what is your ETA at point A? 

    N a. 0400
    Y b. 0450
    N c. 0501
    N d. 0511
16512: At 0748, you take the following bearings:

Watch Hill Point Light bearing 020.5°pgc
Race Point Light Light bearing 269.5°pgc

What is the approximate depth of water at this position? 

    N a. 325 feet
    N b. 175 feet
    Y c. 130 feet
    N d. 104 feet
16546: At 0100 you notice that the wind has become SSW'ly and has freshened. At 0200 you sight Stratford Point Lighted Bell Buoy "18" bearing 268°pgc. At 0215 the buoy bears 269°pgc. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. You should alter course to the right to increase the rate of the bearing change.
    N b. You are making more speed over the ground than you estimated.
    Y c. You should alter course to decrease the distance that you will pass off Middle Ground Shoal.
    N d. You can hold the present course and safely pass buoy "18".
16640: At 0445 you take the following lines of position:

Montauk Point Light 292°pgc
Block Island Southeast Point Light 024°pgc

What was the current encountered since your 0400 fix? 

    N a. 004°, 0.7 knot
    Y b. 004°, 0.9 knot
    N c. 184°, 0.7 knot
    N d. 184°, 0.9 knot