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.

39: At 1227, on 19 October, you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge (mile 531.3 AHP). What speed must you average to arrive at Jimmy Hawken Light (mile 663.5 AHP) at 0930 the following day?
70: What is the vertical clearance of the Natchez-Vidalia Highway Bridge (westbound) when the river level is the same as the Low Water Reference Plane (6.5 feet)?
279: At 1752, your position is LAT 37°04.3'N, LONG 76°06.4'W. On a flood current you should expect to be set to the __________.
335: At 1810, you obtain the following bearings:

Cape Charles Light bearing 005° pgc
Cape Henry Light bearing 251.5° pgc

What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 36°56.0'N, LONG 75°58.5'W
    N b. LAT 36°55.4'N, LONG 75°56.0'W
    Y c. LAT 36°56.8'N, LONG 75°55.6'W
    N d. LAT 36°57.4'N, LONG 75°54.6'W
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
466: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 25°50.0'N, LONG 77°00.0'W to LAT 35°56.0'N, LONG 06°15.0'W. 

    N a. 3470 miles, 298°T
    N b. 3518 miles, 028°T
    Y c. 3616 miles, 062°T
    N d. 3718 miles, 118°T
750: On 28 October , at 1754 ZT, your vessel's DR position is LAT 28°30'N, LONG 63°24'W. At this time, you obtain a sextant altitude (hs) of Polaris reading 28°42.6', with an index error of 2.4' on the arc. Your chronometer reads 09h 50m 00s, and is 4m 14s slow. What is your latitude by Polaris, given a height of eye of 28 feet (8.5 meters)? 

    N a. 28°25.2'N
    N b. 28°30.6'N
    Y c. 28°34.9'N
    N d. 28°41.3'N
1137: What is the length of the trip? 

    N a. 1195.4 miles
    N b. 1223.1 miles
    N c. 1464.8 miles
    Y d. 1520.1 miles
1144: What is the brown colored tint shown at Bordeaux Point Dykes (mile 681.0 AHP)? 

    N a. river gage
    N b. fish hatchery
    Y c. dredge material
    N d. levee
1204: On 25 April , your 0930 zone time position is LAT 28°35'S, LONG 82°30'W. Your vessel is on course 300°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. Determine the time of LAN. 

    Y a. 1131
    N b. 1158
    N c. 1211
    N d. 1225
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
1342: What is the vertical clearance between the highest point of your towboat, if it is 45 feet above the water, and if the Natchez Gage reads 23.4 feet when passing under the Natchez-Vidalia Westbound Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 67.5 feet
    Y b. 57.1 feet
    N c. 52.2 feet
    N d. 45.2 feet
1466: On 21 April , your 1542 zone time DR position is LAT 28°54.0'S, LONG 19°07.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 299°psc. The chronometer reads 04h 44m 11s, and the chronometer error is 01m 54s fast. The variation is 3°E. What is the deviation of the standard compass? 

    Y a. 0.3°W
    N b. 0.4°E
    N c. 2.7°W
    N d. 2.7°E
1659: On 15 July , in DR position LAT 22°19.0'N, LONG 154°37.0'W, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 298°psc. The chronometer reads 04h 45m 19s and is 01m 56s slow.
Variation in the area is 7.5°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 2.7°W
    Y b. 3.0°E
    N c. 3.6°W
    N d. 3.9°E
1712: What is the distance from Cairo Point, IL, to Arkansas City? 

    N a. 28 miles
    N b. 110 miles
    N c. 218 miles
    Y d. 400 miles
1748: As you approach Walnut Point Light (mile 522.5 AHP),
which type of daymark would you see on the light structure? 

    N a. Red triangle
    N b. Green diamond
    N c. Green square
    Y d. Red diamond
1765: The river will be temporarily closed to navigation at mile 531.3 AHP due to repairs to the bridge. This will occur at 1530, 5 January, and last for six hours. What minimum speed over the ground must you make from Red River Landing Gage in order not to be delayed? 

    Y a. 6.2 mph
    N b. 6.4 mph
    N c. 6.8 mph
    N d. 7.3 mph
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
1839: What are the dimensions of the channel maintained from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, LA? 

    N a. 30 feet x 300 feet
    N b. 40 feet x 300 feet
    N c. 30 feet x 500 feet
    Y d. 45 feet x 500 feet
1852: On 26 November , at 0535 ZT, while taking sights for a morning fix, you observe an unidentified planet bearing 074°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 38°29.8'. Your DR position is LAT 27°18.9'S, LONG 30°18.4'E. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 33m 16s, and the chronometer is 01m 48s slow. What planet did you observe? 

    Y a. Saturn
    N b. Jupiter
    N c. Mars
    N d. Venus
1902: On 22 April , your 1852 DR position is LAT 23°54.5'N, LONG 117°36.8'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 077°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 18°58.7'. The chronometer reads 02h 54m 53s, and is 02m 51s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Diphda
    N b. Betelgeuse
    N c. Gienah
    Y d. Arcturus
1907: On 22 March , your 1834 DR position is LAT 26°13.5'S, LONG 108°36.5'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 062°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 23°22.0'. The chronometer reads 01h 32m 37s, and is 01m 50s slow. Which star did you observe? 

    Y a. Regulus
    N b. Menkar
    N c. Rigel
    N d. Alphard
1913: On 14 January , your 0550 DR position is LAT 25°26.0'N, LONG 38°16.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 212°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 41°42.3'. The chronometer reads 08h 48m 51s, and is 01m 22s slow. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Gienah
    N b. Kochab
    N c. Gacrux
    N d. Eltanin
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
2160: On 17 April , your vessel's 1856 zone time DR position is LAT 22°35.0'N, LONG 63°15.0'W. At that time, a sextant observation of the star Sirius is made. The sextant altitude is 42°45.0' and the chronometer reads 10h 59m 27s.
The index error is 2.6' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 03m 01s fast. Your height of eye is determined to be 45 feet. What is the computed altitude (hc) and azimuth (Zn) for this sight using the assumed position? 

    N a. 42°40.0', 214.9°T
    N b. 42°40.0', 325.1°T
    Y c. 42°51.6', 214.9°T
    N d. 42°51.6', 325.1°T
2330: At 0731, what is the approximate depth of water? 

    N a. 31 feet (9.4 meters)
    Y b. 41 feet (12.5 meters)
    N c. 52 feet (15.7 meters)
    N d. 58 feet (17.6 meters)
2455: You are underway and intend to make good a course of 170°T. You experience a current with a set and drift of 050°T at 2.8 knots, and a easterly wind produces a leeway of 3°. You adjust your course to compensate for the current and leeway, while maintaining an engine speed of 18.5 knots. What will be your speed made good over your intended course of 170°T? 

    N a. 18.5 knots
    N b. 18.1 knots
    N c. 17.6  knots
    Y d. 17.2 knots
2587: What VHF frequency would you use to listen to a weather forecast for the eastern part of Long Island Sound? 

    N a. 156.65 MHz
    N b. 156.85 MHz
    Y c. 162.475 MHz
    N d. 162.775 MHz
2593: At 2315, you are notified that the Port Jefferson pilot will be delayed. Old Field Point Light bears 257°T, Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light bears 355°T and Port Jefferson East Breakwater Light bears 171°T. What is the depth under the keel at this time on December 4, 1983? 

    N a. 41 feet
    Y b. 47 feet
    N c. 51 feet
    N d. 57 feet
2878: Your vessel is steering 143°T at 16 knots. At 2147 a light bears 106°T, and at 2206 the same light bears 078°T. What will be your distance off abeam? 

    N a. 5.1 miles
    N b. 5.4 miles
    Y c. 5.9 miles
    N d. 6.5 miles
2899: You are steaming on a course of 208°T at 21 knots. At 2019 you observe a lighthouse bearing 129°T. At 2030 the lighthouse bears 103°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing? 

    N a. 8.2 miles
    Y b. 8.6 miles
    N c. 8.9 miles
    N d. 9.3 miles
3625: Your vessel is steering course 111°psc, variation for the area is 5°E, and deviation is 3°W. The wind is from the northwest, producing a 1° leeway. What true course are you making good? 

    N a. 108°T
    N b. 110°T
    N c. 112°T
    Y d. 114°T
3641: You desire to make good a true course of 174°. The variation is 17°W, magnetic compass deviation is 4°W, and gyrocompass error is 4°E. A west-southwest wind produces a 4° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good? 

    N a. 195°psc
    N b. 197°psc
    Y c. 199°psc
    N d. 203°psc
11804: Your engines are making turns for 8 knots and a northerly wind is causing 3° of leeway. There is a current of 220°T at 1.5 knots. What is the course to steer between Branford Reef Light and Faulkner Island Light? 

    Y a. 084°T
    N b. 095°T
    N c. 102°T
    N d. 108°T
11809: What course should you steer by your standard magnetic compass (psc) from a position 2 miles due south of Branford Reef Light to Horton Pt. Light, if the set and drift of the current are 065°T at 2 knots, and a northerly wind will cause 2° of leeway? Your engines are turning for 14 knots. 

    N a. 113°psc
    N b. 118°psc
    Y c. 128°psc
    N d. 134°psc
11809: What course should you steer by your standard magnetic compass (psc) from a position 2 miles due south of Branford Reef Light to Horton Pt. Light, if the set and drift of the current are 065°T at 2 knots, and a northerly wind will cause 2° of leeway? Your engines are turning for 14 knots. 

    N a. 113°psc
    N b. 118°psc
    Y c. 128°psc
    N d. 134°psc
11908: Your position is 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course to steer to arrive at LAT 41°00.0'N, LONG 71°30.0'W, if you are turning for 7.8 knots, the current is 330° at 1.2 knots, and a southerly wind causes 3° of leeway? 

    Y a. 117°T
    N b. 112°T
    N c. 104°T
    N d. 102°T
11909: Your position is 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the true course to steer to arrive one mile due south of Block Island Southeast Point Light, if you are turning for 6.8 knots, the current is 330° at 1.2 knots, and a southerly wind causes 3° of leeway? 

    N a. 081°T
    Y b. 084°T
    N c. 087°T
    N d. 090°T
12103: You sight Wolf Trap Light in line with New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" bearing 048° per standard magnetic compass. You are on course 203°psc. Based on this, you know __________. 

    N a. the compass error is 12°W
    N b. the deviation is 9°W
    Y c. that the deviation table is in error
    N d. the deviation is 3°E for bearings of 048° per standard magnetic compass
12309: You sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light (LAT 41°18.2'N, LONG 71°56.0'W) bearing 089° per standard magnetic compass. If your vessel was heading 297° per standard magnetic compass at the time, which of the following is TRUE? 

    N a. The deviation table is correct for that heading.
    N b. The deviation equals the variation.
    Y c. You should swing your vessel to check the deviation table.
    N d. The compass error is 13°W for all bearings of 089°psc.
12902: Your 1312 position is LAT 37°10.9'N, LONG 75°29.6'W. You are turning for 8.3 knots. What is your ETA at LAT 37°21.9'N, LONG 75°42.6'W? 

    N a. 1449
    N b. 1456
    Y c. 1502
    N d. 1511
12903: Your 1426 position is LAT 37°10.9'N, LONG 75°29.6'W. You are turning for 9.3 knots. What is your ETA at Chesapeake Light? 

    N a. 1616
    N b. 1621
    N c. 1626
    Y d. 1633
14501: You are proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. The pool level of the Bonneville Reservoir stands at 65 feet above MSL. If the highest point on your vessel is 54 feet above the water, what will be the vertical clearance as you pass under the overhead power cables at mile 186.2? 

    N a. 94 feet
    N b. 101 feet
    Y c. 108 feet
    N d. 117 feet
15142: At 2146 if your fathometer is set on feet, what should be the approximate reading on your fathometer? 

    Y a. 88 feet
    N b. 105 feet
    N c. 121 feet
    N d. 166 feet
15164: From your 1920 position, you change course to enter Chesapeake Channel between buoys 9 and 10. What is the course per gyrocompass? 

    N a. 271°pgc
    N b. 274°pgc
    Y c. 277°pgc
    N d. 280°pgc
15166: At 2037, you change course and wish to make good a course of 016°T. There is no current, but an easterly wind is causing 3° leeway. What course per standard magnetic compass should you steer to make good the course 016°T? 

    N a. 022°psc
    N b. 025°psc
    Y c. 028°psc
    N d. 031°psc
15242: From your 1155 position, you steer a course of 282°T at a speed of 9.5 knots. You obtain the following bearings:

1205: Falkner Island Light bears 318°T
1225: Falkner Island Light bears 355°T

Your 1225 running fix is __________. 

    N a. north of your intended track
    N b. 3.1 miles SSW of Falkner Island Light
    N c. ahead of the DR position
    Y d. south of your intended track
15463: If you are making 10 knots, what is your ETA at York Spit Channel Buoys "19" and "20"? 

    N a. 0959
    N b. 1002
    Y c. 1006
    N d. 1011
15615: At 2000, your position is LAT 37°04.1'N, LONG 76°05.6'W. You change course for the Eastern Shore. At 2037, Old Plantation Flats Light bears 033°pgc, and York Spit Light bears 282°pgc. The course made good from your 2000 position is __________. 

    Y a. 359°T
    N b. 006°T
    N c. 014°T
    N d. 020°T
15715: Little Gull Island Light is __________. 

    N a. lighted only during daytime when the sound signal is in operation
    N b. maintained only from May 1 to Oct 1
    Y c. lighted throughout 24 hours
    N d. obscured by trees from 253° to 352°
15830: The black broken-line marking, across the river, that appears at mile 952.1 AHP represents a __________. 

    Y a. utility crossing
    N b. railroad
    N c. submarine crossing
    N d. revetment
16057: What is the maximum allowable speed of vessels underway up river from Tue Marshes Light? 

    N a. 8 knots
    N b. 10 knots
    Y c. 12 knots
    N d. 14 knots
16744: You continue to steer 285°pgc from your 0052 fix. Your speed is 9.2 knots. What is the course per standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 273.5°
    N b. 276.0°
    N c. 298.0°
    Y d. 302.0°