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.


54: What is the length of the trip?


165: Which company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Helena (mile 661 to 665 AHP)?


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?


284: Based on a DR, at approximately 1817 you would expect to __________.

    N a. enter a traffic separation zone
    N b. cross a submerged pipeline
    Y c. depart a regulated area
    N d. depart a restricted area

313: At 1400, your position is LAT 37°14.7'N, LONG 76°22.3'W. From this position, you head for the York River Entrance Channel Buoy "17". What should you steer per standard magnetic compass for this heading?

    Y a. 125°psc
    N b. 122°psc
    N c. 119°psc
    N d. 108°psc

352: What is the approximate distance to New Bedford, MA, from your 0530 DR position, if your 0352 position was 7 miles from Bridgeport, CT?

    N a. 122 miles
    N b. 115 miles
    Y c. 104 miles
    N d. 95 miles

400: Your vessel receives a distress call from a vessel reporting her position at LAT 5°24'N, LONG 31°16'W. Your position is LAT 2°39'S, LONG 39°24'W. Determine the distance from your vessel to the vessel in distress by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 669.3 miles
    Y b. 688.7 miles
    N c. 699.2 miles
    N d. 712.9 miles

419: At 0900, you take the following radar ranges:

Watch Hill Point 5.4 miles
Block Island Grace Point 8.3 miles

Which statement about this fix is TRUE?

    N a. You are to the left of the track line.
    N b. The bottom in the area is sand and gravel.
    N c. You are governed by the Inland Rules.
    Y d. The fix is indeterminate.

522: In clear weather, how far away will you sight Point Judith Light? (use charted range of 20 miles as nominal range)

    Y a. 14.0 nm
    N b. 12.3 nm
    N c. 10.6 nm
    N d. 9.2 nm

533: You depart LAT 38°14'N, LONG 12°42'W, for LAT 38°14'N, LONG 46°09'W. What are the course and distance by parallel sailing?

    N a. 090°T, 1576.5 miles
    N b. 090°T, 2879.0 miles
    Y c. 270°T, 1576.5 miles
    N d. 270°T, 2868.5 miles

686: The Vaucluse Trench fill revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________.

    Y a. 535.6 - 532.9 RDB
    N b. 535.9 - 534.3 RDB
    N c. 535.9 - 534.3 LDB
    N d. 534.3 - 532.6 LDB

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

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

1179: On 26 September , your 0830 zone time DR position is LAT 26°04.0'N, LONG 129°16.0'W. Your vessel is on course 119°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    Y a. 1124
    N b. 1127
    N c. 1130
    N d. 1133

1180: On 3 May , your 1009 zone time DR position is LAT 30°01.0'N, LONG 123°15.0'W. Your vessel is on course 330°T at a speed of 8.6 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1206
    N b. 1208
    Y c. 1211
    N d. 1214

1228: As you pass under the Natchez-Vidalia Dual Bridge, the gage on the bridge reads 8.9 ft. If the highest point on your vessel is 54 ft. above the water, what is your vertical clearance?

    Y a. 63.1 feet
    N b. 65.3 feet
    N c. 67.2 feet
    N d. 122.0 feet

1408: The horizontal clearance of the center span on the Baton Rouge RR and Highway 190 Bridge is __________.

    N a. 443
    N b. 500
    Y c. 623
    N d. 748

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

1644: From your 2207 position you adjust your course to arrive 0.3 mile north of Lighted Whistle Buoy "NCA". If you make good 14 knots, at what time will Cape Charles Light be abeam?

    Y a. 2242
    N b. 2245
    N c. 2247
    N d. 2250

1776: At 2231 ZT, on 14 July , in DR position LAT 34°06'S, LONG 149°47'W you observe an amplitude of Jupiter. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 257.1°psc. The variation is 15°E. What is the deviation?

    N a. 0.5°E
    N b. 0.5°W
    N c. 1.5°W
    Y d. 2.5°W

1864: At 0520 zone time, on 17 March , while taking stars for a morning fix, you observe an unidentified star bearing 050°T, at an observed altitude (Ho) of 45°00.0'. Your DR position at the time of the sight is LAT 27°23.0'N, LONG 39°42.0° W. The chronometer time of the sight is 08h 22m 15s, and the chronometer error is 01m 45s fast. Your vessel is steaming on a course of 300°T at a speed of 18 knots. What star did you observe?

    N a. Altair
    N b. Alkaid
    N c. Arcturus
    Y d. Deneb

2061: As you approach mile 225 AHP, you notice on the map a black broken line crossing the river at mile 224.2 AHP. This line indicates __________.

    N a. ferry crossing
    N b. submarine crossing
    N c. gas pipelines
    Y d. power lines

2117: You must arrive at your final destination by 0800. The distance from your 0300 position to the final destination is 40.5 miles. What minimum speed must be made good to arrive on time?

    Y a. 8.1 knots
    N b. 8.5 knots
    N c. 9.3 knots
    N d. 9.6 knots

2151: On 16 June , 0612 zone time, morning stars were observed. The vessel's position was LAT 27°23.0'S, LONG 56°22.0'W. The vessel is steaming at 16.0 knots on a course of 212°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0850 zone time. The chronometer reads 00h 53m 19s, and the sextant altitude is 22°58.6'. The index error is 2.0' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 02m 43s fast. Your height of eye is 61.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    Y a. 044.3°
    N b. 052.6°
    N c. 136.1°
    N d. 148.4°

2370: As you pass under the Vicksburg Bridges, you estimate the current as 3.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground, if your vessel is making turns for 10.5 mph?

    N a. 16.5 mph
    Y b. 13.5 mph
    N c. 10.5 mph
    N d. 7.5 mph

2859: Your vessel is on a course of 307°T at 20 knots. At 0914 a light bears 284.5°T, and at 0937 the light bears 262°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0950, 4.4 miles
    Y b. 0953, 5.4 miles
    N c. 0957, 6.6 miles
    N d. 1002, 7.1 miles

3083: The speed necessary to reach port at a designated time is 18.7 knots. The propeller pitch is 24'03", and you estimate 3% positive slip. How many RPM's will the shaft have to turn?

    Y a. 81 RPM
    N b. 87 RPM
    N c. 98 RPM
    N d. 104 RPM

3087: If the pitch of the propeller is 20.6 feet, and the revolutions per day are 107,341, calculate the day's run allowing 3% positive slip.

    Y a. 352.7 miles
    N b. 363.6 miles
    N c. 374.5 miles
    N d. 389.1 miles

3284: While steaming at 18.9 knots, your vessel consumes 386 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 251 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?

    N a. 11.6 knots
    N b. 12.3 knots
    N c. 15.2 knots
    Y d. 16.4 knots

3643: While enroute from Montevideo to Walvis Bay a vessel's course is 116°psc. The variation for the locality is 25°W and the deviation is 6°W. What is the true course made good if a northerly wind produces 1° leeway?

    N a. 084°T
    Y b. 086°T
    N c. 148°T
    N d. 085°T

3768: While entering a harbor on a course of 225° per gyrocompass, you take a bearing on a pair of range lights and get 220° per gyrocompass. The bearing on the chart is 217°T. The variation for the area is 6°W, and deviation is 2°W. What course would you steer per gyrocompass to make good a true course of 232°?

    N a. 229°pgc
    N b. 231°pgc
    N c. 233°pgc
    Y d. 235°pgc

10308: You are 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to a position 1.5 miles due east of Watch Hill Point Light?

    N a. 341°psc
    N b. 337°psc
    N c. 011°psc
    Y d. 007°psc

11002: What was the height of the high water at Saybrook Jetty on the afternoon of 18 February 1983?

    N a. 1.4 ft.
    N b. 2.0 ft.
    N c. 2.4 ft.
    Y d. 2.9 ft.

11005: What is the maximum speed permitted in the Main Entrance Channel to Port Jefferson Harbor?

    N a. 3 mph
    N b. 5 mph
    N c. 7 mph
    Y d. 12 mph

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

12206: You sight Bartlett Reef Light (LAT 41°16.5'N, LONG 72°08.2'W) in line with New London Harbor Light (LAT 41°19.0'N, LONG 72°05.4'W) and bearing 059° per standard magnetic compass. What is the compass deviation?

    N a. 4°E
    Y b. 4°W
    N c. 10°E
    N d. 10°W

12304: You are on course 302° per standard magnetic compass when you sight Block Island Southeast Point Light in line with the Block Island Aero Beacon bearing 323° per standard magnetic compass. Based on this you __________.

    Y a. know the deviation table is correct for that heading
    N b. know the deviation is 15°E
    N c. should swing your vessel to check the deviation table
    N d. know the deviation is equal to the variation

12608: You are on course 083° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Branford Reef Light 344.5°psc Falkner Island Light 053.5°psc Mattituck Inlet Light 141.5°psc What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41°10.4'N, LONG 72°43.0'W
    N b. LAT 41°09.6'N, LONG 72°44.9'W
    N c. LAT 41°08.4'N, LONG 72°43.7'W
    Y d. LAT 41°08.0'N, LONG 72°44.8'W

12907: At 0914 you are in Chesapeake Channel between Trestle B and Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. What is your ETA at North Chesapeake Entrance Buoy NCA if you are making good 10.9 knots (Use the buoyed channel and appropriate sea lane)?

    Y a. 1038
    N b. 1044
    N c. 1049
    N d. 1055

15025: What is the mile point of the Arkansas City Gage?

    Y a. 554.1 AHP
    N b. 556.8 AHP
    N c. 560.0 AHP
    N d. 562.8 AHP

15066: If you correct for the current in the preceding question (035°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
    Y b. 1021
    N c. 1026
    N d. 1030

15239: At 1000 buoy "PI" is abeam to starboard a distance of 0.5 mile. From this position, with a set of 295° and a drift of 1.6 knots, what course must you steer to arrive at a point with Buoy "TE" one mile abeam to starboard?

    Y a. 247°T
    N b. 249°T
    N c. 251°T
    N d. 253°T

15308: From your 0315 position, what time can you expect to reach York Spit Channel Buoys "37" and "38"?

    Y a. 0405
    N b. 0412
    N c. 0417
    N d. 0423

15838: At 2000 Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy "12" bears 199° true and Buoy "GM" bears 249° true

Your position is __________.

    N a. 37°35.0'N, 75°32.2'W
    Y b. 37°23.5'N, 75°32.2'W
    N c. 37°03.5'N, 75°32.2'W
    N d. 37°03.5'N, 75°02.2'W

15846: At 2200, you alter course to 204°T, at 14 knots. You expect a current on this leg of the trip, setting 325° at 1.5 knots. Which course should you steer per gyro compass to make good the true course?

    N a. 184°pgc
    N b. 190°pgc
    N c. 194°pgc
    Y d. 201°pgc

15859: You are turning for 9 knots on course 230°T. At 0023,
Horton Point Light bears 208°pgc. At 0053, Horton Point Light bears 126°pgc. What is the position of your 0053 running fix?

    N a. LAT 41°05.7'N, LONG 72°27.6'W
    N b. LAT 41°05.8'N, LONG 72°28.1'W
    N c. LAT 41°05.9'N, LONG 72°27.4'W
    Y d. LAT 41°06.0'N, LONG 72°28.2'W

15943: At 2038 Block Island North Light bears 065°T and Montauk Point Light bears 216°T

Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Your speed made good between your 1959 fix and 2038 fix is 11.0 knots.
    N b. Your course made good between your 1959 fix and 2038 fix is 102°T.
    N c. At your 2038 fix, your vessel is governed by the Inland Rules of the Road.
    Y d. Block Island Sound South Entrance Obstruction Lighted "BIS"
    Buoy is located 3.6 miles off your starboard bow.


16241: At 2129 Cape Charles Light bears 253°T, Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy "12" bears 351°T, and Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy "14" bears 230°T. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The fathometer reads about 62 feet (18.9 meters).
    N b. The bottom is hard sand and oysters.
    N c. You are to seaward of the contiguous zone.
    Y d. You are governed by the International Rules of the Road.

16313: At 0730, visibility is 5.5 miles. At what time will you lose sight of Horton Point Light?

    N a. It is not visible at 0730
    Y b. 0751
    N c. 0812
    N d. 0825

16414: At 1110, you increase speed to 12 knots. What is your ETA at the new position?

    N a. 1157
    N b. 1208
    Y c. 1215
    N d. 1219

16644: Visibility becomes variable in patchy fog and you maintain 5 knots speed. At 0610 you sight Montauk Point Light bearing 239°pgc, and at 0630 you sight Watch Hill Point Light bearing 333°pgc. What is the position of your 0630 running fix?

    Y a. LAT 41°08.3'N, LONG 71°45.4'W
    N b. LAT 41°08.2'N, LONG 71°45.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°08.1'N, LONG 71°45.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°08.0'N, LONG 71°45.2'W