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.


34: You estimate the current at 3.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground?


47: What is the distance in river miles, from the new mouth of the White River to the RR and Hwy bridge at Baton Rouge, LA?


126: What is your clearance as you pass under the Vicksburg Highway 80 Bridge (mile 437.8 AHP). if the Vicksburg Gage reads 14.8 feet and the highest point on your tow boat is 44.5 feet?


144: What is the distance from the Arkansas River mouth to the Ohio River mouth in river miles?

    N a. 594 miles
    N b. 546 miles
    N c. 422 miles
    Y d. 372 miles

185: At 1950, your position is LAT 37°12.3'N, LONG 75°38.6'W. The set and drift from 1930 to 1950 were __________.

    Y a. 150°T at 1.6 knot
    N b. 150°T at 0.6 knots
    N c. 330°T at 0.6 knot
    N d. 330°T at 1.6 knots

187: At 2020, you obtain a fix using the following information:
9960-X-27112
9960-Y-41432

Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy "14" bears 333°pgc. Your longitude is __________.

    N a. 75°38.9'W
    N b. 75°39.1'W
    Y c. 75°40.5'W
    N d. 75°41.4'W

308: A vessel at LAT 20°00'N, LONG 107°30'W is to proceed to LAT 24°40'N, LONG 112°30 W. What is the course and distance by mid-latitude sailing?

    N a. 314.0°T, 389.0 miles
    Y b. 315.3°T, 394.0 miles
    N c. 317.2°T, 397.0 miles
    N d. 318.3°T, 399.0 miles

326: Your 0200 position is LAT 37°23.5'N, LONG 76°09.2'W. Your speed is 8 knots, and your course is 095°T. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The depth of the water in your vicinity is about 38 to 40 fathoms (69.1 meters to 72.7 meters).
    N b. The closest major aid to navigation is New Point Comfort.
    Y c. You are less than a mile from a sunken wreck which could interfere with your tow.
    N d. You will pass through a disposal area on your present course.

337: If you make good a speed of 6.0 knots from your 1810 position, what is your ETA at Chesapeake Channel Lighted Bell Buoy "2C"?

    N a. 1900
    N b. 1855
    N c. 1845
    Y d. 1833

344: The maximum ebb current at a location 4.3 miles south of Stratford Point will occur at 0413. The predicted current will be 1.0 knot at 075°. What will be your course made good if you steer 082°T at 8 knots?

    N a. 087°T
    N b. 085°T
    N c. 083°T
    Y d. 081°T

539: Determine the distance from LAT 59°12'N, LONG 14°00'W to LAT 59°12'N, LONG 03°20'W by parallel sailing.

    N a. 324.2 miles
    N b. 325.4 miles
    Y c. 327.7 miles
    N d. 328.9 miles

542: You observe the planet Saturn at a sextant altitude (hs) of 63°05.1' on 25 May . The index error is 4.5' off the arc. The height of eye is 62 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 63°00.6'
    Y b. 63°01.5'
    N c. 63°02.9'
    N d. 63°04.1'

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

574: If you are making 10 knots, what is your ETA at York Spit Channel Buoys "19" and "20"?

    N a. 0959
    N b. 1002
    N c. 1004
    Y d. 1006

733: On 12 March , your 1846 zone time DR position is LONG 129°16.5'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 28°01.5'. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 44m 10s, and the chronometer error is 01m 55s slow. The index error is 2.2' off the arc, and the height of eye is 59.8 feet (18.2 m). What is your latitude by Polaris?

    Y a. 27°33.7'N
    N b. 27°40.9'N
    N c. 27°54.4'N
    N d. 28°06.9'N

755: You are taking a time tick using the 1400 signal from Buenos Aires, Argentina. You hear a 0.4 second dash followed by a series of dots, noting that the 29th and the 56th to 59th dots are omitted. At the start of the following 0.4 second dash (which is followed by an 8 second pulse), the comparing watch reads 01h 59m 57s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 02h 00m 38s, and the chronometer reads 02h 01m 33s. What is the chronometer error?

    N a. 0m 03s slow
    N b. 0m 4ls slow
    Y c. 0m 52s fast
    N d. 1m 36s fast

1097: On 9 November , your 0400 DR position is LAT 18°24.0'S, LONG 97°36.0'W. You are on course 138°T at a speed of 16 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix. NP-0027

    N a. LAT 18°15.0'S, LONG 98°52.5'W
    Y b. LAT 18°45.0'S, LONG 97°06.8'W
    N c. LAT 18°52.5'S, LONG 97°10.6'W
    N d. LAT 19°15.5'S, LONG 98°08.8'W

1234: What is the distance from the Amoco Docks at Baton Rouge, LA, to Pittsburgh, PA?

    Y a. 1681.7 miles
    N b. 1575.3 miles
    N c. 981.7 miles
    N d. 727.9 miles

1292: Which of the following statements regarding buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE?

    N a. Buoy positions on the chart are exact.
    Y b. Buoys should be given as wide a berth as possible in passing.
    N c. The buoys are maintained on station year round.
    N d. The buoys do not shift positions due to permanent moorings.

1721: What is the total length of the trip?

    Y a. 850.6 miles
    N b. 894.8miles
    N c. 922.5 miles
    N d. 946.5 miles

1745: What is the distance in river miles, from the mouth of the Yazoo Diversion Canal to the RR and Hwy bridge at Baton Rouge, LA?

    N a. 365 miles
    N b. 310 miles
    N c. 265 miles
    Y d. 203 miles

1757: What town is located at mile 395 AHP?

    Y a. St. Joseph
    N b. Belmont
    N c. St. James
    N d. Rodney

1890: On 22 July , your 1759 DR position is LAT 24°50.2'S, LONG 05°16.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 100°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 61°48.2'. The chronometer reads 06h 01m 31s, and is 02m 15s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Regulus
    Y b. Antares
    N c. Miaplacidus
    N d. Suhail

2029: As you approach mile 659 AHP, you notice on the map a dashed line crossing the river at mile 659.9 AHP. This line indicates __________.

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

2101: On 2 January , your 1759 zone time DR position is LONG 45°17.6'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 24°16.5'. The chronometer time of the sight is 08h 57m 10s, and the chronometer error is 02m 16s slow. The index error is 3.5' on the arc, and the height of eye is 42.5 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris?

    N a. 22°50.2'N
    Y b. 23°18.8N
    N c. 23°30.2N
    N d. 24°07.3'N

2111: According to the DR track line from your 0100 position, how far off Roanoke Point Shoal Buoy "5" should you be when the buoy is abeam?

    N a. 0.2 mile
    Y b. 0.6 mile
    N c. 1.3 mile
    N d. 1.8 miles

2124: If the visibility is 10 miles and you are in the red sector, at what distance off should you sight Cape Henry Light?

    Y a. 15 miles
    N b. 12 miles
    N c. 10 miles
    N d. 08 miles

2201: 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?

    N a. 1919 on 15 May
    N b. 2344 on 15 May
    N c. 1113 on 16 May
    Y d. 1757 on 16 May

2276: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 46°20.3' on 1 April . The index error is 4.5' off the arc. The height of eye is 57 feet (17.4 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 46°24.2'
    N b. 46°27.9'
    N c. 46°30.1'
    Y d. 46°32.6'

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

3096: If the pitch of the propeller is 20.1 feet, and the revolutions per day are 118,178, calculate the day's run allowing 6% negative slip.

    N a. 367.2 miles
    N b. 381.6 miles
    N c. 398.4 miles
    Y d. 414.1 miles

3109: You are turning 90 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 24 feet, and an estimated slip of -3%. What is the speed of advance?

    N a. 18.8 knots
    N b. 19.2 knots
    N c. 20.6 knots
    Y d. 21.9 knots

3468: You are underway on course 215°T at 12 knots. The current is 000°T at 2.3 knots. What is the speed being made good?

    N a. 8.5 knots
    Y b. 10.2 knots
    N c. 10.9 knots
    N d. 11.2 knots

10309: You are 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to LAT 41°00.0'N, LONG 71°30.0'W?

    N a. 108°psc
    Y b. 122°psc
    N c. 124°psc
    N d. 130°psc

11408: At 1930 your GPS position is LAT 41°08.6'N, LONG 72°41.6'W. At 2024 your position is LAT 41°00.5'N, LONG 72°49.5'W. What is your true course and speed made good?

    N a. 219° at 10.1 knots
    Y b. 216° at 11.2 knots
    N c. 039° at 9.9 knots
    N d. 036° at 11.1 knots

12704: You are on course 137° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Watch Hill Point Light - 051°psc Montauk Point Light - 184°psc Race Rock Light - 279°psc What is your position?

    Y a. LAT 41°15.2'N, LONG 71°54.4'W
    N b. LAT 41°15.1'N, LONG 71°53.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°15.1'N, LONG 71°54.9'W
    N d. LAT 41°15.0'N, LONG 71°53.7'W

13101: At 1523 your position is LAT 41°08.2'N, LONG 71°34.4'W. You are turning for 8.7 knots. What is your ETA at Shagwong Reef Buoy "7SR"?

    N a. 1653
    N b. 1700
    Y c. 1711
    N d. 1718

13409: You plan to anchor your vessel at LAT 41°00.5'N, LONG 73°02.8'W. What type of bottom should you expect at this position?

    N a. Gray sand
    Y b. Soft mud
    N c. Hard sand
    N d. Gray mud

13810: Which chart would you use if you planned to continue westward beyond the coverage of this chart?

    Y a. 12363
    N b. 12373
    N c. 13205
    N d. 13218

15109: What is the average velocity of the maximum flood current at the Tail of the Horseshoe?

    N a. 0.6 knot
    Y b. 0.9 knot
    N c. 1.3 knots
    N d. 1.6 knots

15117: At 1930, you take a fix using the following radar ranges:

York Spit Light - 3.6 miles
New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" - 2.0 miles
York Spit Swash Channel Light "3" - 2.5 miles

Your longitude is __________.

    N a. 76°16.5'W
    Y b. 76°16.8'W
    N c. 76°17.0'W
    N d. 76°17.2'W

15138: At 2045 you obtained the following Loran readings:
9960-W-14844.0
9960-X-26128.0
9960-Y-43712.5
What is your vessel's position?

    N a. 40°41.1'N, 72°10.5'W
    N b. 40°41.4'N, 72°10.7'W
    Y c. 40°41.8'N, 72°10.8'W
    N d. 40°42.3'N, 72°11.3'W

15146: At 0016 your position is 41°10.3'N, 71°53.0'W. You are steering a course of 296° true with no set and drift. At 0049 Race Rock Light is on your starboard beam. What was your speed made good from your 0016 position?

    N a. 13.8 knots
    N b. 14.4 knots
    N c. 15.0 knots
    Y d. 15.6 knots

15160: At 1815, your position is LAT 37°01.0'N, LONG 75°42.7'W. If there is no current, what is the course per standard magnetic compass to arrive at a point 0.3 mile due north of North Chesapeake Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy "NCA"?

    N a. 249.0°psc
    N b. 251.5°psc
    N c. 255.0°psc
    Y d. 257.0°psc

15638: At 2009 you are leaving New London Harbor with buoy "2"
close abeam to port. What is the true course to the Race that will leave Race Rock Light 0.5 mile abeam to port?

    N a. 156°
    N b. 160°
    Y c. 164°
    N d. 168°

15918: 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?

    N a. 9960-W-14720
    N b. 9960-X-26290
    Y c. 9960-Y-43980
    N d. 9960-W-14810

15966: The yellow buoys on either side of your vessel that lead to Mobjack Bay mark __________.

    N a. the limits of the dredged channel
    Y b. fish trap areas
    N c. underwater cable areas
    N d. ferry routes

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

16218: At 0830, Watch Hill Point bears 343°T at 3.5 miles by radar. What was the speed made good since 0745?

    N a. 5.4 knots
    N b. 5.8 knots
    N c. 6.7 knots
    Y d. 7.1 knots

16613: At 0112, you are on course 124°T and turning for 12.0 knots. What course will you make good if the current is 255°T at 1.2 knots?

    N a. 132°
    Y b. 129°
    N c. 120°
    N d. 118°

16714: What was the current between 0520 and 0600?

    N a. 201° at 1.0 knot
    N b. 201° at 1.5 knot
    N c. 021° at 1.0 knot
    Y d. 021° at 1.5 knots