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.


122: From Baton Rouge to Cairo, what is the maintained minimum channel depth during low water?


199: You are underway in the vicinity of Block Island and obtain the following lines of position:

Montauk Point Light 263°pgc
Block Island Southeast Light 026°pgc
Radar Bearing to Block Island Southwest Point 348°pgc

What is your position at the time of these sightings?


219: At 1630, you reach point A and come right to 204°T. Your engine speed is 12 knots. Your 1715, position is LAT 37°09.8'N, LONG 75°37.4'W. The current was __________.


220: From your 1715 fix, you steer 214°T at 12 knots. At 1800,
you take the following bearings:

Chesapeake Light bearing 175°pgc
Cape Henry Light bearing 239°pgc
Cape Charles Light bearing 293°pgc

Your 1800 position is __________.

    N a. LAT 37°02.7'N, LONG 75°42.7'W
    Y b. LAT 37°02.9'N, LONG 75°43.1'W
    N c. LAT 37°03.0'N, LONG 75°43.3'W
    N d. LAT 37°03.1'N, LONG 75°42.8'W

395: A vessel at LAT 45°36.0'N, LONG 11°36.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 24°16.0'N, LONG 73°52.0'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

    Y a. 247°T, 3299.3 miles
    N b. 247°T, 3951.6 miles
    N c. 251°T, 3298.5 miles
    N d. 251°T, 3951.6 miles

481: The great circle distance from LAT 25°50'N, LONG 77°00'W to LAT 35°56'N, LONG 06°15'W is 3616 miles, and the initial course is 061.7°T. Determine the latitude of the vertex.

    N a. 37°32.2'N
    Y b. 37°34.9'N
    N c. 37°41.6'N
    N d. 37°45.2'N

531: You depart LAT 15°48'N, LONG 174°06'E and steam 905 miles on course 090°. What is the LONG of arrival?

    N a. 165°41'W
    Y b. 170°13'W
    N c. 172°47'W
    N d. 179°06'E

676: You are planning a voyage from Jacksonville, FL, to the Strait of Gibraltar. Using chart WOXZC 5274, determine which statement is TRUE.

    N a. All of the courses lie in the northeast quadrant of the compass.
    N b. You will be east of the Northern Hemisphere vertex during the entire voyage.
    N c. The great circle track approximates a rhumb line track because there is little difference in the latitudes.
    Y d. None of the above are true.

826: On 5 May , in DR position LAT 38°34.5'N, LONG 124°20.7'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Sun's lower limb. The chronometer time of the sight is 07h 59m 10s, and the chronometer error is 01m 10s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 67°27.0'. The index error is 1.4' on the arc, and your height of eye is 30 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    N a. LAT 38°26.4'N
    N b. LAT 38°30.2'N
    Y c. LAT 38°36.0'N
    N d. LAT 38°41.2'N

980: On 29 April , your 0530 zone time position was LAT 23°04.0'S, LONG 162°12.0'E. Your vessel was steaming on course 120°T at a speed of 9.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's upper limb was made at 0830 ZT. The chronometer read 09h 27m 32s and was slow 02m 24s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 24°58.0'. LAN occurred at 1205 zone time. The observed altitude (Ho) was 52°04.0'. What was the longitude of your 1200 zone time running fix?

    N a. LONG 163°02.1'E
    Y b. LONG 163°06.0'E
    N c. LONG 163°09.5'E
    N d. LONG 163°11.3'E

997: On 20 November , your 0612 zone time (ZT) position was LAT 25°38.0'N, LONG 166°54.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 126°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0854 ZT. The chronometer read 07h 51m 14s and was slow 02m 52s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 27°58.3'. LAN occurred at 1147 ZT. The observed altitude (Ho) was 45°35.0'. What was the longitude of your 1147 ZT running fix?

    N a. 165°20.2'W
    N b. 165°18.4'W
    N c. 165°15.8'W
    Y d. 165°12.5'W

1128: How far is it to the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis, TN?

    N a. 980.8 miles
    N b. 736.6 miles
    N c. 312.3 miles
    Y d. 218.1 miles

1293: What is indicated by the two light gray shaded areas that cross the river above False River Lt. (mile 251.0 AHP)?

    Y a. Utility crossings
    N b. Ferry crossings
    N c. Aerial cable crossings
    N d. Bridge construction

1305: As you approach Ashland Light (mile 378.1 AHP) which daymark would you see?

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

1344: At 2142, on January 3, you pass Sebastapol Light (mile 283.3 AHP). At 0137, January 4, you pass Fort Adams Light(mile 311.4 AHP). You have been turning for 9.0 mph. What was the current?

    N a. 4.2 mph
    N b. 3.3 mph
    N c. 2.7 mph
    Y d. 1.8 mph

1707: You are passing the Memphis Gage at 0405, 18 March. If you are turning for 8 mph and estimate the current at 2.3 mph,
what is your ETA at Cairo Point, IL (mile 954.5 AHP)?

    N a. 0447, 19 Mar
    N b. 1052, 19 Mar
    N c. 1518, 19 Mar
    Y d. 1839, 19 Mar

1768: The Natchez Gage reads 14.5 feet. The high point on your towboat is 47 feet above the water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Natchez - Vidalia Highway Bridge?

    N a. 58.0 feet
    Y b. 64.5 feet
    N c. 72.5 feet
    N d. 78.6 feet

1923: On 17 March , your 1845 DR position is LAT 25°10.0'N, LONG 66°48.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 077°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 67°04.4'. The chronometer reads 10h 47m 49s, and is 1m 54s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Capella
    N b. Mirfak
    Y c. Pollux
    N d. Rigel

2162: On 5 April , at 0509 zone time, morning stars were observed and the vessel's position was LAT 28°32'N, LONG 177°13.0'W. Your vessel is steaming at 19.0 knots on a course of 258°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 1021 zone time. The chronometer reads 10h 20m 09s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 58°06.6'. The index error is 1.0' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 00m 54s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 55.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    N a. 125.8°T
    N b. 128.8°T
    Y c. 129.2°T
    N d. 130.2°T

2179: On 22 June , at 0906 EDT (ZD +4), your position is LAT 24°36'N, LONG 69°30'W. You are on course 165°pgc at a speed of 14.8 knots. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 42°44.0' with an index error of 0.8' off the arc. At this time the chronometer reads 01h 10m 12s, and is 2m 42s slow. If your height of eye is 70 feet, what is the azimuth (Zn) of the sight using the assumed position?

    Y a. Zn 080.4°
    N b. Zn 081.6°
    N c. Zn 129.0°
    N d. Zn 130.5°

2233: You have orders to drop off the empties at the fleeting area at Cairo Point and add five loaded tank barges to your tow. If you are turning for 9 mph and estimate the current at 1.5 mph, what is your ETA at Cairo?

    N a. 1031, 22 June
    Y b. 1423, 22 June
    N c. 1741, 22 June
    N d. 2210, 22 June

2333: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 37°47.2' on 11 October . The index error is 3.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 63 feet (19.2 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 37°25.2'
    N b. 37°42.5'
    N c. 37°51.5'
    Y d. 37°57.5'

2351: What is the distance in river miles, from the new mouth of the White River to the Petroleum Fuel & Terminal Co. (mile 144.6 AHP)?

    Y a. 454 miles
    N b. 427 miles
    N c. 384 miles
    N d. 370 miles

2663: You are on course 035°T, speed 18.3 knots. At 0719 you see a buoy bearing 036°T at a range of 4.1. If you change course at 0725 to leave the buoy abeam to port at 1.0 mile,
at what time will the buoy be abeam?

    N a. 0740
    N b. 0738
    N c. 0735
    Y d. 0732

2677: You sight a light 9° on your starboard bow at a distance of 21 miles. Assuming you make good your course, what will be your distance off the light when abeam?

    Y a. 3.3 miles
    N b. 3.7 miles
    N c. 4.0 miles
    N d. 4.3 miles

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

2783: Which daymark would you see as you approach Red Store Light (mile 269.5 AHP)?

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

3062: The propeller on your vessel has a pitch of 22.8 feet. From 0800, 18 April, to 1020, 19 April, you steamed an observed distance of 403.6 miles. If your average RPM was 74, what was the slip?

    N a. +7.0%
    N b. -7.0%
    Y c. +8.0%
    N d. -8.0%

3295: Your vessel consumes 178 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 13.5 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 15.0 knots?

    N a. 172 bbls
    N b. 198 bbls
    N c. 219 bbls
    Y d. 244 bbls

3649: The true course between two points is 078°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 2°E. You make an allowance of 3° leeway for a north wind. What gyro course should be steered to make the true course good?

    Y a. 073°pgc
    N b. 075°pgc
    N c. 077°pgc
    N d. 079°pgc

10100: Your GPS position is LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 75°48.6'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to a position one mile south of Cape Charles Buoy "14" (which is positioned at LAT 37°07.4'N, LONG 75°41.0'W)?

    Y a. 045°psc
    N b. 049°psc
    N c. 053°psc
    N d. 057°psc

10503: At 0817 your GPS indicates a position of LAT 37°01.6'N, LONG 75°31.7'W. You are on course 182° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 9.2 knots. At 0913 your GPS indicates your position at LAT 36°52.3'N, LONG 75°30.8'W. What were the set and drift?

    N a. 121°T at 0.8 knot
    N b. 139°T at 1.1 knots
    Y c. 219°T at 1.1 knots
    N d. 298°T at 0.7 knot

10600: At 1620 your GPS indicates a position of LAT 41°09.0'N, LONG 72°40.0'W. You are on course 134° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 10 knots. At 1700 your GPS indicates your position as LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 72°33.7'W. What were the set and drift?

    N a. 067°T at 1.7 knots
    N b. 078°T at 1.1 knots
    N c. 243°T at 1.0 knot
    Y d. 249°T at 1.6 knots

11107: What is the time (Daylight Savings Time) of the first high tide on 1 July 1983 at Great Salt Pond on Block Island?

    Y a. 0027
    N b. 0448
    N c. 1158
    N d. 1203

12701: You are on course 298° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Block Island Southeast Point Light - 058°psc Block Island Aero Beacon - 005°psc Montauk Point Light - 268°psc What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41°08.3'N, LONG 71°35.0'W
    Y b. LAT 41°08.2'N, LONG 71°34.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°08.1'N, LONG 71°33.8'W
    N d. LAT 41°08.0'N, LONG 71°34.1'W

13005: At 1715 your position is LAT 41°00.0'N, LONG 72°40.0'W. You are making turns for 15.5 knots. What is your ETA at a position 1.5 miles due south of Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light?

    N a. 1820
    N b. 1824
    N c. 1828
    Y d. 1832

13901: The precautionary area southeast of Block Island refers to a __________.

    Y a. recommended traffic lane
    N b. military exercise area
    N c. national marine refuge
    N d. dumping ground for hazardous wastes

14401: You are underway and steaming in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. Your vessel is positioned in the middle half of Cape Horn Channel and is abeam of Cape Horn Light. What should your fathometer read at this position, if the staff gauge at Portland reads 0 feet?

    N a. 16 feet
    N b. 18 feet
    Y c. 22 feet
    N d. 24 feet

14702: At 2200 your vessel is at mile 95 proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. At 0400 the following morning, you pass the 125 mile mark. How many nautical miles have you traveled since 2200?

    N a. 22.6
    N b. 24.3
    Y c. 26.1
    N d. 34.5

15214: If you steer 143°pgc from your 2015 position at an engine speed of 8.0 knots, at what time would you reach a point midway between buoys "11" and "12" (ignore set and drift)?

    N a. 2023
    Y b. 2029
    N c. 2032
    N d. 2037

15238: At 0930 you obtain a position from the following information: Race Rock Light bears 110°T at a range of 1.4 miles, and Goshen Point bears 330°T at a range of 3.3 miles. What are your present latitude and longitude?

    N a. 41°16.0'N, 72°09.5'W
    Y b. 41°15.1'N, 72°04.6'W
    N c. 41°17.4'N, 72°06.0'W
    N d. 41°14.6'N, 72°03.0'W

15244: At the time of your 1245 position, which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. Your fathometer should indicate a reading of approximately 47 feet.
    N b. Bradford Reef is 5.7 miles on the starboard bow.
    N c. You are in a danger area.
    N d. You must follow the International Rules of the Road.

15412: Determine your 1915 position using the following information obtained at 1915.

Visual bearings
Cape Charles Light 107°pgc
Cape Henry Light 172°pgc

Radar Bearing and Range
Chesapeake Channel Tunnel South Light 189°pgc at 7.2 miles

    N a. LAT 37°03.5'N, LONG 76°05.9'W
    N b. LAT 37°03.5'N, LONG 76°09.3'W
    N c. LAT 37°05.9'N, LONG 76°03.5'W
    Y d. LAT 37°09.3'N, LONG 76°03.1'W

15720: The red sector of New London Harbor Light covers from __________.

    N a. 040° - 310°
    Y b. 000° - 041°
    N c. 208° - 220°
    N d. 204° - 239°

15721: You are turning for 7.8 mph and estimate the current at 1.0 mph. What is your speed over the ground?

    Y a. 8.8 mph
    N b. 7.9 mph
    N c. 7.8 mph
    N d. 6.8 mph

15746: Which nautical chart would you use to navigate into New London, CT?

    N a. 13209
    N b. 13211
    Y c. 13212
    N d. 13214

15806: What type of bottom is found at Long Sand Shoal?

    N a. Rocky
    N b. Muddy
    N c. Sandy
    Y d. Hard

15844: Your course made good from 2045 to 2111 is __________.

    N a. 187°T
    N b. 190°T
    Y c. 193°T
    N d. 196°T

16042: At 1022 when you complete the evacuation, you get underway on course 098°T and order turns for 14.5 knots. You take the following round of bearings at that time:
Stratford Point Light - 260° per gyrocompass
New Haven Light - 326° per gyrocompass
SW Ledge Light - 358° per gyrocompass

Determine your ETA and distance off when abeam of Falkner Island Light, if there are no set and drift?

    N a. 1102, 3.0 miles
    Y b. 1108, 3.3 miles
    N c. 1114, 3.1 miles
    N d. 1118, 3.3 miles

16061: You have just passed York River Entrance Channel Lighted Buoys "13" and "14". The chart shows a light approximately 1.0 mile off your port beam with a light characteristic "Fl 6 sec". What is the name of this light?

    N a. Mobjack Bay Entrance Light
    Y b. York Spit Light
    N c. New Point Comfort Light
    N d. York River Entrance Channel Light "1"

16310: At 0730, your position is LAT 41°10.5'N, LONG 72°32.2'W. From this position you steer course 286°psc with an engine speed of 9.0 knots. What is the approximate depth of water under your keel?

    Y a. 52 feet (15.8 meters)
    N b. 57 feet (17.3 meters)
    N c. 62 feet (18.8 meters)
    N d. 67 feet (20.3 meters)

16614: Branford Reef is __________.

    Y a. completely submerged at all stages of the tide
    N b. a hard sand shoal
    N c. surrounded by rocks awash at low water spring tides
    N d. a small, low, sandy islet surrounded by shoal water