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.


48: The Clinch River empties into which river?


62: The Greenville Gage reads 10.6 feet. The high point of your towboat is 54 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge?


75: What is your ETA at the Memphis Highway Bridge?


151: What is the distance from the Memphis Gage to the Redneb Services Dock in New Orleans, LA.

    N a. 460 miles
    N b. 503 miles
    N c. 588 miles
    Y d. 633 miles

162: At 1923, you decrease speed to make good 9.2 mph. What is the first Gage you will pass after your speed change?

    Y a. Cottonwood Point
    N b. New Madrid
    N c. Fulton
    N d. Tiptonville

413: A vessel steams 1106 miles on course 249°T from LAT 13°30.0'N, LONG 144°30.3'E. What is the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by Mercator sailing?

    N a. LAT 07°01.0'N, LONG 127°02.0'E
    Y b. LAT 06°54.0'N, LONG 127°08.0'E
    N c. LAT 06°50.0'N, LONG 127°13.0'E
    N d. LAT 06°46.0'N, LONG 127°17.0'E

480: 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. The position of the vertex is LAT 37°34.9'N, LONG 25°59.0'W. Determine the latitude intersecting the great circle track 600 miles west of the vertex, along the great circle track.

    Y a. 36°54.9'N
    N b. 36°50.2'N
    N c. 36°45.9'N
    N d. 36°36.8'N

482: 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 longitude of the vertex, given the latitude of the vertex as 37°34.9'N.

    N a. 25°49.8'W
    N b. 25°53.2'W
    Y c. 25°59.0'W
    N d. 26°03.4'W

502: At 2142, you take the following bearings:

Stratford Point Light 331°T
Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light 280°T
Old Field Point Light 223°T

What is your 2142 position?

    N a. LAT 41°02.7'N, LONG 73°01.2'W
    Y b. LAT 41°03.0'N, LONG 73°01.7'W
    N c. LAT 41°03.1'N, LONG 73°01.3'W
    N d. LAT 41°03.3'N, LONG 73°01.9'W

517: At 0520, you take the following observations:

Point Judith Light 032°pgc
Point Judith Harbor of Refuge
Main Breakwater Center Light 308°pgc

What is the position of your 0520 fix?

    Y a. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°29.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°20.6'N, Long 71°30.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°20.6'N, Long 71°30.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°20.5'N, Long 71°29.4'W

641: At 1032 on 24 June, you pass Carolina Landing Light(508.8 AHP). What has been the average current since 2350, 23 June, if you have been making turns for 9.0 mph?

    Y a. 0.5 mph
    N b. 1.5 mph
    N c. 5.7 mph
    N d. 8.5 mph

705: 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 (mile 253.6 AHP)?

    Y a. 6.2 mph
    N b. 5.2 mph
    N c. 4.8 mph
    N d. 4.3 mph

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

1203: You are keeping ZD +4 on your vessel. On 21 June ,
at 0906 DST, your position is LAT 30°48.0'N,
LONG 71°00.0'W. You are on a course of 167°T at 15.2 knots. At what time will local apparent noon (LAN) occur ZT at your vessel? You are keeping DST.

    N a. 1145
    N b. 1202
    N c. 1218
    Y d. 1245

1248: 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

1287: As you approach Buckridge Light (mile 412.5 AHP),
which type of daymark would you see on the light structure?

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

1564: As you approach Dean Island Light (mile 754.8 AHP), which type of daymark will be observed at the light?

    N a. Green triangle
    N b. Red and green banded square
    N c. Green square daymark
    Y d. Diamond-shaped green daymark

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

1736: What are the color and shape of Joseph Henry Daymark at mile 445.2 AHP?

    N a. Red - Triangle
    N b. Green - Square
    N c. Green - Triangle
    Y d. Red - Diaomond

1808: You are on map #4. What is the mile point of the facility known as Gulf Coast Grain Co.?

    N a. mile 920 AHP
    N b. mile 921 AHP
    N c. mile 922 AHP
    Y d. mile 923 AHP

1917: On 14 January , your 1922 DR position is LAT 27°18.5'S, LONG 67°18.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 054°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 07°52.1'. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 43s, and is 03m 15s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Elnath
    N b. Fomalhaut
    Y c. Pollux
    N d. Markab

2209: The Helena Gage reads 9.4 feet. The high point on your towboat is 42 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge?

    N a. 53.0 feet
    N b. 62.6 feet
    N c. 64.2 feet
    Y d. 68.0 feet

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)

2720: Which company utility crossing is at mile 529.7 AHP?

    Y a. Texas Gas Transmission Corp. submerged gas pipeline
    N b. Tennessee Gas Co. submerged gas pipeline
    N c. ANR Pipeline Co. submerged gas pipeline
    N d. Trunkline Gas Co. submerged gas pipeline

2895: You are steaming on a course of 246°T at 17 knots. At 2107 you observe a lighthouse bearing 207°T. At 2119 the lighthouse bears 179°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    N a. 3.9 miles
    N b. 4.2 miles
    Y c. 4.6 miles
    N d. 5.1 miles

2903: You are steaming on a course of 025°T at 15.5 knots. At 0645 you observe a lighthouse bearing 059°T. At 0655 the same lighthouse bears 075°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    N a. 1.5 miles
    N b. 2.6 miles
    N c. 4.0 miles
    Y d. 5.3 miles

2904: Your vessel is on course 093°T at 15 knots. At 1835 a light bears 136°T, and at 1857 the same light bears 170°T. What was your distance off the light at 1857?

    N a. 6.0 miles
    N b. 6.4 miles
    Y c. 6.8 miles
    N d. 7.2 miles

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

3605: The true course from point A to point B is 317°. A SSW wind causes a 4° leeway, variation is 6°W and deviation is 1°E. What is the magnetic compass course to steer to make good the true course?

    N a. 326°psc
    Y b. 318°psc
    N c. 313°psc
    N d. 308°psc

4013: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°W. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a gyro heading of 039°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 354° 122.5° - 114° 239.5° - 234°
030.5° - 024° 152.0° - 144° 269.0° - 264°
061.5° - 054° 181.0° - 174° 298.0° - 294°
092.0° - 084° 210.0° - 204° 327.5° - 324°

    N a. 0.8°E
    N b. 0.0°
    N c. 0.5°W
    Y d. 1.0°W

10109: What is the base course (psc) in the inbound northeasterly traffic lane of the Chesapeake Bay entrance traffic separation scheme?

    Y a. 261°psc
    N b. 258°psc
    N c. 250°psc
    N d. 244°psc

10301: Determine the course per standard magnetic compass from Cerberus Shoal Buoy 9 (LAT 41°10.4'N, LONG 71°57.1'W) to the entrance to Quonochontaug Pond (LAT 41°19.8'N, LONG 71°43.2'W).

    N a. 030°psc
    N b. 036°psc
    Y c. 059°psc
    N d. 067°psc

11709: Your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to arrive at LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 75°48.5'W, if you are making 7.8 knots, the current is 239°T at 1.3 knots, and a southeasterly wind is causing 3° of leeway?

    N a. 271°psc
    N b. 274°psc
    Y c. 278°psc
    N d. 282°psc

12107: You sight Tue Marshes Light (LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 76°23.2'W) in line with Goodwin Thorofare Light "16" (LAT 37°13.7'N, LONG 76°25.0'W) bearing 267° per standard magnetic compass. What is TRUE if your vessel's heading is 056°psc?

    N a. The compass error is 13°E.
    Y b. The deviation table is in error and should be corrected.
    N c. The deviation is 4°E.
    N d. The deviation table is correct for a heading of 056°psc.

12605: You are on course 209° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: New Haven Light - 331.5°psc Branford Reef Light - 066.5°psc Old Field Point Light - 240.5°psc What is your position?

    Y a. LAT 41°10.5'N, LONG 72°52.8'W
    N b. LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 72°49.9'W
    N c. LAT 41°13.6'N, LONG 72°53.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.5'N, LONG 72°48.8'W

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

12901: Your 1152 position is LAT 37°23.9'N, LONG 76°05.5'W. You are turning for 10.3 knots. What is your ETA at Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel if you follow York Spit Channel?

    Y a. 1404
    N b. 1349
    N c. 1342
    N d. 1339

14601: Where would you look for information on the restricted areas shown on the chart immediately above and below the spillway at The Dalles Lock & Dam ?

    N a. Light List - Vol II
    Y b. Coast Pilot 7 - Chapter 2
    N c. Notice to Mariners
    N d. Sailing directions

15009: At 1930, your position is LAT 37°16.7'N, LONG 75°37.7'W. The depth of water is approximately __________.

    N a. 30 feet ( 9.1 meters)
    N b. 40 feet (12.1 meters)
    Y c. 50 feet (15.1 meters)
    N d. 60 feet (18.1 meters)

15023: At 1042, on 16 March, you are passing the Vicksburg Gage (mile 437.0 AHP). What has been the average current since 0630, 15 March, if you have been making turns for 8.0 mph?

    N a. 0.2 mph
    N b. 0.5 mph
    Y c. 0.8 mph
    N d. 1.2 mph

15626: What type of daymark will you see as you approach Joe Pierce Light (mile 335.4 AHP)?

    N a. Private aid - no daymark
    N b. Red square
    Y c. Red triangle
    N d. Red diamond

15724: You pass Morrison Towhead Light (mile 890.5 AHP) at 1723. What was your average speed since leaving Cairo?

    N a. 7.5 mph
    N b. 7.8 mph
    Y c. 8.5 mph
    N d. 8.8 mph

15839: From your 2000 position you change course to 206°T. What time would you expect to be abeam of Hog Island Buoy "12"?

    N a. 2021
    Y b. 2026
    N c. 2031
    N d. 2040

15906: As you enter the New Haven Outer Channel, you sight the range markers in line directly over the stern. Your heading at the time is 155.5° per gyrocompass. What is the gyro error?

    N a. 1.0°E
    N b. 1.0°W
    Y c. 2.0°W
    N d. 0°

16220: At 0930, your position is LAT 41°16.5'N, LONG 71°41.4'W,
and you are turning for 7 knots. Allowing 3° leeway for southerly winds and estimating the current as 035° at 0.3
knot, what is the course to steer (pgc) to point "B"?

    N a. 089°pgc
    N b. 091°pgc
    N c. 093°pgc
    Y d. 096°pgc

16312: Assuming no current, at what time can you expect to be abeam of Townshend Ledge Lighted Buoy?

    N a. 0859
    N b. 0902
    N c. 0905
    Y d. 0910

16343: At 2302 you change course to compensate for an estimated current of 090°T, at 1.0 knot. What course per gyrocompass will you steer to leave Endeavor Shoals Lighted Gong Buoy "3" abeam to port at 1 mile?

    N a. 324°pgc
    Y b. 327°pgc
    N c. 330°pgc
    N d. 333°pgc

16457: The coast between Great Machipongo Inlet and Cape Charles is __________.

    N a. broken by the mouths of several major rivers
    Y b. low, with sandy beaches bordered by marsh and woodlands
    N c. marked by prominent, isolated, barren hills
    N d. composed of high, rocky bluffs and wooded uplands

16843: At what time will you enter the inbound traffic lane with Buoy "NCA" (LL #375) bearing 180°T at 0.3 mile?

    N a. 1003
    Y b. 0957
    N c. 0951
    N d. 0948