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.

71: The Natchez Gage reads 20.6 feet. The high point on your towboat is 47 feet above the water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Natchez Highway Bridge?
99: What is the mile point of the Rosedale Gage?
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 __________.
246: The red sector of New London Harbor Light covers from __________. 

    N a. 040° - 310°
    N b. 000° - 031°
    N c. 208° - 220°
    Y d. 000° - 041°
305: A vessel steams 666 miles on course 295°T from LAT 24°24'N, LONG 83°00'W. What are the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by mid-latitude sailing? 

    N a. LAT 29°01'N, LONG 94°18'W
    Y b. LAT 29°06'N, LONG 94°16'W
    N c. LAT 29°10'N, LONG 94°10'W
    N d. LAT 29°13'N, LONG 94°06'W
409: A vessel steams 1082 miles on course 047°T from LAT 37°18.0'N, LONG 24°40.0'W. What is the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by Mercator sailing? 

    N a. LAT 49°30.0'N, LONG 06°22.0'W
    N b. LAT 49°33.0'N, LONG 06°25.0'W
    Y c. LAT 49°36.0'N, LONG 06°28.0'W
    N d. LAT 49°39.0'N, LONG 06°31.0'W
442: Shortly after getting underway, you sight Stonington Outer Breakwater Light in line with Stonington Inner Breakwater Light bearing 000° per gyrocompass. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. The deviation is 2°W
    N b. The variation is 2°E.
    N c. The compass error is 16°W.
    Y d. The gyro error is 2.5°W
520: On 29 June you observe the star Achernar at a sextant altitude (Hs) of 54°18.9'. The index error is 4.7' off the arc. The height of eye is 58 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)? 

    N a. 54°06.1'
    Y b. 54°15.5'
    N c. 54°31.5'
    N d. 54°43.7'
571: At 0845, you are approaching the entrances to Thimble Shoal Channel. What channel must you use? 

    N a. The South Auxiliary Channel or Thimble Shoal Channel, but you must remain on the right hand side of the channel.
    Y b. The South Auxiliary Channel since your draft is less than 25 feet (7.6 meters) and you are not a passenger vessel.
    N c. The North Auxiliary Channel since you are going to turn to a northerly heading near buoy "12".
    N d. You are not permitted to use any of the channels, but must remain outside the buoyed channel line.
598: At 1132, 24 July, you pass Natchez Beam Lt. (mile 364.8 AHP). What is your ETA off the Memphis Gage if you average 8.0 mph? 

    N a. 2345, 25 July
    N b. 0525, 26 July
    Y c. 0947, 26 July
    N d. 2215, 26 July
617: Your vessel will sail from a position in LAT 8°51.0'N, LONG 81°31.0'W to a position at LAT 33°51.5'S, LONG 151°13.0'E. The distance by great circle is 7,635 miles, and you estimate an average speed of 15.0 knots. What is your estimated zone time of arrival if you depart at 1510 ZT, on 23 July? 

    Y a. 1110, 14 August
    N b. 0110, 14 August
    N c. 1110, 13 August
    N d. 1510, 13 August
617: Your vessel will sail from a position in LAT 8°51.0'N, LONG 81°31.0'W to a position at LAT 33°51.5'S, LONG 151°13.0'E. The distance by great circle is 7,635 miles, and you estimate an average speed of 15.0 knots. What is your estimated zone time of arrival if you depart at 1510 ZT, on 23 July? 

    Y a. 1110, 14 August
    N b. 0110, 14 August
    N c. 1110, 13 August
    N d. 1510, 13 August
652: On a voyage via the southern tip of Nova Scotia (LAT 43°20'N, LONG 65°35'W) you wish to sail the shortest route to La Coruna, Spain (LAT 43°20'N, LONG 8°24'W). Which of the following will require you to plot a composite sailing? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5274) 

    N a. Shoals extending 15 miles from Sable Island
    N b. Sea ice reported 68 miles ESE of St. John's, Newfoundland
    Y c. Icebergs reported extending west to west-northwest from  LAT 47°00'N, LONG 35°00'W
    N d. Naval exercises using live ammunition being conducted within a 150 mile radius of LAT 49°00'N, LONG 20°00'W
701: At 1118, on 24 May, you pass Natchez Gage and estimate the current will average 3.0 mph for the remainder of the time on the Mississippi River. What is your ETA at Cairo, IL if you continue to turn for 10 mph? 

    N a. 0840, 26 May
    N b. 2218, 26 May
    N c. 2218, 27 May
    Y d. 2339, 27 May
1163: What is the mile point of the Fulton Gage? 

    N a. 598 AHP
    N b. 632 AHP
    N c. 687 AHP
    Y d. 778 AHP
1213: It is 23 November and you are keeping zone time +4. You are on course 262°T, speed 21 knots. Your 0800 DR position is LAT 24°30.0'N, LONG 48°40.0'W. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks? 

    Y a. 11h 05m 54s
    N b. 11h 34m 22s
    N c. 12h 06m 02s
    N d. 12h 08m 36s
1236: Which facility is located on the right descending bank at mile 363.6 AHP? 

    N a. River Cement Corps..
    N b. Bunge Corps..
    N c. T.L. James
    Y d. Vidalia Dock and Storage Co.
1239: In high water conditions, which publication would you consult for the latest information on buoys between Baton Rouge and Cairo? 

    N a. List of Buoys and Daymarks
    N b. U.S.C.G. Light List
    N c. Army Corps. of Engineers Navigation Chart
    Y d. None of the above
1548: 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
    N c. Green diamond
    Y d. Green square
1662: On 5 September , in DR position LAT 23°17.0'S, LONG 154°35.0'E, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 275° per standard magnetic compass. The chronometer reads 07h 49m 26s and is 01m 52s fast. Variation in the area is 3°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 2.1°E
    N b. 2.4°W
    Y c. 5.1°E
    N d. 5.4°W
1677: On 23 August , at 0604 ZT, in DR position LAT 16°42.3'S, LONG 28°19.3'W, you observed an amplitude of the Sun. The lower limb was a little above the horizon, and the Sun bore 076.0°pgc. At the time of the observation, the helmsman reported that he was heading 143°pgc and 167°
per standard magnetic compass. The variation in the area was 23°W. What were the gyro error and deviation for that heading? 

    N a. 1°W  GE,  2°W  DEV
    N b. 1°E  GE,  1°E  DEV
    N c. 2°W  GE,  1°E  DEV
    Y d. 2°E  GE,  1°E  DEV
1688: As you approach Ashland Light (mile 378.1 AHP), which type of daymark would you see on the light structure? 

    N a. Green square
    N b. Green triangle
    N c. Red diamond
    Y d. Red triangle
1728: As you approach Canon Point Light (mile 418.3 AHP), what daymark will you see on the light structure? 

    N a. Green square
    N b. Green diamond
    Y c. Red diamond
    N d. Red triangle
1806: In high water conditions, which publication would you consult for the latest information on buoys between Baton Rouge and Cairo? 

    N a. U.S.C.G. Light List
    Y b. U.S.C.G. Local  Notice to Mariners
    N c. Army Corps. of Engineers Navigation Chart
    N d. List of Buoys and Daymarks
1809: Which daymark would you see at Shields Bar Lt. (mile 882.2 AHP)? 

    N a. Red triangle
    N b. Green triangle
    Y c. Red diamond
    N d. Green square
1896: On 22 June , your 0424 DR position is LAT 26°18.5'N, LONG 124°18.2'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 154°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 15°01.2'. The chronometer reads 12h 23m 24s, and is 01m 32s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Peacock
    N b. Schedar
    Y c. Ankaa
    N d. Alioth
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
2216: If your vessel is making turns for 7.5 mph with an estimated average current of 1.5 mph, what is your ETA at the dock in Angelina, LA? 

    N a. 0516, 28 Dec
    Y b. 1621, 28 Dec
    N c. 0516, 29 Dec
    N d. 1621, 29 Dec
2336: You have steamed 916 miles at 13 knots, and consumed 166 tons of fuel. If you have to steam 1325 miles to complete the voyage, how many tons of fuel will be consumed while steaming at 14 knots? 

    N a. 133 tons
    N b. 181 tons
    N c. 207 tons
    Y d. 278 tons
2531: When you pass under the Jefferson Barracks Highway Bridge (mile 168.6 UMR) what will be your vertical clearance if the highest point on your towboat is 55 feet and the St Louis Gage reads 21 feet? 

    Y a. 11.8 feet
    N b. 14.6 feet
    N c. 19.7 feet
    N d. 25.8 feet
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
2863: Your vessel is underway on a course of 115°T at 18 knots. At 1850 a lighthouse bears 137.5°T. At 1920, the same lighthouse bears 160°T. What time will the lighthouse pass abeam to starboard? 

    N a. 1929
    Y b. 1941
    N c. 1949
    N d. 1955
3100: The pitch of the propeller on your vessel is 19'09". You estimate the slip at -3%. If you averaged 82 RPM for the day's run, how many miles did you steam? 

    N a. 370.8
    N b. 373.6
    N c. 393.7
    Y d. 395.3
3269: Your vessel arrives in port with sufficient fuel to steam 812 miles at 15 knots. If you are unable to take on bunkers, at what speed must you proceed to reach your next port, 928 miles distant? 

    N a. 13.6 knots
    Y b. 14.0 knots
    N c. 15.3 knots
    N d. 15.7 knots
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
3644: While enroute from Cape Town to Rio a vessel's course is 281°pgc. The variation for the locality is 24°W. The deviation is 4°E. The gyro error is 2°W. What is the true course made good? 

    Y a. 279°T
    N b. 261°T
    N c. 301°T
    N d. 283°T
3761: Your vessel is proceeding up a channel, and you see a pair of range lights that are in line dead ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 283°
T, and the variation is 13°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 278° per standard compass, what is the deviation? 

    N a. 5°E
    N b. 5°W
    N c. 8°E
    Y d. 8°W
6144: What are the dimensions of the Old River Lock on the Lower Old River (mile 304 AHP)? 

    Y a. 1190 X 75 feet
    N b. 1185 X 84 feet
    N c. 1190 X 84 feet
    N d. 1185 X 75 feet
10304: Determine the course per standard magnetic compass from the entrance to Ninigret Pond (LAT 41°21.3'N, LONG 71°38.3'W) to the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island. 

    N a. 192.0°psc
    Y b. 184.0°psc
    N c. 154.5°psc
    N d. 152.5°psc
10606: At 0915 your GPS position is LAT 41°04.9'N, LONG 72°42.1'W. You are on course 085° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 6 knots. At 1030 your GPS position is 0.5 mile due south of Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy "TE". What were your set and drift? 

    N a. 042°T at 2.4 knots
    Y b. 045°T at 1.9 knots
    N c. 221°T at 2.0 knots
    N d. 225°T at 2.3 knots
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
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
12305: You sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light (LAT 41°18.2'N, LONG 71°56.0'W) bearing 095° per standard magnetic compass. If your vessel was heading 056° per standard magnetic compass at the time, which of the following is TRUE? 

    N a. You should subtract 15°Compass error for bearings of 095°.
    N b. The deviation table is correct for all bearings of 095°.
    Y c. The vessel should be swung, and the deviation table checked.
    N d. The compass error is 19°W for all headings.
12500: You are on course 135° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings per standard magnetic compass: Cape Henry Light 266° Cape Charles Light 353°Chesapeake Light 124° What is your position? 

    Y a. LAT 36°57.3'N, LONG 75°50.9'W
    N b. LAT 36°57.5'N, LONG 75°50.1'W
    N c. LAT 36°57.6'N, LONG 75°51.6'W
    N d. LAT 35°57.9'N, LONG 75°50.8'W
13210: At 0943, your position is LAT 41°14.8'N, LONG 71°54.3'W. You are turning for 12.2 knots. What is your ETA at the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island? 

    Y a. 1054
    N b. 1048
    N c. 1040
    N d. 1032
15168: Which chart provides more detail of Cape Charles harbor and its approaches? 

    N a. 12238
    N b. 12225
    Y c. 12224
    N d. 12222
15643: The light on Block Island Sound South Entrance Obstruction Buoy "BIS" is reported extinguished. Which of the following will serve as a positive warning that you are being set onto the obstruction? 

    N a. Radar ranges to Southwest Point of less than 7.9 miles
    N b. Soundings of less than 50 feet
    N c. Shagwong Reef Lighted Bell Buoy "7SR" 3.1 miles off  abeam
    Y d. Race Rock Light bearing 299°T and decreasing
15811: At 0100, you obtain the following bearings:

Rocky Point Lookout Tower 062°T
Horton Point Lighthouse 189°T

What was the speed made good between 0045 and 0100? 

    Y a. 7.4 knots
    N b. 8.0 knots
    N c. 8.7 knots
    N d. 9.2 knots
15826: In high water conditions, which publication would you consult for the latest information on buoys between Baton Rouge and Cairo? 

    Y a. U.S.C.G. Local Notice to Mariners
    N b. U.S.C.G. Light List
    N c. Army Corps. of Engineers Navigation Chart
    N d. List of Buoys and Daymarks
15863: If the current is 050° at 0.9 knot, and a northerly wind causes 3° of leeway. What is the course to steer per gyro compass to make good 280°T if you are turning for 9 knots? 

    N a. 284°pgc
    N b. 279°pgc
    Y c. 276°pgc
    N d. 273°pgc
15910: At 0802, Branford Reef Light bears 348°T at 0.75 mile,
and the north point of Falkner Island bears 088°T at 6.7 miles. What were the set and drift since 0740? 

    N a. Set 040°T, drift .3 knot
    Y b. Set 220°T, drift .9 knot
    N c. Set 220°T, drift .3 knot
    N d. You are making good your intended course and speed.
16059: At 1800, Tue Marshes Light bears 270°pgc, and York Spit Swash Channel Light "3" bears 007°pgc. Your position is __________. 

    N a. LAT 37°14.0'N, LONG 76°19.8'W
    N b. LAT 37°14.2'N, LONG 76°20.3'W
    Y c. LAT 37°14.2'N, LONG 76°20.1'W
    N d. LAT 37°14.5'N, LONG 76°20.0'W
16210: As you near Little Gull Island, you use your loran to insure that you do not come within 0.5 mile of the island. Which of the following loran readings will act as a danger line and keep you off Little Gull Island by a minimum of 0.5 mile? 

    Y a. Not less than 9960-Y-43953.5
    N b. Not more than 9960-W-14735.9
    N c. Not less than 9960-W-14735.8
    N d. Not more than 9960-X-26149.0
16556: You are underway in the vicinity of Block Island and obtain the following lines of position:

Montauk Point Light 267°pgc
Block Island Southeast Light 030°pgc
Radar Bearing to Block Island
Southwest Point (tangent) 352°pgc

What is your position at the time of these sightings? 

    N a. LAT 41°05.2'N, LONG 71°36.2'W
    Y b. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 71°35.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 71°36.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 71°35.9'W
16708: At 0520 you are on course 243°pgc at 12 knots. What is the course per standard magnetic compass? 

    Y a. 263°psc
    N b. 258°psc
    N c. 233°psc
    N d. 227°psc