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.


102: The latest available information on the channel conditions above Baton Rouge that includes recommended course and the latest buoy information is found in the __________.


105: On 19 January , your 0300 zone time DR position is LAT 22°13'N, LONG 40°19'W. You are on course 297°T at a speed of 17 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0545 running fix?


124: 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?


191: If you make good 12 knots, what is the ETA at North Chesapeake Channel Entrance Buoy "NCA" (LL #375)?

    N a. 2121
    N b. 2116
    Y c. 2111
    N d. 2101

205: From your 1830 fix, you come left to a course of 290°T. Which of the following statements concerning Watch Hill Light is FALSE?

    N a. The nominal range of its white light is 15 miles.
    N b. It displays both red and white lights.
    Y c. Its geographic range is 18.5 miles at a 35 foot (10.7 meter) height of eye.
    N d. Its horn blasts every 30 seconds in fog.

225: From your 1920 position, you change course to enter Chesapeake Channel between buoys 9 and 10. What is the course per standard magnetic compass (psc) ?

    N a. 274°psc
    N b. 280°psc
    Y c. 283°psc
    N d. 286°psc

225: From your 1920 position, you change course to enter Chesapeake Channel between buoys 9 and 10. What is the course per standard magnetic compass (psc) ?

    N a. 274°psc
    N b. 280°psc
    Y c. 283°psc
    N d. 286°psc

229: If you want a more detailed chart of the area at your 2115 DR position, which chart should you use?

    N a. 12222
    N b. 12225
    Y c. 12224
    N d. 12222

291: What is the height above water of Davis Creek Channel Light "1"?

    Y a. 15 feet (4.6 meters)
    N b. 17 feet (5.2 meters)
    N c. 19 feet (5.8 meters)
    N d. 24 feet (7.3 meters)

304: A vessel steams 580 miles on course 083°T from LAT 13°12'N, LONG 71°12'W. What are the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by mid-latitude sailing?

    N a. LAT 14°17'N, LONG 61°23'W
    N b. LAT 14°20'N, LONG 61°21'W
    Y c. LAT 14°23'N, LONG 61°19'W
    N d. LAT 14°25'N, LONG 61°17'W

317: 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
    Y c. LAT 37°09.3'N, LONG 76°03.1'W
    N d. LAT 37°09.8'N, LONG 76°04.1'W

515: You depart LAT 50°06.0'N, LONG 153°06.0'E and steam 879 miles on course 090°. What is the LONG of arrival?

    Y a. 175°56.0'E
    N b. 177°24.0'E
    N c. 178°36.0'W
    N d. 175°04.0'W

548: You are bound for New London. Where will you cross the demarcation line and be governed by the Inland Rules of the Road?

    N a. You are already governed by the Inland Rules.
    N b. Above the Thames River Bridge
    Y c. In the Race
    N d. You will not be governed by the Rules.

576: What is indicated by the dashed magenta line crossing York Spit Channel between buoys "20" and "22"?

    N a. You are crossing the demarcation line between the COLREGS and the Inland Rules.
    N b. The line indicates a submarine cable, and you should not anchor in the area.
    Y c. The line marks the limits of a regulated area.
    N d. It marks the range between Ft. Wool Light and Cape Charles Harbor Range, Rear Light.

810: On 13 October , your 0515 zone time (ZT) fix gives you a position of LAT 26°53.0'N, LONG 90°05.0'W. Your vessel is on course 068°T, and your speed is 7.8 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1145 zone time, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 54°51.5'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN?

    Y a. 27°12.6'N
    N b. 27°14.1'N
    N c. 27°15.7'N
    N d. 27°16.2'N

1147: 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. 2210, 22 June
    N b. 1741, 22 June
    Y c. 1423, 22 June
    N d. 1031, 22 June

1185: On 31 January , your 0920 zone time DR position is LAT 24°16.0'S, LONG 151°33.0'E. Your vessel is on course 258°T at a speed of 18.5 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1202
    N b. 1207
    Y c. 1211
    N d. 1215

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

2007: On 4 September , your 1813 zone time DR position is LAT 24°18.0'S, LONG 95°16.0'E. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three stars best suited for a fix at star time?

    N a. Enif, Miaplacidus, Alkaid
    N b. Betelgeuse, Acrux, Hamal
    Y c. Rasalhague, Fomalhaut, Spica
    N d. Deneb, Altair, Vega

2105: You are southeast of Saybrook Breakwater Light passing Saybrook Bar Lighted Bell Buoy "8". This buoy marks __________.

    Y a. shoal water
    N b. a tide rips area
    N c. the junction with the Connecticut River
    N d. a sunken wreck

2277: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 41°29.8' on 11 January . The index error is 2.4' off the arc. The height of eye is 68 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 41°36.4'
    Y b. 41°39.4'
    N c. 41°42.0'
    N d. 41°44.5'

2286: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 50°26.9' on 9 November . The index error is 1.5' on the arc. The height of eye is 56 feet (17 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 50°04.2'
    N b. 50°18.1'
    Y c. 50°33.5'
    N d. 50°41.4'

2287: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 34°51.4' on 18 October . The index error is 2.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 54 feet (16.5 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    Y a. 35°01.2'
    N b. 35°03.6'
    N c. 35°05.2'
    N d. 35°07.4'

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

2532: At 0715, on March 9, you pass Knox Landing GagE C313.8 AHP) and estimate the current will average 3.5 mph for the remainder of the time on the Mississippi River. What is your ETA at the mouth of the Ohio River if you increase speed to turn for 10 mph?

    N a. 0640, 11 March
    N b. 0554, 12 March
    Y c. 0943, 13 March
    N d. 1242, 13 March

2861: Your vessel is on a course of 196°T at 17 knots. At 0417 a light bears 218.5°T, and at 0442 the light bears 241°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    Y a. 0500, 5.0 miles
    N b. 0504, 6.2 miles
    N c. 0500, 6.2 miles
    N d. 0504, 5.0 miles

2870: Your vessel is on a course of 126°T at 17 knots. At 0251 a light bears 099.5°T, and at 0313 the light bears 081°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0327, 4.4 miles
    Y b. 0335, 6.2 miles
    N c. 0345, 6.8 miles
    N d. 0351, 7.4 miles

2898: You are steaming on a course of 267°T at 22 knots. At 0433 you observe a lighthouse bearing 290°T. At 0452 the lighthouse bears 328°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    Y a. 4.5 nm
    N b. 5.9 nm
    N c. 6.6 nm
    N d. 7.2 nm

3053: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 19.9 feet and a pitch of 21.6 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 395 miles in a 23 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 78?

    Y a. -3.2%
    N b. +3.2%
    N c. -12.0%
    N d. +12.0%

3056: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 18.8 feet and a pitch of 21.4 feet. What would be the slip if the vessel cruised 378 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 76?

    Y a. +1.9%
    N b. -1.9%
    N c. +4.7%
    N d. -4.7%

3265: You have steamed 1587 miles at 11.2 knots, and have consumed one-half of your total fuel capacity of 2840 bbls. What is the maximum speed you can steam to complete the remaining 1951 miles?

    N a. 9.1 knots
    N b. 9.9 knots
    Y c. 10.1 knots
    N d. 11.6 knots

4006: 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 true heading of 236°.
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. 1.0°W
    Y b. 0.5°E
    N c. 1.5°E
    N d. 0.0°

10506: At 0919 your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. You are on course 270°T at 8.7 knots. At 1031 your position is LAT 36°59.5'N, LONG 75°44.9'W. What was the set and drift?

    N a. 239° at 0.8 knot
    Y b. 252° at 1.3 knots
    N c. 060° at 0.7 knot
    N d. 073° at 1.2 knots

11007: What will be the height of the high water at Mount Sinai Harbor on the morning of 26 August 1983?

    N a. 4.1 feet
    Y b. 6.3 feet
    N c. 7.2 feet
    N d. 8.4 feet

12509: You are on course 027° per magnetic compass when you take the following bearings per magnetic compass: New Point Comfort Light "2" 253°
Horn Harbor Entrance Light HH 282°
Wolf Trap Light 348°
What is the position of the fix?

    N a. LAT 37°19.4'N, LONG 76°09.5'W
    N b. LAT 37°19.4'N, LONG 76°09.8'W
    N c. LAT 37°19.7'N, LONG 76°10.3'W
    Y d. LAT 37°19.7'N, LONG 76°09.9'W

12908: At 0919 you are inbound, approximately 3.3 miles east of Cape Henry with buoy "15" close aboard to port. What is your ETA between Trestle B and Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel if you are making 11.3 knots?

    N a. 1010
    Y b. 1014
    N c. 1019
    N d. 1025

14301: What are the characteristics of Washougal Light on the Columbia River?

    N a. Equal interval green, 6 seconds
    N b. Quick flashing red, 2 seconds
    N c. Flashing green, 4 seconds
    Y d. Flashing red, 2.5 seconds

15017: At 2100, you alter course to 250°T and reduce speed to 7 knots. You enter the traffic separation scheme on the inbound side. At 2200, your fix shows you crossing a broken purple line on the chart, and you observe North Chesapeake Entrance Lighted Gong Buoy "NCD" to port. This area is __________.

    Y a. a precautionary area centered on buoy "CBJ"
    N b. a pilotage area
    N c. an area with local magnetic disturbances
    N d. in inland waters

15115: If the visibility is 11 miles, what is the luminous range of New Point Comfort Spit Light "4"?

    N a. 0.5 mile
    N b. 3.8 miles
    N c. 4.3 miles
    Y d. 5.0 miles

15141: At 2146 your position is 40°51.3'N, 71°59.2'W. If your engine speed has been 13 knots, what were the set and drift of the current you encountered since your 2100 position?

    N a. 115°true at 1.1 knots
    N b. 115°true at 1.5 knots
    N c. 295° true at 1.1 knots
    Y d. 295°true at 1.5 knots

15212: At 1930, your vessel is between York River Entrance Channel Lighted Buoys "1YR" and "2". From this position, you change course to 142°pgc at an engine speed of 8.0 knots. At 2001, you obtain the following information:
Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light - 131°pgc;
Thimble Shoal Light - 248°pgc

What were the set and drift between 1930 and 2001?

    N a. 127° at 1.1 knot
    Y b. 127° at 0.5 knot
    N c. 307° at 1.1 knot
    N d. 307° at 0.5 knot

15507: What course should you steer by your standard magnetic compass to make good a course of 280°T?

    N a. 266°psc
    N b. 272°psc
    N c. 290°psc
    Y d. 294°psc

15639: At 2016 you sight N. Dumpling Light in line with Latimer Reef Light (Fl 6 sec, 55 ft) bearing 079°pgc. At the time of the bearing the helmsman reported he was steering 164°
pgc and 172° per standard magnetic compass. What is the deviation for that heading?

    Y a. 3°E
    N b. 1°E
    N c. 5°W
    N d. 2°W

15820: You are northwest of Port Jefferson Harbor steering 242° per standard magnetic compass. As you continue westward, you see that the Port Jefferson Range Front Light and Rear Light come into line. If the deviation table is correct, the bearing of the range should be __________.

    N a. 140°psc
    N b. 146°psc
    Y c. 157°psc
    N d. 160°psc

15911: What publication contains information on the navigational hazards in the vicinity of Falkner Island?

    N a. The navigational regulations in Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations
    N b. Inland Navigation Rules
    N c. U.S. Coast Guard Light List
    Y d. U.S. Coast Pilot

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

15940: At 1934 Little Gull Island Light bears 277°T and Race Rock Light bears 000°T. Which were the set and drift between 1910 and 1934?

    N a. 321°T, 2.2 knots
    N b. 321°T, 0.9 knots
    Y c. 331°T, 2.2 knots
    N d. 331°T, 0.9 knots

16009: 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?

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

16219: At 0900, you take the following radar ranges:

Watch Hill Point 5.4 miles
Block Island Grace Point 8.3 miles

Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are within 3 nautical miles of the coast.
    N b. The bottom in the area is sand and gravel.
    Y c. The fix is indeterminate.
    N d. You are governed by the Inland Rules.

16309: From your 0530 position, you set a course of 271°psc with an engine speed of 9 knots. At 0645, Cornfield Safe-Water Buoy "CF" is abeam to port. What speed have you averaged since 0530?

    N a. 7.5 knots
    Y b. 8.6 knots
    N c. 9.0 knots
    N d. 9.5 knots

16346: After passing through the Race, enroute to Bridgeport, CN,
and Race Rock Light is 2 miles astern you notice an equal interval flashing red light on the starboard side. This light is __________.

    N a. New London Airport Aerobeacon
    Y b. New London Harbor Light
    N c. New London Ledge Light
    N d. Bartlett Reef Light

16515: What action should you take to compensate for the above current?

    N a. Continue on the same course and speed.
    Y b. Alter your course to the left.
    N c. Slow to 8.5 knots.
    N d. Alter your course to the right.

16563: From your 1850 fix, you come left to a course of 280°T,
while maintaining a speed of 10 knots. Which combination of available Loran-C lines would be best for position determination?

    Y a. 9960-Y and 9960-W
    N b. 9960-X and 9960-Y
    N c. 9960-W and 9960-X
    N d. All 3 combinations are equal.

20107: You are steaming at 19 knots and burning 440 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 137 barrels per day. What must you reduce your speed to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    N a. 18.2
    N b. 14.8
    Y c. 12.9
    N d. 11.1