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.


91: At 0305 on 18 April, you pass under the Greenville Bridge (mile 531.3 AHP). What was your average speed since departing Amoco Pipeline Co. Docks (mile 253.6 AHP)?


292: If you have 17.3 miles to reach your destination from your 2000 position and want to be there at 2230, what speed should you make good?


421: At 0345, you set a course to depart New London Harbor. Assuming no set and drift, which standard magnetic compass course must you steer to stay in the middle of the channel?


450: If you want to put into Point Judith Harbor of Refuge, what chart should you use?

    Y a. 13219
    N b. 13217
    N c. 13209
    N d. 13205

465: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 34°51.0'N, LONG 115°01.2'E to LAT 10°16.0'S, LONG 51°42.6'E.

    N a. 4436 miles, 245.3°T
    N b. 4598 miles, 245.6°T
    Y c. 4493 miles, 245.6°T
    N d. 4582 miles, 245.6°T

503: What was the speed made good between 2114 and 2142?

    Y a. 11.4 knots
    N b. 11.7 knots
    N c. 12.0 knots
    N d. 12.3 knots

512: At 0200, you take the following bearings:

Falkner Island Light 004.5°T
Kelsey Pt. Breakwater Lt. 054.0°T
Horton Point Light 115.0°T

What were the set and drift from 0130?

    Y a. 260° at 1.0 knot
    N b. 080° at 0.5 knot
    N c. 260° at 0.5 knot
    N d. There is no current.

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

559: At 0615, Stratford Point Light bears 292°pgc, Falkner Island Light bears 052°pgc, and Branford Reef Light bears 018°pgc. What was the current since 0530?

    N a. 083° at 0.9 knots
    Y b. 083° at 1.2 knots
    N c. 263° at 1.2 knots
    N d. 263° at 0.9 knots

702: If the highest point of your towboat is 54 feet above the water and the Natchez Gage reads 24.8 feet, what will be your vertical clearance when passing under the Natchez-Vidalia westbound Highway Bridge?

    N a. 35.9 feet
    N b. 43.2 feet
    Y c. 47.2 feet
    N d. 57.5 feet

1078: On 6 April , your 1830 ZT DR position is LAT 26°33.0'N, LONG 64°31.0'W. You are on course 082°T at a speed of 16 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1900 running fix. NP-0008

    N a. LAT 26°49.5'N, LONG 64°06.5'W
    Y b. LAT 26°32.5'N, LONG 64°27.1'W
    N c. LAT 26°31.2'N, LONG 64°32.1'W
    N d. LAT 26°28.7'N, LONG 64°32.1'W

1205: On 25 April , your 1130 DR position is LAT 24°50.0'N, LONG 61°25.0'W. Your vessel is on a course of 300°T at a speed of 16.0 knots. Determine the zone time of (LAN) for your vessel.

    N a. 1154
    N b. 1156
    N c. 1202
    Y d. 1204

1208: On 12 July , your 0800 ZT DR position is LAT 24°15.0'N, LONG 132°30.0'W. Your vessel is on course 045°T at a speed of 15.0 knots. What is the ZT of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1146
    N b. 1148
    Y c. 1152
    N d. 1159

1301: As you approach Casting Yard Dock Lt. (mile 265.4 AHP) you notice on the map a circle with 2 black sectors. This symbol indicates a __________.

    N a. lock
    N b. warning sign
    Y c. river gage
    N d. mooring buoy

1413: You complete changing out your tow and get underway enroute Ark City Tank Storage (mile 554.0 AHP) to deliver the tank barges. What is the distance you must travel from Cairo Point Light?

    N a. 202.1 miles
    Y b. 400.7 miles
    N c. 554.2 miles
    N d. 605.8 miles

1424: You pass Springfield Bend Lt. (mile 244.8 AHP) at 1242, on 17 October, and estimate the current will average 2.5 mph for the remainder of your trip. What is your ETA at the mouth of the Ohio River if you are making turns for 10.5 mph?

    N a. 1905, 19 October
    N b. 2122, 19 October
    Y c. 0519, 21 October
    N d. 0847, 21 October

1470: On 1 March , your 2135 zone time DR position is LAT 23°54.0'N, LONG 63°22.0'W. At that time, you observe Schedar bearing 328°psc. The chronometer reads 01h 35m 16s, and the chronometer error is 00m 07s slow. The variation is 3.5°E. What is the deviation of the standard compass?

    N a. 2.3°E
    N b. 2.5°W
    Y c. 3.2°W
    N d. 4.2°E

1475: On 26 February , your vessel's 1615 ZT DR position is LAT 25°14'S, LONG 57°22'W, when an azimuth of the Sun is observed. The chronometer time of the sight is 8h 13m 19s, and the Sun is bearing 266.0° per standard magnetic compass. The chronometer error is 01m 46s slow, and the variation in the area is 6°E. What is the deviation of the standard compass?

    Y a. 1.7°E
    N b. 3.4°W
    N c. 7.7°E
    N d. 13.7°E

1491: On 5 February , your 2320 ZT position is LAT 52°28'N, LONG 23°48'W. You observe Polaris bearing 000.2°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 224°pgc and 244°psc. The variation is 20°W. What is the deviation for that heading?

    N a. 0.0°
    Y b. 1.5°W
    N c. 3.0°W
    N d. 4.5°W

1494: On 5 August , your 0310 ZT position is LAT 09°02'N, LONG 21°08'W. You observe Polaris bearing 002°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 316°pgc and 329°psc. The variation is 15°W. What is the deviation for that heading?

    N a. 0.0°
    N b. 1.5°W
    N c. 3.0°W
    Y d. 0.5°E

1651: On 23 October , in DR position LAT 21°13.0'N, LONG 152°18.0'E, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 259°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 21m 46s and is 01m 32s slow. Variation in the area is 5°E. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

    N a. 0.9°E
    N b. 1.5°W
    Y c. 5.9°W
    N d. 6.5°E

1684: You are passing Putney Lt. (mile 943.6 AHP). The gray shaded areas alongside the river represent __________.

    N a. levees
    N b. weirs
    N c. dikes
    Y d. revetments

1706: The highest point on your towboat is 53 feet above the water, and the Helena Gage (mile 663 AHP) reads 3.9 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the B-span of the Helena Highway Bridge in Helena?

    N a. 59.9 feet
    Y b. 62.5 feet
    N c. 64.1 feet
    N d. 65.5 feet

1730: What is the distance from Arkansas City, AR, to St. Louis, MO, on the Mississippi River System?

    Y a. 584 miles
    N b. 617 miles
    N c. 733 miles
    N d. 832 miles

1853: On 8 April , while taking observations for an evening fix, you observe an unidentified star bearing 250.7°T at an observed altitude of 51°44.8'. Your DR position at the time of the sight was LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 157°58.3'W. The chronometer reads 05h 09m 57s and is 01m 23s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Betelgeuse
    N b. Aldebaran
    N c. Alnilam
    Y d. Bellatrix

1893: On 22 July , your 0442 DR position is LAT 26°35.6'N, LONG 22°16.7'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 104°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 9°55.7'. The chronometer reads 05h 39m 03s, and is 03m 14s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Hamal
    Y b. Rigel
    N c. Menkar
    N d. Acamar

2108: You alter course from your 0045 position to head for a point 0.5 mile north of Mattituck Breakwater Light "MI". If the visibility is 10 miles and you make good 9 knots, at approximately what time will you lose sight of Saybrook Breakwater Light?

    N a. You have already lost sight at 0045
    Y b. 0055
    N c. 0120
    N d. The light is visible all the way to Mattituck Inlet

2112: At 0130, you obtain the following bearings:

Horton Point Lighthouse 078°T
Mattituck Breakwater Light tower 196°T

What were the course and speed made good between 0100 and 0130?

    Y a. 246°T at 9.8 knots
    N b. 253°T at 9.4 knots
    N c. 259°T at 9.8 knots
    N d. 267°T at 9.4 knots

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'

2319: You complete changing out your tow and get underway enroute Ark City Tank Storage (mile 554.0 AHP) to deliver the tank barges. What is the distance you must travel from Cairo Point Light?

    N a. 606.8 miles
    N b. 554.0 miles
    Y c. 399.8 miles
    N d. 202.1 miles

2459: You have steamed 432 miles at 18 knots and burning 406 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 221 barrels per day with 190 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    N a. 10.6
    N b. 12.8
    Y c. 16.5
    N d. 17.7

2595: At 0145 you take on the pilot and are inbound Port Jefferson. The ship's heading is 147°pgc when lined up on the Port Jefferson range. What is your gyro error?

    Y a. 1° W
    N b. 1° E
    N c. 2° E
    N d. 0°

2706: While on a course of 216°pgc, a light bears 12° on the port bow at a distance of 11.2 miles. Which course should you steer to pass 2 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port?

    N a. 208°pgc
    N b. 210°pgc
    N c. 212°pgc
    Y d. 214°pgc

3071: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 20.7 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 23.8 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 3% negative slip?

    N a. 74
    N b. 79
    Y c. 86
    N d. 98

3757: Your vessel is proceeding up a channel, and you see a pair of range lights that are in line ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 311°T, and the variation is 8°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 305° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation?

    N a. 2°E
    Y b. 2°W
    N c. 6°E
    N d. 6°W

3758: Your vessel is proceeding up a channel, and you see a pair of range lights that are in line ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 212°T, and the variation is 7°W. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 208° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation?

    N a. 4°E
    N b. 4°W
    Y c. 11°E
    N d. 11°W

11108: The passage between Great Gull Island and Plum Island __________.

    N a. is subject to weak and variable tidal currents
    N b. uncovers at extreme low water
    Y c. should be avoided
    N d. shows a whirlpool at maximum ebb current when accompanied by NW gales

12906: At 0919 you are in Chesapeake Channel between Trestle B and Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. What is your ETA between York River Entrance Channel Buoys "17" and "18" if you are making 11.3 knots?

    N a. 1034
    N b. 1039
    Y c. 1044
    N d. 1049

13009: Your 1830 position is LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 72°59.4'W. You are making turns for 9 knots. What is your ETA at Mattituck Inlet?

    Y a. 2044
    N b. 2052
    N c. 2059
    N d. 2106

13504: A vessel anchoring in the middle of Cherry Harbor, 1 mile off Gardiner's Island, will find what type of bottom?

    N a. Rocky
    N b. Shells
    Y c. Mud
    N d. Silt

13801: You are operating in the area approximately 2 miles southeast of Kelsey Point when you realize that your vessel's intended track will carry you over the wreck charted at LAT 41°13.5'N, LONG 72°29.6'W. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The chart indicates the exact position of the wreck.
    N b. The wreck has been cleared by wire drag to a depth of 39 ft.
    Y c. The wreck represents a danger to surface navigation.
    N d. The wreck is visible above the sounding datum.

14703: At 0800 your vessel is at mile 110 proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. At 1030 Reed Island is abeam to port as you pass the 125 mile mark. What has been your average speed in knots?

    N a. 4.3 knots
    Y b. 5.2 knots
    N c. 8.7 knots
    N d. 10.0 knots

15015: At 2100, Cape Charles Light bears 321°pgc, and Cape Henry Light bears 247°pgc. Your latitude is __________.

    N a. 37°00.0'N
    N b. 36°59.7'N
    Y c. 36°59.4'N
    N d. 36°59.1'N

15042: From your 0741 position, you wish to change course in order to pass 2.2 miles easterly of Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy "14". Your engine speed is now 14.0 knots. You estimate the current to be 240° true at 1.8 knots. What is the true course to steer to make good the desired course?

    N a. 179°true
    N b. 185°true
    Y c. 190° true
    N d. 197°true

15061: Falkner Island Light is shown __________.

    N a. 46 feet (13.9 meters) above sea level
    N b. only from 1 June to 10 October
    Y c. from a white octagonal tower
    N d. with a six-second period

15066: If you correct for the current in the preceding question (035°T at 0.5 knot) and maintain an engine speed of 7.5 knots, what is your ETA 0.5 mile south of buoy "W"?

    N a. 1016
    Y b. 1021
    N c. 1026
    N d. 1030

15142: At 2146 if your fathometer is set on feet, what should be the approximate reading on your fathometer?

    Y a. 88 feet
    N b. 105 feet
    N c. 121 feet
    N d. 166 feet

15366: At 0615 you change course to 078°T. If there is no current, when will Falkner Island Light be abeam?

    N a. 0750
    N b. 0743
    N c. 0735
    Y d. 0730

15445: As you proceed up York Spit Channel, what are the three base courses that you must steer to conform to the channel,
if steering by standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 337.5°, 359.5°, 028.0°
    N b. 337.5°, 357.5°, 026.0°
    N c. 324.0°, 352.5°, 009.5°
    Y d. 340.0°, 000.5°, 025.0°

15611: From your 1815 position, you want to make good a course of 263°T. Your engines are turning RPM's for 12 knots. The current is 050°T at 1.9 knots. Adjusting your course for set and drift, at what time should you expect to enter the red sector of Cape Henry Light?

    N a. 1849
    N b. 1854
    N c. 1859
    Y d. 1904

16119: At 0812, you obtain the following radar information:

Cape Henry Light bearing 287° pgc @ 3.85 nm

What is your 0812 position?

    N a. LAT 36°53.7'N, LONG 75°56.0'W
    N b. LAT 36°53.8'N, LONG 75°56.1'W
    N c. LAT 36°54.5'N, LONG 75°56.2'W
    Y d. LAT 36°54.6'N, LONG 75°55.8'W

16562: At 1850, you obtain the following bearings and distance:

Block Island North Light 085°T
Watch Hill Light 342°T 5.8 miles

What true speed did you make good between 1830 and 1850?

    N a. 2.9 knots
    N b. 5.7 knots
    Y c. 8.0 knots
    N d. 8.7 knots

16739: What is the earliest time you should sight Montauk Point Light (nominal range - 24 miles) if you are turning for 9.2 knots? Visibility is 5 nautical miles.

    Y a. The light is visible at 2212
    N b. 2221
    N c. 2243
    N d. You will not sight the light on this course.

16739: What is the earliest time you should sight Montauk Point Light (nominal range - 24 miles) if you are turning for 9.2 knots? Visibility is 5 nautical miles.

    Y a. The light is visible at 2212
    N b. 2221
    N c. 2243
    N d. You will not sight the light on this course.