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.


70: What is the vertical clearance of the Natchez-Vidalia Highway Bridge (westbound) when the river level is the same as the Low Water Reference Plane (6.5 feet)?


83: Which light characteristics does Catfish Point Lower Light (mile 572.2 AHP) have?


156: What are the dimensions of the Old River Lock?


193: If the visibility is 3 miles, at what range will you lose sight of Chesapeake Light?

    N a. The light has never been visible.
    N b. 4.6 miles
    N c. 6.4 miles
    Y d. 8.3 miles

194: 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 __________.

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

198: While navigating inbound Thimble Shoal Channel system you must __________.

    N a. navigate in the main channel when between Trestles A & B
    Y b. use the north auxiliary channel
    N c. remain 1500 yards (1360 meters) from large naval vessels
    N d. maintain a speed of six knots

202: Which statement concerning Montauk Point Light is TRUE?

    N a. The light comes on at sunset.
    Y b. There is an emergency light if the main light is extinguished.
    N c. The height of the light is 24 feet.
    N d. The tower is painted with black and white stripes.

271: At 0844, the range to the north end of Falkner Island is 2.0 miles and the left tangent bearing is 102°T. What is the approximate charted depth of the water?

    Y a. 29 ft (8.8 meters)
    N b. 22 ft (6.7 meters)
    N c. 19 ft (5.8 meters)
    N d. 14 ft (4.2 meters)

336: What speed have you made good from 1710 to 1810?

    Y a. 6.3 knots
    N b. 5.5 knots
    N c. 4.9 knots
    N d. 4.2 knots

346: At 0415, you take the following bearings:

Stratford Point Light 329.5°pgc
Middle Ground Light 223.5°pgc
Old Field Point Light 199.5°pgc

Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The current's drift is greater than predicted.
    Y b. You are to the right of your intended track line.
    N c. The course made good since 0352 is 081°T.
    N d. Your fathometer reads about 76 fathoms.

383: From point "A", you lay out an intended track line to a point where Block Island North Light bears 180°T at 2.9 miles (Point "B"). What is the length of this leg of the voyage?

    Y a. 24.4 miles
    N b. 23.9 miles
    N c. 23.7 miles
    N d. 20.4 miles

411: A vessel steams 3312 miles on course 282°T from LAT 34°24'S, LONG 18°18'E. What is the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by Mercator sailing?

    N a. LAT 22°39'S, LONG 43°17'W
    N b. LAT 22°42'S, LONG 43°14'W
    N c. LAT 22°47'S, LONG 43°10'W
    Y d. LAT 22°55'S, LONG 43°05'W

429: At 0820, you take the following bearings:

Falkner Island Light bearing 052°true
Branford Reef Light bearing 307°true

What are the set and drift since 0730?

    N a. Set 052°T, drift 1.1 knots
    N b. Set 052°T, drift 1.3 knots
    Y c. Set 232°T, drift 1.3 knot
    N d. Set 232°T, drift 1.1 knots

463: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 37°47.5'N, LONG 122°27.8'W to LAT 33°51.7'S, LONG 151°12.7'E.

    N a. 6324.2 miles, 310.3°T
    N b. 6345.3 miles, 301.7°T
    N c. 6398.0 miles, 298.3°T
    Y d. 6445.2 miles, 240.3°T

474: You are on a great circle track departing from LAT 25°50.0'N, LONG 77°00.0'W and your initial course is 061.7°T. The position of the vertex is LAT 37°35.6'N, LONG 25°57.8'W.

What is the distance along the great circle track between the point of departure and the vertex?

    N a. 2735.1 miles
    Y b. 2664.9 miles
    N c. 2583.2 miles
    N d. 2420.0 miles

567: What is the distance from Lamberts Point to abeam of Thimble Shoal Lt. following the navigable channel?

    Y a. 11.2 miles
    N b. 10.6 miles
    N c. 9.8 miles
    N d. 9.0 miles

666: You are on a voyage via position LAT 44°00'N, LONG 150°00'E to LAT 46°15'N, LONG 124°00'W. Using gnomonic chart WOXZC 5270, determine which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. A composite sailing with a limiting latitude of 51°N will clear the Aleutian Islands.
    N b. The northern hemisphere vertex is east of the arrival position.
    N c. The Aleutian Islands are not a navigational hazard on the direct great circle track.
    N d. The final course angle lies in the northeast quadrant.

846: On 22 February , your 0612 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 27°16.2'S, LONG 37°41.6'W. Your vessel is on course 298°T, and your speed is 14.2 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1147 zone time, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 73°33.3'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN?

    Y a. 26°31.4'S
    N b. 26°29.5'S
    N c. 26°27.1'S
    N d. 26°24.8'S

1133: 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

1175: On 12 February , your 0900 zone time DR position is LAT 16°43.0'N, LONG 51°42.0'W. Your vessel is on course 093°T at a speed of 18.5 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    Y a. 1237
    N b. 1233
    N c. 1230
    N d. 1226

1225: You estimate the current at 2.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground?

    N a. 9.5 mph
    Y b. 5.5 mph
    N c. 5.0 mph
    N d. 4.5 mph

1234: What is the distance from the Amoco Docks at Baton Rouge, LA, to Pittsburgh, PA?

    Y a. 1681.7 miles
    N b. 1575.3 miles
    N c. 981.7 miles
    N d. 727.9 miles

1498: On 7 December , your 0350 ZT position is LAT 35°42'N, LONG 17°38'E. You observe Polaris bearing 359.7°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 016°pgc and 014°psc. The variation is 1°E. What is the deviation for that heading?

    Y a. 0.3°E
    N b. 1.5°E
    N c. 0.3°W
    N d. 1.5°W

1675: On 28 November , your vessel's 0652 DR position is LAT 37°30'N, LONG 124°12'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 103° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 16.3°E. The chronometer reads 02h 54m 18s and is 02m 06s fast. What is the deviation of the compass?

    Y a. 2.5°W
    N b. 3.0°W
    N c. 2.0°E
    N d. 3.0°E

1912: On 22 February , your 1857 DR position is LAT 23°46.0'S, LONG 93°16.5'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 108°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 67°53.9'. The chronometer reads 01h 00m 35s, and is 03m 25s fast. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Adhara
    N b. Miaplacidus
    N c. Avior
    N d. Suhail

1961: The Delta-Friar Point revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________.

    Y a. 657.3 - 652.2 LDB
    N b. 652.8 - 649.6 RDB
    N c. 648.5 - 645.5 LDB
    N d. 645.6 - 641.4 RDB

1964: The Platte River empties into which river?

    N a. Mississippi
    Y b. Missouri
    N c. Ohio
    N d. Tennessee

2023: On 1 October , you determine the zone time of evening twilight will be 1835. Your DR position at this time is LAT 27°18.0'N, LONG 48°52.0'W. Considering their magnitude and location, which group of three stars are best suited to be used in obtaining a fix at star time?

    N a. Altair, Rasalhague, Vega
    Y b. Alphecca, Kochab, Deneb
    N c. Diphda, Hamal, Mirfak
    N d. Antares, Rigil Kentaurus, Peacock

2902: You are steaming on a course of 058°T at 11.5 knots. At 0209 you observe a lighthouse bearing 129°T. At 0252 the lighthouse bears 173°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    N a. 9.4 miles
    N b. 10.7 miles
    Y c. 11.2 miles
    N d. 12.8 miles

2902: You are steaming on a course of 058°T at 11.5 knots. At 0209 you observe a lighthouse bearing 129°T. At 0252 the lighthouse bears 173°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    N a. 9.4 miles
    N b. 10.7 miles
    Y c. 11.2 miles
    N d. 12.8 miles

2912: Your vessel is on a course of 079°T at 11 knots. At 0152 a light bears 105.5°T, and at 0209 the light bears 124°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0219, 2.3 miles
    Y b. 0226, 3.1 miles
    N c. 0233, 3.9 miles
    N d. 0242, 4.7 miles

3299: You have steamed 174 miles and consumed 18 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 416 miles?

    N a. 34.9 tons
    N b. 38.4 tons
    Y c. 43.0 tons
    N d. 46.2 tons

10500: At 1712 your GPS indicates a position of LAT 36°54.8'N, LONG 75°39.8'W. You are on course 319° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 9.9 knots. At 1800 your GPS indicates your position at LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°45.8'W. What were the set and drift?

    N a. 262°T at 0.9 knot
    N b. 267°T at 1.3 knots
    Y c. 087°T at 1.2 knots
    N d. 093°T at 0.8 knot

10701: At 0947 your position is LAT 41°15.9'N, LONG 71°41.7'W. You are on course 182° per magnetic compass at 11.3 knots. At 1020 your position is LAT 41°09.2'N, LONG 71°40.6'W. What were the set and drift?

    N a. 211°T at 1.0 knot
    Y b. 229°T at 2.0 knots
    N c. 058°T at 1.8 knots
    N d. 043°T at 1.1 knots

10907: What is the time (DST ZD +4) of the AM high tide at York Point, Poquoson River on 8 September 1983?

    N a. 0955
    Y b. 1048
    N c. 1055
    N d. 1102

11103: Point Judith Harbor of Refuge (LAT 41°22'N, LONG 71°30'W) __________.

    N a. is used only by tows
    N b. has moorings for small craft along the breakwater
    N c. is easily entered in all sea conditions
    Y d. is entered through either the East Gap or the West Gap

12109: 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) dead ahead bearing 264° per standard magnetic compass. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The compass error is 11°W.
    N b. The deviation table must be corrected for the change in date.
    N c. The deviation is 1°W for a bearing of 264° only.
    N d. The variation is 9°W for a bearing of 264° only.

13010: Your 0620 position is LAT 40°59.5'N, LONG 73°00.5'W. You are making turns for 8 knots. What is your ETA at LAT 41°08.0'N, LONG 72°44.8'W?

    N a. 0748
    N b. 0802
    Y c. 0809
    N d. 0814

13108: At 1103 you are in the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island with buoy "5" close aboard. What is your ETA at light "1" at the mouth of the approaches to Lake Montauk if you make good 8.2 knots?

    N a. 1249
    N b. 1254
    N c. 1259
    Y d. 1310

13309: What type of bottom can be expected at the northern end of York Spit Channel?

    N a. Hard clay
    N b. Fine gray sand
    N c. Soft black mud
    Y d. Mud and sand

13400: You are going to anchor at Gardiners Bay in LAT 41°04.5'N, LONG 72°13.0'W. What type of bottom should you expect?

    N a. Streaked mud
    N b. Sand
    N c. Hard rocks
    Y d. Soft mud

13700: Local magnetic disturbances of up to how many degrees have been noted from Cape Henry to Currituck Beach Light?

    N a. 2 degrees
    Y b. 6 degrees
    N c. 11 degrees
    N d. 17 degrees

14504: You are proceeding in a westerly direction on the Columbia River. The pool level of the Bonneville reservoir stands at 72 feet above MSL. If the highest point on your vessel is 44 feet above the water, what will be the vertical clearance as you pass under the overhead power cables at mile 173.8?

    N a. 43 feet
    N b. 68 feet
    N c. 111 feet
    Y d. 115 feet

14600: What is the length of The Dalles Lock on the Columbia River?

    N a. 475 feet
    N b. 500 feet
    Y c. 675 feet
    N d. 1200 feet

15117: At 1930, you take a fix using the following radar ranges:

York Spit Light - 3.6 miles
New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" - 2.0 miles
York Spit Swash Channel Light "3" - 2.5 miles

Your longitude is __________.

    N a. 76°16.5'W
    Y b. 76°16.8'W
    N c. 76°17.0'W
    N d. 76°17.2'W

15207: What is the maximum allowable speed of vessels underway up river from Tue Marshes Light?

    N a. 6 knots
    N b. 8 knots
    N c. 10 knots
    Y d. 12 knots

15256: At 0700, Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light bears 143°pgc at 1.8 miles. What is your 0700 position?

    N a. LAT 41°04.8'N, LONG 73°06.7'W
    Y b. LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 73°07.6'W
    N c. LAT 41°05.1'N, LONG 73°06.8'W
    N d. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 73°07.9'W

15268: Your vessel is proceeding up New London Harbor Channel, and you are in line with the range. What would be your course per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 352°
    N b. 354°
    N c. 002°
    Y d. 007°

15310: Which chart could you use for greater detail of the area at the south end of York Spit Channel?

    Y a. 12222
    N b. 12224
    N c. 12226
    N d. 12254

15407: At 1430, your position is LAT 37°12.8'N, LONG 76°17.7'W. At this time, you come left and steer 045°T. This course will lead you through a channel bordered by yellow buoys. The dashed magenta lines between the buoys mark __________.

    N a. York River Entrance Channel
    N b. New Point Comfort shoal area
    N c. the piloting channel for Mobjack Bay
    Y d. the limits of fish trap areas

15799: At 0845, you are on a course of 097°T, and Townshend Ledge Buoy "10A" is close abeam to port. With a westerly current of 1.2 knots, what speed will you have to turn for from your 0845 position in order to arrive abeam of Six Mile Reef Buoy "8C" at 1030?

    N a. 8.5 knots
    N b. 9.7 knots
    Y c. 10.9 knots
    N d. 12.1 knots

15944: From your 2038 position you change course to 104°T and increase engine speed to 18 knots. If you make good this course and speed, at what time will Southwest Ledge Lighted Bell Buoy "2" bear 157°T?

    N a. 2047
    Y b. 2052
    N c. 2056
    N d. 2101

16142: At 1949 Little Gull Island Light bears 270°T and is 1.7 miles off. From this position, you change course to 118°T and increase engine speed to 18 knots. If you make good your course and speed, at what time should Shagwong Reef Lighted Bell Buoy "7SR" bear 180°T?

    Y a. 2016
    N b. 2019
    N c. 2022
    N d. 2025

16319: As you enter the New Haven Outer Channel, you sight the outer range markers in line directly ahead. Your heading at this time is 347°psc. What is your compass deviation by observation?

    Y a. 0.5°East
    N b. 3.0°East
    N c. 3.5°West
    N d. 4.5°East

16458: If your engines turn for 6.5 knots, and you encounter a 0.5 knot southerly current, what is your ETA at point A?

    N a. 0400
    Y b. 0450
    N c. 0501
    N d. 0511

16607: You depart from the position in the previous question at 2114 and make good 12 knots on a course of 040°T. At what time will you sight New Haven Light if the visibility is 11 miles?

    N a. The light is visible at 2114.
    N b. 2140
    N c. 2152
    Y d. 2159