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.


80: The Helena Gage reads 9.4 feet. The high point on your towboat is 46 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge?


98: At 0230 on 13 August, you are at mile 610.5 AHP when you see about a mile ahead lights on the water near the left bank. What might you see when you come abreast of these lights?


173: At 2015, you alter course to 154°pgc. What is the course per standard magnetic compass (psc)?


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

282: From your 1752 position, you steer 307°pgc at 9 knots. At 1805, you obtain the visual bearings. What are the latitude and longitude of your 1805 position? Old Pt. Comfort Light 232°pgc. Chesapeake Bay Tunnel North Light 130°pgc.

    Y a. LAT 37°05.9'N, LONG 76°08.0'W
    N b. LAT 37°06.0'N, LONG 76°08.4'W
    N c. LAT 37°05.9'N, LONG 76°07.7'W
    N d. LAT 37°06.1'N, LONG 76°07.5'W

344: 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?

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

438: You estimate that you are making 9.3 knots over the ground. At what time will you enter waters governed by the COLREGS?

    N a. 0258
    N b. 0255
    Y c. 0251
    N d. 0247

451: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 27°51.0'N, LONG 71°41.0'W to LAT 49°45.0'N, LONG 06°14.0'W.

    N a. 3196 miles, 313.1°T
    Y b. 3214 miles, 046.9°T
    N c. 3219 miles, 042.5°T
    N d. 3231 miles, 041.4°T

471: The great circle distance from LAT 35°57.2'N, LONG 05°45.7'W to LAT 24°25.3'N, LONG 83°02.6'W is 3966.5 miles and the initial course is 283.7°T. The latitude of the vertex is 38°09.4'N. What is the longitude of the vertex?

    N a. 28°02.6'W
    Y b. 28°18.2'W
    N c. 28°46.3'W
    N d. 28°54.7'W

680: On which voyage would a great circle track provide a significant savings in distance to steam, when compared to a rhumb line track? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5270.)

    N a. Valdez, AK, to the Marquesas Islands (LAT 8°00'S, LONG 140°00'W)
    N b. San Francisco to Kodiak, AK
    N c. Christmas Island (LAT 2°00'N, LONG 157°30'W) to Singapore via LAT 3°00'N, LONG 126°00'E
    Y d. Guam (LAT 14°00'N, LONG 145°00'E) to Seattle via LAT 47°30'N, LONG 125°30'W

742: On 15 July , at 0447 ZT, your vessel's DR position is LAT 22°42'N, LONG 126°36'E. At approximately this time, you obtain a sextant altitude (hs) of Polaris reading 23°46.2' with an index error of 1.6' off the arc. Your chronometer reads 08h 48m 28s, and is 1m 16s fast. What is your latitude by Polaris, given a height of eye of 33 feet?

    N a. 22°44.1'N
    N b. 22°46.2'N
    N c. 22°50.2'N
    Y d. 22°54.1'N

748: On 7 May , you observe Polaris for latitude at 0303 ZT. Your DR position is LAT 56°35.4'N, LONG 05°38.9'W. The sextant altitude is 56°11.1'. The height of eye is 36', and the index error is 3.3' off the arc. What is the latitude at the time of the sight?

    N a. 56°24.6'N
    N b. 56°32.6'N
    N c. 56°35.0'N
    Y d. 56°38.7'N

830: On 23 August , in DR position LAT 24°22.0'S, LONG 64°55.3'E, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Moon's upper limb at upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 02h 15m 04s, and the chronometer error is 01m 06s fast. The sextant altitude (hs) is 48°03.6'. The index error is 2.0' on the arc, and your height of eye is 60 feet (21.0 meters). What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    Y a. 24°20.5'S
    N b. 24°22.8'S
    N c. 24°24.8'S
    N d. 24°49.5'S

976: On 7 November , your 0830 zone time position was LAT 27°36.0'N, LONG 162°19.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 289°T at a speed of 19.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0945 ZT. The chronometer read 08h 43m 11s and was slow 01m 51s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 38°21.1'. Local Apparent Noon (LAN) occurred at 1138 zone time. The observed altitude (Ho) was 45°35.0'. What was the longitude of your 1200 zone time running fix?

    Y a. 163°38.8'W
    N b. 163°34.0'W
    N c. 163°30.2'W
    N d. 163°26.0'W

1092: On 3 April , your vessel's 1400 ZT DR position is LAT 20°08.0'N, LONG 147°45.0'W. You are steering course 023°T at 18.0 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1900 running fix. NP-0022

    N a. LAT 21°39.8'N, LONG 146°59.7'W
    Y b. LAT 21°40.0'N, LONG 147°03.2'W
    N c. LAT 21°41.8'N, LONG 147°05.5'W
    N d. LAT 21°41.8'N, LONG 147°01.5'W

1095: On 25 Oct. , your 0430 ZT DR position is LAT 24°48'N, LONG 65°31'W. Your vessel is on course 030°T at a speed of 18 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0455 running fix. NP-0025

    Y a. LAT 24°53'N, LONG 65°28'W
    N b. LAT 24°53'N, LONG 65°12'W
    N c. LAT 24°54'N, LONG 65°17'W
    N d. LAT 25°03'N, LONG 65°18'W

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

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

1344: At 2142, on January 3, you pass Sebastapol Light (mile 283.3 AHP). At 0137, January 4, you pass Fort Adams Light(mile 311.4 AHP). You have been turning for 9.0 mph. What was the current?

    N a. 4.2 mph
    N b. 3.3 mph
    N c. 2.7 mph
    Y d. 1.8 mph

1418: How far is it to the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis, TN?

    N a. 980.8 miles
    N b. 736.6 miles
    N c. 312.3 miles
    Y d. 218.1 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

1455: On 4 October , your 1907 zone time DR position is LAT 25°15.0'S, LONG 105°44.0'E. At that time, you observe Deneb bearing 011.5°psc. The chronometer reads 00h 07m 42s, and the chronometer error is 00m 36s fast. The variation is 7.5°W. What is the deviation of the standard compass?

    Y a. 3.2°E
    N b. 4.3°W
    N c. 2.1°E
    N d. 2.1°W

1545: You are downbound, passing by Warfield Point Lt. (mile 537 AHP), when you observe on your Mississippi River map several black lines extending into the river from the bank. These indicate __________.

    N a. revetments
    N b. weirs
    N c. fleeting areas
    Y d. dikes

1650: On 22 October , in DR position LAT 21°51.0'S, LONG 76°24.0'E, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 256°psc. The chronometer reads 01h 01m 25s and is 01m 15s fast. Variation for the area is 2°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 0.3°E
    Y b. 0.3°W
    N c. 2.0°E
    N d. 2.0°W

1670: On 10 August , your vessel's 0426 zone time DR position is LAT 52°07'N, LONG 142°16'E, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's lower limb is about 20 minutes of arc above the visible horizon and bears 074.5° per standard compass. Variation in the area is 12°W. The chronometer reads 07h 24m 19s and is 02m 34s fast. Which of the following is the deviation of the standard compass?

    N a. 0.0°
    N b. 1.3°W
    Y c. 1.3°E
    N d. 2.3°W

1852: On 26 November , at 0535 ZT, while taking sights for a morning fix, you observe an unidentified planet bearing 074°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 38°29.8'. Your DR position is LAT 27°18.9'S, LONG 30°18.4'E. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 33m 16s, and the chronometer is 01m 48s slow. What planet did you observe?

    Y a. Saturn
    N b. Jupiter
    N c. Mars
    N d. Venus

2285: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 45°49.7' on 13 November . The index error is 1.0' on the arc. The height of eye is 61 feet (18.6 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 45°59.3'
    Y b. 45°56.4'
    N c. 45°52.9'
    N d. 45°49.8'

2592: What chart would you need to enter Port Jefferson Harbor?

    Y a. 12362
    N b. 12364
    N c. 12369
    N d. 12370

2688: While on a course of 214°pgc, a light bears 9° on the port bow at a distance of 7.4 miles. What course should you steer to pass 2 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port?

    N a. 189°pgc
    N b. 209°pgc
    Y c. 221°pgc
    N d. 229°pgc

2777: The Helena Gage reads 2.3 feet. The high point on your towboat is 26 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge?

    N a. 76.0 feet
    N b. 84.2 feet
    N c. 89.5 feet
    Y d. 90.7 feet

2892: You are steaming on a course of 114°T at 17 knots. At 1122 you observe a lighthouse bearing 077°T. At 1133 the lighthouse bears 051°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    N a. 3.3 miles
    N b. 3.9 miles
    Y c. 4.3 miles
    N d. 4.9 miles

3262: You have steamed 632 miles at 18.5 knots, and consumed 197 tons of fuel. If you have 278 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 15.0 knots?

    N a. 681 miles
    N b. 892 miles
    N c. 1100 miles
    Y d. 1357 miles

3277: While steaming at 12.3 knots, your vessel burns 168 bbls of fuel per day. What will be the rate of fuel consumption if you increase speed to 13.5 knots?

    N a. 192 bbls/day
    N b. 204 bbls/day
    Y c. 222 bbls/day
    N d. 238 bbls/day

3607: You desire to make good 152°T. The magnetic compass deviation is 4°E, the variation is 5°E, and the gyro error is 3°E. A southwesterly wind produces a 4° leeway. Which course would you steer per standard compass to make good the true course?

    N a. 137°psc
    N b. 141°psc
    N c. 143°psc
    Y d. 147°psc

3636: You desire to make good a true course of 279°. The variation is 8°W, magnetic compass deviation is 3°E, and gyrocompass error is 1°E. A north-northwesterly wind produces 3° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to make the true course good?

    N a. 281°psc
    N b. 284°psc
    Y c. 287°psc
    N d. 290°psc

10605: At 0620 your GPS position is LAT 41°01.8'N, LONG 72°48.40'W. You are steering course 274° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 10 knots. At 0735 you fix your position by plotting several compass bearings on nearby known fixed objects. These result in a position of LAT 40°59.50'N, LONG 73°06.50'W. What were your set and drift?

    N a. 304°T at 0.8 knot
    Y b. 276°T at 1.2 knots
    N c. 099°T at 0.5 knot
    N d. 094°T at 1.3 knots

11401: At 1520 your GPS position is LAT 41°13.1'N, LONG 72°16.1'W. At 1630 your position is LAT 41°17.5'N, LONG 72°04.7'W. What were your true course and speed made good?

    N a. 344° at 8.2 knots
    N b. 077° at 9.5 knots
    Y c. 063° at 8.3 knots
    N d. 059° at 8.1 knots

13100: Your position is LAT 41°15.2'N, LONG 71°50.1'W at 1347. You are turning for 6.9 knots. What is your ETA at Shagwong Reef Buoy "7SR"?

    Y a. 1506
    N b. 1515
    N c. 1521
    N d. 1527

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

15038: At 0705 you obtained the following Loran readings:

9960-X-27091.2
9960-Y-41612.8
9960-Z-58744.2

What is your vessel's position?

    N a. 37°20.4'N 75°30.2'W
    Y b. 37°20.8'N 75°29.9'W
    N c. 37°21.3'N 75°29.5'W
    N d. 37°21.2'N 75°30.4'W

15064: At 0844, the range to the north end of Falkner Island is 2.0 miles and the left tangent bearing is 102°T. If the height of the tide is +1.0 foot, what is the approximate depth of the water under the keel?

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

15112: Based on a DR, at approximately 1817 you would expect to __________.

    N a. enter a traffic separation zone
    Y b. depart a regulated area
    N c. cross a submerged pipeline
    N d. depart a restricted area

15156: Your 1600 position is LAT 37°22.5'N, LONG 75°32.3'W. The depth of water is about __________.

    N a. 38 feet (11.5 meters)
    N b. 45 feet (13.6 meters)
    Y c. 52 feet (15.8 meters)
    N d. 59 feet (17.3 meters)

15216: Which of the following concerning Thimble Shoal Channel is TRUE?

    N a. Only deep-draft passenger ships and large naval vessels may use the main channel.
    N b. The channel is 14.5 miles in length.
    Y c. A tow drawing 20 feet is excluded from the main channel.
    N d. Thimble Shoal Channel is in international waters.

15440: Your ETA at Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel between trestles B + C is 2300. If your engine speed is 9.8 knots,
what will be your approximate speed over the ground, at that time, allowing for the predicted current?

    N a. 7.0 knots
    N b. 8.2 knots
    N c. 11.4 knots
    Y d. 12.5 knots

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°

15644: At 2045 You take the following set of bearings:

Watch Hill Point Light bears 005° true
Montauk Point Light bears 350° true

Determine your 2103 fix.

    Y a. LAT 41°09.2'N, LONG 71°52.5'W
    N b. LAT 41°09.1'N, LONG 71°52.2'W
    N c. LAT 41°09.0'N, LONG 71°52.9'W
    N d. LAT 41°08.8'N, LONG 71°52.5'W

15860: At 0100, your position is LAT 41°05.3 N, LONG 72°29.2 W. You head for the position one mile north of Mattituck Inlet Light and turn to make good 9.0 knots. If the visibility is about 2 miles, at what approximate time will you sight the light?

    N a. The light is visible at 0100
    N b. 0109
    Y c. 0120
    N d. 0128

16067: At 2118, you obtain the following information:
Cape Henry Light 151°pgc;
Cape Charles Light 033°pgc;
Thimble Shoal Light 291°pgc

What is your 2118 position?

    Y a. LAT 36°57.4'N, LONG 76°01.9'W
    N b. LAT 36°57.5'N, LONG 76°01.4'W
    N c. LAT 36°57.6'N, LONG 76°01.8'W
    N d. LAT 36°57.6'N, LONG 76°02.2'W

16218: At 0830, Watch Hill Point bears 343°T at 3.5 miles by radar. What was the speed made good since 0745?

    N a. 5.4 knots
    N b. 5.8 knots
    N c. 6.7 knots
    Y d. 7.1 knots

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

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

16368: Why should mariners use extreme care when navigating within the precautionary area centered on Chesapeake Bay Entrance Junction Lighted Gong Buoy CBJ?

    N a. There are numerous underwater obstructions that are a hazard to vessels with drafts exceeding 2 meters (6.5 feet).
    N b. Fishing vessels of limited maneuverability routinely operate in this area when hunting oyster and crabs.
    Y c. Vessels may approach from different directions from the inbound separation lanes and from Chesapeake and Thimble Shoal Channel.
    N d. Large naval vessels having the right of way often enter the area when bound to or from the Norfolk Naval Base.

16742: At 2352 you hear a MAYDAY call from a vessel reporting her position as 1.5 miles due east of Block Island Southeast Point Light. What is the course to steer, per gyrocompass to the distress site, if you change course at midnight and allow 1° leeway for easterly winds?

    N a. 049.5°pgc
    N b. 052.5°pgc
    N c. 055.5°pgc
    Y d. 059.0°pgc

16742: At 2352 you hear a MAYDAY call from a vessel reporting her position as 1.5 miles due east of Block Island Southeast Point Light. What is the course to steer, per gyrocompass to the distress site, if you change course at midnight and allow 1° leeway for easterly winds?

    N a. 049.5°pgc
    N b. 052.5°pgc
    N c. 055.5°pgc
    Y d. 059.0°pgc