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.


89: In high water conditions, which publication would you consult for the latest information on buoys between Baton Rouge and Cairo?


209: At 0705, you take the following bearings:

Watch Hill Light 034.5°pgc
Latimer Reef Light 338.0°pgc
Race Rock Light 268.0°pgc

What was the true course made good between 0645 and 0705?


238: At 0910, your DR position is LAT 41°11.9'N, LONG 72°47.8'W. Your vessel is on course 097°T at 9.5 knots, and the weather is foggy. At 0915, Branford Reef Light is sighted through a break in the fog bearing 318°T. At 0945, Falkner Island Light is sighted bearing 042°T. What is your 0945 running fix position?


338: You passed Cape Henry Light at 0730 outbound at maximum flood. What approximate current can you expect on entering Chesapeake Channel?

    N a. Slack before ebb
    N b. Slack before flood
    Y c. Flood current
    N d. Ebb current

475: The great circle distance from LAT 35°08.0'S, LONG 19°26.0'E to LAT 33°16.0'S, LONG 115°36.0'E is 4559 miles and the initial course is 121°T. Determine the latitude of the vertex.

    N a. 44°29.1'S
    Y b. 45°30.9'S
    N c. 46°18.2'S
    N d. 43°41.8'S

532: You depart LAT 26°03'S, LONG 10°28'E, for LAT 26°03'S, LONG 01°16'W. What are the course and distance by parallel sailing?

    N a. 090°T, 547.2 miles
    N b. 090°T, 632.5 miles
    N c. 270°T, 547.2 miles
    Y d. 270°T, 632.5 miles

683: Which type of daymark would you see on the Belle Island Corner Lt. at mile 458.6 AHP?

    N a. Green - Diamond
    N b. Green - Square
    N c. Red - Triangle
    Y d. Red - Diamond

812: On 28 July , your 0800 zone time (ZT) fix gives you a position of LAT 25°16.0'N, LONG 71°19.0'W. Your vessel is on course 026°T, and your speed is 17.5 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1150 ZT, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 82°28.7'. What is the latitude at 1200 ZT?

    N a. 26°25.0'N
    Y b. 26°27.6'N
    N c. 26°29.8'N
    N d. 26°32.0'N

1079: On 12 Dec. , your 1830 ZT DR position is LAT 24°16.0'S, LONG 41°18.0'W. You are on course 235°T at a speed of 16.0 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1930 running fix. NP-0009

    N a. LAT 24°12.5'S, LONG 41°10.9'W
    Y b. LAT 24°16.9'S, LONG 41°18.2'W
    N c. LAT 24°25.2'S, LONG 41°39.9'W
    N d. LAT 27°46.9'S, LONG 41°31.2'W

1146: The Linwood Bend revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________.

    N a. 828.1-823.1 RDB
    N b. 831.7-829.4 RDB
    N c. 845.4-842.5 LDB
    Y d. 841.3-838.7 LDB

1165: Which of the following statements concerning the buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE?

    N a. The position of river buoys can be determined by consulting the latest Light List - Vol. V.
    N b. A preferred channel mark is a lateral mark indicating a channel junction which must always be passed to starboard.
    N c. Buoys should be passed as close as possible.
    Y d. Setting a buoy is the act of placing a buoy on assigned position in the water.

1184: On 8 April , your 0830 zone time DR position is LAT 22°49.0'N, LONG 84°37.0'W. Your vessel is on course 228°
T at a speed of 19.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    Y a. 1144
    N b. 1147
    N c. 1150
    N d. 1154

1193: On 26 September , your 0830 zone time DR position is LAT 23°04.0'N, LONG 129°16.0'E. Your vessel is on course 119°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1158
    N b. 1205
    Y c. 1210
    N d. 1214

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

1565: Which of the following statements concerning the buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE?

    N a. The position of river buoys can be determined by consulting the latest Light List - Vol. V.
    N b. A preferred channel mark is a lateral mark indicating a channel junction which must always be passed to starboard.
    Y c. Setting a buoy is the act of placing a buoy on assigned position in the water.
    N d. None of the above.

1685: As you approach Buckridge Light (mile 412.5 AHP), which type of daymark would you see on the light structure?

    N a. Red square
    N b. Green square
    N c. Red diamond
    Y d. Green diamond

1732: You estimate the current at 2.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground?

    N a. 3.5 mph
    Y b. 4.5 mph
    N c. 7.5 mph
    N d. 9.5 mph

1736: What are the color and shape of Joseph Henry Daymark at mile 445.2 AHP?

    N a. Red - Triangle
    N b. Green - Square
    N c. Green - Triangle
    Y d. Red - Diaomond

1808: You are on map #4. What is the mile point of the facility known as Gulf Coast Grain Co.?

    N a. mile 920 AHP
    N b. mile 921 AHP
    N c. mile 922 AHP
    Y d. mile 923 AHP

1855: On 22 July , your 0442 ZT DR position is LAT 26°35.6'N, LONG 22°16.7'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 112°T, at an observed altitude (Ho) of 44°16.0'. The chronometer reads 05h 39m 03s and is 03m 14s slow. What star did you observe?

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

1877: On 2 October , your 1845 DR position is LAT 28°09.2'S, LONG 167°48.1'E. You observe a faint star through a hole in the clouds at a sextant altitude (hs) of 63°29.1' bearing 237.5°T. The index error is 1.3' off the arc, and the height of eye is 42 feet. The chronometer reads 07h 46m 19s and is 0m 51s fast. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Kappa Scorpii
    N b. Beta Ophiuchi
    N c. Alpha Arae
    N d. Beta Draconis

2206: What is the distance in river miles, from the new mouth of the White River to the RR and Hwy bridge at Baton Rouge, LA?

    N a. 338 miles
    Y b. 365 miles
    N c. 400 miles
    N d. 454 miles

2340: You have steamed 775 miles at 17 knots, and consumed 145 tons of fuel. If you have to steam 977 miles to complete the voyage, how many tons of fuel will be consumed while steaming at 18 knots?

    Y a. 204 tons
    N b. 181 tons
    N c. 163 tons
    N d. 129 tons

2424: As you approach mile 225 AHP, you notice on the map a brown broken-lined rectangular shaped area along the bank. This indicates __________.

    N a. weirs
    N b. a revetment
    Y c. a fleeting area
    N d. utility crossing

2460: You have steamed 499 miles at 21 knots and burning 462 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 221 barrels per day with 311 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    N a. 17.3
    Y b. 18.4
    N c. 19.1
    N d. 20.0

2867: Your vessel is on a course of 144°T at 20 knots. At 0022 a light bears 117.5°T, and at 0035 the light bears 099°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0044, 3.2 miles
    Y b. 0048, 4.3 miles
    N c. 0052, 5.1 miles
    N d. 0056, 6.0 miles

3059: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 21.5 feet and a pitch of 24.5 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 458 miles in a 23 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 78?

    N a. +5.6%
    Y b. -5.6%
    N c. +12.3%
    N d. -12.3%

3602: You are heading 328°pgc to make good a course of 332°T, allowing 3° leeway for westerly winds and 1°E gyro error. The variation is 17°E. What should your heading be by standard magnetic compass to make good 332°T.
DEVIATION TABLE
MAGNETIC HEADING DEV.
345° 1°E
330° 1°W
315° 3°W

    Y a. 315°psc
    N b. 318°psc
    N c. 343°psc
    N d. 345°psc

3612: Your vessel is steering 195° per standard magnetic compass. Variation for the area is 13°W, and the deviation is 4°E. The wind is from the west-southwest, producing a 2° leeway. Which true course are you making good?

    N a. 178°T
    N b. 180°T
    N c. 182°T
    Y d. 184°T

3624: Your vessel is steering course 073°psc, variation for the area is 15°E, and deviation is 4°E. The wind is from the southeast, producing a 4° leeway. Which true course are you making good?

    N a. 050°T
    N b. 058°T
    Y c. 088°T
    N d. 096°T

11107: What is the time (Daylight Savings Time) of the first high tide on 1 July 1983 at Great Salt Pond on Block Island?

    Y a. 0027
    N b. 0448
    N c. 1158
    N d. 1203

11406: At 2021 your position is LAT 41°09.7'N, LONG 72°59.8'W. At 2057 your position is LAT 41°00.5'N, LONG 72°49.5'W. What are your true course and speed made good?

    Y a. 140° at 20 knots
    N b. 145° at 18 knots
    N c. 316° at 19 knots
    N d. 320° at 17 knots

11500: At 2016 your GPS position is LAT 41°07.6'N, LONG 71°37.8'W. At 2128 your GPS position is LAT 41°00.4'N, LONG 71°29.4'W. What was the speed made good between the two positions?

    N a. 11.9 knots
    N b. 10.2 knots
    Y c. 8.0 knots
    N d. 7.4 knots

12204: You sight Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground) Light and Old Field Pt. Light in line and bearing 200° per standard magnetic compass. What is the deviation of the compass?

    N a. 7°E
    N b. 7°W
    Y c. 3°E
    N d. 3°W

12900: Your 1302 position is LAT 37°14.7'N, LONG 76°22.7'W. You are turning for 9.6 knots. What is your ETA at Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel if you follow York River Entrance Channel?

    N a. 1516
    Y b. 1505
    N c. 1500
    N d. 1451

13308: You are navigating 1 mile north of Cape Henry Lighthouse at the southern entrance to Chesapeake Bay. You observe that this area is bounded on the chart by magenta bands. This indicates a(n) __________.

    N a. fish trap area
    N b. explosive anchorage
    Y c. pilotage area
    N d. danger zone

15059: From your 0740 position, you change course to pass 1.1 miles north of Falkner Island Light. Which of the following is true?

    N a. you should consult the sailing directions for pilotage requirements
    N b. you will pass 1.5 nm off Branford Reef Light
    Y c. your course will keep you clear of the 18' shoal
    N d. None of the above

15266: At 1210, you are in position LAT 41°14.3'N, LONG 72°16.5'W. What is the charted depth of water?

    N a. 97 feet (29.4 meters)
    Y b. 108 feet (32.7 meters)
    N c. 119 feet (36.1 meters)
    N d. 125 feet (37.9 meters)

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

15765: The wind is northerly, and you estimate 3° leeway. Allowing for leeway what is the course to steer per gyro compass from your 0745 position to pass 1 mile south of Watch Hill Buoy "WH"?

    Y a. 077°pgc
    N b. 082°pgc
    N c. 085°pgc
    N d. 087°pgc

15965: If the visibility is 5 miles, what is the luminous range of New Point Comfort Spit Light "4"?

    N a. 0.5 mile
    Y b. 3.4 miles
    N c. 4.8 miles
    N d. 5.0 miles

15968: What was the speed made good from 1900 to 1925?

    N a. 8.5 knots
    N b. 8.7 knots
    N c. 8.8 knots
    Y d. 9.1 knots

15969: What is the height above water of New Point Comfort Spit Light "2"?

    N a. 6 feet (1.8 meters)
    N b. 15 feet (4.6 meters)
    Y c. 18 feet (5.5 meters)
    N d. 24 feet (7.3 meters)

16011: 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?

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

16019: The south shore of Long Island Sound from Horton Point to Orient Point is __________.

    N a. low and marshy
    Y b. bluff and rocky
    N c. marked by sandy beaches and wooded uplands
    N d. bound by gradual shoaling

16263: If you increase speed to 8 knots, and the current is 240°
at 0.7 knot. What course should you steer from your 0400 position to arrive at point A?

    N a. 178°T
    N b. 180°T
    Y c. 183°T
    N d. 186°T

16411: You get underway at 1030. The wind is out of the SSE and you estimate 3° leeway. What course should you steer per gyrocompass to make good a desired course of 075°T?

    N a. 074°pgc
    N b. 076°pgc
    N c. 078°pgc
    Y d. 080°pgc

16461: At 0400, you obtain the following information:

Sand Shoal Inlet South Light bearing 303° true @ 7.1nm

What is your 0400 position?

    N a. LAT 37°14.2'N, LONG 75°40.7'W
    N b. LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 75°41.3'W
    N c. LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 75°40.5'W
    Y d. LAT 37°14.0'N, LONG 75°40.7'W

16643: At 0520 your position is LAT 41°07.2'N, LONG 71°41.6'W. You set course to leave Race Rock Light abeam to starboard at 0.5 mile. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass? (Assume no current)

    N a. 301.5°
    N b. 305.0°
    Y c. 307.5°
    N d. 309.0°

16744: You continue to steer 285°pgc from your 0052 fix. Your speed is 9.2 knots. What is the course per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 273.5°
    N b. 276.0°
    N c. 298.0°
    Y d. 302.0°