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.


53: What are the dimensions of Old River Lock, on the Lower Mississippi River?


81: Which company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Helena (mile 658 to 665 AHP)?


145: As you approach Joseph Henry Light (mile 445.2 AHP) which daymark would you see?


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

    N a. 37°00.6'N
    N b. 37°00.0'N
    N c. 36°59.7'N
    Y d. 36°59.4'N

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

218: If there is no current, what is the course per gyro compass from your 1600 position to point A located 0.5 mile due east of Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy "12"?

    N a. 199°pgc
    N b. 196°pgc
    Y c. 193°pgc
    N d. 190°pgc

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

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

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

370: At 0812, you are on course 132°T. The standard magnetic compass reads 135°. What should you conclude?

    N a. The deviation table is correct for that heading.
    N b. You should adjust the magnetic compass.
    N c. The deviation is increasing as you go south.
    Y d. Your compass may be influenced by a local magnetic disturbance.

399: A vessel at LAT 11°22'S, LONG 009°18'E heads for a destination at LAT 06°52'N, LONG 57°23'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 296°T, 3,825.3 miles
    N b. 296°T, 4,154.2 miles
    N c. 285°T, 3,825.3 miles
    Y d. 285°T, 4,154.2 miles

460: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 35°27.0'N, LONG 140°20.5'E to LAT 47°51.0'N, LONG 122°51.0'W.

    N a. 4087 miles, 036°T
    Y b. 4115 miles, 045°T
    N c. 4122 miles. 076°T
    N d. 4136 miles, 076°T

594: After you get underway, what is the first river gage you will pass?

    N a. Head of Passes
    Y b. Donaldsonville
    N c. Baton Rouge
    N d. Red River Landing

618: Your vessel departs Seattle at 1010 zone time (ZD +8), on 28 May, bound for Apra, Guam (ZD -10). The distance by great circle is 4,948 miles, and you estimate that you will average 18.5 knots. What is your estimated zone time of arrival?

    Y a. 0737, 9 June
    N b. 1737, 9 June
    N c. 1937, 9 June
    N d. 0737, 10 June

668: A great circle track would be most advantageous when compared to the rhumb line track on which route? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC5274)

    N a. Cayenne (LAT 4°40'N, LONG 52°15'W) to Sao Tome (LAT 0°00', LONG 6°45'E)
    Y b. Palm Beach, FL, to the English Channel
    N c. Natal, Brazil, to Reykjavik, Iceland
    N d. Recife, Brazil, to Monrovia

672: What is the total length of the trip?

    Y a. 922.3 miles
    N b. 985.3 miles
    N c. 1155.8 miles
    N d. 1187.3 miles

704: As you approach Giles Bend Cut-off Light (mile 367.7 AHP), what type of daymark would you see on the light structure?

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

740: On 14 March , your 1846 ZT DR position is LAT 21°57.6'N, LONG 132°16.2'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 22°16.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 45m 10s, and the chronometer error is 01m 32s slow. The index error is 3.2' off the arc, and the height of eye is 44.9 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris?

    N a. 21°32.4'N
    Y b. 21°49.8'N
    N c. 21°51.0'N
    N d. 21°53.1'N

840: On 29 October , in DR position LAT 41°12.0'N, LONG 50°18.9'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Sun's lower limb, near upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 21m 12s, and the chronometer error is 01m 50s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 34°54.2'. The index error is 2.0' on the arc, and your height of eye is 45 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    N a. 41°12.0'N
    Y b. 41°16.0'N
    N c. 41°20.2'N
    N d. 41°23.6'N

1096: On 24 October , your 0100 DR position is LAT 27°42'N, LONG 158°35'E. You are on course 085°T at a speed of 12 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0700 running fix. NP-0026

    N a. LAT 27°48.8'N, LONG 160°12.5'E
    N b. LAT 27°52.5'N, LONG 160°18.2'E
    Y c. LAT 27°56.0'N, LONG 159°47.3'E
    N d. LAT 27°58.4'N, LONG 159°43.5'E

1214: It is 25 February and you are keeping zone time +4. You are on course 283°T, speed 22 knots. Your 0900 DR position is LAT 29°10.3'N, LONG 72°04.9'W. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks?

    N a. 13h 08m 56s
    Y b. 13h 08m 02s
    N c. 12h 41m 36s
    N d. 12h 07m 56s

1473: On 26 January , your 1615 ZT DR position is LAT 27°14.0'S, LONG 57°22.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 266°psc. The chronometer reads 08h 13m 19s, and the chronometer error is 01m 46s slow. The variation is 4°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 4.8°E
    N b. 4.9°W
    Y c. 5.9°W
    N d. 7.8°E

1686: Which light characteristics does Ben Burman Lt. (mile 235.0 AHP) have?

    N a. 1 red flash every 5 seconds
    N b. 2 white flashes every 5 seconds
    N c. 2 green flashes every 5 seconds
    Y d. 2 red flashes every 5 seconds

1774: You pass New Madrid, MO (mile 889.0 AHP) at 1412. What was your average speed since leaving Cairo?

    Y a. 8.0 mph
    N b. 7.8 mph
    N c. 7.6 mph
    N d. 7.3 mph

1951: As you approach Ashland Light (mile 378.1 AHP) which daymark would you see?

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

1960: The low water reference plane for Greenville Highway Bridge is 11.3 feet. If the Gage at the Greenville Highway Bridge reads 22.0 feet, what is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane (LWRP)?

    N a. 22.1 feet below the LWRP
    N b. 10.7 feet below the LWRP
    Y c. 10.7 feet above the LWRP
    N d. 0.5 feet below the LWRP

2110: From your 0100 position, you change course to 258° per standard magnetic compass. Your engine speed is 10.0 knots. A short time later, your fathometer reads 51 feet (15.5 meters) under the keel. What is the water depth?

    N a. 38.5 feet (11.7 meters)
    N b. 43.5 feet (13.2 meters)
    N c. 51.0 feet (15.5 meters)
    Y d. 59.5 feet (18.0 meters)

2205: What are the dimensions of Old River Lock, on the Lower Mississippi River?

    N a. 1202 feet x 84 feet
    Y b. 1190 feet x 75 feet
    N c. 760 feet x 75 feet
    N d. 425 feet x 75 feet

2463: You have steamed 491 miles at 20 knots and burning 568 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 265 barrels per day with 313 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    N a. 10.9
    N b. 14.3
    Y c. 17.1
    N d. 18.2

2681: Your vessel is on course 312°pgc and you sight a lighthouse dead ahead at a range of 10 miles. The gyro error is 3°E. What course would you steer to leave the lighthouse 1.5 miles abeam to starboard?

    N a. 309°pgc
    Y b. 304°pgc
    N c. 309°T
    N d. 304°T

2707: You are underway on course 128°T at a speed of 17.6 knots. You sight a daymark bearing 126°T at a radar range of 4.3 miles at 1649. If you change course at 1654, what is the course to steer to leave the daymark abeam to starboard at 0.5 mile?

    Y a. 113°T
    N b. 116°T
    N c. 119°T
    N d. 136°T

2894: You are steaming on a course of 071°T at 19 knots. At 1907 you observe a lighthouse bearing 122°T. At 1915 the lighthouse bears 154°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    N a. 3.4 miles
    Y b. 3.7 miles
    N c. 4.0 miles
    N d. 4.3 miles

3058: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 20.9 feet and a pitch of 19.6 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 447 miles in a 23 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 108?

    N a. -5.6%
    N b. +5.6%
    N c. -7.0%
    Y d. +7.0%

3099: The propellers on your twin screw vessel have a pitch of 16'04". What is the distance in a day's run if the average RPM is 94, and you estimate 7% positive slip?

    Y a. 338.3 miles
    N b. 389.3 miles
    N c. 676.6 miles
    N d. 778.6 miles

3646: The true course between two points is 041°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 1°W. You make an allowance of 2° leeway for a east-southeast wind. What gyro course should be steered to make the true course good?

    N a. 040°pgc
    N b. 042°pgc
    N c. 043°pgc
    Y d. 044°pgc

3771: Two beacons form a range in the direction of 221.5°T. The range is seen in line from your vessel bearing 223° per gyro compass. The variation in the area is 4°E. What is the error of your gyro compass?

    Y a. 1.5°W
    N b. 2.5°W
    N c. 5.5°W
    N d. 2.5°E

10906: What correction should be applied to the charted depths of the Poquoson River at York Point at the PM low water on 18 December 1983?

    N a. +1.9 feet
    N b. -0.1 feet
    Y c. -0.4 feet
    N d. No correction is necessary

13405: At 0400 your vessel is dead in the water and in heavy fog. Your GPS position is LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°43.5'W. Bottom samples are taken and indicate a composition of soft mud and shell. Your fathometer reads 40 feet. If the vessel draws 9 feet of water, which of the following is TRUE?

    Y a. The bottom samples and fathometer reading prove the fix is reliable.
    N b. The bottom samples and fathometer readings indicate that the fix is unreliable.
    N c. The information collected indicates that the fathometer may be in error.
    N d. The information collected indicates that the chart is most likely in error.

13501: What type of bottom is found off the southern coast of Long Island?

    N a. Blue Mud
    N b. Shingle
    Y c. Brown Sand
    N d. Shells

14100: Your vessel is awaiting lockage at Bonneville Lock. The staff gauge on the guide wall reads 18'-06". What is the maximum vessel draft allowed to enter the lock?

    N a. 17'-00"
    Y b. 17'-06"
    N c. 18'-00"
    N d. 18'-06"

15006: You are on course 192°pgc at 12 knots.
At 1900 your position is:
Latitude 37° 22.6' North
Longitude 075° 35.7' West

Which of the following is true?

    N a. if you maintain course and speed you will pass Hog Island Bell Buoy "2" to stbd
    N b. you are inside the 3 nm territorial sea
    Y c. your fathometer reads 30'
    N d. None of the above

15140: At 2100 your position is 40°44.1'N, 72°07.6'W. From this position, at which time will Montauk Point Light become visible if the luminous range of the light is 8 miles?

    N a. 2215
    Y b. 2221
    N c. 2227
    N d. 2235

15318: 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
    N c. Ebb current
    Y d. Flood current

15541: You alter course to make good 076°T from your 2200 fix,
and estimate you will make 13.6 knots over the ground. If the visibility is 5.5 miles, what is the earliest time you will sight Falkner Island Light? (nominal range 13 miles)

    N a. The light is visible at 2200
    N b. 2221
    Y c. 2236
    N d. You will not sight the light

15743: At 2155 Montauk Point Light bears 249°T, Watch Hill Point Light bears 335°T, and Block Island North Light bears 045°
T. At this time, you wish to change course to 288°T. The current has a set of 355°T and a drift of 2.0 knots. If your vessel is turning RPM's for 9 knots, what course must you steer in order to make your desired course good?

    Y a. 276°T
    N b. 280°T
    N c. 284°T
    N d. 288°T

15746: Which nautical chart would you use to navigate into New London, CT?

    N a. 13209
    N b. 13211
    Y c. 13212
    N d. 13214

15760: As you near Little Gull Island, you use your loran to insure that you do not come within 0.5 mile of the island. Which loran reading will act as a danger line and keep you off Little Gull Island by a minimum of 0.5 mile?

    N a. Not more than 9960-W-14735.9
    N b. Not more than 9960-X-26149.0
    N c. Not less than 9960-X-26140.0
    Y d. Not less than 9960-Y-43953.5

15819: You must arrive at your final destination by 0800. The distance from your 0300 position to the final destination is 40.5 miles. What minimum speed must be made good to arrive on time?

    Y a. 8.1 knots
    N b. 8.5 knots
    N c. 9.3 knots
    N d. 9.6 knots

15857: You are southeast of Saybrook Breakwater Light passing a horizontally-banded buoy. This buoy marks __________.

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

16062: 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 2000, you take the following bearings: Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light - 131°pgc Thimble Shoal Light - 247°pgc
What were the set and drift between 1930 and 2000?

    N a. 140°T at 0.2 knot
    Y b. 140°T at 0.4 knot
    N c. 320°T at 0.2 knot
    N d. 320°T at 0.4 knot

16342: At 2302 you fix your position at LAT 40°57.8'N, LONG 71°39.3'W. What current have you experienced since your 2209 fix?

    Y a. 105°T at 1.0 knot
    N b. 105°T at 0.9 knot
    N c. 285°T at 1.0 knot
    N d. 285°T at 0.9 knot

16417: You are encountering heavy weather. What action should you take based on your 1430 fix?

    Y a. Alter course to the right, to pass well clear of Southwest Ledge.
    N b. Continue on the same course at the same speed.
    N c. Slow to 8.3 knots to compensate for the current.
    N d. Continue on the same course but increase speed.

16617: 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?

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