ASA 106 - ADVANCED COASTAL CRUISING REAL QUESTIONS + DETAILED
ANSWERS - LATEST VERSION - TOP RATED (2026-2027)
1. What is the difference between dead reckoning and estimated position?
Dead reckoning uses only course and speed through the water without
considering current or leeway. Estimated position accounts for current, leeway,
and other environmental factors.
2. What is a danger bearing?
A bearing to a charted object that indicates the limit of safe water; crossing this
bearing indicates entering dangerous water.
3. How do you determine set and drift of current?
Set is the direction the current is flowing (in degrees true). Drift is the speed of
the current in knots. Determine by comparing DR position to fixed position.
4. What is a running fix?
A position obtained by advancing or retiring a line of position to cross with
another LOP taken at a different time.
5. What is the most accurate fix using two bearings?
Two bearings taken simultaneously at approximately 90 degrees apart provide
the most accurate fix.
6. What is a three-bearing fix?
A fix obtained using three lines of position from three different objects, forming
a triangle (cocked hat).
7. How do you use a cocked hat?
The vessel is assumed to be at the center of the triangle. If the triangle is small,
the fix is considered reliable. Place yourself in the part of the triangle closest to
danger.
8. What is the rule of thumb for coastal piloting visibility?
Objects should be identified at ranges where they can be used for accurate
positioning, typically 3-5 miles for most aids to navigation.
,9. What is a danger circle?
A circle drawn around a hazard at a radius equal to the safe distance to pass;
staying outside the circle ensures safe passage.
10. What is the advantage of a bow and beam bearing?
Allows calculation of distance off when the object is abeam using simple 7/10
rule or doubling the angle on the bow.
11. What is the 7/10 rule?
When an object is 45 degrees on the bow, the distance to the object when it
becomes abeam will be 7/10 of the distance run between the two bearings.
12. What is the doubling the angle on the bow method?
The distance off when the angle doubles equals the distance run between
bearings.
13. What is a range?
Two objects in line that provide a precise line of position, often used for
entering harbors.
14. What chart symbols indicate prohibited or restricted areas?
Magenta or purple shading indicates special areas; always check chart legend
and notices to mariners.
15. What is the purpose of a track line?
The intended path of the vessel drawn on the chart, used for planning and
monitoring progress.
16. How far ahead should you plan your coastal passage?
Plan the entire passage before departing, with contingency plans for various
conditions and emergencies.
17. What factors affect dead reckoning accuracy?
Helmsman skill, current, leeway, wind, sea state, compass deviation, and
steering compass error.
18. What is the purpose of a DR plot?
To maintain a continuous record of your vessel's position based on course and
speed, updated regularly.
19. How often should you update your DR position?
, Every hour, when course changes, when speed changes, and whenever a fix is
obtained.
20. What is the difference between course over ground and course through
water?
COG is the actual track made good over the bottom; course through water is the
direction steered without accounting for current.
21. What is speed over ground versus speed through water?
SOG is actual speed made good over the bottom; speed through water is speed
measured by knotmeter without current effects.
22. What is a waypoint?
A specific geographic position defined by latitude and longitude used in
electronic navigation and passage planning.
23. What is a route in GPS navigation?
A series of connected waypoints that define a planned passage.
24. What is cross track error (XTE)?
The perpendicular distance between the vessel's position and the intended track
line.
25. What is velocity made good (VMG)?
The component of boat speed directly toward the destination waypoint.
26. What is the purpose of logging speeds and courses?
To maintain an accurate navigation record for position updates, accident
investigation, and passage analysis.
27. What is a course to steer?
The compass course needed to make good the desired track, accounting for
current, leeway, and compass error.
28. How do you calculate course to steer with current?
Use vector diagram or current triangle to determine the heading that will result
in the desired track.
29. What is leeway?
The sideways movement of a vessel through the water due to wind pressure on
the hull and rigging.
30. How do you estimate leeway?
, Observe the angle between the vessel's heading and the wake; typically 5-10
degrees in moderate conditions for sailboats.
31. What is the current triangle method?
A graphical method using course, speed, current set and drift to determine
course to steer or actual track.
32. What is the difference between magnetic and true bearings?
True bearings reference true north; magnetic bearings reference magnetic north.
The difference is variation.
33. What is compass deviation?
The deflection of the compass needle caused by magnetic fields aboard the
vessel, varying with vessel heading.
34. What is the sequence for applying compass corrections?
Compass to Magnetic: Add Easterly deviation. Magnetic to True: Add Easterly
variation. (True Virgins Make Dull Companions - Add East)
35. What publications should you consult when passage planning?
Charts, Coast Pilot, Light List, Tide Tables, Tidal Current Tables, Notices to
Mariners, and weather forecasts.
36. What is a Local Notice to Mariners?
Weekly publication providing updates on aids to navigation, chart corrections,
and hazards within a Coast Guard district.
37. What is the Coast Pilot?
Books containing detailed coastal navigation information not suitable for charts,
including channel descriptions, harbor facilities, and local hazards.
38. What are the most important factors in selecting a harbor of refuge?
Adequate protection from expected weather, sufficient depth, easy entrance,
available services, and proximity to route.
39. What is a harbor of refuge?
A protected anchorage or harbor where vessels can seek shelter from severe
weather.
40. How do you determine if an anchorage is suitable?
Check depth, bottom type, protection from wind/waves, swing room, chart
notation, and local regulations.
ANSWERS - LATEST VERSION - TOP RATED (2026-2027)
1. What is the difference between dead reckoning and estimated position?
Dead reckoning uses only course and speed through the water without
considering current or leeway. Estimated position accounts for current, leeway,
and other environmental factors.
2. What is a danger bearing?
A bearing to a charted object that indicates the limit of safe water; crossing this
bearing indicates entering dangerous water.
3. How do you determine set and drift of current?
Set is the direction the current is flowing (in degrees true). Drift is the speed of
the current in knots. Determine by comparing DR position to fixed position.
4. What is a running fix?
A position obtained by advancing or retiring a line of position to cross with
another LOP taken at a different time.
5. What is the most accurate fix using two bearings?
Two bearings taken simultaneously at approximately 90 degrees apart provide
the most accurate fix.
6. What is a three-bearing fix?
A fix obtained using three lines of position from three different objects, forming
a triangle (cocked hat).
7. How do you use a cocked hat?
The vessel is assumed to be at the center of the triangle. If the triangle is small,
the fix is considered reliable. Place yourself in the part of the triangle closest to
danger.
8. What is the rule of thumb for coastal piloting visibility?
Objects should be identified at ranges where they can be used for accurate
positioning, typically 3-5 miles for most aids to navigation.
,9. What is a danger circle?
A circle drawn around a hazard at a radius equal to the safe distance to pass;
staying outside the circle ensures safe passage.
10. What is the advantage of a bow and beam bearing?
Allows calculation of distance off when the object is abeam using simple 7/10
rule or doubling the angle on the bow.
11. What is the 7/10 rule?
When an object is 45 degrees on the bow, the distance to the object when it
becomes abeam will be 7/10 of the distance run between the two bearings.
12. What is the doubling the angle on the bow method?
The distance off when the angle doubles equals the distance run between
bearings.
13. What is a range?
Two objects in line that provide a precise line of position, often used for
entering harbors.
14. What chart symbols indicate prohibited or restricted areas?
Magenta or purple shading indicates special areas; always check chart legend
and notices to mariners.
15. What is the purpose of a track line?
The intended path of the vessel drawn on the chart, used for planning and
monitoring progress.
16. How far ahead should you plan your coastal passage?
Plan the entire passage before departing, with contingency plans for various
conditions and emergencies.
17. What factors affect dead reckoning accuracy?
Helmsman skill, current, leeway, wind, sea state, compass deviation, and
steering compass error.
18. What is the purpose of a DR plot?
To maintain a continuous record of your vessel's position based on course and
speed, updated regularly.
19. How often should you update your DR position?
, Every hour, when course changes, when speed changes, and whenever a fix is
obtained.
20. What is the difference between course over ground and course through
water?
COG is the actual track made good over the bottom; course through water is the
direction steered without accounting for current.
21. What is speed over ground versus speed through water?
SOG is actual speed made good over the bottom; speed through water is speed
measured by knotmeter without current effects.
22. What is a waypoint?
A specific geographic position defined by latitude and longitude used in
electronic navigation and passage planning.
23. What is a route in GPS navigation?
A series of connected waypoints that define a planned passage.
24. What is cross track error (XTE)?
The perpendicular distance between the vessel's position and the intended track
line.
25. What is velocity made good (VMG)?
The component of boat speed directly toward the destination waypoint.
26. What is the purpose of logging speeds and courses?
To maintain an accurate navigation record for position updates, accident
investigation, and passage analysis.
27. What is a course to steer?
The compass course needed to make good the desired track, accounting for
current, leeway, and compass error.
28. How do you calculate course to steer with current?
Use vector diagram or current triangle to determine the heading that will result
in the desired track.
29. What is leeway?
The sideways movement of a vessel through the water due to wind pressure on
the hull and rigging.
30. How do you estimate leeway?
, Observe the angle between the vessel's heading and the wake; typically 5-10
degrees in moderate conditions for sailboats.
31. What is the current triangle method?
A graphical method using course, speed, current set and drift to determine
course to steer or actual track.
32. What is the difference between magnetic and true bearings?
True bearings reference true north; magnetic bearings reference magnetic north.
The difference is variation.
33. What is compass deviation?
The deflection of the compass needle caused by magnetic fields aboard the
vessel, varying with vessel heading.
34. What is the sequence for applying compass corrections?
Compass to Magnetic: Add Easterly deviation. Magnetic to True: Add Easterly
variation. (True Virgins Make Dull Companions - Add East)
35. What publications should you consult when passage planning?
Charts, Coast Pilot, Light List, Tide Tables, Tidal Current Tables, Notices to
Mariners, and weather forecasts.
36. What is a Local Notice to Mariners?
Weekly publication providing updates on aids to navigation, chart corrections,
and hazards within a Coast Guard district.
37. What is the Coast Pilot?
Books containing detailed coastal navigation information not suitable for charts,
including channel descriptions, harbor facilities, and local hazards.
38. What are the most important factors in selecting a harbor of refuge?
Adequate protection from expected weather, sufficient depth, easy entrance,
available services, and proximity to route.
39. What is a harbor of refuge?
A protected anchorage or harbor where vessels can seek shelter from severe
weather.
40. How do you determine if an anchorage is suitable?
Check depth, bottom type, protection from wind/waves, swing room, chart
notation, and local regulations.
