ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising Exam V1 Practice
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Section 1: Advanced Coastal Navigation & Piloting (12 Questions)
Q1: When plotting a course using a Mercator projection chart, a rhumb line appears
as a straight line. What is the primary characteristic of a rhumb line?
A. It is the shortest distance between two points on the Earth's surface
B. It crosses all meridians at the same angle, making it easy to steer with a constant
compass course
C. It always follows a great circle route for maximum efficiency
D. It requires continuous course corrections every 15 minutes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because a rhumb line crosses all meridians at a constant angle,
allowing a vessel to maintain a steady compass heading; it is not the shortest
distance (great circle is), but it is the easiest to navigate.
Q2: A vessel is navigating in fog using radar. An approaching contact shows a steady
bearing with decreasing range. What does this indicate?
A. The vessels will pass clear of each other
B. The vessels are on a collision course
C. The contact is stationary
D. The contact is overtaking from astern
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because a steady bearing with decreasing range is the classic
radar indication of a collision course; immediate action must be taken under
COLREGS to avoid collision.
Q3: When integrating GPS with paper chart navigation, what is the most critical step
to ensure accuracy?
A. Always use the GPS plotter exclusively and disregard the paper chart
B. Verify that the GPS datum matches the chart datum (e.g., WGS 84 to NAD 83)
C. Set the GPS to magnetic north while the chart uses true north
,D. Use the GPS speed over ground to calculate tidal currents
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because datum mismatch between GPS and chart can cause
significant position errors; ensuring both use the same datum is essential for
accurate integrated navigation.
Q4: A navigator is using a running fix with a single landmark. The vessel's course is
090°T, speed 6 knots. A bearing of 000°T is taken at 1200, and a bearing of 330°T is
taken at 1230. How far has the vessel traveled between bearings?
A. 1.5 nautical miles
B. 3.0 nautical miles
C. 4.5 nautical miles
D. 6.0 nautical miles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because distance equals speed multiplied by time; 6 knots × 0.5
hours = 3.0 nautical miles traveled between the two bearings.
Q5: When approaching a harbor with a strong cross-current, what is the
recommended technique for maintaining the intended track?
A. Steer directly at the destination and accept the set
B. Calculate a course to steer that accounts for estimated current set and drift
C. Increase engine RPM to overcome the current without adjusting heading
D. Heave to and wait for slack water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because calculating a course to steer that compensates for
current set and drift allows the vessel to maintain the intended ground track and
arrive at the destination.
Q6: A vessel is navigating using electronic charts (ECDIS). What backup system is
required by good seamanship if the primary electronic system fails?
A. A second identical ECDIS unit
B. Updated paper charts and traditional navigation tools
C. A cellular phone with navigation apps
D. VHF radio direction finding only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because SOLAS and good seamanship require paper charts and
traditional navigation tools as backup to electronic systems; complete reliance on
electronics without backup is unsafe.
, Q7: When using a pelorus to take bearings, what correction must be applied if the
vessel's heading is in magnetic degrees?
A. No correction is needed; pelorus bearings are always magnetic
B. Apply variation to convert the relative bearing to true, then add the true heading
C. Apply deviation to the relative bearing before plotting
D. Subtract the magnetic heading from the relative bearing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because relative bearings from a pelorus must be converted to
true by applying variation to the vessel's heading, then adding the relative bearing to
obtain the true bearing of the object.
Q8: A navigator is planning a coastal passage and notes a tidal current table
showing a maximum flood of 2.5 knots. If the vessel's speed is 5 knots and the
current is directly against the vessel, what is the speed made good?
A. 7.5 knots
B. 5.0 knots
C. 2.5 knots
D. 1.0 knot
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because speed made good equals vessel speed minus opposing
current; 5.0 knots - 2.5 knots = 2.5 knots speed over ground.
Q9: When plotting a danger bearing to avoid a shoal, the navigator should:
A. Plot the bearing line directly through the shoal
B. Plot a bearing line that keeps the vessel on the safe side of the danger
C. Ignore the bearing and rely solely on depth soundings
D. Plot multiple bearings and average them
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because a danger bearing is plotted to ensure the vessel remains
on the safe side of a hazard; keeping the bearing greater or less than the danger
bearing avoids the shoal.
Q10: A vessel is entering a channel marked with lateral buoys (IALA Region B). The
vessel is returning from sea. Which buoys should be kept on the starboard side?
A. Green buoys
B. Red buoys
C. Yellow buoys
D. Black and white buoys
Correct Answer: A
Test Actual 2025/2026 with Detailed Rationales | 100%
Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Section 1: Advanced Coastal Navigation & Piloting (12 Questions)
Q1: When plotting a course using a Mercator projection chart, a rhumb line appears
as a straight line. What is the primary characteristic of a rhumb line?
A. It is the shortest distance between two points on the Earth's surface
B. It crosses all meridians at the same angle, making it easy to steer with a constant
compass course
C. It always follows a great circle route for maximum efficiency
D. It requires continuous course corrections every 15 minutes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because a rhumb line crosses all meridians at a constant angle,
allowing a vessel to maintain a steady compass heading; it is not the shortest
distance (great circle is), but it is the easiest to navigate.
Q2: A vessel is navigating in fog using radar. An approaching contact shows a steady
bearing with decreasing range. What does this indicate?
A. The vessels will pass clear of each other
B. The vessels are on a collision course
C. The contact is stationary
D. The contact is overtaking from astern
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because a steady bearing with decreasing range is the classic
radar indication of a collision course; immediate action must be taken under
COLREGS to avoid collision.
Q3: When integrating GPS with paper chart navigation, what is the most critical step
to ensure accuracy?
A. Always use the GPS plotter exclusively and disregard the paper chart
B. Verify that the GPS datum matches the chart datum (e.g., WGS 84 to NAD 83)
C. Set the GPS to magnetic north while the chart uses true north
,D. Use the GPS speed over ground to calculate tidal currents
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because datum mismatch between GPS and chart can cause
significant position errors; ensuring both use the same datum is essential for
accurate integrated navigation.
Q4: A navigator is using a running fix with a single landmark. The vessel's course is
090°T, speed 6 knots. A bearing of 000°T is taken at 1200, and a bearing of 330°T is
taken at 1230. How far has the vessel traveled between bearings?
A. 1.5 nautical miles
B. 3.0 nautical miles
C. 4.5 nautical miles
D. 6.0 nautical miles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because distance equals speed multiplied by time; 6 knots × 0.5
hours = 3.0 nautical miles traveled between the two bearings.
Q5: When approaching a harbor with a strong cross-current, what is the
recommended technique for maintaining the intended track?
A. Steer directly at the destination and accept the set
B. Calculate a course to steer that accounts for estimated current set and drift
C. Increase engine RPM to overcome the current without adjusting heading
D. Heave to and wait for slack water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because calculating a course to steer that compensates for
current set and drift allows the vessel to maintain the intended ground track and
arrive at the destination.
Q6: A vessel is navigating using electronic charts (ECDIS). What backup system is
required by good seamanship if the primary electronic system fails?
A. A second identical ECDIS unit
B. Updated paper charts and traditional navigation tools
C. A cellular phone with navigation apps
D. VHF radio direction finding only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because SOLAS and good seamanship require paper charts and
traditional navigation tools as backup to electronic systems; complete reliance on
electronics without backup is unsafe.
, Q7: When using a pelorus to take bearings, what correction must be applied if the
vessel's heading is in magnetic degrees?
A. No correction is needed; pelorus bearings are always magnetic
B. Apply variation to convert the relative bearing to true, then add the true heading
C. Apply deviation to the relative bearing before plotting
D. Subtract the magnetic heading from the relative bearing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because relative bearings from a pelorus must be converted to
true by applying variation to the vessel's heading, then adding the relative bearing to
obtain the true bearing of the object.
Q8: A navigator is planning a coastal passage and notes a tidal current table
showing a maximum flood of 2.5 knots. If the vessel's speed is 5 knots and the
current is directly against the vessel, what is the speed made good?
A. 7.5 knots
B. 5.0 knots
C. 2.5 knots
D. 1.0 knot
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because speed made good equals vessel speed minus opposing
current; 5.0 knots - 2.5 knots = 2.5 knots speed over ground.
Q9: When plotting a danger bearing to avoid a shoal, the navigator should:
A. Plot the bearing line directly through the shoal
B. Plot a bearing line that keeps the vessel on the safe side of the danger
C. Ignore the bearing and rely solely on depth soundings
D. Plot multiple bearings and average them
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because a danger bearing is plotted to ensure the vessel remains
on the safe side of a hazard; keeping the bearing greater or less than the danger
bearing avoids the shoal.
Q10: A vessel is entering a channel marked with lateral buoys (IALA Region B). The
vessel is returning from sea. Which buoys should be kept on the starboard side?
A. Green buoys
B. Red buoys
C. Yellow buoys
D. Black and white buoys
Correct Answer: A
