ASA 105 Exam V2 Coastal Navigation Certification Actual
2026/2027 with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass
Guaranteed
SECTION 1: NAUTICAL CHARTS & CHART SYMBOLS (Questions
1–15)
Q1: On a U.S. nautical chart, a magenta dashed line with the label "DW" indicates which
feature?
A. A recommended track for deep-draft vessels
B. A deep-water route established by the Coast Guard
C. A dredged channel with maintained depth [CORRECT]
D. A submarine cable crossing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because "DW" on U.S. nautical charts denotes a dredged channel
where the depth is maintained by dredging operations, and the magenta dashed line is
the standard symbology per Chart #1.
Q2: What color are daymarks on the starboard (right) side of a channel when returning
from sea?
A. Red, triangular
B. Green, square [CORRECT]
C. Red, cylindrical
D. Green, triangular
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because in the U.S. Aids to Navigation system, green daymarks with
square shapes mark the starboard side of the channel when returning from sea, per the
"Red Right Returning" convention.
Q3: A chart symbol showing a small circle with a dot in the center and the abbreviation
"Lt" represents:
,A. A minor light with a range less than 3 nautical miles
B. Any light, regardless of characteristics [CORRECT]
C. A light that is extinguished during daylight hours
D. A private aid to navigation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the "Lt" abbreviation on U.S. nautical charts is the general
symbol for any lighted aid to navigation, with specific characteristics detailed in the
Light List.
Q4: The charted depth of 12 feet in a sounding represents the depth:
A. Below the vessel's keel at low tide
B. Below mean low water or the applicable chart datum [CORRECT]
C. Below the water surface at the time of the last survey
D. Below mean high water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because all soundings on U.S. nautical charts are referenced to the
chart datum, which is typically mean lower low water (MLLW) on the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts, ensuring the depth shown is the minimum expected.
Q5: What does a blue tint or "tinted" area on a nautical chart typically indicate?
A. Deep water exceeding 100 fathoms
B. Shallow water or areas that uncover at low tide [CORRECT]
C. Military exercise zones
D. Submerged cable areas
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because blue tinting on U.S. nautical charts indicates shoal water or
areas that may dry at chart datum, serving as a visual warning of shallow water
hazards.
Q6: A wreck symbol shown with a dotted outline and no depth indicates:
A. The wreck has been swept and is safe to pass over
B. The wreck's depth is unknown or it is considered dangerous [CORRECT]
,C. The wreck is completely buried in sediment
D. The wreck is marked by a buoy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because per Chart #1 conventions, a wreck with a dotted outline and
no accompanying depth figure indicates the depth is unknown or the wreck is
considered a hazard to navigation.
Q7: Which publication contains the official explanation of all chart symbols and
abbreviations used on U.S. nautical charts?
A. The Coast Pilot
B. Chart No. 1 [CORRECT]
C. The Notice to Mariners
D. The Light List
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because Chart No. 1, published by NOAA and the National
Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, is the official reference document defining all symbols,
abbreviations, and terms used on U.S. nautical charts.
Q8: On a chart, the abbreviation "PA" next to a position indicates:
A. Position approximate [CORRECT]
B. Position accurate
C. Private aid
D. Permanent anchorage
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because "PA" stands for "position approximate," indicating that the
exact position of the charted feature has not been precisely determined or verified.
Q9: A magenta circle with a cross inside on a nautical chart represents:
A. A radio beacon
B. A conspicuous church or tower
C. A position reported by a vessel
D. A radio tower or antenna [CORRECT]
, Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because the magenta circle with a cross is the standard Chart #1
symbol for a radio tower, antenna, or similar electronic structure.
Q10: What does the chart abbreviation "R" in the name of a buoy (e.g., R"2") signify?
A. The buoy is a radar reflector
B. The buoy is red in color [CORRECT]
C. The buoy is a regulatory marker
D. The buoy is removable seasonally
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the prefix "R" before a buoy number in the U.S. system
designates a red buoy, indicating the port side of the channel when returning from sea.
Q11: The scale of a nautical chart is given as 1:80,000. This means:
A. One inch on the chart equals 80,000 inches on the earth [CORRECT]
B. One nautical mile on the chart equals 80,000 nautical miles on the earth
C. One centimeter on the chart equals 80,000 feet on the earth
D. The chart covers an area 80,000 square nautical miles
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because chart scales are representative fractions; 1:80,000 means
one unit of measurement on the chart represents 80,000 of the same units on the
earth's surface.
Q12: A "foul" area on a chart is indicated by:
A. A magenta dashed line enclosing the area
B. Random dots or speckles within the area [CORRECT]
C. A series of small crosses
D. A blue shaded region with diagonal lines
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because foul ground—areas with obstructions not individually
charted—is represented by random dots or speckles within the area, warning mariners
of potential hazards.
2026/2027 with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass
Guaranteed
SECTION 1: NAUTICAL CHARTS & CHART SYMBOLS (Questions
1–15)
Q1: On a U.S. nautical chart, a magenta dashed line with the label "DW" indicates which
feature?
A. A recommended track for deep-draft vessels
B. A deep-water route established by the Coast Guard
C. A dredged channel with maintained depth [CORRECT]
D. A submarine cable crossing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because "DW" on U.S. nautical charts denotes a dredged channel
where the depth is maintained by dredging operations, and the magenta dashed line is
the standard symbology per Chart #1.
Q2: What color are daymarks on the starboard (right) side of a channel when returning
from sea?
A. Red, triangular
B. Green, square [CORRECT]
C. Red, cylindrical
D. Green, triangular
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because in the U.S. Aids to Navigation system, green daymarks with
square shapes mark the starboard side of the channel when returning from sea, per the
"Red Right Returning" convention.
Q3: A chart symbol showing a small circle with a dot in the center and the abbreviation
"Lt" represents:
,A. A minor light with a range less than 3 nautical miles
B. Any light, regardless of characteristics [CORRECT]
C. A light that is extinguished during daylight hours
D. A private aid to navigation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the "Lt" abbreviation on U.S. nautical charts is the general
symbol for any lighted aid to navigation, with specific characteristics detailed in the
Light List.
Q4: The charted depth of 12 feet in a sounding represents the depth:
A. Below the vessel's keel at low tide
B. Below mean low water or the applicable chart datum [CORRECT]
C. Below the water surface at the time of the last survey
D. Below mean high water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because all soundings on U.S. nautical charts are referenced to the
chart datum, which is typically mean lower low water (MLLW) on the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts, ensuring the depth shown is the minimum expected.
Q5: What does a blue tint or "tinted" area on a nautical chart typically indicate?
A. Deep water exceeding 100 fathoms
B. Shallow water or areas that uncover at low tide [CORRECT]
C. Military exercise zones
D. Submerged cable areas
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because blue tinting on U.S. nautical charts indicates shoal water or
areas that may dry at chart datum, serving as a visual warning of shallow water
hazards.
Q6: A wreck symbol shown with a dotted outline and no depth indicates:
A. The wreck has been swept and is safe to pass over
B. The wreck's depth is unknown or it is considered dangerous [CORRECT]
,C. The wreck is completely buried in sediment
D. The wreck is marked by a buoy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because per Chart #1 conventions, a wreck with a dotted outline and
no accompanying depth figure indicates the depth is unknown or the wreck is
considered a hazard to navigation.
Q7: Which publication contains the official explanation of all chart symbols and
abbreviations used on U.S. nautical charts?
A. The Coast Pilot
B. Chart No. 1 [CORRECT]
C. The Notice to Mariners
D. The Light List
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because Chart No. 1, published by NOAA and the National
Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, is the official reference document defining all symbols,
abbreviations, and terms used on U.S. nautical charts.
Q8: On a chart, the abbreviation "PA" next to a position indicates:
A. Position approximate [CORRECT]
B. Position accurate
C. Private aid
D. Permanent anchorage
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because "PA" stands for "position approximate," indicating that the
exact position of the charted feature has not been precisely determined or verified.
Q9: A magenta circle with a cross inside on a nautical chart represents:
A. A radio beacon
B. A conspicuous church or tower
C. A position reported by a vessel
D. A radio tower or antenna [CORRECT]
, Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because the magenta circle with a cross is the standard Chart #1
symbol for a radio tower, antenna, or similar electronic structure.
Q10: What does the chart abbreviation "R" in the name of a buoy (e.g., R"2") signify?
A. The buoy is a radar reflector
B. The buoy is red in color [CORRECT]
C. The buoy is a regulatory marker
D. The buoy is removable seasonally
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the prefix "R" before a buoy number in the U.S. system
designates a red buoy, indicating the port side of the channel when returning from sea.
Q11: The scale of a nautical chart is given as 1:80,000. This means:
A. One inch on the chart equals 80,000 inches on the earth [CORRECT]
B. One nautical mile on the chart equals 80,000 nautical miles on the earth
C. One centimeter on the chart equals 80,000 feet on the earth
D. The chart covers an area 80,000 square nautical miles
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because chart scales are representative fractions; 1:80,000 means
one unit of measurement on the chart represents 80,000 of the same units on the
earth's surface.
Q12: A "foul" area on a chart is indicated by:
A. A magenta dashed line enclosing the area
B. Random dots or speckles within the area [CORRECT]
C. A series of small crosses
D. A blue shaded region with diagonal lines
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because foul ground—areas with obstructions not individually
charted—is represented by random dots or speckles within the area, warning mariners
of potential hazards.
