ASA 105 Coastal Navigation Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2025
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary tool used to measure distances on a nautical
chart?
Dividers
Parallel rulers
Compass
Sextant
Dividers are used to measure the distance between two points on a
chart, often in nautical miles.
2. One nautical mile equals how many feet?
5,280
6,076
6,000
, 5,000
A nautical mile is defined as one minute of latitude and equals 6,076
feet.
3. What is a line of position (LOP)?
A bearing to a lighthouse
A line along which the vessel is known to be located
The vessel's course
A range line
An LOP is a navigational tool indicating a position somewhere along
a line on the chart.
4. What is "variation" in navigation?
Wind shift
The difference between true north and magnetic north
Change in current direction
Change in heading
Variation is the angle between true north and magnetic north, found
on the compass rose of a chart.
5. What is the primary purpose of the compass rose on a nautical chart?
Mark wind direction
Indicate chart depth
Show true and magnetic directions
, Measure time
The compass rose shows both true and magnetic north for accurate
course plotting.
6. What is "deviation"?
Error in compass caused by weather
Compass error caused by local magnetic fields aboard the vessel
Tidal change
Wind shift
Deviation is specific to a vessel and varies with heading due to
onboard magnetic interference.
7. If a magnetic bearing is 100° and the deviation is +2°, what is the
compass bearing?
98°
102°
100°
96°
Compass bearing = Magnetic bearing - Deviation.
8. What does a "fix" represent?
The estimated future position
An exact location of the vessel determined by intersecting LOPs
A compass correction
, GPS position only
A fix is a known position determined by two or more intersecting
lines of position.
9. What is dead reckoning?
GPS navigation
Plotting position based on course and speed over time
Using buoys for positioning
Taking compass bearings
Dead reckoning uses course, speed, and time from a known point to
estimate a position.
10. What is the standard unit of speed in nautical navigation?
Miles per hour
Knots
Kilometers per hour
Feet per second
Knots are nautical miles per hour and are the standard for vessel
speed.
11. If your vessel travels at 6 knots for 2 hours, how far have you
traveled?
10 NM
12 NM
8 NM
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2025
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary tool used to measure distances on a nautical
chart?
Dividers
Parallel rulers
Compass
Sextant
Dividers are used to measure the distance between two points on a
chart, often in nautical miles.
2. One nautical mile equals how many feet?
5,280
6,076
6,000
, 5,000
A nautical mile is defined as one minute of latitude and equals 6,076
feet.
3. What is a line of position (LOP)?
A bearing to a lighthouse
A line along which the vessel is known to be located
The vessel's course
A range line
An LOP is a navigational tool indicating a position somewhere along
a line on the chart.
4. What is "variation" in navigation?
Wind shift
The difference between true north and magnetic north
Change in current direction
Change in heading
Variation is the angle between true north and magnetic north, found
on the compass rose of a chart.
5. What is the primary purpose of the compass rose on a nautical chart?
Mark wind direction
Indicate chart depth
Show true and magnetic directions
, Measure time
The compass rose shows both true and magnetic north for accurate
course plotting.
6. What is "deviation"?
Error in compass caused by weather
Compass error caused by local magnetic fields aboard the vessel
Tidal change
Wind shift
Deviation is specific to a vessel and varies with heading due to
onboard magnetic interference.
7. If a magnetic bearing is 100° and the deviation is +2°, what is the
compass bearing?
98°
102°
100°
96°
Compass bearing = Magnetic bearing - Deviation.
8. What does a "fix" represent?
The estimated future position
An exact location of the vessel determined by intersecting LOPs
A compass correction
, GPS position only
A fix is a known position determined by two or more intersecting
lines of position.
9. What is dead reckoning?
GPS navigation
Plotting position based on course and speed over time
Using buoys for positioning
Taking compass bearings
Dead reckoning uses course, speed, and time from a known point to
estimate a position.
10. What is the standard unit of speed in nautical navigation?
Miles per hour
Knots
Kilometers per hour
Feet per second
Knots are nautical miles per hour and are the standard for vessel
speed.
11. If your vessel travels at 6 knots for 2 hours, how far have you
traveled?
10 NM
12 NM
8 NM