ASA 105 Coastal Navigation Exam V1 Actual
Exam 2026/2027 with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam-Style Questions | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: NAVIGATIONAL CHARTS, PUBLICATIONS & AIDS TO NAVIGATION Q1 –
Q10
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Question 1 of 50
You are sailing s/v Windward, a 36-foot sloop, on a clear afternoon in Block Island Sound.
You consult NOAA Chart 13209 and notice a magenta symbol with the abbreviation "PA" near
a charted depth of 42 feet. What does this symbol indicate?
A. The position is approximate and has not been precisely surveyed
B. The area is prohibited to all vessels
C. The depth is reported by a passing aircraft
D. The obstruction is visible only at low tide
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The abbreviation "PA" stands for "Position Approximate," a standard Chart #1
convention indicating that the feature's position has not been fully surveyed or precisely
determined. Choice B confuses "PA" with prohibited areas, which are typically labeled
"PROHIBITED" or shown with specific restricted-area symbology. When you encounter a "PA"
symbol on your route, give it a wide berth until you can verify the hazard by other means.
Question 2 of 50
You are approaching Point Judith at dusk aboard a 42-foot cutter. The Light List describes the
entrance light as "Fl R 4s 61ft 15M." What does the "4s" indicate in this light characteristic?
A. The light is visible for 4 seconds in each cycle
B. The light flashes once every 4 seconds
C. The light has a 4-second occultation period
D. The light operates only during the 4-month summer season
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the Light List, "Fl R 4s" denotes a flashing red light with a 4-second period,
meaning it completes one flash-and-eclipse cycle every 4 seconds. Choice A incorrectly
suggests the light is on for 4 seconds continuously, which would describe a different
characteristic such as an occulting light. Memorizing the Light List abbreviations before night
passages prevents dangerous confusion at critical moments.
Question 3 of 50
You are on a 33-foot Pearson sloop entering Menemsha Bight on Martha's Vineyard. On the
chart, you see a buoy symbol with a can shape and the color green, labeled "4." How should
you pass this buoy when heading into the harbor from offshore?
A. Keep it on your starboard side
B. Pass within 25 yards to verify the number
C. Keep it on your port side
D. Leave it to starboard regardless of direction
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A green can buoy marks the edge of the safe channel on your port side when
returning from sea, following the U.S. "red right returning" lateral system. Choice A describes
the correct handling of a red nun buoy, not a green can. In practice, always identify the buoy's
shape and color from a safe distance before committing to a channel entrance.
Question 4 of 50
You are preparing for a coastal passage from Annapolis to Norfolk on your 45-foot cutter.
Before departure, you need to verify that your NOAA charts are current. Which publication is
the primary official source for chart corrections in United States waters?
A. The Coast Pilot, Volume 3
B. The Nautical Almanac, published annually
C. The Weekly Notice to Mariners, published by the NGA
D. The Local Notice to Mariners, issued by the USCG District
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The Local Notice to Mariners, published by each U.S. Coast Guard District, is the
primary official source for updating NOAA nautical charts and correcting aids to navigation in
U.S. waters. Choice C is a worldwide publication and not the primary source for domestic
chart corrections. Experienced navigators review the Local Notice weekly to ensure their
chart portfolio is fully corrected before offshore passages.
Question 5 of 50
, You are sailing s/v Triton, a 38-foot sloop, along the coast of Maine. On NOAA Chart 13290,
you notice a line of blue tinting surrounding an area with soundings of 12, 14, and 16 feet.
What does this blue tinting indicate?
A. Water less than the safety contour or a shallow water area
B. A designated marine sanctuary
C. An area of known magnetic disturbance
D. A seasonal fishing restriction zone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: On NOAA charts, blue tinting identifies shallow water or areas with depths less
than the safety contour, alerting mariners to potential grounding hazards. Choice B is
incorrect because marine sanctuaries are depicted with magenta boundary lines and labeled
text, not blue tinting alone. Always treat blue-tinted areas with caution, especially when
navigating at low tide or in poor visibility.
Question 6 of 50
You are on a 36-foot Catalina sloop approaching New London Harbor at night. The Light List
entry for New London Ledge Light reads: "Fl R 6s 58ft 12M HORN." What does the "HORN"
indicate?
A. The light structure is shaped like a horn
B. The station is equipped with a sound signal for fog or low visibility
C. The light emits an audible warning when vessels approach too closely
D. The structure is a historic landmark known as "The Horn"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The notation "HORN" in the Light List indicates that the aid to navigation is
equipped with a sound signal, typically activated during fog or periods of reduced visibility.
Choice A confuses the word with a physical description of the tower. When you see "HORN"
or "GONG" in the Light List, note the signal's characteristics so you can identify the aid by
sound when visibility drops.
Question 7 of 50
You are planning a passage from Marblehead to Gloucester on your 32-foot sloop. You need
to determine the magnetic variation for the area. Where on a NOAA chart would you find this
information?
A. In the lower left corner, next to the chart title
B. In the chart title block, under the sounding datum
C. In the center of the compass rose, with the annual change noted
D. In the upper right margin, with the chart's publication date
Exam 2026/2027 with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam-Style Questions | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: NAVIGATIONAL CHARTS, PUBLICATIONS & AIDS TO NAVIGATION Q1 –
Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
You are sailing s/v Windward, a 36-foot sloop, on a clear afternoon in Block Island Sound.
You consult NOAA Chart 13209 and notice a magenta symbol with the abbreviation "PA" near
a charted depth of 42 feet. What does this symbol indicate?
A. The position is approximate and has not been precisely surveyed
B. The area is prohibited to all vessels
C. The depth is reported by a passing aircraft
D. The obstruction is visible only at low tide
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The abbreviation "PA" stands for "Position Approximate," a standard Chart #1
convention indicating that the feature's position has not been fully surveyed or precisely
determined. Choice B confuses "PA" with prohibited areas, which are typically labeled
"PROHIBITED" or shown with specific restricted-area symbology. When you encounter a "PA"
symbol on your route, give it a wide berth until you can verify the hazard by other means.
Question 2 of 50
You are approaching Point Judith at dusk aboard a 42-foot cutter. The Light List describes the
entrance light as "Fl R 4s 61ft 15M." What does the "4s" indicate in this light characteristic?
A. The light is visible for 4 seconds in each cycle
B. The light flashes once every 4 seconds
C. The light has a 4-second occultation period
D. The light operates only during the 4-month summer season
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the Light List, "Fl R 4s" denotes a flashing red light with a 4-second period,
meaning it completes one flash-and-eclipse cycle every 4 seconds. Choice A incorrectly
suggests the light is on for 4 seconds continuously, which would describe a different
characteristic such as an occulting light. Memorizing the Light List abbreviations before night
passages prevents dangerous confusion at critical moments.
Question 3 of 50
You are on a 33-foot Pearson sloop entering Menemsha Bight on Martha's Vineyard. On the
chart, you see a buoy symbol with a can shape and the color green, labeled "4." How should
you pass this buoy when heading into the harbor from offshore?
A. Keep it on your starboard side
B. Pass within 25 yards to verify the number
C. Keep it on your port side
D. Leave it to starboard regardless of direction
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A green can buoy marks the edge of the safe channel on your port side when
returning from sea, following the U.S. "red right returning" lateral system. Choice A describes
the correct handling of a red nun buoy, not a green can. In practice, always identify the buoy's
shape and color from a safe distance before committing to a channel entrance.
Question 4 of 50
You are preparing for a coastal passage from Annapolis to Norfolk on your 45-foot cutter.
Before departure, you need to verify that your NOAA charts are current. Which publication is
the primary official source for chart corrections in United States waters?
A. The Coast Pilot, Volume 3
B. The Nautical Almanac, published annually
C. The Weekly Notice to Mariners, published by the NGA
D. The Local Notice to Mariners, issued by the USCG District
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The Local Notice to Mariners, published by each U.S. Coast Guard District, is the
primary official source for updating NOAA nautical charts and correcting aids to navigation in
U.S. waters. Choice C is a worldwide publication and not the primary source for domestic
chart corrections. Experienced navigators review the Local Notice weekly to ensure their
chart portfolio is fully corrected before offshore passages.
Question 5 of 50
, You are sailing s/v Triton, a 38-foot sloop, along the coast of Maine. On NOAA Chart 13290,
you notice a line of blue tinting surrounding an area with soundings of 12, 14, and 16 feet.
What does this blue tinting indicate?
A. Water less than the safety contour or a shallow water area
B. A designated marine sanctuary
C. An area of known magnetic disturbance
D. A seasonal fishing restriction zone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: On NOAA charts, blue tinting identifies shallow water or areas with depths less
than the safety contour, alerting mariners to potential grounding hazards. Choice B is
incorrect because marine sanctuaries are depicted with magenta boundary lines and labeled
text, not blue tinting alone. Always treat blue-tinted areas with caution, especially when
navigating at low tide or in poor visibility.
Question 6 of 50
You are on a 36-foot Catalina sloop approaching New London Harbor at night. The Light List
entry for New London Ledge Light reads: "Fl R 6s 58ft 12M HORN." What does the "HORN"
indicate?
A. The light structure is shaped like a horn
B. The station is equipped with a sound signal for fog or low visibility
C. The light emits an audible warning when vessels approach too closely
D. The structure is a historic landmark known as "The Horn"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The notation "HORN" in the Light List indicates that the aid to navigation is
equipped with a sound signal, typically activated during fog or periods of reduced visibility.
Choice A confuses the word with a physical description of the tower. When you see "HORN"
or "GONG" in the Light List, note the signal's characteristics so you can identify the aid by
sound when visibility drops.
Question 7 of 50
You are planning a passage from Marblehead to Gloucester on your 32-foot sloop. You need
to determine the magnetic variation for the area. Where on a NOAA chart would you find this
information?
A. In the lower left corner, next to the chart title
B. In the chart title block, under the sounding datum
C. In the center of the compass rose, with the annual change noted
D. In the upper right margin, with the chart's publication date
