OFFICIAL OUPV 6-PACK NAVIGATION STUDY
GUIDE CHART PLOTTING EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
Master your USCG Captain’s License exam with this definitive
bank of updated chart plotting practice questions featuring verified
answers and comprehensive rationales. Specifically tailored
around Training Chart 13205TR, these realistic multiple-choice
problems break down complex TVMDC formulas, coordinate
geometry, and vector current calculations into simple steps. Ideal
for rapid self-testing, this high-yield resource is proven to help
maritime students pass the OUPV 6-Pack exam.
Chart Reading, Symbols & Datums (Questions 1-
13)
1. What is the standard reference datum used for
soundings and water depths on the East and
West Coasts of the United States?
A) Mean High Water
B) Mean Sea Level
C) Mean Lower Low Water
D) Extreme Low Water
Correct Answer: C) Mean Lower Low Water
Rationale: The National Ocean Service
utilizes Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) as
the chart sounding datum for the United
States coasts to provide mariners with a
, conservative clearance baseline during low
tide cycles.
2. The heights of land features, landmarks, and
vertical clearances of bridges on most United
States charts are measured from which
reference datum?
A) Mean Lower Low Water
B) Mean High Water
C) Mean Low Water Spring
D) Lowest Astronomical Tide
Correct Answer: B) Mean High Water
Rationale: Heights and clearances are
referenced to Mean High Water (MHW) so
that the clearance heights stated on charts
represent the worst-case scenario (minimum
clearance available) at high tide.
3. You are planning to anchor your vessel near the
ruins of Gardiners Point (41°08.5' N, 72°08.8'
W). According to the notes on Chart 13205TR,
what restriction applies?
A) Anchoring is permitted only during daylight
hours
B) Anchoring is prohibited because it is a
designated live ordnance target area
C) Vessels under 26 feet may anchor without
, restriction
D) Anchoring is allowed only with a commercial
permit
Correct Answer: B) Anchoring is prohibited
because it is a designated live ordnance target
area
Rationale: Chart Note B explicitly states that
Gardiners Point is a former U.S. Navy
bombing and strafing target area containing
unexploded sub-surface ordnance.
Anchoring, dragging, or trawling is strictly
prohibited due to detonation risks.
4. What do the broken, dashed magenta lines
running across the water between Montauk
Point and Block Island indicate?
A) Fish haven boundaries
B) Submerged cable or pipeline areas
C) Commercial shipping lanes
D) State boundary lines
Correct Answer: B) Submerged cable or pipeline
areas
Rationale: Dashed or broken magenta lines
indicate subsea utilities such as cables or
pipelines. Vessels are warned against
anchoring or dragging gear in these areas to
, avoid snagging high-voltage or
communication lines.
5. Chart 13205TR labels Plum Island as restricted
and closed to the public. Who owns and controls
this property?
A) The State of New York
B) The Nature Conservancy
C) The United States Government
D) Plum Island Marina Corporation
Correct Answer: C) The United States
Government
Rationale: Plum Island is a federal facility
historically operated by the U.S. Department
of Agriculture and Department of Homeland
Security as an animal disease research
center. It remains strictly closed to
unauthorized public access.
6. On Chart 13205TR, what does the symbol "Gst"
located near a sounding or bottom characteristic
denote?
A) Grounded stone
B) Green stones
C) Gritty sand
D) Gas pipeline
Correct Answer: B) Green stones
GUIDE CHART PLOTTING EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
Master your USCG Captain’s License exam with this definitive
bank of updated chart plotting practice questions featuring verified
answers and comprehensive rationales. Specifically tailored
around Training Chart 13205TR, these realistic multiple-choice
problems break down complex TVMDC formulas, coordinate
geometry, and vector current calculations into simple steps. Ideal
for rapid self-testing, this high-yield resource is proven to help
maritime students pass the OUPV 6-Pack exam.
Chart Reading, Symbols & Datums (Questions 1-
13)
1. What is the standard reference datum used for
soundings and water depths on the East and
West Coasts of the United States?
A) Mean High Water
B) Mean Sea Level
C) Mean Lower Low Water
D) Extreme Low Water
Correct Answer: C) Mean Lower Low Water
Rationale: The National Ocean Service
utilizes Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) as
the chart sounding datum for the United
States coasts to provide mariners with a
, conservative clearance baseline during low
tide cycles.
2. The heights of land features, landmarks, and
vertical clearances of bridges on most United
States charts are measured from which
reference datum?
A) Mean Lower Low Water
B) Mean High Water
C) Mean Low Water Spring
D) Lowest Astronomical Tide
Correct Answer: B) Mean High Water
Rationale: Heights and clearances are
referenced to Mean High Water (MHW) so
that the clearance heights stated on charts
represent the worst-case scenario (minimum
clearance available) at high tide.
3. You are planning to anchor your vessel near the
ruins of Gardiners Point (41°08.5' N, 72°08.8'
W). According to the notes on Chart 13205TR,
what restriction applies?
A) Anchoring is permitted only during daylight
hours
B) Anchoring is prohibited because it is a
designated live ordnance target area
C) Vessels under 26 feet may anchor without
, restriction
D) Anchoring is allowed only with a commercial
permit
Correct Answer: B) Anchoring is prohibited
because it is a designated live ordnance target
area
Rationale: Chart Note B explicitly states that
Gardiners Point is a former U.S. Navy
bombing and strafing target area containing
unexploded sub-surface ordnance.
Anchoring, dragging, or trawling is strictly
prohibited due to detonation risks.
4. What do the broken, dashed magenta lines
running across the water between Montauk
Point and Block Island indicate?
A) Fish haven boundaries
B) Submerged cable or pipeline areas
C) Commercial shipping lanes
D) State boundary lines
Correct Answer: B) Submerged cable or pipeline
areas
Rationale: Dashed or broken magenta lines
indicate subsea utilities such as cables or
pipelines. Vessels are warned against
anchoring or dragging gear in these areas to
, avoid snagging high-voltage or
communication lines.
5. Chart 13205TR labels Plum Island as restricted
and closed to the public. Who owns and controls
this property?
A) The State of New York
B) The Nature Conservancy
C) The United States Government
D) Plum Island Marina Corporation
Correct Answer: C) The United States
Government
Rationale: Plum Island is a federal facility
historically operated by the U.S. Department
of Agriculture and Department of Homeland
Security as an animal disease research
center. It remains strictly closed to
unauthorized public access.
6. On Chart 13205TR, what does the symbol "Gst"
located near a sounding or bottom characteristic
denote?
A) Grounded stone
B) Green stones
C) Gritty sand
D) Gas pipeline
Correct Answer: B) Green stones
