🔍 Key Concepts

• COLREGS application – where International vs Inland Rules apply relative to the U.S. coast and territorial sea • How to use bearings to lights and buoys on a chart to fix your position and see which zone you are in (territorial sea, contiguous zone, etc.) • Typical depths and bottom characteristics shown on large-scale approach charts off the Virginia Capes (chart symbols for depth soundings and bottom type)

💭 Think About

• Plot the three true bearings from the aids to navigation on the appropriate chart and see where the lines cross – what area or zone are you actually in? • Once the fix is plotted, check the chart for depth soundings and bottom type at or near that position and compare them against the answer choices. • Think about the legal limits of the territorial sea and contiguous zone from the U.S. baseline and decide which rules (International vs Inland) would govern a vessel in that plotted position.

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify on the chart whether the plotted position lies inside or outside 12 NM and 24 NM from the coast/baseline. • Check the chart legend to confirm bottom type symbols (e.g., sand, mud, shells, rock, oysters). • Confirm from the chart whether the depth at your fix is close to the value suggested in any of the choices.