🔍 Key Concepts

• Understand what a precautionary area is on nautical charts and in traffic separation schemes (TSS). • Know the general purpose of areas established near busy or converging shipping routes, especially around Block Island and approaches to major ports. • Differentiate between charted areas for navigation safety (like routing measures) and areas for environmental or military purposes.

💭 Think About

• Ask yourself: In navigation, when ships are warned to take extra care in a defined zone near a traffic separation scheme, what kind of area is usually designated? • Think about where southeast of Block Island is located in relation to main approaches to Narragansett Bay and Long Island Sound—what type of traffic feature would be needed there? • Which of these options most closely matches an area intended to improve the orderly flow and safety of vessel traffic, rather than to restrict entry completely?

✅ Before You Answer

• On charts, verify how a precautionary area is labeled and what symbology is used—does it tend to be associated with routing measures or with environmental protection zones? • Consider whether a precautionary area is typically permanent heavy-use traffic management, temporary activity (like exercises), or long-term environmental protection. • Recall that hazardous waste dumping is tightly controlled and specifically charted—check whether such areas are normally described as precautionary areas.