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USCG Exam Practice · Chart symbols and abbreviations (Chart No. 1)

On a US nautical chart, soundings are referenced to which datum?

  1. AMean Sea Level (MSL)
  2. BMean Lower Low Water (MLLW)✓ correct
  3. CMean High Water (MHW)
  4. DMean Low Water (MLW)

Why B is correct

US charts reference soundings to Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW), as stated in the chart title. Mariners must verify the unit (feet, fathoms, or metres) before plotting.

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On a US nautical chart, soundings are referenced to which datum? — USCG Exam Practice · CaptainsGround