Coast Guard Exams
Question 1518Navigation General70% to pass

If a chart indicates the depth of water to be 6 fathoms and your draft is 6.0 feet, what is the depth of the water under your keel? (Assume the actual depth and charted depth to be the same)

AI Explanation
The correct answer is C) 30.0 feet. Explanation: 1. 1 fathom = 6 feet, so 6 fathoms = 36 feet. Since the chart indicates the depth is 6 fathoms, and your draft is 6.0 feet, the depth of the water under your keel is 36 feet - 6 feet = 30.0 feet. 2. This calculation is based on the standard conversion between fathoms and feet, and the understanding that the charted depth and the actual depth are the same. 3. The other options are incorrect because: A) 6.0 feet is the draft, not the depth of water under the keel. B) 26.5 feet is not the correct calculation. D) 56.5 feet is not the correct calculation.

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