Which term corresponds to water depth in feet, fathoms, or meters on a chart?

• A. Variation
• B. Datum on chart
• C. Mean lower low water (MLLW)
• D. Water depth in feet, fathoms, or meters

Answer: (D)

Depth on a nautical chart is the water depth—the vertical distance from the chart’s reference level (the chart datum) to the water surface. It is shown in standard units such as feet, fathoms, or meters, depending on the chart. Describing it as water depth in feet, fathoms, or meters directly matches what the chart communicates in these measurements. The other terms refer to different concepts: magnetic variation, the reference level used for depths (chart datum), and a specific tidal datum (mean lower low water), none of which describe the general depth measurement itself.