WETMAAP Skill 2
Cape Hatteras: Element 4

Skill 2: Scale Determination
Element 4: Bathymetric Profile

Materials:

Cape Hatteras Nautical Chart
Protractor
Ruler
Graph Paper

Exercise:

1. Locate the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

2. Using the nautical chart and the protractor:

Draw a line at 110⁰ azimuth for a distance of 10 nautical miles from the lighthouse.

3. Using the graph paper: produce a bathymetric profile

x axis = one (1) nautical mile per inch

y axis = water depth at 10 meter intervals. (Use a vertical exaggeration of 200 times)

HINT: a nautical mile is 6,080 feet.

4. From the profile you have made:

Draw a vertical line where 20 feet depth intersects the profile.

5. You are the captain of a ship that draws 20 feet of water,

How far from the shoreline would your vessel run aground and become part of the "GRAVEYARD OF THE ATLANTIC?"

6. From the chart "GHOST FLEET OF THE OUTER BANKS,"

How many ships have wrecked within the area of your nautical chart?