What is the definition of 'coastal waters'?

The definition of 'coastal waters' refers specifically to the waters that are part of the jurisdiction of the United States, which includes a variety of regions. When considering the options provided, it is important to note that 'coastal waters' can encompass bays, estuaries, and areas up to the edge of the continental shelf, which often includes significant bodies of water like the Great Lakes.

The choice indicating 'U.S. waters of the Great Lakes' accurately captures the concept of coastal waters as it recognizes the unique inland lakes that fall within U.S. jurisdiction and serve similar ecological and navigational purposes as coastal environments. This option effectively highlights the extension of the definition of coastal waters beyond just the ocean and into freshwater ecosystems that are integral to the maritime laws and regulations the Coast Guard enforces.

Other choices misinterpret the definition by limiting coastal waters either to only those found solely within U.S. states, representing a potentially narrow misunderstanding of jurisdiction, or referring to international waters adjacent to U.S. territory, which do not fall under the direct definition of 'coastal waters.' Similarly, the mention of waters beyond 12 nautical miles from the territorial sea ignores the complexities of legal definitions associated with coastal jurisdiction that include various water bodies and their unique