Navigation & Route Planning Flashcards

What does a red buoy with an even number indicate in the US Aids to Navigation system?

Answer: Leave it to your starboard (right) side when returning from sea

Red even-numbered buoys mark the right side of a channel when returning from sea — remember 'Red Right Returning.'

On a nautical chart, a number enclosed in parentheses next to a depth sounding indicates:

Answer: A dredged channel depth

Parenthesized depth figures on nautical charts denote dredged channel depths maintained to that level.

A vessel is planning a coastal trip and must cross a shipping lane. What is the safest crossing procedure?

Answer: Cross at a right angle (90°) to the traffic flow as quickly as possible

Crossing shipping lanes at a 90° angle minimizes your exposure time and makes your course predictable to large vessels.

What is a 'waypoint' in modern GPS navigation?

Answer: A specific geographic coordinate saved as a navigation reference point

A waypoint is a stored GPS coordinate used to define a route or mark a destination.

What does 'leeway' mean in navigation?

Answer: The sideways drift of a vessel caused by wind or current

Leeway is the lateral drift of a vessel off its intended course due to the force of wind or current.

When reading a compass bearing, a heading of 270° corresponds to which direction?

Answer: West

On a 360° compass, 0°/360° is North, 90° is East, 180° is South, and 270° is West.

What information does a 'Notice to Mariners' provide?

Answer: Updates on changes to aids to navigation and navigational hazards

Notices to Mariners inform boaters of changes to charts, buoys, lights, and newly discovered hazards.