Question 129Navigation General

The correct answer is B) Alter course to port and leave the buoy to starboard. The reasoning is that a red isophase light on a buoy indicates that the buoy is marking the starboard side of a channel. As per navigation rules, vessels should keep the buoy to their starboard (right) side when proceeding in a westerly direction along the Gulf Coast. Therefore, the proper action is to alter course to port (left) to leave the buoy to starboard. The other options are incorrect because: A) passing well off the buoy on either side does not follow the rule of keeping it to starboard; C) leaving the buoy nearby on either side does not specify the proper side; and D) altering to starboard would place the buoy to port, which is the wrong side.