Question 76Navigation General

The correct answer is A) Light rhythms indicating directional orientation. Cardinal marks are navigational buoys or beacons that indicate the cardinal (compass) directions in relation to a hazard or feature. The light rhythms on cardinal marks are designed to indicate the direction of the hazard or feature. For example, a north cardinal mark will have a quick-quick-long flash pattern to indicate the hazard is to the north. This allows mariners to determine which way to navigate relative to the marked feature. The other answer choices are incorrect because: B) Square or triangular topmarks are characteristics of lateral marks, not cardinal marks; C) Number-letter combinations are used for lateral, not cardinal, marks; and D) Vertical stripes are a characteristic of isolated danger marks, not cardinal marks.