What are beacons?

What are beacons?

• A. Aids to navigation that are rigidly attached to the bottom or to the shore
• B. Floating objects used for fishing grounds
• C. Markers indicating depth
• D. Signals for weather alerts

Answer: (A)

Beacons are fixed navigational aids. They are rigidly attached to the bottom, the shore, or a structure, and they mark channels, hazards, or safe-water areas so mariners can determine their position and keep to safe routes. That’s why the description “aids to navigation that are rigidly attached to the bottom or to the shore” is the best match. Floating markers used for fishing grounds are buoys, which can move with currents. Markers indicating depth show water depth rather than a fixed location for navigation, and signals for weather alerts convey conditions, not location marks for navigation.

Beacons are fixed navigational aids. They are rigidly attached to the bottom, the shore, or a structure, and they mark channels, hazards, or safe-water areas so mariners can determine their position and keep to safe routes. That’s why the description “aids to navigation that are rigidly attached to the bottom or to the shore” is the best match.

Floating markers used for fishing grounds are buoys, which can move with currents. Markers indicating depth show water depth rather than a fixed location for navigation, and signals for weather alerts convey conditions, not location marks for navigation.