Question 1059Navigation General

The correct answer is C) breakers. Breakers are waves that are too steep to be stable, causing the crests to move forward faster than the rest of the wave. This instability leads to the wave breaking or crashing onto the shore or a shallow seafloor. The other options are incorrect - surfers are people who ride the waves, white caps are the frothy white tops of waves, and rollers are large, smooth waves. The understanding of wave behavior, including the formation of breakers, is an important part of the curriculum for the US Coast Guard Captain's License Examinations, as it is crucial knowledge for safe navigation and operation of vessels, especially in coastal and shallow water areas.