Question 1162Navigation General

The correct answer is D) Beaufort scale. The Beaufort scale is the standard scale used to estimate wind speed by observing sea conditions. This scale was developed by Sir Francis Beaufort in the early 19th century and is widely used by mariners, including those seeking a U.S. Coast Guard Captain's License. The Beaufort scale correlates specific wind speeds with observable sea state conditions, allowing mariners to estimate wind speed without the need for specialized equipment. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not correspond to the standard scale used for estimating wind speed based on sea conditions. The Coriolis scale, metric scale, and generic "wind scale" are not the appropriate references for this task.