Question 144Navigation General

The correct answer is C) south of the buoy. The top marks shown in illustration D026NG indicate a starboard hand buoy, which means vessels should pass to the south (or right) side of the buoy. This is a standard navigation rule for safe passage around buoys and other maritime markers. Passing to the south of the buoy ensures that you are keeping the buoy on your vessel's starboard (right) side, which is the proper procedure for safe navigation. The other answer choices are incorrect because passing west, east, or north of the buoy would not be the proper way to navigate around this starboard hand buoy according to standard maritime regulations.