Question 299Navigation General

70% to pass

You are steaming southward along the west coast of the United States when you encounter a buoy showing a flashing red light. The buoy should be left on _______________.

A either side close aboard
B the vessel's port side
C either side well clear
D the vessel's starboard side
AI Explanation

The correct answer is B) the vessel's port side. This is because a flashing red light on a buoy indicates a lateral marker, which is used to mark the side of a navigable channel or waterway. Per the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, vessels should leave a flashing red lateral buoy to their port (left) side when traveling southbound. The other options are incorrect because a) does not specify the proper side, c) would be for a non-lateral marker, and d) is the wrong side for southbound travel.

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Official Resources
USCG Navigation Rules (COLREGS) 33 CFR Navigation Rules USCG National Maritime Center
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