What role do beacons play in E-NAV?

Beacons play a crucial role in electronic navigation by serving as visual navigation aids that indicate safe passage. These structures, which can be fixed or floating, are strategically placed in navigable waters to mark important locations, hazards, or safe routes. Their primary function is to enhance the situational awareness of navigators, ensuring that vessels can safely navigate through difficult or potentially dangerous areas.

Typically, beacons come in various shapes, colors, and lights to communicate specific information about the waterway, such as the depth, direction, or proximity to hazards. For example, a green light may indicate the right side of a channel, while a red light could signify the left side. The use of such visual signals is vital for safe navigation, especially in low visibility conditions like fog or at night.

Although other devices like those mentioned in the other options may also assist in navigation or ship operations, none fulfill the primary function of marking safe passage in the way that beacons do. This distinction makes the visual communication provided by beacons an essential component of maritime navigation practices, particularly in conjunction with electronic navigation systems.