What does "navigational safety" refer to in maritime operations?

Navigational safety in maritime operations refers to the measures and procedures that are put in place to ensure that vessels can navigate safely while avoiding collisions and other hazards at sea. This includes the use of navigational charts, adhering to traffic separation schemes, following established maritime rules, and employing communication protocols among vessels to share information about their movements.

The focus of navigational safety is not just on the vessel itself but encompasses the environment in which it operates, ensuring that vessels are aware of their surroundings and can make informed decisions to maintain a safe course. This overall approach helps to minimize the risk of accidents, protecting not only the vessel and crew but also other maritime users and the marine environment.

While maintenance, penalties, and maneuvering techniques are important aspects of maritime operations, they do not specifically encapsulate the broad concept of navigational safety as understood in this context.