Preferred Channel Marks have which combination of features?

Preferred Channel Marks have which combination of features?

• A. Vertical GREEN and RED bands, with the largest white retroreflective LETTER not to exceed 16 inches
• B. Horizontal GREEN and RED bands, largest white retroreflective LETTER, not to exceed 16 inches
• C. Horizontal BLUE and RED bands, with a 16-inch white letter
• D. Horizontal GREEN and RED bands, largest white retroreflective LETTER, not to exceed 24 inches

Answer: (B)

Preferred Channel Marks indicate the recommended navigation channel and are identified by horizontal bands of green and red with a white retroreflective letter. The horizontal orientation helps mariners quickly recognize this mark class at a glance, and the white retroreflective letter identifies the specific channel and can be read at night as light from vessels or shore facilities reflects off it. The letter size is limited to 16 inches to keep the mark compact while remaining legible at typical viewing distances. Other configurations aren’t correct because they either use vertical bands, introduce a blue color, or specify a larger 24-inch letter, all of which do not match how Preferred Channel Marks are defined.

Preferred Channel Marks indicate the recommended navigation channel and are identified by horizontal bands of green and red with a white retroreflective letter. The horizontal orientation helps mariners quickly recognize this mark class at a glance, and the white retroreflective letter identifies the specific channel and can be read at night as light from vessels or shore facilities reflects off it. The letter size is limited to 16 inches to keep the mark compact while remaining legible at typical viewing distances.

Other configurations aren’t correct because they either use vertical bands, introduce a blue color, or specify a larger 24-inch letter, all of which do not match how Preferred Channel Marks are defined.