What role does GPS play in maritime safety?

GPS plays a crucial role in maritime safety by allowing for precise location tracking and navigation. This technology uses satellites to determine your exact position on Earth, enabling mariners to plot their course accurately. With the capability to provide real-time location information, GPS helps navigators avoid hazards, such as shallow waters or underwater obstructions, and facilitates safe passage in busy shipping lanes.

Understanding your location relative to other landmarks, buoys, and navigational aids enhances situational awareness on the water. The ability to navigate with accuracy not only improves safety for individual vessels but also contributes to the overall safety of marine traffic by reducing the likelihood of collisions and groundings.

While GPS does not directly affect the speed of a boat, communicate solely with other vessels, or replace manual steering, its primary function centered on navigation and location tracking is integral to safer maritime operations. This is why the option about its role in navigation and tracking stands out as the most relevant to maritime safety.