If a buoy is not in the charted position, what is a navigational risk?

When a buoy is not in its charted position, it poses a significant navigational risk because it can mislead mariners into unsafe waters. Buoys are designed to mark safe navigational routes, hazardous areas, or specific features of the waterway. If a buoy is off station, it may indicate that the safe passage marked by the buoy is no longer accurate, potentially leading a vessel into dangerous areas such as shallows, rocks, or other hazards that could result in grounding or collisions. Therefore, understanding that the buoy's position is crucial for safe navigation explains why the choice identifies a real risk when the buoy's location is not as charted.

The other options do not recognize the implications of an inaccurately positioned buoy; navigators must remain cautious and aware of changes in buoy locations to maintain safety at sea.