Final answer:
The statement that alerting navigators to potential hazards prevents maritime accidents is true, highlighting the importance of education in navigation and ecological awareness for safety at sea.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is True: Alerting the navigator to potential hazards, such as other vessels, shallow waters, or restricted areas is crucial for maritime safety. It helps to prevent accidents like collisions and groundings. Understanding the risks of marine environments and proper navigation techniques is part of the education of sea stakeholders and the general public, which is highly advisable for increasing ecological awareness and vigilance. For example, paying attention to signs that prohibit diving in certain areas helps prevent injuries and is a small, yet significant, part of maintaining safety at sea.
Historically, navigation has always been a vital skill for sailors. With the advent of radio and other technological advances, navigation has become more reliable, but the understanding of the environment and its hazards remains a critical component of a navigator's skill set. For instance, tales of navigation like those involving Nansen highlight the significance of chronometers and understanding the curvature of the Earth for early navigators. Similarly, the use of lookout posts on sailing ships illustrates practical awareness of geographical principles, such as the Earth's spherical shape affecting visibility at sea.