How do daymarks indicate navigation channels?

Daymarks are specifically designed to provide visual guidance to boaters navigating through different waterways. These marks are color-coded and strategically placed to help identify the edges of navigational channels. However, the key aspect of daymarks is that they do not have lateral significance like buoys, which are used to indicate the sides of a channel as you navigate in a particular direction.

Instead, daymarks typically serve as landmark references during the day, helping to orient mariners to their surroundings and signal the approach to navigational hazards or points of interest. The fact that they lack lateral significance means they do not denote which side of the channel is safe and which side may be dangerous—a crucial distinction when relying on navigational aids.

In contrast, other options suggest functionalities that daymarks do not possess, such as indicating the depth of water or being merely decorative. Daymarks have a practical purpose in navigation, focusing on visibility and reference rather than providing detailed navigational guidance like lateral markers or depth soundings. This makes the correct understanding of daymarks vital for effective navigation on the water.