What is "pilotage" in maritime navigation?

Pilotage refers specifically to the practice of navigating a vessel using visual references and landmarks rather than relying solely on mechanical or electronic means. This method is particularly important when navigating narrow channels, coastal waters, or areas with significant obstacles where visual identification of terrain and navigational aids is critical.

Utilizing landmarks allows mariners to establish their position and make course adjustments based on recognizable features in the environment, which can greatly increase safety during navigation, especially in challenging conditions. Visual cues can include coastlines, buoys, lighthouses, and other prominent geographic features.

While other options include aspects of navigation, they do not encapsulate the essence of pilotage, which is fundamentally about using visual aids as the primary means of determining a vessel's position and movement.