What marks a danger bearing when charted?

• A. A line labeled with NLT/NMT with hachure marks on danger side.
• B. A line with color bands on the safe side.
• C. A dashed line with no marks.
• D. A circle around the danger area.

Answer: (A)

A danger bearing is shown as a straight line from a known navigation aid toward the hazard, with the bearing labeled along the line and hachure marks on the danger side. The hachures indicate the unsafe side of the line, telling you where the hazard extends and that you must stay on the safe side. This combination directly communicates both the direction to the danger and the extent of the danger area.

Why this is the best choice: it provides the actual bearing to the hazard and marks the side that is unsafe, which is exactly what mariners need to avoid the hazard. Other line styles—color bands on the safe side, a dashed line with no marks, or a circle around the danger area—do not convey the specific danger-bearing direction and its associated unsafe area, so they’re not appropriate for indicating a danger bearing.