What does the term "navigation" refer to in a naval context?

The term "navigation" in a naval context specifically refers to the process of planning and directing the course of a vessel. This encompasses a range of activities such as determining the ship's position, plotting its course, and ensuring it is steered correctly to reach its destination safely. Good navigation is essential for avoiding obstacles, ensuring safety at sea, and optimizing travel routes. It involves using tools like charts, compasses, GPS, and other navigational aids to monitor the vessel's movement and maintain awareness of environmental factors like current and weather conditions.

The other options describe important aspects of maritime operations but do not encapsulate the full scope of navigation. Signaling between vessels is related to communication and safety at sea, calculating a ship's speed is a specific aspect of navigation but does not define it, and maintaining fleet logistics involves ensuring supplies and support for vessels, which is separate from the navigation process itself.