When should navigation reports be made to the conn?

The most appropriate choice for when navigation reports should be made to the conn is after every fix, or every three minutes. This timing helps ensure that the officer of the deck and other watchstanders maintain an accurate and timely understanding of the vessel's position, course, speed, and other relevant navigational data.

Regular reporting at this interval allows for prompt decision-making and situational awareness, which are crucial for safe navigation, especially in busy or challenging waterways. Reporting every fix, or every three minutes, helps create a consistent pattern of awareness and communication among the crew, enabling immediate adjustments to course or speed if necessary.

Other options, such as making navigation reports every minute, may result in excessive information that could overwhelm the conn and detract from efficient operations. Reporting only when there is a change or every hour could lead to gaps in situational awareness, which is not suitable for maintaining safety and security at sea, especially for a vessel operating in potentially hazardous environments.