What does the term 'buoying' refer to in maritime navigation?

The term 'buoying' in maritime navigation specifically refers to the process of marking navigational hazards with buoys. This is a critical function in ensuring the safety of vessels navigating through potentially dangerous waters, such as areas with submerged rocks, shallow regions, or other obstacles. By utilizing buoys, mariners can easily identify and avoid these hazards, making navigation safer and more efficient.

Each buoy often follows specific color codes, shapes, and light patterns, as dictated by systems like the IALA Maritime Buoyage System, to convey important information about the waterway. This standardized system allows for easy recognition by all mariners, facilitating safe navigation across different regions and waters.

In contrast, the other options entail actions that do not align with the widely accepted definitions in maritime safety. Sinking buoys would be counterproductive to their purpose, removing them would eliminate critical navigational aids, and installing lights on buoys is simply a functional enhancement rather than the act of buoying itself. Therefore, the chosen answer accurately captures the essence of buoying in the context of maritime navigation.