What information do navigational charts provide to mariners?

Navigational charts are essential tools for mariners, providing critical information that enhances safety and efficiency while navigating waterways. The correct answer highlights that these charts include detailed information about water depths, potential hazards, and navigation aids such as buoys and lighthouses. Understanding water depths is vital for preventing groundings, especially in shallow areas, while being aware of hazards helps mariners avoid obstacles that could damage their vessels or lead to unsafe situations. Navigation aids are strategically placed markers that guide vessel traffic and indicate safe passage routes.

The other options, such as weather forecasts and marine calendars, while useful for planning, are not typically found on navigational charts. Likewise, potential fishing spots and locations of marine wildlife are specific to fishing and ecological studies, not navigation. Thus, these aspects do not align with the primary function of navigational charts, which is to ensure safe and informed travel on water.