What is the NAVTEX system primarily used for?

The NAVTEX system is primarily utilized for receiving navigational and safety information, making it an essential tool for mariners. It is part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and specifically designed to provide ships with important information such as weather updates, navigational warnings, and alerts regarding hazards to navigation. This information is broadcasted in a standardized format, ensuring that vessels can access vital safety data to make informed decisions while at sea.

Other choices, while related to maritime communication and navigation, do not encompass the main function of the NAVTEX system as effectively. For instance, while marine weather forecasts are crucial for planning, they are just one aspect of the broader navigational and safety information that NAVTEX delivers. Personal communications between boats are generally handled by different systems designed for direct vessel-to-vessel communication. Similarly, storing waypoints is a function associated with navigation tools and equipment but does not pertain to the primary role of NAVTEX, which focuses on informing boats about immediate safety concerns and navigational updates. Hence, the emphasis on navigational and safety information accurately reflects the core purpose of the NAVTEX system.