Which branch of navigation uses landmarks with known positions to determine a ship's location?

The correct answer is piloting, as this branch of navigation specifically relies on visual aids and landmarks that have known geographical positions to establish a ship's location. Piloting is predominantly employed in coastal waters and harbors where landmarks such as buoys, lighthouses, and shoreline features can be easily referenced for navigation.

In piloting, navigators use charts and maps that mark these known positions to triangulate their own location in relation to them. This method is particularly useful because it provides a straightforward and visual means to navigate, allowing for adjustments in direction and course based on observable physical features.

Other branches mentioned, such as navigation in a more general sense, encompass a broader spectrum of techniques and tools beyond just visual cues. Dead reckoning, in particular, is a method based on calculating current position by estimating speed and time traveled without reliance on landmarks. Tactical navigation may refer to strategic movements and positioning in a military context, often involving various navigation techniques but not specifically the use of visual landmarks.