With an Inmarsat-C LES, how are messages routed to receiving stations?

The correct response highlights that all messages transmitted through the Inmarsat-C Land Earth Station (LES) are processed using a store-and-forward network architecture. In this setup, messages sent from a vessel or mobile station are first received and stored at the LES before being forwarded to the appropriate receiving station. This methodology ensures that messages can be transmitted even if the recipient is temporarily unavailable, as they will be held in the system until the recipient's station is ready to receive them.

This approach is particularly efficient in maritime communication because it accounts for interruptions in connectivity, which can occur due to the mobile nature of ships and varying signal conditions at sea. The store-and-forward model also allows central management of messages and ensures that they are delivered reliably when conditions permit.

The other options, while describing various types of communication methods, do not accurately reflect the mechanism used by Inmarsat-C. For example, direct connections and intermediary stations imply real-time communication without the buffering aspect that characterizes the Inmarsat-C system, which is designed to manage messages when the recipient may not be immediately reachable.