What should you do to improve your visibility while boating in foggy conditions?

To enhance visibility while boating in foggy conditions, it is essential to reduce speed and utilize your horn at regular intervals. Slowing down allows for better control of the vessel and increases the ability to respond to sudden obstacles or other boats that may be concealed by the fog. Being more cautious is crucial in low-visibility situations, where the likelihood of encountering other vessels or hazards is heightened.

Using the horn at regular intervals serves as a sound signal to alert others of your presence, making it a crucial safety measure. In fog, where visual cues are diminished, auditory signals become an essential communication tool on the water. This practice is part of the navigation rules, which are established to promote safety and awareness among boaters in challenging conditions.

In contrast, attempting to navigate at a higher speed would not only reduce reaction time but also increase the risk of accidents, as obstacles may not be visible until it’s too late. Turning off navigational lights would hinder visibility rather than improve it, making your vessel less visible to others. Relying solely on a visual lookout is insufficient in foggy conditions, where visibility may be severely limited and sound signals are equally important for safety.