What should you do to minimize collision risk in fog or reduced visibility?

What should you do to minimize collision risk in fog or reduced visibility?

• A. Slow down, sound appropriate signals, use radar if available, keep a proper lookout, and maintain safe distance.
• B. Increase speed to reach your destination sooner.
• C. Rely only on visual cues and reduce the use of signals.
• D. Change course abruptly to pass other vessels.

Answer: (A)

In fog or reduced visibility, the priority is to reduce collision risk by making yourself easier to detect and giving yourself more time to react. The best approach combines slowing down to shorten your stopping distance, sounding appropriate signals to alert other vessels of your presence, using radar if available to locate traffic you can’t see, keeping a vigilant lookout at all times, and maintaining a safe distance from others. Slowing down reduces the danger of a close encounter, while signals and radar help others know where you are even when visibility is poor. A good lookout ensures you notice hazards early, and extra distance gives you more time to maneuver if something appears. Raising speed isn’t safe in fog because it reduces your reaction time and increases stopping distance. Relying only on visual cues is risky since visibility is limited and you may miss approaching vessels. Abruptly changing course can confuse other operators and create unexpected risks.

In fog or reduced visibility, the priority is to reduce collision risk by making yourself easier to detect and giving yourself more time to react. The best approach combines slowing down to shorten your stopping distance, sounding appropriate signals to alert other vessels of your presence, using radar if available to locate traffic you can’t see, keeping a vigilant lookout at all times, and maintaining a safe distance from others. Slowing down reduces the danger of a close encounter, while signals and radar help others know where you are even when visibility is poor. A good lookout ensures you notice hazards early, and extra distance gives you more time to maneuver if something appears.

Raising speed isn’t safe in fog because it reduces your reaction time and increases stopping distance. Relying only on visual cues is risky since visibility is limited and you may miss approaching vessels. Abruptly changing course can confuse other operators and create unexpected risks.