What is the safest course of action when visibility is reduced due to fog?

When visibility is reduced due to fog, the safest course of action is to reduce speed to the minimum needed to stay on course. This approach allows a boater to maintain better control of the vessel and enhances the ability to react to potential hazards that may not be visible. Slowing down gives the operator more time to assess their surroundings, listen for other vessels, and avoid collisions, which is crucial in low-visibility situations.

Maintaining a slower speed also helps to minimize the impacts of any sudden stops or changes in direction, which can be more difficult to manage in fog. While staying on course is important, it's essential to prioritize safety over speed, especially when visibility is compromised.

Choosing not to increase speed is vital, as doing so could lead to dangerous situations since other vessels or navigational obstacles may not be visible. The idea of only using radar or anchoring may also be appealing; however, they do not provide an adequate solution for navigating in fog. Relying solely on radar can give a false sense of security, as it may not capture all potential obstacles, whereas anchoring can place a vessel in a vulnerable position if other boats are moving around it. Reducing speed is the most practical and effective method to ensure safety in foggy