What should you do if you spot a hazard marker?

Spotting a hazard marker while boating is a crucial indicator of potential dangers in the waterway, such as rocks, shallows, or submerged objects. The appropriate action to take upon seeing a hazard marker is to proceed with caution. This means reducing speed and being vigilant as you navigate through the area, allowing you to respond effectively to any unforeseen challenges that may arise.

Moving cautiously also aligns with safe boating practices, ensuring that you have adequate time to assess the situation and take necessary actions to keep yourself, your passengers, and your vessel safe. While familiarity with an area can contribute to navigation skills, it does not eliminate the importance of recognizing the specific hazards that a marker signifies. Other actions, such as ignoring the marker or accelerating, increase the risk of accidents or damage to the vessel. Reporting the hazard may be necessary in some cases, but the immediate and correct response is to reduce speed and approach the area thoughtfully.