What is the recommended action to take if you suddenly lose visibility due to fog or heavy rain?

• A. Increase speed to escape
• B. Ignore conditions until visibility improves
• C. Stop and anchor
• D. Reduce speed, use lights, and maintain a safe following distance; use sound signals if necessary.

Answer: (D)

When visibility drops suddenly, the safest approach is to slow down to a controllable speed, turn on or use your running lights to stay visible, and keep a safe following distance so you have time to react to any hazards. If needed, use sound signals to warn other vessels of your presence. Slowing down reduces the chance of a collision because you’ll have more time to spot buoys, markers, or other boats and react appropriately. Lights make you detectable in fog or heavy rain, which is crucial when others may not see you well. A greater distance between boats gives you the room to maneuver or stop safely if something appears suddenly. The other options—going faster, ignoring conditions, or stopping and anchoring in potentially busy or unsuitable areas—are risky or impractical in many situations, increasing the likelihood of an accident or getting into trouble.