What action should be taken if you encounter another boat while navigating?

When encountering another boat while navigating, effective communication is crucial to ensure safety on the water. Communicating with the other boat allows both operators to share intentions, which can prevent misunderstandings and potential collisions. This could involve signaling, using sound signals, or making eye contact to convey what each vessel plans to do next.

While maintaining your course and speed might seem like a valid choice, this does not account for the actions of the other boat, which could lead to dangerous situations if both boats are on a collision course. Similarly, speeding up to pass quickly is generally unsafe, as it can create confusion and increases the risk of an accident. Changing direction and avoiding the other boat can often be the right action, but without communication, the other vessel may not understand your intent.

Therefore, effective communication helps facilitate a safe and coordinated response between vessels, enabling both operators to navigate safely and make informed decisions in a shared waterway.