How should hazards on the water be identified and managed?

• A. Conduct a formal annual risk assessment only.
• B. Ignore hazards until something happens.
• C. Conduct a quick risk assessment, communicate with crew, and apply controls or abort if necessary.
• D. Rely on past experience only.

Answer: (B)

Hazards on the water must be identified and managed through quick, ongoing risk assessment and clear crew communication. The best approach is to perform a rapid risk check, discuss potential impacts with the crew, and then apply controls or abort the operation if the risk becomes too high. This keeps you proactive rather than reactive as conditions change—weather shifts, traffic patterns, equipment status, or crew fatigue can all alter risk levels in minutes.

Putting in a formal annual risk assessment or relying solely on past experience doesn’t address real-time dangers. An annual review can miss current conditions, and past experience may not apply to the present situation. Ignoring hazards until something happens is unsafe and contrary to good seamanship.