How should wildlife encounters be handled on the water?

• A. Approach wildlife to observe closely.
• B. Ignore wildlife and continue operation.
• C. Maintain distance, avoid feeding, and follow local guidance; do not interact.
• D. Feed wildlife to attract them.

Answer: (C)

On the water, the priority with wildlife is to give animals space and avoid actions that could provoke them or put you at risk. The best approach is to maintain a safe distance from any wildlife, never feed them, and follow local guidance or posted regulations; do not interact. This minimizes stress to the animals, prevents habituation and aggressive behavior, and reduces the chance of unsafe encounters for you and your crew. Approaching or attempting to touch or feed wildlife can trigger unpredictable reactions and increase injury risk, while simply ignoring wildlife doesn’t meet safety and regulatory expectations. If you encounter wildlife, slow down, give them room to move away, and proceed only when it’s clearly safe and allowed by local guidance.