What should be prioritized when navigating in fog?

When navigating in fog, safety should be the primary concern, and the use of sound signals in combination with reduced speed is essential for preventing accidents. Reduced speed allows for better reaction time to unexpected obstacles and the ability to assess the surroundings more effectively when visibility is compromised.

Using sound signals, such as whistle blasts, plays a critical role in communicating your presence to other vessels when visibility is limited. These signals help ensure that other mariners are aware of your location and intentions, which enhances overall safety on the water. In adverse conditions like fog, where visual cues are significantly diminished, relying on auditory signals becomes integral to navigating safely.

Other priorities like speed and efficiency or visibility over safety can lead to dangerous situations, as they may compromise the margin of safety needed to navigate through low-visibility conditions. Course stability is also less critical than ensuring that sound signals and reduced speed are implemented effectively, as maintaining safety is the foremost goal in such challenging environments.