What action should a vessel take while navigating near an area of restricted visibility?

When navigating near an area of restricted visibility, having the engines ready for immediate maneuvering is essential. This precaution allows the vessel to respond quickly to any unforeseen circumstances, such as encountering other vessels, obstacles, or changes in the surrounding environment. In restricted visibility conditions, the ability to maneuver effectively is critical to avoiding collisions and ensuring safety.

In contrast, increasing speed can be dangerous in such conditions as it reduces reaction time and increases the risk of collisions. Keeping radar off is unwise, as radar can be an invaluable tool for detecting other vessels and hazards in low visibility. Finally, only sounding sound signals at night would not suffice, as sound signals are necessary both day and night to communicate a vessel’s presence and intentions to others in the vicinity. The option to have engines prepared for immediate action reflects a prudent approach to navigating safely in challenging visibility situations.