What action should a vessel take when it is unsure about another vessel's intentions in poor visibility?

When navigating in poor visibility and unsure about another vessel's intentions, reducing speed and maintaining a vigilant lookout is the most prudent action to take. This strategy allows the vessel to have more time to react to any sudden movements or actions from other vessels, thereby enhancing safety on the water. By slowing down, the operator can better assess the situation, listen for sounds from nearby vessels, and visually identify any hazards as conditions permit.

Maintaining course and speed could lead to dangerous situations if the other vessel is not behaving as expected. Changing course radically may create confusion for other vessels and could increase the risk of collision. Signaling the other vessel could also be ineffective if visibility is poor, as the other vessel may not see or hear the signal clearly. Thus, the chosen action focuses on preserving safety by aligning with the principles of safe navigation under the Rules of the Road.