What should be a boater's first action when spotting an obstruction marker?

When a boater spots an obstruction marker, the first action should be to assess the surroundings. This is crucial because obstruction markers are designed to indicate hazards in the water, such as rocks, shoals, or other dangers that could pose a risk to navigation and safety. By assessing the surroundings, the boater can take stock of nearby conditions, evaluate the water depth, observe other vessels, and determine an appropriate course of action to avoid the obstruction safely.

Maintaining speed may not be wise, as it does not allow for the necessary situational awareness and could lead to collision with the hazard. Charting a new course without first assessing the situation could result in navigating towards another hidden danger. Ignoring the marker, even if familiar with the area, poses significant risks since conditions can change, and hazards can shift over time. Thus, the priority should always be to assess the surroundings immediately upon spotting the obstruction marker to ensure safe navigation.