What should you do if you encounter an obstruction in the water?

Altering your course to avoid collision is the most prudent action when encountering an obstruction in the water. This approach ensures both your safety and the safety of others around you, as it helps to prevent accidents or damage to your vessel and the obstruction. By changing your direction, you can navigate safely around the obstacle without creating risk for yourself, your passengers, or any nearby boats.

Choosing to speed up to pass through quickly can be hazardous, as it may result in loss of control and increase the chance of a collision. Throwing an anchor in this situation would not help you maneuver around the obstruction and could potentially make the situation worse. Signaling for help is generally a response to emergencies or when you are immobilized, but it doesn’t address the immediate need to navigate around the obstruction. Therefore, the most effective and responsible action is to alter your course.