What should boaters do when they spot a red buoy?

When boaters spot a red buoy, they should navigate to the right of the buoy. This is due to the fact that red buoys are markers that indicate safe navigation routes. According to the lateral system of buoyage, which is commonly followed in the United States, red buoys mark the right side of a channel when entering from the open sea or heading upstream.

This convention helps to prevent collisions and ensures that vessels can safely navigate through waterways, maintaining the established traffic patterns. Understanding this navigation rule is vital for safe boating practices. By moving to the right of the buoy, boaters adhere to the proper navigation markings, ensuring they remain in the designated navigable channel and avoid potential hazards.

The other choices do not align with this established rule. Navigating to the left of a red buoy would put a boater into danger as it goes against the recommended navigation practices. Stopping to assess the water or moving directly toward the buoy can lead to undesirable situations, such as grounding or getting tangled in hazards marked by the buoy. Therefore, the proper action when encountering a red buoy is to navigate to its right.