Maryland Boating Certification Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Study Resource to Guarantee Exam Success!

When you encounter a storm while boating, seeking shelter and heading to shore if possible is the most prudent course of action. This approach takes into account the significant dangers posed by storms, such as high winds, rough waters, and lightning.

Heading to shore allows you to find safety on land where you can avoid the hazards that storms bring to boats, including capsizing and flooding. As you navigate towards safety, it's essential to assess the conditions and choose a sheltered area away from open water if that's possible.

Attempting to maintain speed to outrun the storm can put you in a perilous situation, as storms can change direction or intensify quickly, making it difficult to avoid being caught in severe weather. Continuing your course as planned ignores the immediate threat that a storm poses and can lead to dangerous conditions. Anchoring the boat and waiting is also a risky choice since remaining in the water during a storm exposes the vessel to potentially violent wind and wave conditions, which can lead to capsizing or serious damage.

Thus, seeking shelter and heading to shore is the most strategic and safest option when faced with a storm while boating.