Question 1398Navigation General

The correct answer is A) close in to the land wall, keeping the stern in at all times. When approaching a downstream lock with an outdraft, it is safest to stay close to the land wall and keep the stern of the vessel in towards the wall. This helps counteract the effects of the outdraft, which can push the stern of the vessel away from the wall. Keeping the stern in maintains better control of the vessel and reduces the risk of drifting into the lock walls or other obstacles. The other options, such as staying wide out from the wall or keeping the stern out, would make it more difficult to control the vessel in the presence of an outdraft and increase the chances of an accident.