(a) The movement of a vessel shall be under the direction and control of the master or a licensed mate at all times. The master shall operate the vessel keeping the safety of the passengers and crew foremost in mind by directing the vessel in order to prevent a casualty. Special attention should be paid to:

(1) The current(s) velocity and direction of the transmitting area;

(2) Tidal state;

(3) Prevailing and forecasted visibility and environmental conditions, including wind and waves;

(4) Density of marine traffic;

(5) Potential damage caused by own wake;

(6) The danger of each closing visual or radar contact;

(7) Vessel's handling characteristics; and

(8) Magnetic variation and deviation errors of the compass.

(b) [Reserved]

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 935, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended by 62 FR 51352, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2007-0030, 75 FR 78082, Dec. 14, 2010; USCG-2014-0688, 79 FR 58283, Sept. 10, 2014]