What should a vessel operator do to keep a proper lookout?

Keeping a proper lookout is a crucial responsibility for vessel operators to ensure safe navigation. Watching for navigational hazards is essential because it allows the operator to detect obstacles such as rocks, buoys, other vessels, and shallow areas that may pose a threat to safe passage. By being vigilant about these hazards, the operator can take timely action to avoid collisions or grounding, thereby promoting safety for all on board and other waterway users.

The other options, while important aspects of boating safety, do not encompass the full scope of maintaining a proper lookout. Watching the water ahead is important, but it neglects the need to monitor the surroundings comprehensively. Listening for sounds of other vessels is beneficial, yet it should be combined with visual observation to ensure an accurate assessment of the environment. Keeping an eye on the weather is certainly important for safety but does not directly relate to the immediate task of observing for navigational hazards around the vessel, which is the primary focus of a proper lookout.