What information is most crucial when passing near a lighthouse?

When passing near a lighthouse, understanding water depth is particularly critical due to several safety and navigational implications. Lighthouses are typically constructed on or near areas that may be hazardous to navigation, such as shallow waters, rocky coastlines, or dangerous shoals. Knowing the water depth helps boaters avoid grounding their vessels or damaging them on submerged obstacles.

While navigational buoys, weather conditions, and current speed are important factors in navigation, they become secondary when considering the immediate threat of insufficient water depth. Buoys can provide guidance on safe passages and warn of hazards, but without a proper understanding of water depth, a boater could encounter dangerous situations even with buoys displayed. Similarly, while weather conditions can impact navigation and safety, they do not directly correlate with the risk of grounding. Current speed is a factor for maneuverability and how a vessel may react in the water, but again, it does not substitute the importance of knowing whether there is enough water under the hull.

In essence, prioritizing water depth when passing near a lighthouse is key in ensuring safe navigation and maintaining the integrity of the vessel.