What action should be taken if your boat capsizes but remains afloat?

When a boat capsizes but remains afloat, the safest action is to hang onto the boat or climb onto it. This approach is critical because even if the boat is upside down, it can provide essential buoyancy and support. Staying with the boat increases your chances of being seen by rescuers and helps prevent drowning, as being in the water can quickly lead to exhaustion or hypothermia.

Additionally, maintaining contact with your boat allows you to navigate towards safety or wait for help while utilizing the boat as a floating platform, which is more stable than attempting to swim to shore. The likelihood of successfully reaching shore by swimming alone is diminished due to factors such as distance, currents, and fatigue.

While using a distress signal, righting the boat, or attempting to swim to shore might be necessary in some situations, they carry higher risks and can lead to increased danger if not executed properly. In this scenario, staying with the boat is the most prudent and recommended action for ensuring survival until help arrives.