What is the appropriate action when encountering a bifurcation while navigating?

Choosing the channel that proceeds from the sea is the appropriate action when encountering a bifurcation while navigating. This method is based on established navigation principles, where the vessel should favor the channel that leads away from the open water. By doing this, the captain ensures they maintain a safe and preferred route as they progress, which is essential for avoiding potential hazards that can be present in shallower or less traveled channels.

This approach minimizes the risk of grounding or entering a channel that might lead to obstructions, whereas other options may not provide the same level of safety and navigational wisdom. Evaluating clarity in a channel is useful, yet it should be secondary to maintaining a course that keeps the vessel moving safely toward the desired destination. Anchoring until conditions improve is not practical in a dynamic environment, as it does not allow for progress and could place the vessel in a vulnerable situation.