What should you do if you see a buoy marking a hazard?

When you see a buoy marking a hazard, the appropriate action is to alter your course to avoid the hazard. Buoys are specifically placed to indicate dangers such as rocks, shallow water, or other obstacles that could pose a risk to navigation. By changing your course, you ensure the safety of your vessel and crew, preventing potential accidents that could arise from navigating too close to the hazard.

Approaching the buoy to inspect it could lead to dangerous situations, such as running aground or colliding with the hazard it marks. Ignoring the buoy could result in navigating directly into danger, compromising safety. While marking the buoy on navigation tools might be useful for future reference, it does not address the immediate need to avoid the hazard it signifies. Therefore, altering your course is the most responsible and safe action in this scenario.