Section 122.304 - Navigation underway(a) The movement of a vessel shall be under the direction and control of the master or a licensed mate at all times. The master shall operate the vessel keeping the safety of the passengers and crew foremost in mind by directing the vessel in order to prevent a casualty. Special attention should be paid to:(1) The current(s) velocity and direction of the transmitting area;(3) Prevailing and forecasted visibility and environmental conditions, including wind and waves;(4) Density of marine traffic;(5) Potential damage caused by own wake;(6) The danger of each closing visual or radar contact;(7) Vessel's handling characteristics; and(8) Magnetic variation and deviation errors of the compass.CGD 85-080, 61 FR 935, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended by 62 FR 51352, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2007-0030, 75 FR 78082 , Dec. 14, 2010; USCG-2014-0688, 79 FR 58283 , Sept. 10, 2014