What factors can contribute to poor visibility while on watch?

Poor visibility while on watch is primarily influenced by environmental conditions such as fog, rain, and darkness. These weather-related factors create challenges for visual observation, significantly impairing the ability to see other vessels, navigational aids, and potential hazards in the surrounding waters. Fog can obscure objects at varying distances, while rain can cause water droplets to accumulate on viewing equipment and prevent clear sight. Darkness, especially during night operations, drastically reduces visibility since light sources are limited, making it crucial for watchstanders to rely on navigational instruments and radar.

While conditions like strong currents or high traffic can affect safe navigation and require careful attention, they do not directly impede visibility in the same fundamental way that poor weather and low light conditions do. Low battery notifications on devices might alert the watchstander to equipment readiness but are not a factor that directly contributes to visible clarity in the environment. Thus, the environmental conditions represented by fog, rain, and darkness are the most critical elements impacting visibility on watch.