What must boaters avoid doing near U.S. Naval vessels?

Boaters must avoid approaching within 100 yards of U.S. Naval vessels due to security and safety regulations. This distance helps to ensure that there is a safe buffer zone around military ships, which can be involved in sensitive operations and may have security personnel active. Approaching too closely can lead to interference with their operations, and it's critical for recreational boaters to respect these boundaries to prevent any misunderstanding or safety incidents.

The established distance is meant to protect both the naval vessels and the boating public, as naval vessels often operate under strict protocols that can require them to respond to perceived threats or unauthorized access quickly. Being mindful of this distance ensures that boaters do not accidentally enter restricted areas where they may be subject to questioning or other repercussions.

The other choices relate to different aspects of boating safety or regulations that do not specifically address the proximity to naval vessels as directly and accurately as the requirement to maintain a distance of 100 yards.