Final answer:
Maintaining a proper lookout using human sight and hearing as per navigation rules is mandatory at all times on boats to avoid hazards and ensure safety. This responsibility is pivotal for situational awareness, and historically, it has been a vital aspect of nautical navigation and safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to navigation rules, maintaining a proper lookout using human sight and hearing is essential at all times when operating boats. This rule applies under all circumstances to ensure the safety of both the vessel and its occupants. The lookout is responsible for being aware of the surroundings, including other vessels, navigational hazards, and weather conditions, which could impact safe navigation.
The excerpts provided illustrate the significance of keeping a vigilant lookout. From the reference of the light seen from the lighthouse at Mosquito Inlet to the observations from the ship's cook and captain, it is evident that utilizing human sight and hearing is fundamental to small boat navigation and for detecting signs of life or rescue, like the life-saving station. Even historical approaches to navigation, such as determining latitude using the noontime Sun or observing the curvature of the Earth impacting the visibility from a ship's mast, underscore the critical role of human perception in maritime practices.
Overall, the consistent and vigilant lookout is not only a part of statutory navigation rules but also stands as a component of time-tested seafaring wisdom. Whether one is attempting to avoid danger, seeking rescue, or navigating the open seas, the human faculties of sight and hearing are indispensable tools.