How far can a person in the water be located in good weather conditions?

In good weather conditions, a person in the water can be seen from a distance of approximately 0.5 nautical miles. This is due to factors such as visibility, the size of the person, and sea conditions which can affect how easily someone can be spotted from a vessel or from shore.

Visibility is crucial; while good weather generally allows for clear sightlines, the horizon and other environmental factors might limit how far away a person can be identified. Visibility can also be influenced by the color of clothing, sea state, and whether the person is actively signaling or struggling in the water.

The distances associated with the other choices exceed typical visibility ranges for a person in distress under favorable conditions. Each of these distances greater than 0.5 NM considers various aspects including vessel height, observer capabilities, and potential obstructions, which do not usually allow for the reliable detection of a person at those ranges in a typical search scenario. This further emphasizes that while a person may theoretically be located at further distances, practical visibility limitations make 0.5 NM a more realistic assessment.