In bad weather conditions, how far can an object greater than or equal to 15 feet in size be located?

In bad weather conditions, visibility can be significantly reduced due to factors like rain, fog, or rough seas. The correct choice of 0.5 nautical miles reflects the practical limitations that navigation and spotting can impose in these situations. Objects that are larger, specifically those that measure 15 feet or greater, can still be visible at this distance. This distance is based on standard operational guidelines which acknowledge that while larger objects have a better chance of being detected in low visibility, they still cannot be relied upon at greater distances due to weather-related obstructions.

The options that indicate shorter distances may seem too conservative for larger objects, while choices suggesting a distance beyond 0.5 nautical miles do not account for the reduced visibility inherent in bad weather. Thus, 0.5 nautical miles is a reasonable estimate given the factors impacting visibility amid adverse weather, making it the correct answer for understanding how detection ranges can change under such conditions.