What is a key advantage of staying with a capsized boat?

Staying with a capsized boat is critical because it allows for signal visibility. When a person stays with the boat, they significantly increase their chances of being seen and rescued. A capsized boat, especially in open water, creates a larger target for search and rescue operations compared to a person in the water, who may be harder to spot. Additionally, the boat can be more visible due to its size and color, providing an excellent reference point for rescuers.

While the other options present certain advantages, they do not specifically address the immediate survival benefits. For instance, a capsized boat may potentially be repaired, but in an emergency, this is not the primary concern. Flotation capability may exist depending on the boat's design and materials, but if the boat is capsized and not righted, this feature becomes moot. As for containing all gear, while it can be advantageous to have access to equipment, the urgent need in a capsizing situation is to maintain visibility for rescue rather than gear retrieval. Thus, staying with the boat directly relates to safety and visibility, which is the most critical aspect in such a scenario.