Dewatering is performed when weather conditions permit your boat to __________ the disabled boat safely.

Dewatering is a critical procedure performed when a boat is taking on water and needs to be stabilized before any rescue or salvage operations can be conducted. The process is contingent upon favorable weather conditions that allow a rescue boat to navigate close enough to the disabled vessel without putting itself or its crew in danger.

When the correct answer is to approach the disabled boat safely, it implies that the conditions must be stable enough to maneuver adequately. Approaching signifies that the rescue crew can see the situation clearly and get close enough to apply dewatering techniques effectively. This typically involves pumping water out of the disabled boat to restore its buoyancy and prevent it from sinking.

In contrast, surveying, evacuating, and inspecting relate to different stages of engagement or actions that do not directly involve the safe and immediate operational context needed for dewatering. While these activities can be part of the overall response process, they do not specifically pertain to the critical initial phase of approaching when performing dewatering tasks.