If standing water is found in a watercraft, what is the next step for a low-risk watercraft?

The correct course of action when standing water is found in a low-risk watercraft is to drain the water and allow the boater to proceed. This step is crucial because standing water can be an indicator of potential contamination from aquatic invasive species (AIS), but in the case of a low-risk watercraft, the immediate focus is on ensuring that the vessel is not carrying high-risk invasive species.

Draining the water effectively reduces the immediate risk of transporting any organisms that might have been present. This step is typically taken after a visual assessment of the watercraft shows no signs of contamination or problematic species, allowing the boater to resume their activities without excessive delay.

The other options, such as conducting a thorough inspection of the hull, initiating a decontamination process, or contacting a fisheries biologist, may be necessary in different contexts or for higher-risk situations. For instance, a detailed inspection and decontamination would be more pertinent if the watercraft were identified as being at a higher risk for AIS infestation. However, for low-risk scenarios, the focus is on prompt resolution, which is why draining water and letting the boater continue is the most appropriate and efficient response.