How should children be supervised while boating?

Children should be supervised constantly while boating, especially when they are near the water. This is crucial for their safety, as children can quickly become vulnerable to accidents or hazardous situations. Active supervision means being vigilant and attentive to their activities and whereabouts at all times, ensuring that they are safe and that they understand proper behavior around water.

While the other options suggest varying levels of supervision, none provide the same level of safety reassurance that constant vigilance does. Occasional checks or only supervising when swimming may lead to dangerous situations if a child ventures near the edge of the boat or engages in risky behavior without adult awareness. Letting children stay in the boat without supervision is particularly risky, as it leaves them unattended in an environment that has potential hazards. Thus, maintaining constant supervision is the best practice to ensure children's safety while boating.