What must a USCG officer include in a warning to a vessel about potential environmental hazards?

In a warning to a vessel about potential environmental hazards, it is crucial for a USCG officer to provide information about the location and nature of the hazard. This ensures that the vessel's crew is fully aware of the specific risks they may encounter, allowing them to take necessary precautions to avoid harm, whether to themselves, their vessel, or the environment.

Understanding the exact location helps the crew navigate safely through or around the hazardous area. Additionally, knowing the nature of the hazard—be it pollution, floating debris, underwater obstructions, or hazardous weather conditions—enables the crew to assess the risk and implement appropriate strategies to mitigate it. This information is vital to maintaining both safety and environmental protection.

The other choices, while relevant in different contexts, do not address the immediate need for the vessel to be informed of specific environmental hazards. Weather conditions at sea can impact navigation and safety, but they do not directly relate to the environmental hazards themselves. Vessel registration details are necessary for legal purposes but are not pertinent to the warning. Instructions for docking are important for safe harbor operations but do not inform the vessel of environmental threats.