After turning the steering wheel hard toward the dock, what should be your next action?

After turning the steering wheel hard toward the dock, the appropriate next action is to increase speed slowly until the stern is well clear of the dock. This approach is effective for maintaining control of the boat while maneuvering close to the dock. By gradually increasing the speed, you can ensure that the boat moves smoothly away from the dock without rapidly changing its trajectory, which could lead to a loss of control or an unintended collision.

Maintaining a slow acceleration allows the operator to keep a close eye on the surroundings and make small adjustments as needed. This is particularly important in confined spaces like marinas where other boats, obstacles, and pedestrians may be nearby. Proper speed management helps to ensure safety and enhances the overall docking and undocking procedure, making it easier to position the boat effectively.

The other options might not provide the same level of control or safety. For example, casting off the bow line immediately could result in the boat darting unexpectedly away from the dock without sufficient maneuvering space. Similarly, quickly increasing speed could lead to a loss of control, and searching for fuel vapors at that critical moment would detract from focusing on safely navigating the boat away from the dock.