What position is considered unsafe for boat passengers during operation?

Being not in the boat is clearly the most unsafe position for boat passengers during operation. When passengers are outside of the boat, they are at a significant risk of falling into the water, which can lead to serious accidents, including drowning or injury from coming into contact with the boat or other obstacles. Safety on the water requires that all passengers remain safely inside the boat to ensure their protection and the vessel's overall integrity.

In contrast, while other positions may have varying degrees of safety, they are within the confines of the boat itself. Sitting at the helm, standing at the stern, or lying down within the vessel does provide some level of safety as long as proper precautions are taken, and passengers cannot fall overboard or get injured by the boat's operation. Staying inside the boat is a fundamental principle of boating safety, emphasizing the need for everyone on board to adhere to safe positions while the boat is in motion.