The information identifies that the following are generally considered part of defensive boating operations: staying alert to other vessels, keeping a safe distance between you and other vessels, and operating at slow to moderate speeds. Specifically, based on several sources, including a quiz answer from a boating safety question, the option "be careful when you spray other vessels" is not typically listed as a part of defensive operation. The core components of defensive boating are to be alert to other vessels, maintain safe distances to avoid collisions, and operate at safe speeds to have better control and reaction time. Therefore, among typical statements about defensive operation, "be careful when you spray other vessels" is often the choice that is not considered part of defensive boating operation practices. To confirm, here is the likely typical non-defensive operation choice from a set:

• A. Stay alert to other vessels - Part of defensive operation
• B. Be careful when you spray other vessels - NOT part of typical defensive operation
• C. Keep a safe distance between vessels - Part of defensive operation
• D. Operate at slow to moderate speeds - Part of defensive operation

This matches the reasoning found in recent online quizzes on the topic of defensive boating operations.