Why would a person under water hear a sound before a person in a boat does?

A person underwater hears a sound before someone in a boat because sound travels faster in water than in air. The speed of sound in water is approximately 1,484 meters per second, while in air, it is about 343 meters per second. Consequently, sound waves reach the underwater listener more quickly, allowing them to perceive the sound earlier than the person in the boat. Additionally, water conducts sound more efficiently due to its density compared to air.