diff --git a/src/laws.c b/src/laws.c
index 12bcb3168..a81941217 100644
--- a/src/laws.c
+++ b/src/laws.c
@@ -4078,7 +4078,15 @@ bool cansee(const faction * f, const region * r, const unit * u, int modifier)
         }
     }
 
-    return (rings <= 0 && stealth <= 0);
+    if (rings <= 0 && stealth <= 0) {
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    /* bug 2763 and 2754: sea serpents are visible on oceans */
+    if ((u->region->terrain->flags & SEA_REGION) && (u_race(u)->weight >= 5000)) {
+        return true;
+    }
+    return false;
 }
 
 bool cansee_unit(const unit * u, const unit * target, int modifier)
diff --git a/src/reports.c b/src/reports.c
index 8928cb33a..40066b08f 100644
--- a/src/reports.c
+++ b/src/reports.c
@@ -2379,15 +2379,8 @@ bool visible_unit(const unit *u, const faction *f, int stealthmod, seen_mode mod
     if (u->faction == f) {
         return true;
     }
-    else if (mode >= seen_lighthouse) {
-        if (stealthmod > INT_MIN) {
-            if ((u->region->terrain->flags & SEA_REGION) && (u_race(u)->weight >= 5000)) {
-                return true;
-            }
-            if (mode >= seen_travel || u->building || u->ship || is_guard(u)) {
-                return cansee(f, u->region, u, stealthmod);
-            }
-        }
+    else if (mode >= seen_lighthouse && stealthmod > INT_MIN) {
+        return cansee(f, u->region, u, stealthmod);
     }
     return false;
 }