What action must a pilot take immediately after the decision to continue beyond the MAP?

When a pilot decides to continue beyond the missed approach point (MAP) during an approach, the foremost priority is to establish visual contact with the runway or other ground references. This action is crucial as it confirms that the conditions are safe to continue the approach and landing.

By assuring visual reference to ground obstacles, the pilot can better navigate the final stages of the approach while avoiding potential terrain and ensuring a clear path to the runway. Maintaining situational awareness at this stage aids in a safe descent and landing, resting on the fundamental requirement of a visual approach that mandates clear references to terrain and obstacles.

The other choices do not address the immediate need to visually confirm the approach's viability. Maintaining a specific altitude may be necessary but is secondary to gaining visual confirmation. Communicating with ATC for further instructions can also be part of the procedure but is not the first action taken once the decision to continue is made. A steep descent towards a visual approach would not be appropriate without prior visual reference and could pose significant safety risks.