Set Sail for Success: Master the Captain's Rules of the Road 2026 Challenge!

When there’s any doubt about the risk of collision, you should treat it as real and take action to avoid it. Acting early and decisively gives you more room to maneuver and reduces the chance of a close-quarters situation, which is exactly what the collision avoidance rules require. Merely monitoring or waiting for proof isn’t safe, and assuming there’s no risk until proven—or ignoring the risk—can lead to a collision. So you change course, slow down, or take other appropriate steps to pass at a safe distance.