A power-driven vessel sights a sailing vessel on its port bow. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel?

A power-driven vessel sights a sailing vessel on its port bow. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel?

• A. The power-driven vessel
• B. The sailboat, because it is under sail
• C. The dinghy ahead
• D. The motor yacht

Answer: (B)

In crossing situations, the stand-on vessel is the one that has the other vessel on its starboard side; the give-way vessel is the one with the other on its port side. Here, the power-driven vessel sighting a sailing vessel on its port bow means that from the sailing vessel’s perspective, the power-driven vessel is on its starboard side. Therefore, the sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel and should maintain its course and speed while the power-driven vessel should take action to avoid. This aligns with the general rule that a sailing vessel (under sail) has the right of way over a power-driven vessel in crossing situations, so the sailboat remains the stand-on vessel.

In crossing situations, the stand-on vessel is the one that has the other vessel on its starboard side; the give-way vessel is the one with the other on its port side. Here, the power-driven vessel sighting a sailing vessel on its port bow means that from the sailing vessel’s perspective, the power-driven vessel is on its starboard side. Therefore, the sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel and should maintain its course and speed while the power-driven vessel should take action to avoid.

This aligns with the general rule that a sailing vessel (under sail) has the right of way over a power-driven vessel in crossing situations, so the sailboat remains the stand-on vessel.