A stand-on vessel in a crossing is defined as being required to do what, while still permitting action to avoid collision?

A stand-on vessel in a crossing is defined as being required to do what, while still permitting action to avoid collision?

• A. Required to maintain course and speed in a crossing situation but may take action to avoid collision
• B. Must stop engine
• C. Must always maintain speed and course
• D. Should always yield.

Answer: (A)

In a crossing, the stand-on vessel maintains its course and speed, preserving its right of way, but it may take action to avoid a collision if the situation requires it. This means you keep going on your planned path unless the other vessel’s actions aren’t enough to prevent a collision, in which case you can—and must—maneuver to avoid it. Stopping the engine or always keeping speed and course would not reflect the stand-on duty, and always yielding would misstate its role.

In a crossing, the stand-on vessel maintains its course and speed, preserving its right of way, but it may take action to avoid a collision if the situation requires it. This means you keep going on your planned path unless the other vessel’s actions aren’t enough to prevent a collision, in which case you can—and must—maneuver to avoid it. Stopping the engine or always keeping speed and course would not reflect the stand-on duty, and always yielding would misstate its role.