In a crossing on open water, a vessel fishing is in a crossing with a sailing vessel on its starboard side. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel?

In a crossing on open water, a vessel fishing is in a crossing with a sailing vessel on its starboard side. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel?

• A. The fishing vessel
• B. The sailing vessel
• C. The other vessel
• D. Neither stands

Answer: (A)

In a crossing, the stand-on vessel is the one that has the other vessel on its starboard side and must maintain course and speed while the other vessel takes early action to avoid. Here, the sailing vessel is on the fishing vessel’s starboard side, so the fishing vessel has the other on its starboard side and is the stand-on vessel. The sailing vessel is the give-way vessel and should maneuver to avoid. The stand-on vessel continues on its present course unless it becomes clear the other vessel isn’t maneuvering to avoid or a risk of collision exists.

In a crossing, the stand-on vessel is the one that has the other vessel on its starboard side and must maintain course and speed while the other vessel takes early action to avoid. Here, the sailing vessel is on the fishing vessel’s starboard side, so the fishing vessel has the other on its starboard side and is the stand-on vessel. The sailing vessel is the give-way vessel and should maneuver to avoid. The stand-on vessel continues on its present course unless it becomes clear the other vessel isn’t maneuvering to avoid or a risk of collision exists.