In a crossing where risk exists, you are the stand-on vessel; the other vessel is 2.5 miles to port. What should you do?

In a crossing where risk exists, you are the stand-on vessel; the other vessel is 2.5 miles to port. What should you do?

• A. Take avoiding action only after giving the give-way vessel time to take action, and determining that her action is not appropriate.
• B. Immediately alter course to starboard.
• C. Sound signal.
• D. Do nothing.

Answer: (A)

In a crossing with risk, you as the stand-on vessel should keep your course and speed and observe the other vessel. Give the give-way vessel time to take action and determine whether her maneuver is appropriate. You only switch to avoidance if her actions aren’t taken or aren’t safe, or if the risk of collision persists. At 2.5 miles, there’s time to monitor quietly and prepare to act if necessary, but you shouldn’t jump to an evasive maneuver or signal prematurely. Doing nothing would ignore the risk, and altering course immediately or signaling for no reason isn’t the appropriate step when you’re still assessing the other vessel’s actions. The best approach is to maintain your path, watch how the other vessel responds, and only take evasive action if it becomes clear she’s not maneuvering to keep well clear.

In a crossing with risk, you as the stand-on vessel should keep your course and speed and observe the other vessel. Give the give-way vessel time to take action and determine whether her maneuver is appropriate. You only switch to avoidance if her actions aren’t taken or aren’t safe, or if the risk of collision persists. At 2.5 miles, there’s time to monitor quietly and prepare to act if necessary, but you shouldn’t jump to an evasive maneuver or signal prematurely. Doing nothing would ignore the risk, and altering course immediately or signaling for no reason isn’t the appropriate step when you’re still assessing the other vessel’s actions. The best approach is to maintain your path, watch how the other vessel responds, and only take evasive action if it becomes clear she’s not maneuvering to keep well clear.