In a narrow channel, if a sailing vessel and a fishing vessel are both in the channel, which vessel should take action to avoid impeding the other?

In a narrow channel, if a sailing vessel and a fishing vessel are both in the channel, which vessel should take action to avoid impeding the other?

• A. The fishing vessel should not impede the sailing vessel
• B. The sailing vessel should slow down
• C. Both should stop
• D. The fishing vessel should accelerate to pass first

Answer: (A)

In a narrow channel the priority is to avoid impeding a vessel that can navigate only within that restricted space. The sailing vessel in this scenario is the one whose passage is constrained by the channel, so the other vessel should take action to avoid impeding. The fishing vessel should not impede the sailing vessel, meaning it should adjust its speed or course to let the sailing vessel pass safely. The other choices would unnecessarily block traffic or put the onus on the sailing vessel, which isn’t appropriate in a confined, single-file passage.

In a narrow channel the priority is to avoid impeding a vessel that can navigate only within that restricted space. The sailing vessel in this scenario is the one whose passage is constrained by the channel, so the other vessel should take action to avoid impeding. The fishing vessel should not impede the sailing vessel, meaning it should adjust its speed or course to let the sailing vessel pass safely. The other choices would unnecessarily block traffic or put the onus on the sailing vessel, which isn’t appropriate in a confined, single-file passage.