When approaching another vessel and not sure whether danger of collision exists, you must assume there is risk of collision.

When approaching another vessel and not sure whether danger of collision exists, you must assume there is risk of collision.

• A. There Is No Risk of Collision
• B. There Is Risk of Collision
• C. Collision Is Impossible
• D. You Should Increase Speed to Cross First

Answer: (B)

When you’re approaching another vessel and you’re not sure whether a danger of collision exists, you must treat it as a potential risk and take action to avoid it. This proactive mindset is built into the navigation rules: if there’s any doubt about collision, you don’t gamble on the other vessel’s behavior—you assume there is risk and act early and decisively to keep clear. So the best approach is to slow down or adjust course to ensure a safe passing distance, communicating or signaling as needed if that helps. You do not rely on the other vessel to yield, and you don’t try to force your own crossing by speeding up. The other options imply there is no risk or that collision is impossible, or they advocate unsafe behavior, which is why they aren’t correct.

When you’re approaching another vessel and you’re not sure whether a danger of collision exists, you must treat it as a potential risk and take action to avoid it. This proactive mindset is built into the navigation rules: if there’s any doubt about collision, you don’t gamble on the other vessel’s behavior—you assume there is risk and act early and decisively to keep clear.

So the best approach is to slow down or adjust course to ensure a safe passing distance, communicating or signaling as needed if that helps. You do not rely on the other vessel to yield, and you don’t try to force your own crossing by speeding up. The other options imply there is no risk or that collision is impossible, or they advocate unsafe behavior, which is why they aren’t correct.