When two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel that has the other to starboard must keep out of the way if

When two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel that has the other to starboard must keep out of the way if

• A. there is no risk of collision
• B. the situation involves risk of collision
• C. the other vessel is on port tack
• D. the other vessel is overtaking

Answer: (B)

In a crossing situation, the vessel that sees the other vessel on her starboard side is the give-way vessel and must take early and substantial action to avoid a collision whenever there is a risk of collision. The key is risk: if there is no risk, no action is required. The other options describe scenarios or conditions (no risk, port-tack, overtaking) that do not define the required action in a crossing with risk. So the correct approach is to act only when the situation involves a risk of collision.

In a crossing situation, the vessel that sees the other vessel on her starboard side is the give-way vessel and must take early and substantial action to avoid a collision whenever there is a risk of collision. The key is risk: if there is no risk, no action is required. The other options describe scenarios or conditions (no risk, port-tack, overtaking) that do not define the required action in a crossing with risk. So the correct approach is to act only when the situation involves a risk of collision.