What is the role of the stand-on vessel in collision avoidance in many situations?

What is the role of the stand-on vessel in collision avoidance in many situations?

• A. To stop immediately
• B. To radio the other vessel
• C. To maintain its course and speed unless the situation requires action
• D. To always yield to the give-way vessel

Answer: (C)

In collision avoidance, the stand-on vessel keeps its course and speed to provide a predictable target for the other vessel to judge and maneuver against. This stability lets the give-way vessel decide and take early, effective action to avert a collision. Only when it becomes clear that the other vessel will not act, or the situation changes in a way that requires it, should the stand-on vessel alter its course or speed to avoid. Stopping immediately would remove predictability and could worsen the risk, and radioing or yielding all the time isn’t the primary mechanism for avoidance. So, maintaining course and speed unless there’s a need to take action is the best approach.

In collision avoidance, the stand-on vessel keeps its course and speed to provide a predictable target for the other vessel to judge and maneuver against. This stability lets the give-way vessel decide and take early, effective action to avert a collision. Only when it becomes clear that the other vessel will not act, or the situation changes in a way that requires it, should the stand-on vessel alter its course or speed to avoid. Stopping immediately would remove predictability and could worsen the risk, and radioing or yielding all the time isn’t the primary mechanism for avoidance. So, maintaining course and speed unless there’s a need to take action is the best approach.