In the crossing situation where you are the give-way vessel, what is your duty?

• A. Maintain speed and course.
• B. Increase speed to clear the other vessel.
• C. Take early and substantial action to avoid collision while staying clear of the stand-on vessel.
• D. Signal with flare and wait.

Answer: (C)

In a crossing situation you’re the give-way vessel, so your duty is to prevent a collision by taking early and substantial action to avoid the other vessel while staying well clear of it. That means you should change course and/or slow down in a decisive way so you don’t force the stand-on vessel to take sudden action or end up in front of it. The goal is a safe pass, not to insist on your current track.

Maintaining speed and course would not reduce the risk of a collision. Increasing speed to “outrun” the other vessel can create or worsen danger and is not the correct approach. Simply signaling with a flare and waiting doesn’t address the collision risk and isn’t an acceptable method to avoid a collision.