In a crossing situation between stand-on and give-way vessels, what should the stand-on vessel do?

In a crossing situation between stand-on and give-way vessels, what should the stand-on vessel do?

• A. Maintain course and speed while the give-way vessel takes early and substantial action to avoid collision.
• B. Turn immediately to avoid the other vessel.
• C. Stop engines and drift.
• D. Signal with a flare and wait.

Answer: (A)

In a crossing situation, the vessel that has the stand-on obligation should keep its course and speed. This preserves the predictable path and gives the other vessel—the give-way vessel—the responsibility to maneuver early and decisively to avoid a collision. Abruptly turning, stopping, or waiting for a signal would undermine that priority and create unnecessary risk. The stand-on vessel remains ready to take action only if the other vessel fails to take appropriate avoidance or if danger develops, but its default action is to maintain course and speed so the give-way vessel can do what’s required to pass safely.

In a crossing situation, the vessel that has the stand-on obligation should keep its course and speed. This preserves the predictable path and gives the other vessel—the give-way vessel—the responsibility to maneuver early and decisively to avoid a collision. Abruptly turning, stopping, or waiting for a signal would undermine that priority and create unnecessary risk. The stand-on vessel remains ready to take action only if the other vessel fails to take appropriate avoidance or if danger develops, but its default action is to maintain course and speed so the give-way vessel can do what’s required to pass safely.