A sailing vessel is NOT required to keep out of the way of which vessel?

• A. Another sailing vessel
• B. A vessel not under command
• C. A power-driven vessel
• D. A vessel not making way

Answer: (C)

In collision avoidance rules, who must keep clear depends on the maneuverability and status of the other vessel. A sailing vessel has the right of way in many crossing scenarios, and the other vessel is the one expected to take early and substantial action to avoid collision. That means a sailing vessel is not required to keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel—the power-driven vessel must yield or maneuver to avoid.

The other listed vessels—another sailing vessel, a vessel not under command, or a vessel not making way—are situations where the sailing vessel would typically be required to take action to avoid or to keep well clear because those vessels have limited ability to maneuver. Therefore, the best answer is that the sailing vessel is not required to keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel.