For a stand-on vessel to take action to avoid collision she shall, if possible, not ________.

• A. Turn to starboard for a vessel on her port side
• B. Turn to port for a vessel on her starboard side
• C. Slow down abruptly
• D. Increase speed

Answer: (A)

In a crossing situation, the stand-on vessel keeps her course and speed, while the other vessel—the one on her port side—remains the give-way vessel and should take early, substantial action to avoid. Turning to starboard for a vessel on her port side would steer the stand-on vessel toward the path of the other ship, increasing the risk of collision. Therefore that action is not appropriate for the stand-on vessel.

Slowing down abruptly or increasing speed are not the standard avoidance actions for the stand-on in this scenario; those maneuvers don’t address the immediate risk in the same way that the give-way vessel’s duty to alter course (typically to port) does. The key idea is to avoid taking actions that would move the stand-on vessel into the other vessel’s path, and instead rely on the give-way vessel to maneuver or, if necessary, on the stand-on to take action only if the other vessel fails to comply.