If another vessel fails to comply with avoid-collision rule, how should your vessel respond?

• A. Maintain speed and rely on the other vessel to avoid you.
• B. Increase speed to pass ahead.
• C. Sound a warning and do nothing else.
• D. Take appropriate action within the Rules to maintain safety and avoid collision.

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that each vessel must actively work to avoid a collision, even if another vessel isn’t following the rules. When the other vessel fails to comply with avoid-collision requirements, you’re still responsible for preventing a collision by taking action that fits within the Rules. This means acting promptly and decisively to create a safe situation—such as adjusting your speed, altering course, or both—so you pass at a safe distance while staying within the established procedures. You should not rely on the other vessel to do the right thing, and warning alone isn’t enough; you must maneuver in accordance with the Rules to maintain safety.