What should you do if a collision risk cannot be avoided by maintaining course?

• A. Ignore the risk and keep current course.
• B. Take evasive action to reduce risk, while continuing to comply with the Rules.
• C. Turn off radio communications.
• D. Increase speed to pass quickly.

Answer: (B)

When a collision risk cannot be avoided by holding your current course, you must take evasive action to reduce the risk while continuing to follow the Rules. This means actively changing your course and/or speed in a timely and safe manner to create more separation from the other vessel, and doing so in a way that still respects the navigation rules. The goal is to reduce danger without introducing new hazards, using clear action rather than hoping the other vessel will decide to maneuver.

Why this is the right approach: maintaining course when a risk exists would violate the obligation to avoid collisions, and simply increasing speed or relying on radio communications does not address the immediate danger. The evasive maneuver should be decisive and coordinated with a proper lookout, ensuring you remain compliant with the Rules while altering your path or speed to prevent a collision.