After taking initial evasive action, which practice should you continue to implement according to collision avoidance best practice in these scenarios?

• A. Continue to monitor closely
• B. Sound five short blasts
• C. Change course to starboard
• D. Stop the engine and wait

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is that once you’ve taken initial evasive action to reduce risk, the safest next move is to minimize movement and observe how the situation develops. Stopping the engine and waiting gives you a stable platform to assess whether the other vessel will change course or speed, and it prevents you from drifting into a collision path while you’re unsure of the other vessel’s intentions. This conservative stance reduces the chance of a follow-up collision caused by momentum, wind, or current, and it keeps you ready to resume maneuvering only when there is a clear, safe outcome. You should still keep a constant lookout and be prepared to act again if the other vessel does not clear or if the situation changes.