If another vessel’s actions put you on a potential collision course but you can’t clearly identify its type, what should you do?

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When another vessel’s actions put you on a potential collision course and you can’t clearly identify what it is, you must treat it as a collision risk and take early action to avoid. This reflects the rule to avoid collisions by acting promptly and decisively, rather than waiting to see what the other vessel does or assuming they will yield. Since you can’t determine their type or intentions, you can’t rely on them to make the maneuver for you; you should adjust your own course and/or speed now to create a safe passing geometry, while keeping a good lookout and communicating if appropriate. The other options don’t fit because waiting or assuming yield puts you at risk, and acting without analysis on a single instinct doesn’t ensure safe separation.