You see this dead ahead in a crossing situation. What is the recommended action?

Prepare for the COLREGs Scenarios Test. Enhance your maritime navigation skills with interactive simulations, multiple choice questions, and detailed explanations. Ace the test with thorough practice!

Multiple Choice

You see this dead ahead in a crossing situation. What is the recommended action?

In a crossing situation, you follow the stand-on rule: keep your course and speed and watch the other vessel closely. The idea is to give the other vessel time to take evasive action if needed, rather than making sudden maneuvers yourself. Seeing something dead ahead in a crossing means you’re the vessel that should remain on course for the moment, unless the other vessel doesn’t turn or the risk of collision increases. So the best action is to stand on and monitor closely. Other options involve abrupt or unsafe maneuvers—turning suddenly, speeding up to “beat” the other vessel, or stopping and reversing—that can worsen the situation or create new risks. Maintain your path and be prepared to take corrective action only if the danger signal persists.

In a crossing situation, you follow the stand-on rule: keep your course and speed and watch the other vessel closely. The idea is to give the other vessel time to take evasive action if needed, rather than making sudden maneuvers yourself. Seeing something dead ahead in a crossing means you’re the vessel that should remain on course for the moment, unless the other vessel doesn’t turn or the risk of collision increases.

So the best action is to stand on and monitor closely. Other options involve abrupt or unsafe maneuvers—turning suddenly, speeding up to “beat” the other vessel, or stopping and reversing—that can worsen the situation or create new risks. Maintain your path and be prepared to take corrective action only if the danger signal persists.

More practice questions