Question 11 GLI04 - Mate of LT 500-1600 GRT

The Correct Answer is B **Why Option B is Correct:** Option B states that a power-driven stand-on vessel is "required to maintain course and speed in a crossing situation but may take action to avoid collision." This accurately reflects the rules laid out in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) (Rule 17) and the Inland Rules (which largely mirror COLREGS Rule 17, with some minor differences not relevant here). * **Duty to Maintain:** Rule 17(a)(i) requires the stand-on vessel to "keep her course and speed." This is essential for the give-way vessel to accurately calculate the stand-on vessel's movements and take appropriate avoiding action. * **Permissive Action:** Rule 17(a)(ii) allows the stand-on vessel, once it becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action, to take action to avoid collision by her maneuver alone. This is not a requirement, but a permission. * **Mandatory Action (The "In Extremis" Clause):** Rule 17(b) mandates that when the collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, the stand-on vessel *shall* take whatever action will best aid to avoid collision (the "in extremis" clause). Therefore, the stand-on vessel must primarily maintain course and speed, but is permitted (and eventually required) to act if collision risk persists. **Why the Other Options are Incorrect:** * **A) required to give-way in a crossing situation:** This is the definition of the **give-way** vessel (Rule 15 and Rule 16), not the stand-on vessel. The stand-on vessel is the one that must maintain course and speed. * **C) required to sound the first passing signal in a meeting situation:** Passing signals (such as one short blast for passing port-to-port or two short blasts for passing starboard-to-starboard) are primarily used in *meeting* or *overtaking* situations, and the rule for signaling is generally initiated by the vessel proposing the maneuver, which is often the **give-way** or overtaking vessel, or the vessel on the shared waterway that dictates the passing side (Inland Rules). While both vessels in a meeting situation might eventually signal, the stand-on vessel is not uniquely required to sound the *first* signal. Furthermore, the role of stand-on/give-way strictly applies to crossing situations, not meeting situations where both vessels are required to alter course to starboard to pass port-to-port (Rule 14). * **D) free to maneuver in any crossing or meeting situation as it has the right of way:** This is incorrect and highly dangerous. The stand-on vessel's "right of way" comes with the duty to maintain course and speed (Rule 17(a)(i)). If the stand-on vessel were "free to maneuver," it would confuse the give-way vessel and likely cause a collision. While it eventually gains the permission to maneuver, this is only if the danger becomes apparent, not as a general freedom.