Question 11 GLI05 - Master or Mate of LT 200 GRT

The Correct Answer is B **Why Option B is Correct:** Option B accurately reflects the responsibilities of a stand-on vessel under both International and Inland Rules of the Road (COLREGs Rule 17). The stand-on vessel's primary duty is to keep its course and speed. This predictability is crucial for allowing the give-way vessel to take effective avoiding action. However, Rule 17(b) specifically states that the stand-on vessel "may" take action to avoid collision as soon as it becomes apparent that the vessel required to give way is not taking appropriate action. Furthermore, Rule 17(c) states that when collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, the stand-on vessel "shall" take such action as will best aid to avoid collision. Therefore, maintaining course and speed is the requirement, but the ability and eventual necessity to take action to avoid collision is built into the rules. **Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:** * **A) required to give-way in a crossing situation:** This is the definition of the **give-way** vessel (the vessel on the port side of the stand-on vessel), not the stand-on vessel. The stand-on vessel's duty is to maintain course and speed. * **C) required to sound the first passing signal in a meeting situation:** Passing signals (one or two short blasts indicating intent to leave the other vessel to port or starboard) are initiated by the vessel proposing the maneuver, which is generally the vessel that intends to keep clear or adjust course, not necessarily the stand-on vessel. More importantly, in a true head-on (meeting) situation, both vessels are typically required to give way (Rule 14) and turn to starboard (in a power-driven vessel context), meaning there is no designated "stand-on" vessel in the same sense as a crossing situation. * **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 is constrained by the duty to maintain course and speed until collision avoidance action becomes necessary (Rule 17). If the stand-on vessel maneuvered freely, it would negate the predictability required by the rules and make it impossible for the give-way vessel to execute a safe passing maneuver.