Question 8 ONC04 - Mate of LT 500-1600 GRT

The Correct Answer is A **Explanation for Option A (Two power-driven vessels meeting head-on):** Option A is correct based on Rule 14 (Head-on situation) of the COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) and Inland Rules. The rule explicitly states that when two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision, **each** vessel shall alter her course to starboard so that each may pass on the port side of the other. Because the rule requires *both* vessels to take specific, simultaneous action (altering course to starboard), this is the situation where the Rules require both vessels to change course. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **Option B (Two power-driven vessels crossing when it is apparent to the stand-on vessel that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action):** In a crossing situation (Rule 15), one vessel is the stand-on vessel and the other is the give-way vessel. Initially, only the give-way vessel is required to change course (Rule 16). While Rule 17(a)(ii) permits the stand-on vessel to take action to avoid collision if the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action, and Rule 17(b) *requires* the stand-on vessel to act when collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel's action alone, the rules **do not require both vessels to change course simultaneously** at the initial point of the rule's application. The action of the stand-on vessel is permissive or reactive, not a mandatory, simultaneous requirement for both parties as in the head-on situation. * **Option C (Two sailing vessels crossing with the wind on the same side):** This scenario is governed by Rule 12 (Sailing vessels). When two sailing vessels have the wind on the same side, the vessel which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to leeward. Only the vessel designated as the "to windward" vessel is required to change course; the other vessel is the stand-on vessel. The Rules only require one vessel (the give-way vessel) to take action initially. * **Option D (All of the above):** Since options B and C do not require both vessels to change course simultaneously at the initial mandatory stage, this option is incorrect.