Question 101 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is B) there is risk of collision. This is the correct answer because under both the International and Inland Navigation Rules, if you are approaching another vessel and are not sure whether danger of collision exists, you must assume that a risk of collision does exist. This precautionary principle ensures that vessels take appropriate action to avoid a potential collision, even if the risk is not immediately clear. The other answer choices are incorrect because assuming the other vessel is also in doubt (A) does not provide the necessary guidance for taking action, and assuming you are the give-way vessel (C) may not always be the case. Option D, which states that all of the above are correct, is incorrect since only B is the proper response under the navigation rules.