Question 250 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is C) You may maintain course and speed. This is because seeing the red sidelight of a vessel well off your port bow indicates that the other vessel is crossing from your port to starboard side. According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), in this situation, you are the stand-on vessel and are not required to take any action as long as the other vessel maintains its course and speed. You may continue on your current course and speed, as altering course or stopping engines could actually increase the risk of collision. The other options are incorrect because option A would require you to take action as the give-way vessel when you are actually the stand-on vessel, option B would be an unnecessary and dangerous maneuver, and option D is incorrect since the other vessel's red sidelight indicates it is crossing your bow, not on a collision course.