Question 72 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is C) avoid altering course toward a vessel abaft the beam. The reasoning is that the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) Rule 19 states that in restricted visibility, when a vessel detects another vessel by radar alone, it must determine if a close-quarters situation is developing or if there is a risk of collision. If so, the vessel must avoid taking any action that would bring its course toward the other vessel if the other vessel is abaft (behind) the beam. This is to prevent the risk of collision. The other answer choices are incorrect because A) is too limited, B) is not the required action, and D) is not the complete and correct answer per COLREGS Rule 19.