Question 74 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is A) The action must be positive and made in ample time. This requirement is stated in Rule 8 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), which applies to both international and inland waterways. The rule states that "any action taken to avoid collision shall be positive, made in ample time, and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship." This means that any action taken to avoid a collision must be decisive and taken early enough to effectively prevent the collision, rather than waiting until the last moment. The other options are incorrect because they do not fully capture the requirement under COLREGS Rule 8. Option B is incorrect as it introduces an additional requirement for sound signals, which is not part of the basic requirement for collision avoidance actions. Option C is incorrect as it specifies a change in speed, which is not a universal requirement for all collision avoidance actions.