What is the correct action if you see a collision threat?

What is the correct action if you see a collision threat?

• A. Early, decisive action to avoid collision—alter course and/or reduce speed.
• B. Speed up to pass quickly.
• C. Stop immediately.
• D. Ignore until closer.

Answer: (A)

When you detect a collision threat, act early and decisively to avoid it by changing course and/or reducing speed. Making a clear, timely maneuver creates space and lowers closing speed, giving you more time to react and reducing the chance of a close encounter. Altering course away from the other vessel is predictable and helps both boats stay on safe paths, while slowing down increases the margin for maneuvering safely. Increasing speed to try to pass quickly can actually worsen the risk because it narrows the margin for error and reduces the time you have to see and react to what the other vessel does. Stopping suddenly isn’t always possible or safe due to your momentum and the risk it creates for you or other boats nearby. Ignoring the threat until you’re closer is simply dangerous and leaves no room to maneuver.

When you detect a collision threat, act early and decisively to avoid it by changing course and/or reducing speed. Making a clear, timely maneuver creates space and lowers closing speed, giving you more time to react and reducing the chance of a close encounter. Altering course away from the other vessel is predictable and helps both boats stay on safe paths, while slowing down increases the margin for maneuvering safely.

Increasing speed to try to pass quickly can actually worsen the risk because it narrows the margin for error and reduces the time you have to see and react to what the other vessel does. Stopping suddenly isn’t always possible or safe due to your momentum and the risk it creates for you or other boats nearby. Ignoring the threat until you’re closer is simply dangerous and leaves no room to maneuver.