Question 246 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is B) keep clear, passing at a safe distance. According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), a power-driven vessel must keep out of the way of a sailing vessel. This is because sailing vessels have the right-of-way over power-driven vessels. The power-driven vessel must take early and substantial action to keep well clear of the sailing vessel on a collision course, passing at a safe distance. The other options are incorrect because: A) maintaining course and speed would not be the appropriate action to avoid a collision; C) stopping the engines may not be sufficient to avoid the collision; and D) sounding a whistle blast and turning to starboard is not the required action when a sailing vessel is on the power-driven vessel's port side.