Question 8

The Correct Answer is A. **Explanation for A (Two power-driven vessels meeting head-on):** Option A refers to Rule 14 (Head-on Situation). This rule explicitly mandates a dual alteration of course. When two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision, **each shall alter her course to starboard** so that each may pass on the port side of the other. The Rules require both vessels to change course simultaneously. **Explanation for why other options are incorrect:** * **B) Two power-driven vessels crossing when it is apparent to the stand-on vessel that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action:** This describes a crossing situation (Rule 15) and the stand-on vessel’s duty to act (Rule 17(b)). Initially, only the give-way vessel (the one that has the other to starboard) is required to change course (Rule 15(a)). The stand-on vessel is only permitted to take action when it becomes apparent the give-way vessel is not acting (Rule 17(a)(ii)), and is **required** to take action only when collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone (Rule 17(b)). The Rules do not require both vessels to change course from the start of the situation; the requirement for the stand-on vessel to act only arises much later in the encounter. * **C) Two sailing vessels crossing with the wind on the same side:** This refers to Rule 12 (Sailing Vessels). When two sailing vessels have the wind on the same side, the vessel which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to leeward. In this situation, there is a designated give-way vessel and a designated stand-on vessel. Only the windward vessel is initially required to change course. * **D) All of the above:** Since options B and C do not initially require both vessels to change course, this option is incorrect.