In a crossing situation, what action describes the stand-on vessel?

• A. Speed up
• B. Maintain its course and speed
• C. Turn to port
• D. Stop

Answer: (B)

In a crossing situation, the stand-on vessel should hold its course and speed. This keeps your actions predictable so the other vessel—the give-way vessel—can see your intended track and maneuver accordingly to avoid a collision. Changing speed or direction would introduce uncertainty and make it harder for the other operator to judge how to prevent a collision.

Keep a careful lookout and be prepared to take action if it becomes clear the other vessel is not avoiding or if collision risk remains unavoidable. But the default safe practice is to maintain your current path and speed.

The other options don’t fit because speeding up, turning, or stopping would disrupt predictability and could create or worsen a collision situation.