In a crossing situation, which action best aligns with the stand-on vessel's duty when the other vessel has not yet taken action?

• A. Increase speed to overtake.
• B. Change course to pass ahead.
• C. Stop the vessel.
• D. Maintain course and speed.

Answer: (D)

In a crossing situation, the stand-on vessel keeps its course and speed to preserve its right of way and avoid causing confusion about who should maneuver. By not changing course or speed, you provide a predictable path and give the other vessel a clear chance to take early and decisive action to avoid a collision. If the other vessel still does not act and the risk of collision remains, you must then take action to avoid it, but the best immediate response when the other party hasn’t acted yet is to maintain your current course and speed.

Increasing speed to overtake could push you into the other vessel’s path or create sudden, unexpected interactions. Changing course to pass ahead would intrude on the crossing in a way that’s not necessary and could cause a collision or confusion. Stopping the vessel is rarely the correct action in a crossing since it disrupts traffic flow and can trap you in a dangerous position. Maintain course and speed is the proper, safest default here.