If a sailing vessel with the wind on the port side sees a sailing vessel to windward and cannot tell whether the other vessel has the wind on the port or starboard side, she shall

• A. keep out of the way of the other vessel
• B. alter course to port
• C. accelerate to pass
• D. signal and wait

Answer: (A)

When two sailing vessels might collide, the one with uncertainty about the other’s maneuver must take action to avoid a clash. Here, your vessel has the wind on the port side, so you’re on the port tack, and you see another sailing vessel to windward but can’t tell whether the other vessel has the wind on port or on starboard. Because you can’t determine the other vessel’s tack, you can’t rely on them to keep clear, and safety requires you to take early, decisive action to avoid collision. Keeping out of the way is the correct requirement, which may mean altering course or adjusting speed to create enough clearance. The other options would not guarantee safety or align with the rule to avoid a possible collision when the other vessel’s tack is uncertain.