Risk of collision is considered to exist if there is any doubt that a risk of collision exists.

• A. There is a risk if there is any doubt that it exists
• B. A risk exists only when the range is very close
• C. There is a risk only when the other vessel signals
• D. No risk unless near miss

Answer: (A)

In maritime collision avoidance, risk of collision exists as soon as there is any doubt about whether a collision could occur. The rules require you to use all available means to determine if a risk exists, and if there is any doubt, you must treat it as a risk and take early, decisive action to avoid it. This proactive approach means the threshold isn’t a matter of how close the vessels are or whether the other vessel signals; it’s about potential danger you’re unsure about. It also isn’t limited to situations that produce a near miss—the risk can be present even before anything dramatic happens. So the idea is to err on the side of caution: if there’s any doubt about collision risk, act to reduce it.