When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on and there is a risk of collision, each vessel shall

• A. Alter course to starboard
• B. Alter course to port
• C. Stop engines
• D. Maintain course

Answer: (A)

When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on and there’s a risk of collision, the rule requires both to alter course to starboard. Turning to the right keeps the vessels on a predictable path and ensures they pass on each other’s port sides, reducing ambiguity and the chance of crossing trajectories. Altering course to port would break this standard convention and could lead to passing on the wrong sides or complicate mutual maneuvers. Stopping engines isn’t the required response in this scenario, and maintaining course leaves no change in bearing, increasing the likelihood of collision. So, altering course to starboard is the safest, rule-consistent action.