Which statement should be followed when you are unsure about collision risk and uncertainty?

• A. There is risk of collision
• B. There is no risk
• C. You should stop immediately
• D. If you are unsure, assume there is risk of collision

Answer: (D)

When you’re unsure about collision risk, act conservatively by treating the situation as if there could be a collision and take early, positive action to prevent it. This means reducing speed or changing course as needed to maintain a safe separation, rather than hoping the other vessel will pass safely or doing nothing. The ideas that there is definitely a risk or that there is no risk don’t provide a safe decision in an uncertainty, and stopping immediately isn’t always appropriate or necessary. So the best rule is to assume there is a risk of collision when you’re unsure and act to remove that risk.