🔍 Key Concepts

• Rule 15 – Crossing Situation (International Rules): Which power‑driven vessel must keep out of the way when two vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision? • Relative bearing: For each vessel, is the other on her port side or starboard side? The vessel that has the other on her own starboard side has specific obligations. • Rule 34 – Manoeuvring and Warning Signals (International): One short blast means, "I am altering my course to starboard" (not a passing agreement).

💭 Think About

• From vessel A’s viewpoint, where is vessel B located – on A’s port bow or starboard bow? From vessel B’s viewpoint, where is vessel A located? Sketch the relative positions if needed. • Once you know which vessel has the other on her starboard side, apply Rule 15: which vessel must act (alter course and/or speed), and which should maintain course and speed? Then match that role to the answer choices. • Think about why vessel A is the one sounding one short blast. Under the International Rules, which vessel normally announces a course alteration in a crossing situation – the one that must keep out of the way, or the one that should maintain course and speed?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify under Rule 15 (Crossing) which vessel is the give-way vessel: the one that has the other vessel on her starboard side. • Confirm that "burdened vessel" is an older term often used for the vessel that must keep out of the way; compare that with the term stand‑on vessel (not listed in the choices). • Double‑check the illustration to be sure it is a true crossing situation (not overtaking) by looking at the headings: are they roughly at right angles, and is either vessel coming from more than 22.5° abaft the beam?