Maryland Boating Certification Practice Exam

When two boats are meeting head-on, who has the stand-on responsibility?

1. Neither. They must both give way

2. The vessel on the right

3. The vessel that is larger

4. The faster vessel

The correct answer is: Neither. They must both give way

When two boats are meeting head-on, the correct understanding is that both vessels have a mutual responsibility to avoid a collision. This situation demands that each boat take appropriate action to maneuver safely. The "give way" rule applies to both vessels, meaning that they should alter their course or speed to pass safely. This ensures that neither boat feels the obligation to maintain its course at the risk of a collision. The other considerations such as the size or speed of the vessels do not apply in a head-on encounter. The idea of a stand-on vessel typically refers to situations where one boat has the right of way, but in head-on scenarios, the standard maritime practice dictates that both vessels share the responsibility to give way. This promotes safety on the water, as both operators must actively assess the situation and act accordingly to prevent an accident.