What is essential for a vessel to navigate with when there is a risk of collision?

Navigating with extreme caution is essential when there is a risk of collision because it prioritizes safety and situational awareness. In scenarios where visibility may be reduced or where other vessels are present, maintaining a heightened sense of alertness allows a mariner to recognize potential dangers and take appropriate action promptly. This approach includes monitoring the vessel's environment, assessing the actions of other vessels, and preparing to react if a situation develops that could lead to a collision.

While having confidence in visibility, maintaining speed, or relying entirely on electronic systems might seem relevant, they do not address the fundamental principle of navigating safely in potentially hazardous situations. Confidence in visibility can be misleading, and average speed may not always be safe if it impedes the ability to react effectively. Overreliance on electronic systems also introduces risk, as systems can fail or may not account for all variables in the navigational environment. Therefore, exercising extreme caution is the best practice to prevent collisions at sea.