What is the most effective action to avoid a close-quarters situation?

To effectively avoid a close-quarters situation at sea, altering course is considered a proactive and appropriate maneuver. When a vessel finds itself in close proximity to another, the responsibility of the vessel's operator is to ensure safety and prevent collisions. By changing course, the vessel can create more space and time to navigate safely, reducing the risk of a potential accident.

This approach aligns with the COLREGs, which emphasize taking early and decisive action in response to changing navigational situations, especially when close quarters are involved. Altering course, especially if it's a course alteration that is noticeable and predictable to the other vessel, promotes better situational awareness and allows both vessels to adjust their paths to maintain a safe distance.

Maintaining the current course and speed can sometimes exacerbate an already precarious situation and increases the chance of a collision. Waiting until the situation becomes critical is contrary to good seamanship practices, as it does not promote timely intervention. Similarly, simply slowing down without altering course might not effectively address the dynamics at play in a close-quarters encounter, as vessels may still be on a collision course, albeit at a lower speed. Therefore, the most effective action in these circumstances is to alter course alone if conditions allow it.