Which of the following statements is true regarding collision responsibility?

The statement that no vessel can be exonerated for a collision accurately reflects the principle that all vessels have a duty to maintain a proper lookout and take necessary actions to avoid collisions. Under the COLREGs, vessels are required to follow the rules that govern navigation and conduct at sea, which means they must act prudently to avoid potential collisions regardless of their size, type, or equipment.

In a collision scenario, all parties involved bear some degree of responsibility. This promotes shared accountability and ensures that vessels, regardless of their characteristics or the technology they employ, must operate within the laws of navigation and safety at sea.

The other choices present misleading assertions. The notion of a right of way is nuanced in maritime law because it is heavily based on specific circumstances and the nature of vessel interaction, and does not mean that one vessel is completely exempt from responsibility. The idea that larger vessels automatically have an advantage in collision situations disregards the principles that collisions are determined by the actions (or inactions) of the vessels involved, not their size. Lastly, asserting that only vessels equipped with radar have collision responsibility neglects the fact that all vessels have the obligation to avoid collisions, regardless of their equipment. Thus, the correct understanding aligns with the idea that responsibility is