How should you respond if you encounter a vessel signaling distress?

• A. Continue on your course
• B. Contact the coast guard immediately
• C. Give way, reduce speed, and proceed with extreme caution, following any distress signals
• D. Increase speed to pass

Answer: (C)

When you encounter a vessel signaling distress, priority is safety and aiding those in danger. The correct response is to give way, reduce speed, and proceed with extreme caution, while obeying and following any distress signals or instructions from the distressed vessel or authorities. Distress signals indicate imminent danger, so you must maneuver to avoid obstructing rescue efforts and to allow the distressed vessel room to maneuver or be rescued. If you can assist safely, do so and coordinate with authorities; if not, maintain a safe, clear path and report the situation. Continuing on your original course or accelerating past would ignore the urgency of the situation and could worsen it, whereas contacting the coast guard is important, but not a substitute for taking immediate, prudent action to give way and proceed with caution.