What action should be taken to avoid collision when sailing?

To avoid collision while sailing, executing large and apparent maneuvers is essential. This action provides a clear and visible signal to other vessels that you are altering your course or speed, thereby enhancing the likelihood that other mariners will recognize your intentions and respond accordingly. When navigating in proximity to other vessels, it’s crucial to signal changes in an unmistakable manner, ensuring everyone involved understands the situation and can adjust their navigational strategies to avoid danger.

Large and apparent maneuvers can involve significant changes in direction or speed that distinctly differentiate your actions from any minor adjustments that may not be easily noticed by others. This proactive approach is fundamental in maintaining safety on the water, as it minimizes the risk of miscommunication or misinterpretation of your course.

On the other hand, simply changing speed may not adequately convey your intentions or could lead to miscalculations by the other vessels. Maintaining course and speed during a potential collision situation is risky, as it does not facilitate enough responsiveness to changes in surrounding traffic. Relying solely on warning signals without any physical maneuver can also fail to achieve the necessary visual confirmation that others need to avoid an accident.

Understanding the need for clear and decisive actions is crucial for safe navigation, making large and apparent maneuvers