
Vessel Collisions: Why 'Right of Way' Won’t Save You on the Water
Many mariners mistakenly believe they have an absolute "right of way" at sea, but the 'Rules of the Road (COLREGs)' make one thing clear -- every vessel must take action to avoid a collision. While the stand-on vessel should maintain course and speed, it must also act if a crash becomes imminent. Ignoring this duty can lead to serious legal and financial consequences. The bottom line? Ego and assumptions don’t matter -- collision avoidance does.