At sea, there's one rule that towers above the rest:  Avoid the collision.

Too many captains cling to the mistaken belief that the “stand-on” vessel has some ironclad right to keep course and speed.  That's a dangerous -- and can be costly -- misunderstanding.  The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) make it crystal clear: every vessel has a duty to avoid a crash.

Sure, the stand-on vessel has a duty to maintain course and speed -- until it becomes clear the “give-way” vessel isn't doing its job.  At that point, the stand-on vessel must act to prevent disaster.  Translation? If you see a collision coming and do nothing, you'll be on the hook, too.

This isn't just about liability.  It's about survival.  On the water, physics rule.  Steel doesn't bounce.  And courts don't have patience for skippers who refuse to maneuver because they think they had the “right of way.”

So, next time you're staring down another vessel, forget the ego.  Forget the blame game.  Take action, avoid the collision, and keep yourself off the wrong end of a lawsuit.

--- Fulweiler llc

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