United States Coast Guard Captains License Practice Exam

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Prepare for the United States Coast Guard Captains License Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, offering hints and explanations for each. Excel in your exam with comprehensive study material!

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Seeing another vessel approach with a compass bearing that does not significantly change indicates what?

  1. You are the stand-on vessel

  2. Risk of collision exists

  3. A special circumstances situation exists

  4. The vessel is dead in the water

The correct answer is: Risk of collision exists

When observing another vessel approaching with a compass bearing that does not significantly change, it suggests that the two vessels are on a converging collision course. This is an important safety consideration in maritime navigation. If the bearing remains constant, it means that the distance between the vessels is decreasing, which indicates that a risk of collision exists. Understanding this principle is critical for navigational safety, as proper action must be taken to avoid a collision. In situations where the relative bearing is changing, it may not necessarily indicate a collision risk, allowing for the necessary maneuvers to establish safe navigation between the vessels involved. The other options do not accurately represent the implications of a steady compass bearing. The option about being the stand-on vessel typically pertains to a situation where one vessel is required to maintain its course and speed, but that becomes irrelevant if a collision risk is present. A special circumstances situation would involve unique navigational challenges not indicated simply by a constant bearing. The notion that the vessel is dead in the water does not relate to the dynamics of approach bearing; it would not have a steady bearing while in that condition.