By radar alone, you detect a vessel ahead on a collision course, about 3 miles distant. Your radar plot shows this to be a meeting situation. You should __________.

In a meeting situation where two vessels are on a collision course, the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) provide clear guidance on how to navigate to avoid a potential collision. According to these regulations, when two power-driven vessels are approaching each other head-on, both vessels must take action to avoid a collision by altering course to starboard, resulting in both vessels passing port to port.

Choosing to turn to starboard helps ensure that the two vessels avoid crossing paths too closely, thereby enhancing safety. This is a fundamental principle of navigational rules that helps to facilitate safe navigation in situations where vessels are at risk of colliding. Directing the turn to starboard puts the vessels in optimal positions to assess each other's movements and determine the next course of action.

Other options, such as turning to port, reducing speed, or maintaining your course, do not align with the proper action required in a head-on meeting situation as prescribed by the COLREGs. Turning to port could lead to a closer approach and increase the risk of collision. Reducing speed might not be sufficient to prevent a collision, and maintaining your course would not address the imminent risk posed by a collision course. Thus, turning to starboard is the most effective