When may a vessel take action to avoid collision?

A vessel may take action to avoid collision whenever deemed necessary because the primary objective of the "Rules of the Road" is to ensure safe navigation and prevent collisions. Under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) and the U.S. Navigation Rules, all vessels are required to take appropriate measures to avoid collisions whenever the circumstances warrant it. This includes situations that might not be specifically covered by the rules, such as predicting the actions of nearby vessels.

The rules recognize that the specific circumstances can vary widely, and maintaining maritime safety is paramount. Therefore, mariners are expected to exercise good seamanship, assess the situation, and take timely action when necessary to prevent collisions, regardless of whether they are legally required to do so in specific scenarios, visibility conditions, or particular navigation areas like narrow channels.