In the maneuverability rule, which vessel should give way?

• A. They should switch sides.
• B. The less maneuverable boat should give way to the more maneuverable boat.
• C. The more maneuverable boat should give way to the less maneuverable boat.
• D. The more maneuverable boat should yield to the less maneuverable boat.

Answer: (C)

When two boats are on a potential collision course, the priority is given to the boat that has less ability to maneuver. The reasoning is simple: the less maneuverable vessel can’t respond quickly enough to avoid danger, so the safer course is for the more maneuverable vessel to take action and keep clear. In practice, this means the more maneuverable boat should give way to the less maneuverable boat by altering course or reducing speed to avoid hindrance. The other ways people sometimes think about it—such as switching sides or the less maneuverable boat yielding—don’t align with this safety rule, since it’s the boat with the greater ability to maneuver that must take action to prevent a collision.