In a situation where visibility is poor, what action should both vessels take?

In situations with poor visibility, the appropriate action for vessels to take is to sound the danger signal. This is consistent with maritime safety regulations, specifically the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). The danger signal consists of five short blasts on the whistle and is used to alert other vessels to your presence when visibility is low. This notification can help prevent collisions by ensuring that other nearby vessels are aware you are there.

Maintaining the current course and speed might be risky, as it could limit a vessel’s ability to maneuver out of the way of potential hazards, especially when visibility is poor. Changing course to starboard without knowing the position of nearby vessels may create confusion or lead to collisions, as other vessels may not be able to see the change and may respond unpredictably. While communication between vessels is vital in many maritime situations, relying solely on communication in poor visibility can be ineffective if the vessels cannot see each other. Thus, sounding the danger signal is a proactive measure, signaling other vessels of your presence to enhance safety in these challenging conditions.