What should a vessel do at night when encountering another vessel?

When encountering another vessel at night, the appropriate action is to reduce speed to avoid collision. This practice is grounded in maritime navigation rules and safety protocols that prioritize the prevention of accidents on the water. Reducing speed allows a vessel to have more time to observe and react to the other vessel’s movements, which is crucial in low visibility conditions typically encountered at night.

This approach helps in maintaining better control over the vessel and supports the navigator in assessing the situation more effectively. Additionally, slower speeds make it easier to maneuver if necessary, thereby preventing a potential collision.

Maintaining a constant speed or course without any lights, signaling with bright lights, or making abrupt changes in course can lead to confusion or miscommunication between vessels, potentially causing dangerous situations rather than facilitating safe navigation.