If the steering fails while at sea with other vessels nearby, what should be your primary action?

The primary action to take when steering fails while at sea, especially when other vessels are nearby, is to use emergency steering if possible. Employing emergency steering methods can help regain some control of the vessel, allowing you to maneuver and navigate safely even with a malfunction in the primary steering system. This is critical in avoiding collisions or other dangerous situations with nearby vessels.

Maintaining course and speed, while seemingly a stable choice, might not be prudent in an emergency scenario where steering is lost. This could exacerbate the risk of collision if another vessel is directly in the path of your vessel.

Communicating the situation to other vessels is certainly vital for situational awareness, but it should be done in conjunction with attempts to regain control, rather than as the sole action taken. Taking control of the situation through emergency steering remains the immediate priority to avert danger.

Dropping anchor immediately might not be appropriate in all scenarios, especially in busy waters, where it can pose additional risks. Anchoring without control may lead to your vessel drifting or dragging anchor, further complicating an already critical situation.

In summary, utilizing emergency steering techniques represents the best course of action as it addresses the immediate need for control over the vessel, which is crucial for safe navigation and collision avoidance.