You have a vessel approaching from your starboard beam on a steady bearing. What avoiding action would you take?

When a vessel is approaching from your starboard beam on a steady bearing, the recommended action is to turn to starboard. This maneuver complies with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), which dictate that vessels must take care to avoid collisions, particularly when determining which vessel has the right of way.

In this scenario, the approaching vessel is not moving closer or further away, indicating that you are on a collision course. By turning to starboard, you create a wider angle between your vessel and the approaching vessel, allowing for safer passage and reducing the risk of a collision. This action also takes into account the convention that vessels keep to the starboard side when navigating in confined waters or meeting situations.

Maintaining course and speed would be inappropriate, as it does not alter the vessel's relationship with the approaching target and maintains the risk of collision. Turning to port would also lead you dangerously close to the other vessel, as vessels generally alter to starboard when in a crossing situation. Accelerating away may seem like a viable option, but it does not address the immediate situation of a potentially dangerous encounter, and could lead to unpredictable outcomes that may complicate the navigation scenario.