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What should you do if another vessel is on your starboard side when paths cross?

  1. Stop immediately

  2. Stand on

  3. Give way

  4. Increase speed

The correct answer is: Give way

When crossing paths with another vessel, it is important to remember the "give way" rule. This means that the vessel on the starboard side (the right side when facing forward) has the right of way and the vessel on the port side (the left side when facing forward) should yield and alter their course to avoid collision. Choosing option A, stopping immediately, could actually cause a collision as the other vessel may not be able to react in time. Option B, standing on, goes against the give way rule and could lead to a collision. Option D, increasing speed, could also cause a collision as the other vessel may not expect the increased speed. Therefore, the best course of action in this scenario is to choose option C and give way to the vessel on the starboard side to avoid any potential accidents.