What is the best course of action if another vessel signals for you to alter course?

The best course of action when another vessel signals for you to alter course is to assess the situation and comply if necessary for safety. This approach emphasizes the importance of situational awareness and safe navigational practices on the water.

When a vessel communicates a desire for you to change course, it's often due to specific safety concerns, such as avoiding a collision or navigating through a congested area. By assessing the situation, you can determine the appropriateness of the request while considering factors such as your own vessel's capabilities, immediate surroundings, and navigation rules. If it becomes evident that altering your course is necessary for safety, complying with the request would be the prudent choice, helping to prevent accidents and ensuring the safety of all vessels involved.

Maintaining your path or ignoring the signal could lead to dangerous situations, particularly if the other vessel is in a more critical position. Quickly changing your direction without understanding the context might create confusion or lead to unpredictable movements that could further complicate the situation. Notifying the coast guard would be seen as an extreme measure unrelated to the immediate need to respond to the signaling vessel, unless the situation escalated to a point where assistance was necessary. Therefore, the correct reaction is to assess and respond appropriately for safety's sake.