Final answer:
Boat A should adjust its speed and heading to compensate for the current and avoid a collision with Boat B by considering relative motion and resultant velocities.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a powerboat crossing situation where Boat A needs to avoid a collision with Boat B, it is crucial to understand the principles of relative motion and resultant velocities as they apply to navigation on water.
If Boat A is crossing a river and there is a current, the pilot of Boat A must compensate for the current to ensure a straight path across to the other side. The boat will have a resultant velocity that combines its own velocity with the velocity of the current. To avoid a collision, Boat A should adjust its heading upstream to counteract the current and maintain a safe course to prevent intersecting with the path of Boat B.
For instance, if Boat A tries to head straight across a river at a speed of 0.75 m/s while the current flows at 1.20 m/s to the right (as in FIGURE 3.43), Boat A must steer to the left to compensate for the current. Otherwise, it would move diagonally relative to the shore instead of moving straight across. When dealing with opposite directions and relative velocities such as in the case where Boat A and Boat B are traveling at a constant speed in opposite directions, the pilot must accurately analyze both the boat's relative speed and direction as well as the speed and direction of the current to steer safely and avoid any collision.