Final answer:
The give-way vessel is responsible for taking early and significant actions to avoid a collision with the stand-on vessel by altering speed, direction, or both.
Step-by-step explanation:
Responsibilities of the Give-Way Vessel
The responsibility of the give-way vessel in maritime navigation is not to maintain course and speed, to keep astern of all other vessels, or to use hand signals when ready to pass. Rather, the primary responsibility of the give-way vessel is c. to take early and substantial action to keep clear of the stand-on vessel.
This means that the give-way vessel must take decisive action to avoid a collision, ensuring the stand-on vessel can maintain its course and speed safely without having to take evasive action.
In practical terms, this could involve altering the give-way vessel's speed or direction, or both, to steer well clear of the stand-on vessel.
It's important to act early to prevent a situation where the stand-on vessel has to make sudden maneuvers, which could be dangerous for both vessels involved.