Who is responsible for avoiding collision between two vessels?

Answer 1

Rules of the road. Just as with cars, there are rules set up so that one person realizes they are in the wrong and can take corrective action. For example, with boats and cars, if you are backing up you have no rights and have to take the responsility to make sure there are no others in your path.

Interestingly, rule #1 is "Avoid collisions at all costs."So even if you are in the right as far as the rules of the road go, if you do nothing to avoid a collision, and a collision results, you can be held equally responsible for not following rule #1.