What action should be taken by a stand-on vessel when encountering a give-way vessel?

The act of maintaining course and speed as a stand-on vessel is essential in navigation rules. When you are the stand-on vessel, it is your duty to maintain your course and speed, allowing the give-way vessel to take appropriate action to avoid a collision. This principle is grounded in the expectation that the give-way vessel will maneuver to avoid you, thus maintaining a predictable path reduces the chances of confusion or misjudgment between vessels.

Changing course sharply could unsettle the give-way vessel's ability to determine your trajectory, possibly leading to a collision instead of avoiding one. Likewise, simply reducing speed or anchoring does not address the essential rule of predictability needed in mutual navigation situations. By adhering to the rules and keeping your course and speed steady, you contribute to safe navigation practices.