Which factors contribute to the assessment of risk of collision?

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Assessing collision risk combines how the other vessel is moving, how precise your data are, and what the relative position tells you about potential crossing. The relative motion line, described by CPA and TCPA, gives a clear picture of whether the two vessels' paths will bring them close together and when that would happen. But even with a favorable geometry, uncertainties in speed, course, or range measurements can change the actual risk, so the amount of error in the calculations must be considered to judge how reliable the assessment is. The vessel’s aspect, or the bearing to the other vessel, provides additional context about the motion scenario—whether the other vessel is on a converging path, crossing, or diverging—and helps interpret the CPA/TCPA reading in real-world terms. Because each of these elements informs how dangerous a potential encounter is, all of them contribute to the assessment of risk of collision.