Back in the old days of driving big gray boats, the privileged vessel ( stand on) in international waters was required to maintain course and speed until it was obvious that the burdened vessel (give to) was not going to take appropriate action and collision was imminent.
The problem is if you are privileged and the burdened vessel doesn't turn to starboard to go astern of you, if you turn to starboard you can turn directly into his path, if you turn to port and he decides late to turn to starboard you can both be headed into the same water (SBDR Steady Bearing Decreasing Range- not good), when you decrease speed you lose helm control. It takes big ships at least 1/2 mile to stop. It's really fun at night when there is a first mate on the con. So much easier inland in small boats, when in doubt slow down, give way.
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