otnmbrd wrote:
I have to ask .... When (year) did this incident occur, and in what
country?

Don't know the year. The Coast Guard and Inland rules were mention, so
my guess the Chesapeake.

You have stated that inland rules applied, but that this was in an area
that involved an extended channel towards the seabuoy. Normally, the
demarcation will be at a breakwater or some point before the seabuoy,
hence the reason for my question as it will greatly influence the rules
being used.
BTW. There are many places that will require a particular passage of a
seabuoy, be it to Port or to Stbd.
As stated, I wish more would ask questions on this and try to supply
answers (right or wrong) as it's a good exercise.

yea - that's why this one has stuck in my mind for a few months. It
seems simple yet is filled with paradoxes. A seemed to be at fault for
presuming that this would become a passing situation. But it did become
that, so is A really at fault? If B was standon as a crossing vessel,
did he have the right to turn into the channel? Do we look at only the
events, or do have to consider the motivations? This case illuminates
the concept that a master will be held accountable for their actions and
how they were justified by the information they had, not necessarily by
how things unfolded. But I can say no more ...