That is exactly what international maritime law requires. For reference, I estimate the eye height of people on the bridge and watch deck is about 28.5m above the waterline (from a picture of an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer on wikipedia), at that distance the horizon is approximately 19.1km away or a ship higher than that come into view from further away depending on the height of that other vessel which would be substantial for an oil tanker of cargo vessel (which has masts with radar reflectors and navigation lights). Now an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is listed as having a greater than 30knot (56km/h) top speed on wikipedia, this probably means it is less than 40knot (74km/h), however it is probably not cruising at more than 56km/h so lets assume that is the common cruise speed (which is fast for a ship). So at 56km/h 19.1km takes 20.6 minutes to cover even if the other vessel is going the same speed head on that still gives more than 10 minutes to avoid a collision from when the other vessel was first able to be spotted.So WTF was that destroyer doing for 10-20 minutes minimum that had it in a collision with another ship?
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