What is the primary obligation of a vessel under rule 10 when engaged in safety maintenance?

The primary obligation of a vessel under rule 10 when engaged in safety maintenance is indeed to carry out its operation as necessary even if it means not complying with some rules. Rule 10 addresses the obligations of vessels navigating in narrow channels and provides guidelines for their conduct to prevent collisions. However, when a vessel is engaged in safety maintenance, it may need to take actions that are necessary for its safety and operational integrity, which could involve temporarily deviating from certain navigation rules to ensure that maintenance tasks can be completed safely and effectively.

This flexibility is crucial as vessels may find themselves in situations where completing a maintenance operation safely outweighs strict adherence to every navigational rule. For instance, a vessel might need to slow down, anchor, or maneuver unexpectedly to conduct maintenance that is essential for safe operation. While maintaining communication and awareness of other vessels is always important, the priority in such situations is on the safe completion of maintenance tasks, which may necessitate a deviation from standard protocol.

The other choices do not address the specific obligations within the context of safety maintenance. For instance, strictly following all navigation rules without exception may not always be feasible or safe in all situations. Likewise, while avoiding high traffic areas is often prudent, it does not directly relate to the