Whatever action you take, it should be to prevent contact, however if collision is unavoidable you should reduce damage to ‘sensitive’ areas of both vessels.
Reduction of damage can be achieved by:-
- Taking speed off the vessel (full astern, etc).
- Attempting to avoid by turning the vessel (a glancing blow rather
than a direct contact). A bow to bow situation or bow to quarter situation will be far less damaging that the bow cutting directly into the other vessel's hull, particularly near the engine room compartment.