We were traveling from Bocas Del Toro to San Andres last week and had an overnight passage. About 3 AM this ship came up on AIS and radar and the information I got was that we were on a collision course. I watched the 450 foot ship slowly close the distance from about 4 miles to 2 miles and decided to change course as I could now see visually that we were indeed closing very quickly.

I made a 40 degree change to starboard and couldn't help but notice that the ship also made a 40 degree course change in my direction.

I woke the Admiral up and told her of the situation and we made a quick 100 degree change to starboard for a total of 140 degree change from my original course. The ship also started changing course but then stopped it's turn and just went past our stern about a mile distance.

I'm not paranoid. He was either screwing with us or tried to run us down.

What's up with that?