Question 1

Under Rule 13, at what angle from dead astern is a vessel deemed to be overtaking?

Accepted Answer

More than 22.5 degrees abaft the beam. Rule 13(b): a vessel is overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam, i.e. in the arc where the sternlight would be visible (135 degrees centred on dead astern). Any vessel overtaking shall keep clear regardless of whether she is motor or sail, and that obligation continues until past and clear.

Question 2

An overtaking vessel has altered course to pass ahead of the vessel being overtaken. She has passed. Is she still the give-way vessel?

Accepted Answer

Yes, under Rule 13(d), bearing changes neither create a crossing situation nor remove her keep-clear duty until finally past and clear.. Rule 13(d) states that any subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel or relieve her of her duty to keep clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally past and clear. Passing ahead does not by itself establish that she is finally past and clear. Until that condition is met, she remains the give-way vessel under Rule 13.

Question 3

From what direction must a vessel come up with another to be deemed overtaking under Rule 13?

Accepted Answer

From more than 22.5 degrees abaft the other vessel's beam, within her sternlight arc. Rule 13(b): a vessel is deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam. That is the 135 degree sector of the sternlight, 67.5 degrees either side of dead astern. At night she would see only the sternlight and neither sidelight. Speed alone does not make a vessel the overtaking vessel, and the sector is the same on both sides. If in doubt, assume you are overtaking (Rule 13(c)).

Rule 13, questions and explanations

Under Rule 13, at what angle from dead astern is a vessel deemed to be overtaking?

An overtaking vessel has altered course to pass ahead of the vessel being overtaken. She has passed. Is she still the give-way vessel?

From what direction must a vessel come up with another to be deemed overtaking under Rule 13?

Practise this properly

Rule 13, questions and explanations

Questions

Under Rule 13, at what angle from dead astern is a vessel deemed to be overtaking?

An overtaking vessel has altered course to pass ahead of the vessel being overtaken. She has passed. Is she still the give-way vessel?

From what direction must a vessel come up with another to be deemed overtaking under Rule 13?

Practise this properly