COLREG Rule 13 — Overtaking
Any vessel overtaking another shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken — applies regardless of relative status under other rules.
In practice
OOW alters course to give wide berth when overtaking. Stay clear of the overtaken vessel until finally past and clear; this rule survives subsequent crossing-aspect changes.
Regulatory detail & full definition
COLREG Rule 13 — Overtaking: 'Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of Part B, Sections I and II, any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.' Overtaking is defined as approaching from a direction more than 22.5° abaft the beam. The overtaking vessel remains the give-way vessel until it is finally past and clear; once overtaking, no subsequent change of bearing makes the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel under Rule 15. The overtaken vessel is a stand-on vessel under Rule 17.
Authoritative source: COLREG 1972 ↗
Related
Source: COLREG 1972 Rule 13
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