COURSE COLREG 6

RULE 13
Overtaking

(a) 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.

(b) A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when

n coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam, that is,
in such a position with reference to the vessel she is overtaking, that at night she would be able to
see only the stern light of that vessel but neither of her sidelights.

(c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether she is overtaking another, she shall assume that
this is the case and act accordingly.

(d) Any subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels shall not make the
overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of these Rules or relieve her of the duty
of keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally past and clear.

RULE 14
Head-on situation

(a) When two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as
to involve risk of collision each shall alter her course to starboard so that each shall pass on the
port side of the other.

(b) Such a situation shall be deemed to exist when a vessel sees the other ahead or nearly ahead
and by night she could see the masthead lights of the other in a line or nearly in a line and/or
both sidelights and by day she observes the corresponding aspect of the other vessel.

(c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether such a situation exists she shall assume that it
does exist and act accordingly.

RULE 15
Crossing situation

When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which
has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances
of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.

Applications:
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1) When a vessel is overtaking another vessel, which vessel must keep out of the
way ?
Overtaking another vessel
 The overtaking vessel keeps out of the way
 Rule 13 is exclusive
 Rule 13 applies to any vessel overtaking
- Power-driven vessels
- Sailing vessels
- Seaplanes
- WIG crafts
- Vessels NUC
- Vessels restricted to manoeuvre
- Vessels constrained by their draught
- Fishing vessels
2) When is a vessel considered as being overtaking ?
When is a vessel overtaking
 When more than 22°5 abaft the beam
 At night
- When the sternlight is visible
- When neither sidelights or masthead lights are visible
- In case of doubt: assume you are overtaking
 By day
- Difficult to determine. Take bearings

Overtaking sector
3) How should the overtaking vessel act to avoid risk of collision ?
►Action by overtaking vessel
- Positive action in ample time
- Avoid crossing ahead
 Generally alter course and/or speed:
- To pass astern or
- To follow parallel courses
o Assume to be overtaking until overtaken vessel is finally past and clear
4) What do you understand by finally past and clear ?
►Finally past and clear
- Stern of overtaking vessel has past bow of vessel being overtaken
- Vessels do not approach each other any more
- Overtaken vessel can alter course freely without creating a new danger of
collision
- Be careful of interaction
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5) What action shall two power-driven vessels take to avoid collision when they are
meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses ?
 Head-on courses
- " Reciprocal courses
- " Nearly reciprocal courses
- " Both alter course to starboard
- " Only applicable to power-driven vessels;
- " NOT to sailing vessels
6) Is Rule 14, Head-on situation applicable to sailing vessels ?
 NOT to sailing vessels
7) When are two vessels meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses, by day
and at night ?
Reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses
 " By day
# Vessel is seen ahead (or nearly ahead)
# Fore and aft centre line of both vessels are in
line
 " At night
# Vessel is seen ahead (or nearly ahead)
# Both sidelights are seen
# Both masthead lights are in line or nearly in line
8) When are two vessels crossing each other ?
Crossing situation
- Vessels are near one another
- Vessel is between half a compass point ahead to two compass points abaft the
beam
- Vessel’s courses cross one another.
9) To what type of vessels does Rule 15, Crossing situation, apply ?
 Crossing situation applies to:
- Two power-driven vessels crossing
 Crossing situation does not apply to:
- Two sailing vessels
- A sailing vessel and a power-driven vessel
- A power-driven vessel and a hampered vessel (NUC, restricted in her
ability to manoeuvre, deep draught, fishing)
10) What is the most adequate give-way action when two power-driven vessels are
crossing ?
 Action by give-way vessel (preferred)
- Alter course to starboard to
- Pass astern of other vessel
- Sound one short blast
11) What should you do in a crossing situation if it is impossible to pass astern of
another vessel ?
 If passing astern is impossible
- Reduce speed, possibly stop and reverse engines (sound three short blasts) OR
- Alter course to port to follow a parallel course
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- Make a complete turning circle to port

12) When would, in a crossing situation with risk of collision, a substantial alteration
of course to port, be the best avoiding action ?
 Apply a course alteration to port only for a vessel approaching from near the
starboard beam.