Wally wrote:
"Jeff Morris" wrote in message


However, I'll give you a case where Rule 12 does not cover two
sailboats: Two sailboats A and B are on a beam reach. B is directly
behind A and overtaking. Both are on the same tack, neither is windward
or leeward or the other. Nothing in Rule 12 covers this situation. In
fact, this is the simplest case of where Rule 13 would supersede Rule
12. How could Neal be so stupid as to not see it?


How do you define 'overtaking', and in what way is it different from
'gaining on'? If one boat is clear astern of the other, is it overtaking?

It doesn't matter how I might define overtaking; the Colregs do a pretty
good job of it:

13 (b) A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when 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 sternlight
of that vessel but neither of her sidelights.

A curious aspect of the wording is that it uses the stern light as the
reference point. Thus, you might claim that once an overlap is
established (to use the racing term) then it is no longer an overtaking
situation. However, Rule 13(c) says that "when in doubt, you must
consider it to be overtaking" and Rule 13(d) says that if a boat
approaches from astern, it is an overtaking situation until it is clear
ahead:

(c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether she if 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.