Jeff Morris is sailing his catamaran in International waters, for once.

Instead of his usual motor trip down the Intracoastal Waterway, he has
decided to go the outside route between Morehead, N.C. and Savannah, Ga.

While about twenty miles offshore he notices he is gaining on another
sailboat, a monohull, which is off his port bow about a half mile away.
Both are on starboard tack and close reaching. He knows that Rule 12
designates him as the give way vessel.

He ignores Rule 12 and proceeds to fall off a little and uses his superior
boat speed to catch up to the other sailboat so he is soon close astern.
He then uses Rule 13 and heads up again so as to overtake allowing
the stand-on vessel according to Rule 13 to stand on.

He creates a close quarters situation because he believes he must follow Rule
13 because he maintains all the Colregs apply at all times.

If I were at the helm of his catamaran I would ignore superfluous Rule 13 and
head up a little and pass the other sailboat at a safe distance without having
to even think about Rule 13.

Who is the more prudent mariner?

CN