Jeff wrote:
Capt. Scumbalino wrote:
Jeff wrote:
Because the course difference is less then 67.5 degrees, the qualifies
as an overtaking situation. According to Rule 14,
"Notwithstanding anything contained in Rules 4 through 18, any
vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel
being overtaken."

My understanding is that it isn't about differences in course, per-se,
but
must also include the bearing from the vessel that is being caught, to
the
vessel that is catching.


Yes, you are correct. The method I used only works if they are going
approximately the same speed. However, without doing the calculation, I
would think that the overtaking vessel is going *much* faster if this is
technically a crossing situation. I'll have to work this out on a
calculator.

That brings up an interesting question: If a boat is going much faster
than another, so much so that its impossible for the slower to avoid
collision, which rule applies? Rule 17(b) clearly does, if action by
the giveway vessel alone is not enough to avoid collision. But also
Rule is important, because of the "special circumstances" and
"limitations of the vessels."

And if a collision occurred, how much liability gets assessed on the
giveway vessel?

This situation happens frequently when sport fishing boats are headed
out at 35 knots, crossing cruising boats powering at 6 knots.

OOOPS Again!! As soon as I drew this out I realized I had it
backwards. If the speeds are identical, then it could be converging
situation, where the heading is not important but the bearing
obviously is. However, the question specified "catching up" which
would seem to rule out converging.