.... If they are
to converge "the direction from the beam of the vessel being
overtaken" must be less than 28 degrees.


It's also possible that they would converge from far enough
away that there is no clear ahead or clear astern. This is
defined in the racing rules but not (IIRC) the ColRegs.


Capt. Scumbalino wrote:
Whether or not they converge is a function of their current positions, their
courses and their speeds. Have a look at my diagram linked to elsewhere. If
the red boat is doing 1kt, and the green one 100kts, then the green one will
be past the red one - will pass over the red boat's projected course - long
before the red boat gets to the same point.

The direction from the beam has nothing to do with convergence, but is a
means of defining whether the situation is an overtaking one.


Does it make any difference which one is to windward and
which one is to leeward? I can't believe you all have chewed
this over and nobody has realized that.

As I make it out, if the two are both on starboard tack, and
the faster one (catching up) is heading 180 and the other
208, then the one first one (catching up) will be to
windward as they converge. That gives the other boat a
double right of way!

Fresh Breezes- Doug King