On Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:39:16 -0400, John H
wrote:

Take the limiting case of two tankers. The one overtaking is 700 ft
long. The one being overtaken is 300 ft long. Your claim that the
smaller one must get out of the way of the bigger one is nonsense.

In that example both boats re restricted in their ability to maneuver
by virtue of their size. They are governed by the rules of the road
however which say that the vessel being overtaken is the "stand on"
vessel (see COLREGS definitions). That said, both vessels have the
obligation to avoid a collission. If there is doubt about another
vessels intent, they are *required* to make contact on the radio
and/or signal their intentions using whistles or horns.