"Capt. Neal®" wrote in message

I would guess the Firth of Forth is covered under the International Rules
but I would have to see a chart and the demarcation line to know for sure.

Almost all of it has shipping traffic, certainly further uptream than where
we race. It is covered by the international rules, as are those who race
there - the RRS do not replace the colregs. In racing, of course, close
quarters and overtaking situations are quite common, and Rule 13 is both
applicable and applied.


Negative, I am saying, in the circumstance where I am sailing out in
International
Rule waters, like crossing the Gulf Stream, it is unnecessary and
dangerous to
pass close to other vessels. A small course correction, done early and in
accordance
to sailing rule 12, makes Rule 13 superfluous.

You're saying that Rule 13 doesn't apply to you, in your situation, but
you're implying that it's superfluous to all by using of generalised
terminology. Your argument is fallacious - you're arguing from the specific
to the general.

As a matter of interest, what would you do if another sailboat approached
you, such that a close quarters situation will arise? Would you maintain a
half mile distance to avoid finding yourself in a Rule 13 situation?