How Jeff sails . . .
 

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

Capt. Neal® wrote:
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

How does Rule 12 apply? We're both on the same tack, and being half a
mile behind there is not a windward leeward relationship. This is
especially true if I follow in his wake.

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

"Uses" Rule 13? How to you "use" a rule?

and heads up again so as to overtake
allowing the stand-on vessel according to Rule 13 to stand on.

I'm allow to overtake, but I must stay clear. What's the problem?


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

I don't understand what you're saying. If I'm overtaking I must stay
clear. Why does that create a "close quarters" situation. What if I
had passed close to leeward - by you're reckoning I'm suddenly the
standon vessel and required to hold course, even though I might not be
giving the other vessel the room to tack away.

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?

Clearly, the one who follows rule 13 and stays clear of the vessel while
overtaking. Someday, maybe, you'll overtake another boat and understand.



CN