Jeff wants to add "overtaking" to the classes of vessels in the pecking
order mnemonic.

One reason why this is just plain ignorant I have plainly stated elsewhere.
Adding an ACTION of a vessel to a list of CLASSES of vessels is to
*******ize the list. If you add "overtaking" then why not add "meeting" or
"crossing?"

The second reason why adding "overtaking" to the list of classes of vessels
is just plain ignorant is because it is just plain wrong. It is wrong by
virtue of the FACT that there is at least one situation where the overtaking
vessel is the STAND ON vessel.

Vessel A is tied to a pier with a vessel tied fore and aft of it. The
current is running strongly from the stern of vessel A. So vessel A decides
to back out of its berth because in doing so the stern of the vessel will
pull away from the pier and the bow of the vessel will follow and will not
strike the vessel berthed forward of it. The helmsman blows the horn using
one prolonged blast indicating he is exiting his berth and then three short
blasts of the horn to indicate operating in astern propulsion.

Vessel B is proceeding parallel to the dock and with the current - in other
words coming up from Vessel A's stern. Vessel B is overtaking Vessel A but
Vessel B is the stand on vessel because a vessel exiting a pier or berth is
the burdened vessel.

I hope this helps.

Wilbur Hubbard