Rules of the Road · Steering & Sailing — Overtaking

A vessel is deemed to be overtaking when she is approaching another from a direction more than how many degrees abaft the beam?

Explanation

Overtaking means coming up from more than 22.5° abaft the other vessel's beam — i.e., at night you would see only her sternlight, not either sidelight. The overtaking vessel must keep clear.

Authority: COLREGS/Navigation Rules, Rule 13(b)

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