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Rule 13 — Overtaking

Exam frequency

85%

Difficulty

3/5

Drill questions

51

Authoritative sources

Source excerpts

33 CFR §83.03

§ 83.03 § 83.03 General definitions (Rule 3). For the purpose of these Rules and Subchapter E, except where the context otherwise requires: (a) The wordincludes every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. (b) The termmeans any vessel propelled by machinery. (c) The termmeans any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used. (d) The termmeans any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict maneuverability. (e) The wordincludes any aircraft designed to maneuver on the wat

33 CFR §83.09

§ 83.09 § 83.09 Narrow channels (Rule 9). (a)(i) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable. (ii) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(i) of this Rule and Rule 14(a) (§ 83.14(a)), a power-driven vessel operating in narrow channels or fairways on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, and proceeding downbound with a following current shall have the right-of-way over an upbound vessel, shall propose the manner and place of passage, and shall initiate the maneuvering signals prescribed by Rule 34(a)(i) (§ 83.34(a)(i)), as appropriate. The vessel proceeding upbound against the current shall hold as necessary to permit sa

33 CFR §83.11

§ 83.11 § 83.11 Application (Rule 11). Rules 11 through 18 (§§ 83.11 through 83.18) apply to vessels in sight of one another.

33 CFR §83.12

§ 83.12 § 83.12 Sailing vessels (Rule 12). (a) When two sailing vessels are approaching one another, so as to involve risk of collision, one of them shall keep out of the way of the other as follows: (i) When each has the wind on a different side, the vessel which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other. (ii) When both have the wind on the same side, the vessel which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to leeward. (iii) If a vessel with the wind on the port side sees a vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether the other vessel has the wind on the port or on the starboard side, she shall keep out of the way of the other. (b) For the purpose of this Rule, the windward side shall be deemed to be the side opposi

33 CFR §83.13

§ 83.13 § 83.13 Overtaking (Rule 13). (a) Notwithstanding anything contained in Rules 4 through 18 (§§ 83.04 through 83.18), any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. (b) A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam; that is, in such a position with reference to the vessel she is overtaking, that at night she would be able to see only the sternlight of that vessel but neither of her sidelights. (c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether she is overtaking another, she shall assume that this is the case and act accordingly. (d) Any subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel withi

33 CFR §83.15

§ 83.15 § 83.15 Crossing situation (Rule 15). (a) When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel. (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Rule, on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or water specified by the Secretary, a power-driven vessel crossing a river shall keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel ascending or descending the river.

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At night, you are approaching another vessel and can see only her sternlight but neither of her sidelights. Under the Inland Rules, this situation is best described as which type of encounter?

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Rule 13 — Overtaking — USCG Captain's Exam Prep · CaptainsGround