USCG Exam PracticeRule 12 — Sailing Vessels
Sailing Vessel Alpha is on a port tack. She sights Sailing Vessel Bravo fine on her port bow, to windward. Alpha cannot determine whether Bravo is on a port or starboard tack. Bravo is in fact on a starboard tack. Which vessel is the give-way vessel, and under which provision?
- A. Bravo, because she has the wind on her starboard side and is therefore the stand-on vessel
- ✓ Alpha, under the uncertainty provision, because she has the wind on her port side and sees a vessel to windward whose tack she cannot determineCorrect
- C. Alpha, because she is to leeward and both vessels are on the same tack
- D. Bravo, because the windward vessel must always give way regardless of tack
Why B is correct
Rule 12(a)(iii) specifically addresses this scenario: a vessel with the wind on the port side that sees a vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether that vessel has the wind on the port or starboard side shall keep out of the way. Alpha is therefore the give-way vessel under this provision, regardless of Bravo's actual tack. 33 CFR §83.12(a)(iii).
Cited:33 CFR §83.12