Want this question answered?
If you are operating a motorboat and your motorboat is being overtaken by a sailboat, you should maintain present course and speed. The vessel that is overtaking another vessel is the give-way vessel, regardless of whether it is a sailing vessel or a power-driven vessel. The vessel being overtaken is always the stand-on vessel.
Ease back on the throttle to reduce the wake of your boat - until the sailboat has overtaken, and has put some distance between you.
Give the sailboat a little room for navigation. It's odd that a sailboat would overtake a powerboat, but it can happen. Whether we are piloting a power or sail craft we should always be aware of our surroundings. A good pilot will have their head on a swivel at all times and know what is approaching from behind.
Give the sailboat a little room for navigation. It's odd that a sailboat would overtake a powerboat, but it can happen. Whether we are piloting a power or sail craft we should always be aware of our surroundings. A good pilot will have their head on a swivel at all times and know what is approaching from behind.
When it is being overtaken
Steer into the wind.
This is a case where the sailing vessel does not have the right of way. The overtaking vessel must stay clear of the vessel being overtaken. The best thing you could do would me to keep a steady course, or make any changes obvious so the overtaking sailboat knows what you are doing.
The boat being overtaken is always stand-on, regardless of propulsion type. Rule 13.
Grant the emergency vehicle the right of way.
The boat that overtakes another boat is the give-way vessel. The boat being overtaken is the stand-on vessel. When a sailboat is the overtaking vessel, she must keep clear of the powerboat. Any vessel overtaking another must stay clear of the vessel being overtaken (Rule 13). Please refer to the Navigational rules. Specifically Rules 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18. A link is provided below.
It depends on the situation.'Rules of the road' at sea are guidelines.Generally, the vessel being overtaken has priority. But don't take that to court if you are damaged by an oil tanker in your pleasure craft in a shipping lane. You will lose!
It depends on the situation.'Rules of the road' at sea are guidelines.Generally, the vessel being overtaken has priority. But don't take that to court if you are damaged by an oil tanker in your pleasure craft in a shipping lane. You will lose!