An overtaking situation would be one in which one vessel is approaching another from more than how many degrees abaft the beam?

An overtaking situation would be one in which one vessel is approaching another from more than how many degrees abaft the beam?

• A. 22.5°
• B. 45°
• C. 67.5°
• D. 90°

Answer: (A)

Overtaking is defined by the rules as a vessel coming up on another from behind, specifically from abaft the beam. The beam is a line at 90 degrees to the vessel’s forward course, so “abaft the beam” means toward the stern. On the 32‑point compass, each point is 11.25 degrees, so two points equal 22.5 degrees. Therefore, more than two points abaft the beam—more than 22.5 degrees abaft the beam—marks an overtaking situation. The threshold commonly used is 22.5°, making that degree the correct boundary in this context.

Overtaking is defined by the rules as a vessel coming up on another from behind, specifically from abaft the beam. The beam is a line at 90 degrees to the vessel’s forward course, so “abaft the beam” means toward the stern. On the 32‑point compass, each point is 11.25 degrees, so two points equal 22.5 degrees. Therefore, more than two points abaft the beam—more than 22.5 degrees abaft the beam—marks an overtaking situation. The threshold commonly used is 22.5°, making that degree the correct boundary in this context.