Under the collision regulations, a power-driven vessel underway must keep out of the way of sailing vessels except when what occurs?

Under the collision regulations, a power-driven vessel underway must keep out of the way of sailing vessels except when what occurs?

• A. When the sailing vessel is anchored
• B. When the sailing vessel is overtaking
• C. When the sailing vessel is under command
• D. Never

Answer: (B)

A power-driven vessel underway normally must keep out of the way of a sailing vessel because sailing vessels can be less maneuverable. The exception is when the sailing vessel is overtaking the power-driven vessel; in that case the overtaking vessel must keep clear of the vessel being overtaken, so the power-driven vessel does not have to take evasive action. In other words, if the sailing vessel is coming up from behind to pass, the power-driven vessel can hold its course because the sailing vessel is the one that must avoid. The other scenarios (anchored, under command, or never) don’t establish the specific overtaking exception that COLREGS Rule 18 provides.

A power-driven vessel underway normally must keep out of the way of a sailing vessel because sailing vessels can be less maneuverable. The exception is when the sailing vessel is overtaking the power-driven vessel; in that case the overtaking vessel must keep clear of the vessel being overtaken, so the power-driven vessel does not have to take evasive action. In other words, if the sailing vessel is coming up from behind to pass, the power-driven vessel can hold its course because the sailing vessel is the one that must avoid. The other scenarios (anchored, under command, or never) don’t establish the specific overtaking exception that COLREGS Rule 18 provides.