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Encountering other boats on the water can be an exhilarating and challenging experience. Unlike your standard transportation, boats move in a constantly changing environment that requires careful navigation and a keen understanding of the waterway.
One question that boaters often get confused about is which boat must give way when one vessel is overtaking another. While it is a common scenario, misinterpreting it can create confusion and even danger when not managed correctly.
In this blog post, we will look at the authoritative regulations for preventing sea collisions from providing you with the information you need to navigate safely and confidently. So, welcome aboard as we delve through the rules of overtaking in the water.
Stand On and Give Way Vessel
When two vessels encounter each other on the water, it’s crucial to identify which one is the stand-on vessel and which is the give-way vessel. The former is the boat that needs to maintain its course and speed, while the latter must take action to avoid potential collisions.
If you’re overtaking a boat, you become the give-way vessel and must take early and substantial action to pass while avoiding the other vehicle. In most cases, power-driven vessels are required to give way to sailing vessels.
However, when overtaking, the vessel type doesn’t matter. If you overtake a boat, you must give way regardless of whether you’re in power or a sailboat. If both vessels are under power, the overtaking vessel should use a sound to indicate its intention to pass.
The simplest way to determine which vessel is the stand-on vessel and which is the give-way one, you just need to pay attention to the course and speed of the other boat. If it’s maintaining these two parameters, it’s likely the stand-on vessel.
On the other hand, if it’s slowing down or changing its course, it’s possibly the give-way vessel. Here’s a helpful table that compares the responsibilities of the stand-on and give way vessel in certain different situations:
| Interaction | Stand On Vessel Responsibilities | Give Way Vessel Responsibilities |
| Meeting Head-On | Both vessels are required to alter their course to starboard to pass port to port | Both vessels are required to alter their course to starboard to pass port to port |
| Crossing Paths | The vessel with the other on its starboard side is the stand on vessel and should maintain its course and speed. The other vessel should keep out of the way | The vessel on the port side of the stand on vessel is the give way vessel and should take early and substantial action to stay out of the way |
| Overtaking | The vessel being overtaken is the stand on vessel and should maintain its course and speed. The overtaking vessel should keep out of the way | The vessel that is overtaking is the give way vessel and should take early and substantial action to keep out of the way |
Vessel Power Types – How Does It Affect Overtaking?
When a power-driven vessel meets another power-driven vessel head-on, both are considered give-way vessels and are required to pass to the right/starboard side after providing a sound signal to indicate their intentions.
That’s quite similar to crossing paths with another vessel, where the give-way vessel is the vessel to port, and the stand-on vessel is the vessel to starboard. On the other hand, when a power-driven vessel meets a sailing vessel, the former is always the give-way vessel, and the latter is the stand-on vessel.
While this can be a bit confusing for boaters as the rules for overtaking are different, just keep in mind that the vessel being overtaken is always the stand-on vessel, regardless of whether it is a power-driven one or a sailing vessel.
Similarly, when two sailing vessels meet, the rules become even more complex based on the wind direction, such that when both vessels are on the same side, the upwind boat is required to be the give-way vessel.
In case both the vessels have opposite wind, the vessel with port side wind becomes the give-way vessel. Here’s a handy table that represents the entire thing in a more consumable manner so that you can understand it easily:
| Power Type | Meeting Another Power-Driven Vessel Head-On | Meeting A Sailing Vessel Head-On | Meeting Another Sailing Vessel |
| Power Driven Vessel | Both give way, pass to starboard sign after sound signal | Power driven vessel gives way, sailing vessel is stand on | Overtaking vessel is always the give way vessel, otherwise sailing vessel with wind on the port side gives way |
| Sailing Vessel | Sailing vessel is always the stand on vessel | Sailing vessel is always the stand on vessel | Overtaking vessel is always the give way vessel, otherwise sailing vessel with wind on the port side gives way |
What Does Early and Substantial Action Mean?
When overtaking other boats, it’s essential to take early and substantial action – but what does that mean? Well, it’s a popular term you’ll frequently encounter in your boating regulations and exams.
It refers to the actions required by the give-way vessel when you’re overtaking, meeting head-on, or crossing paths. Still, the term itself is quite unclear in its definition, such that to overtake another boat safely, you need to pass it at a “safe distance.”
But the problem is that the exact distance may vary based on certain factors such as the boats’ size, speed, and more. Usually, larger vehicles require more space as compared to smaller ones to pass safely.
Also, it’s never possible to be sure about the awareness of the other boat operator of the rules and the way they’ll respond to your overtaking. That’s why it’s always your responsibility to ensure safety and prevent collisions by taking defensive measures.
To always stay on the safe side, make sure you give a wide berth to other boats as you pass. With this space, you gain more time to react in the event of an emergency. At least a distance of 100 feet on all sides as you overtake is recommended.
Moreover, to overtake safely, you should take action early and move out of the way much sooner. This ensures that you have enough space and time to react in case something unexpected takes place, but make sure to be defensive in your actions.
Danger Zone and Its Exceptions
Danger Zone is the green sector on your boat that’s defined by the green sidelight, which extends from the centreline to the starboard beam at 22.5 degrees abaft. When you encounter another boat in this zone, the operator with the green sidelight is required to take early and substantial action.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, if you’re the operator of a pleasure sailing craft, you’re not required to impede the safe passage of a power-driven vessel. In this case, the operator of the power-driven vehicle needs to take early and substantial action.
Sound Signals for Overtaking and Crossing
If the give-way vessel needs to pass on the starboard side, it gives one short blast, and if it wants to pass on the port side, it provides two short bursts. And once the stand-on vessel acknowledges the signals, it replies with one or two short blasts, indicating its agreeableness.
In any situation where either of the operators is not clear about the other’s intentions, five short blasts are required to be sounded. On the other hand, when two vessels meet head-on, each should give one short blast to indicate that they’ll alter the course to starboard.
Now, in a meeting-crossing scenario, the give-way vessel is required to take early and substantial action to prevent crossing in front of the stand-on vessel. Likewise, in this case, the give-way vessel needs to alter its course to starboard and adjust the speed accordingly.
Moreover, if a sailboat under sail encounters a powerboat, the former becomes the stand-on vessel, and the other becomes the give-way vessel, which means the powerboat needs to take early and substantial action to stay clear of the sailboat.
Final Words
We hope you found our guide on rules for overtaking and crossing helpful for safe navigation on the water. Following these guidelines and being aware of other vessels in the vicinity can help you enjoy your time on the water while staying safe.
