Question 206 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is A) when she is past and clear of the other vessel. According to the Navigation Rules, both International and Inland, the vessel overtaking another vessel is relieved of her duty to keep clear once she is past and clear of the other vessel. This means that once the overtaking vessel has safely passed the other vessel, the responsibility for avoiding a collision shifts to the vessel being overtaken. The other options are incorrect because: B) being out of sight does not relieve the overtaking vessel of her duty; C) the vessel's position relative to the port beam does not change the rules; and D) the rules for overtaking situations are distinct from crossing situations.