REACHINGBeginner

Overtaking to windward

The situation

On a reach, Blue catches Green from clear astern and goes to pass to windward, establishing a windward overlap.

The question

Who must keep clear, before and after the overlap forms?

The ruling

Blue must keep clear throughout. While clear astern she keeps clear under rule 12; once overlapped to windward she keeps clear under rule 11. Because Green acquired her right of way through Blue's own action of establishing the overlap, rule 15 does not require Green to give room — the keep-clear duty rests entirely with Blue.

Key point

An overtaking boat passing to windward keeps clear the whole time — both before and after the overlap.

Play this on the board

Opens the situation on the boat-length grid — scrub it and see exactly how the boats meet. Free, no account needed.

Rules cited

See the underlying rule: Rule 12On the Same Tack, Not Overlapped.