Paragraph (a): Overtaker keeps clear
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of Part B, Sections I and II, any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.
COLREGs trainerPart B: Steering and Sailing Rules
Rule 13
Overtaking
Any vessel overtaking shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.
Wording follows the International Regulations as printed in the US Coast Guard Navigation Rules handbook (2024), with British spelling, and is shortened in places. Download the rules
Read the whole of Rule 13 on one page
Paragraph (a): Overtaker keeps clear
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of Part B, Sections I and II, any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.
Paragraph (b): When overtaking applies
A vessel is deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another from a direction more than 22.5° abaft her beam, i.e. in such a position that at night she would see only the sternlight of that vessel and neither of her sidelights.
Paragraph (c): In doubt
When in any doubt as to whether she is overtaking another, a vessel shall assume that she is and act accordingly.
Paragraph (d): Remains the overtaking vessel
Any subsequent change of bearing between the two vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel, nor relieve her of the duty to keep clear until she is finally past and clear.
Test yourself on Rule 13
- When one vessel is overtaking another, which vessel must keep out of the way?
- The overtaking vessel. Rule 13: any vessel overtaking another shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.
A training aid, not the official text. The COLREGs are an IMO convention, and your national authority publishes the version that applies in its waters. Check the rules themselves before you rely on them at sea. Download the rules.