IRPCS - overtaking vs windward boat

[yachtcharisma]

One of those situations at the weekend when I couldn't seem to work out what was the right answer as laid down by the colregs. Went away and looked it up, but I'm no wiser, so thought I'd seek some collective opinion!

Two sailing boats, both, say, on a reach on starboard tack. The leeward boat is the faster, and is coming up from behind on a rather closer reach than the windward boat so causing a risk of collision. Who is give way boat? The windward boat as laid down by rule 12 or the overtaking boat as laid down by rule 13?

Does one of these rules have precedence over the other, and if not then which way would you turn if you were on the boat being overtaken? Or would you hold your course...

Cheers
Patrick

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Sailing a Corribee
vzone.virgin.net/patrick.fox
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[Guest]

Hi,

The overtaking vessel must stay clear of the vessel being overtaken - irrespective. For example, a sailing boat overtaking a power driven vessel is the the give way vessel.

Regards


Fred

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

 

[AndrewB]

Rule 13a - "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."
This rule takes precedence over most other collision rules, including the windward-leeward rule.

The racing rules used to differ from this, however.

IRPCS rules can be viewed at http://members.aol.com/ocv807/4.html

 

[Jaguar]

An overtaking situation is assumed to exist when the overtaking boat is more than 22.5 degrees abaft the beam of the other (i.e. in the arc of the stern light). I assume this must be the case from the situation that you describe.

In such a situation, the boat being overtaken is the stand on vessel, irrespective of what the aspect of the overtaking vessel subsequently becomes. e.g., if the overtaking boat were to turn further to starboard once forward of the other, and turn an overtaking situation into a risk of collision, then the boat that had been overtaken is still the stand on vessel, notwithstanding the rule regarding nothing in the rules preventing good seamanship.

There are certain excetions to the overtaking rule(s). e.g. for motor vessels below 20m and sailing vessels in traffic seperation schemes.

I am afraid, this is all from memory. Have I got any of this wrong?

 

[Chris_Stannard]

This is all correct, the overtaking vessel is the give way vessel under all circumstances although when racing the rules can be modified by the race organisers. RORC for example uses the racing rules by day and the IRPCS rules at night.

One thing to remeber though is that if you are the overtaking vessel you remain as such "until well clear". In other words you cannot just pull a few degrees up into the foward arc of the vessle being overtaken and then claim you have right of way. My own definition is that you have to be so far in front that the vessel being overtaken has plenty of time to react if necessary if you decide for example to alter course and sail across his bows.

Chris Stannard

 

[peterb]

I would have thought that "past and clear" meant that subsequent action on your part would not require any reaction from the other vessel. If it did, then you weren't "clear".

 

[Guest]

Peter writes

>I would have thought that "past and clear" meant that subsequent action on your part would not require any reaction from the other vessel. If it did, then you weren't "clear".

Exactly so. I think the rules are that as an overtaking vessel you must keep out of the way till past and clear. Anyone that changes course in front of you after overtaking deserves a bowsprit up the backstay!

Regards


Fred

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

 

[davidhand]

Rule 13c states that "When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether she is overtaking she shall assume that this is the case and act accordingly". I think I would take this to mean that rule 13 takes precedend over rule 12.
The Racing Rules of Sailing (current edition) do not mention overtaking, they simply say a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead. This is taken to mean that a vessel coming up from behind and electing to go to leeward of the boat ahead becomes right of way boat as soon as her bow penetrates a line drawn from the overtaken boats transom perpendicular to her centerline. Provided that in this situation the leeward boat shall initially give the other boat room and opportunity to keep clear.
It would appear that the IRPCS differ from the racing rules in this case. This is interesting because I understand most insurance companies accept the decision of the protest committee when determining liability.

 

[Guest]

In response to Jaguar's enlightened comments....
Nice to see a such a thorough reponse from you mate.
I am surprised, as I have it on authority that all you know of the sea has been gleaned from 'The Ladybird book of Sailing' (Price 1'6d).

Jaguar Lives!

PS: See you on the 5th.