giving way

[BGB]

when a vessel is on your starboard bow and moving slower and about to cross paths, at what angle would consider that you may be overtakinking them and that you would have to give way?

Is giving way when over taking a vessel only from when you are approaching from behind?

[Ferg]

when a vessel is on your starboard bow and moving slower and about to cross paths, at what angle would consider that you may be overtakinking them and that you would have to give way?

Is giving way when over taking a vessel only from when you are approaching from behind?

Let answer the last question first - I don't know of any other way to 'over take' a vessel other than from behind. Giving way would only come into place in the situation of a 'crossing' - as in your first question.

If you have a vessel off your starboard bow - and he is 'crossing', that is moving from your right to your left and is going to cross your path, in a 'close proxmity' you become the 'burdend' vessel and must give way or slow your vessel to such a speed that he may complete a safe crossing. (There are some other factors, like 'safe navigation', but for the 'most part').

Now - if your plotting both courses and your bearing and range tracks that you will cross clearly infront of his path that you would need to give way (mostly for much larger vesses and pleasure craft).


Hope this makes sense and I understood you properly, if not, please feel free to clearify and I'll try it again.

ferg....