A vessel overtaking another is relieved of her duty to keep clear when

• A. she is past and clear of the other vessel
• B. she has passed and is within range of the other vessel
• C. the overtaken vessel signals to pass
• D. the overtaking vessel changes course

Answer: (A)

When a vessel overtakes another, the overtaking vessel must keep clear of the vessel being overtaken until she is past and clear of the other. That phrase—past and clear—means you have completely passed the other vessel and are no longer in a position to risk collision, so the duty to keep clear ends at that moment. Being past and clear is the only condition that relieves the obligation.

So, simply being within range or waiting for a signal to pass does not remove the duty. The overtaken vessel signaling to pass does not change the overtaking vessel’s responsibility, and changing course is a maneuver to facilitate safe passage but does not itself constitute relief from the clearance duty.