Which statement best describes the overtaking rule?

• A. Overtaking is defined by approaching from more than 22.5° abaft the beam
• B. Overtaking is defined by approaching from less than 22.5° abaft the beam
• C. Overtaking is defined by approaching from 90° to the stern
• D. Overtaking is unrelated to beam angle

Answer: (A)

Overtaking is recognized when one vessel comes up from behind another, meaning the other vessel lies behind its beam. The defining boundary is more than 22.5 degrees abaft the beam, so if the overtaking vessel is bearing more than 22.5 degrees toward the stern of the vessel being overtaken, it is considered overtaking. This specific angle separates overtaking from crossing or head-on situations and sets the rule that the overtaking vessel must keep clear of the vessel being overtaken until it has passed. The other descriptions either place the relative bearing in front of the beam or ignore the beam-angle concept, which doesn’t fit how overtaking is defined.