Power-driven vessels must keep out of the way of sailing vessels except under what condition?

Power-driven vessels must keep out of the way of sailing vessels except under what condition?

• A. When the sailing vessel is anchored
• B. When the sailing vessel is under command
• C. When the sailing vessel is overtaking
• D. Never

Answer: (C)

Power-driven vessels normally must keep out of the way of sailing vessels because sailing vessels are less maneuverable and have the right of way in many scenarios. The exception is when the sailing vessel is overtaking another vessel. In that situation, the overtaking vessel must keep clear of the vessel being overtaken, so the power-driven vessel is not required to take evasive action. Overtaking means the approaching vessel appears from more than 2 points abaft the other vessel’s beam (essentially coming up from behind). So the condition where the power-driven vessel is not required to keep clear is when the sailing vessel is overtaking.

Power-driven vessels normally must keep out of the way of sailing vessels because sailing vessels are less maneuverable and have the right of way in many scenarios. The exception is when the sailing vessel is overtaking another vessel. In that situation, the overtaking vessel must keep clear of the vessel being overtaken, so the power-driven vessel is not required to take evasive action. Overtaking means the approaching vessel appears from more than 2 points abaft the other vessel’s beam (essentially coming up from behind). So the condition where the power-driven vessel is not required to keep clear is when the sailing vessel is overtaking.