Question 193 Rules of the Road

The correct answer is B) consider it to be an overtaking situation. According to the Navigation Rules (International and Inland), when you are approaching another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft its beam (behind the vessel), it is considered an overtaking situation, regardless of the relative positions of the two vessels. Since the illustration shows the approaching vessel coming from behind the other vessel, it should be treated as an overtaking situation. The other options are incorrect because: A) considering it a crossing situation would be incorrect in this case, as the vessels are not meeting at a right angle; C) crossing ahead safely is not an option when the situation is overtaking; and D) changing course to make it either crossing or overtaking is unnecessary, as the situation is clearly overtaking based on the relative positions of the vessels.