In an overtaking situation, which vessel is considered the give-way vessel?

In an overtaking situation, the vessel that is overtaking holds the responsibility to give way to the other vessel. This is based on the navigation rules designed to promote safety and prevent collisions on the water. The rationale behind this rule is that the overtaking vessel has the ability to assess the situation and direct its path without endangering the vessel being overtaken.

The vessel being overtaken maintains its course and speed, which allows other boaters to anticipate its movements more easily. The act of overtaking implies that the overtaking vessel is maneuvering to pass by another, and therefore must ensure that their actions do not interfere with the safe passage of the boat ahead.

In many contexts, this is akin to the rules of the road when driving, where it is the responsibility of the passing vehicle to ensure that the maneuver can be completed safely without causing a hazard to those being passed. Understanding this principle is crucial for maintaining safety on the water and ensuring that navigational etiquette is observed.