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AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/boat-overtaking-keeps-clear

When one boat passes another from behind, which boat must keep clear?

The boat doing the passing.

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  1. The boat being passed
  2. Whichever one is a sailboat
  3. The boat doing the passing ✔

Why: Inland Rule 13 says any vessel overtaking another must keep out of its way. This overrides the other right-of-way rules, so even an overtaking sailboat must keep clear.

Huh, didn't know that: The overtaking boat stays responsible until it's finally past and clear, even if the angle between the boats changes.

The dad joke
What do you get when you cross a fish and an elephant? Swimming trunks.
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References

Answer: The boat doing the passing. Inland Rule 13 says any vessel overtaking another must keep out of its way. This overrides the other right-of-way rules, so even an overtaking sailboat must keep clear.

  1. 33 CFR 83.13 Overtaking, Inland Rule 13 (eCFR) www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-83.13
    any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.
    Checked 2026-10-08.

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Test yourself in the game

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