COLREGs Rule 13: Overtaking vessels and keeping clear

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

Rule 13 covers overtaking. Any vessel overtaking another must keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. The rule defines overtaking, tells a vessel in doubt to assume it is overtaking, and says the duty lasts until the vessel is finally past and clear.

Applies toAny vessel overtaking any other vessel, under both the International and Inland rules.

What it says

  1. International: Any vessel overtaking any other must keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken, despite anything in the Rules of Part B, Sections I and II.

    COLREGs Rule 13(a)“Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of Part B, Sections I and II, any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.”

  2. Inland: Any vessel overtaking any other must keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken, despite anything in Rules 4 through 18 (§§ 83.04 through 83.18).

    COLREGs Rule 13(a)“Notwithstanding anything contained in Rules 4 through 18 (§§ 83.04 through 83.18), any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.”

  3. International: A vessel is deemed to be overtaking when it comes up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5° abaft her beam, where at night it would see only her sternlight and neither sidelight.

    COLREGs Rule 13(b)“A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5° abaft her beam”

  4. Inland: A vessel is deemed to be overtaking when it comes up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam, where at night it would see only her sternlight and neither sidelight.

    COLREGs Rule 13(b)“A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam;”

  5. A vessel in any doubt about whether it is overtaking another must assume that it is and act accordingly.

    COLREGs Rule 13(c)“When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether she is overtaking another, she shall assume that this is the case and act accordingly.”

  6. A later change in the bearing between the two vessels does not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel. She must keep clear until she is finally past and clear.

    COLREGs Rule 13(d)“Any subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of these Rules”

Common questions

Who must keep out of the way when overtaking?

The overtaking vessel must keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.

“any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.”

What should I do if I am not sure whether I am overtaking?

The vessel must assume that it is overtaking and act accordingly.

“she shall assume that this is the case and act accordingly.”

When does a vessel count as overtaking another?

A vessel is overtaking when it comes up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5° abaft her beam, in International waters. The Inland text says 22.5 degrees.

“A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5° abaft her beam”

Does changing bearing end the overtaking vessel's duty to keep clear?

No. The overtaking vessel must keep clear until she is finally past and clear.

“or relieve her of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally past and clear.”

The text of COLREGs Rule 13

U.S. Coast Guard, Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook

Rule 13: Overtaking

International (COLREGs)

(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of Part B, Sections I and II, any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. (b) A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5° abaft her beam, that is, in such a position with reference to the vessel she is overtaking, that at night she would be able to see only the sternlight of that vessel but neither of her sidelights. (c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether she is overtaking another, she shall assume that this is the case and act accordingly. (d) Any subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of these Rules or relieve her of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally past and clear.

Inland Rules

Overtaking (a) Notwithstanding anything contained in Rules 4 through 18 (§§ 83.04 through 83.18), any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. (b) A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam; that is, in such a position with reference to the vessel she is overtaking, that at night she would be able to see only the sternlight of that vessel but neither of her sidelights. (c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether she is overtaking another, she shall assume that this is the case and act accordingly. (d) Any subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of these Rules or relieve her of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally past and clear.

The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of August 12, 2024. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.