If you’re unsure whether you’re overtaking, assume you are and give way under COLREGs Rule 13.

Title: If you’re not sure you’re overtaking, this is where your mind should land

Picture this: you’re drifting in a busy channel, a flash of white and a wake in your peripheral vision, and your head is brimming with questions about who has right of way. It’s easy to freeze up when the water’s crowded and the next move isn’t crystal clear. That’s exactly why the Rules of the Road are written to lean on safety first. The moment there’s any doubt, the smartest choice is to assume the more cautious stance. Let’s unpack why that matters and how you can apply it in real life on the water.

A simple rule with big consequences

Here’s the thing about COLREGs that often surprises folks new to the sea: when you’re unsure whether you’re overtaking another vessel, you should act as if you are overtaking. The guidance is not about making life harder on other boats. It’s about giving everyone enough space to avoid a collision in a murky, uncertain moment.

Why this matters is straightforward. An overtaking situation means the vessel behind is expected to keep clear of the vessel ahead. If there’s doubt, assuming the overtaking scenario helps you stay well clear, reduce the chance of a misinterpretation, and avoid that dangerous moment when two boats converge on a single point. The goal isn't to score a right-of-way badge; it’s to keep water, people, and cargo safe.

Rule 13 in plain words

Rule 13 is the star for this scenario. It doesn’t demand a dramatic maneuver. It simply says: if you are overtaking, you must keep clear of the vessel you’re overtaking. In plain terms, you’re the one who must give way. If you’re unsure whether you’re behind or alongside, the prudent move is to treat yourself as the overtaking vessel and adjust your actions to stay out of the other boat’s way.

The wisdom behind the instruction isn’t petty pedantry. It’s practical physics in motion. If you misjudge and end up crossing paths, you’re the one most likely to bear responsibility for a collision. That’s a heavy load to carry—literally and figuratively. So the rule nudges you toward cautious, predictable behavior when uncertainty pops up.

Let me explain with a quick mental model

Think of your boat and the other vessel as two ships in a dance. If you’re unsure of the beat, you don’t leap into a risky step; you slow your tempo, widen your arc, and give the other dancer a clear path. It’s not about who has the right of way in every moment. It’s about avoiding a misstep that could lead to a crash.

This mindset—acting as if you’re overtaking—does more than just prevent collisions. It reduces stress for everyone onboard, helps you communicate through dollars-and-cents signals like speed and bearing, and keeps the crew focused on looking, listening, and learning from the moment. In crowded waters, that calm, defensive posture often saves more than a single boat’s hull.

A practical playbook for uncertain moments

If you’re unsure whether you’re overtaking, here are some practical steps you can take, almost like a quick checklist:

• Slow down and reassess. Reducing speed buys you time to gauge the other vessel’s movement and intent. It’s a simple move that buys valuable seconds when visibility is hazy.

• Give extra room. Create a bigger buffer than you think you need. In close quarters, a few extra meters can be the difference between a near miss and a smooth pass.

• Change your course slightly to starboard or port as needed. The key is to drift away from the other vessel’s projected path, not into it, and to avoid sudden, jerky moves that can confuse other mariners.

• Verify with lookouts. A second pair of eyes can catch a hint you might miss, especially in rough weather or low light. Rule 5—the obligation to maintain a proper lookout—applies every time you’re navigating.

• Communicate clearly. If you can, let others know your intended course with simple, early signals. A steady, visible change in bearing or a radio call (where appropriate) can reduce the guesswork on the water.

• Keep going with caution. Once you’ve reassessed and adjusted, maintain a steady course and keep monitoring all sides. If anything looks wrong, be prepared to slow more or alter your path again.

A touch of real-world color

Crowded harbors, inland waterways, and busy coastlines are where these rules really earn their keep. You’ve likely seen fishing boats, ferries, and small recreational craft weaving in and out of traffic. In these places, uncertainty isn’t just a hypothetical—it’s a daily reality. The “assume overtaking” mindset helps you stay safe even when your view is blocked by a bend in the river, a gust off the shore, or a slick of spray that hides a boat’s speed.

And while we’re talking about the rules, a quick aside on watchkeeping and gear. Good lookouts, functioning radar, and properly tuned AIS can convert a fuzzy scenario into a crisp one. The more you rely on real-time data, the easier it is to decide whether you’re behind or alongside. Technology isn’t a magic wand, but it’s a sturdy co-pilot when you’re trying to decide what to do next.

A natural rhythm that sticks

What makes this approach feel natural isn’t just the rulebook logic. It mirrors how you’d handle a pedestrian crossing, a cyclist sneaking into your blind spot, or any situation where a misread could cost you dearly. Humans tend to breathe a little easier when there’s space, clarity, and predictability. So this isn’t about being cautious for the sake of it; it’s about adopting a reliable habit you can repeat in changing conditions.

Some sailors talk about “habits that save lives.” That phrase isn’t theatrical. It’s a reminder that practice, discipline, and good judgment converge here. If you’re ever in doubt about who should yield, your safe default is to assume you’re in an overtaking scenario and act accordingly. The result? You lower risk, you avoid blame, and you keep the water safer for everyone who shares the lanes with you.

Digressions that still matter

If you’ve ever docked in a busy marina, you know how quickly the water becomes a classroom. Boats idle, lines clink, and the winds shift like a hand turning a page. In those moments, a simple rule can transform your approach from reactive to proactive. The same logic applies to larger vessels underway as well. The difference is scale and speed, not principle.

And here’s a tiny, practical sidestep you might appreciate: before you set out, take a moment to glance at weather forecasts and tidal currents. A strong current can push you into another vessel’s path even if you started with good intentions. Being mindful of the scorecard—the wind, the water, the traffic—helps you stay three steps ahead, not just one.

Key takeaways you can carry to sea

• If there’s any doubt about overtaking, assume you are overtaking. This keeps you and others safe by encouraging space and clear intentions.

• Rule 13 emphasizes keeping clear of the vessel being overtaken. The safer path is to act as if you’re overtaking until you have a solid, unambiguous read on the situation.

• Maintain a proper lookout at all times. Use all tools at your disposal—visuals, radar, AIS—to confirm who’s where and who’s moving where.

• When unsure, slow down, give extra room, and communicate your intentions as clearly as you can.

• Styles of water vary—harbors, channels, and open seas all test this principle. Adapt while staying grounded in the core idea: space, predictability, safety.

Bringing it all together

The governing idea is simple, even if the waters aren’t. When you’re uncertain about overtaking, choose safety, choose patience, and choose a conservative path. The Rules of the Road aren’t about clever tricks; they’re about predictable, respectful behavior that reduces the chance of collision. If you can internalize that, you’ll move through crowded waters with greater confidence and fewer nerve-wracking moments.

So next time you’re piloting a vessel and the situation isn’t crystal clear, pause, look around, and ask: is there a doubt? If yes, act as though you’re overtaking. Give space, slow your pace, and keep your crew informed. It’s a practical rule, one that feels almost instinctive once you’ve seen how much safer it makes the water for everyone who shares it with you.

Two small reminders to leave you with a steady cadence: keep a constant lookout, and don’t let uncertainty swing your decisions toward rushed moves. The ocean doesn’t rush, and neither should you. With this mindset, you’ll not only respect the Rules of the Road—you’ll navigate them with a calm, confident stride that others can follow.