Repeating a signal confirms agreement to the overtaking maneuver under COLREGs rules

A friendly hello to all hands cruising through the COLREGs, that sturdy map of rules that keeps our waterways safer and our nerves steadier. You know the moment: a busy channel, a couple of vessels nose-to-nose in a swirl of wind, wake, and weather. In situations like these, the way ships talk to each other matters as much as the way they steer. A simple signal can avert a close call, and a repeated signal can seal a mutual understanding. That’s the heart of today’s idea.

Let me explain the key idea first: when a vessel repeats the same signal it just offered, it’s signaling agreement to the action that’s been proposed—specifically, the maneuver reserved for overtaking. In plain terms, one boat says, “I intend to overtake on your side,” and the other boat replies, in effect, “Yes, I hear you, I agree to that plan.” The second vessel isn’t changing its mind; it’s giving a clear thumbs-up in maritime language. It’s a compact, no-nonsense way to say, “Let’s do this together and stay safe while we pass.”

Why repetition matters in crowded waters is simple enough to feel: miscommunication can turn a good plan into a risky scrape. In places where channels narrow, traffic is heavy, or visibility is limited, a shared understanding cuts through confusion. Signals function like a mutual contract between two skippers. If one side proposes a move and the other side confirms by repeating, both vessels can proceed with confidence, reducing the chances of misinterpreting each other’s intentions.

Here’s the thing about the overtaking rule that makes this particular signaling dance fit so neatly. Overtaking happens when one vessel is, in a sense, closing the gap from behind. The rules say the overtaking vessel must keep clear and avoid doing anything that would surprise or hinder the vessel being overtaken. In return, the vessel being overtaken should not assume the other party will guess its plan; instead, it can acknowledge the overtaking intent and help maintain a predictable path. Repeating the signal is that acknowledgment. It’s a calm, practical form of communication that aligns both boats without shouting across the water.

Picture this scenario to bring it to life. A cargo vessel steams up a busy channel, while a smaller vessel behind it is gradually closing in. The smaller vessel signals its intent to overtake on the starboard side. Perhaps the signal is visual, perhaps it’s a radio call, or even a brief set of lights that convey intent. The larger vessel, reading the signal and noting the repetition—being sure the message is received—repeats the signal back. “I’ve heard you, I understand you want to overtake on the starboard side.” With that quick exchange, both operators lock in a shared plan: proceed to pass with the agreed clearance, keep a steady course, and monitor speed to maintain safe separation. The air feel lighter, the water a touch more predictable.

In real life, signaling isn’t just about safety; it’s also about efficiency. Communication channels, whether sound signals, lights, flags, or radio, are best used in a way that keeps everyone in the loop without overcomplicating the moment. In fog, at night, or in deep shipping lanes, a well-timed repetition can save precious seconds and prevent a chase-the-signal game. And modern crews don’t rely on one method alone. Radar helps confirm distances, VHF radios clear up misunderstandings, and simple lights or symbols can be the fastest way to convey intent when the horizon is busy with other traffic.

For those who want the practical takeaway, here are a few grounded tips that echo what you’d see on deck in a busy harbor or through a narrow channel:

• Be explicit when you signal intent. If you intend to overtake, communicate that clearly. A repeat from the other vessel isn’t a guess; it’s confirmation.

• Use multiple channels when needed. A quick radio call can be followed by a light signal or a short blast sequence to reinforce the message—just enough to be unmistakable, not noisy.

• Maintain a steady course and speed once the plan is confirmed. The moment you start to alter your path in ways that aren’t part of the agreed maneuver, you risk confusing the other captain.

• Stay mentally prepared for a change. Signals aren’t a magic wand; weather, currents, and wind shifts can force a re-think. If the other vessel needs to adjust, be ready to re-acknowledge with a new signal and, if necessary, a new repetition.

• Keep watch. The best signal is the one backed by good lookout practice. People and machines should be on the same page, all the time.

Let’s widen the frame a bit and look at the broader culture of communication on the water. COLREGs aren’t just a dry rulebook; they’re a shared language forged over decades of real-world navigation. The message behind the repetition is as important as the mechanical act of repeating. It’s about trust: two crews, one purpose—keeping the sea safe for everyone who shares it. And trust grows when messages are received as intended, when there’s no lingering doubt about who will pass where and when.

Of course, not every signal will be repeated, and not every overtaking situation will look the same. You might be in open water with ample room to maneuver, or you could be squeezing past a bend in a canal where every decision matters. In those moments, you’ll hear the same underlying rhythm: communicate clearly, observe, and confirm. When a signal is echoed back, take it as a green light to move forward with confidence.

A little digression I find worthwhile is the way technology has quietly reshaped this part of the sea story. Automatic identification systems (AIS) and bridge-to-bridge radios give crews a better sense of what’s happening beyond the visible horizon. But no gadget replaces the human moment of reading intent and confirming it with another human voice or signal. The repetition isn’t a relic of old seamanship; it’s a practical hedge against miscommunication in a world where a splash of wake and a gusty breeze can scramble the best intentions. In other words, we lean on technology for awareness and on clear signaling for agreement.

I like to think of it as a handshake across the water. You extend your hand with a signal; the other captain takes a breath, repeats it back, and you both step forward—carefully, calmly, and together. It’s a small ritual, but it carries a big responsibility. When you’re learning the COLREGs, you’re not just memorizing a list of do’s and don’ts; you’re absorbing a discipline of clear thinking and cooperative action. That discipline is what helps mariners turn potential hazards into well-executed maneuvers.

If you want to take this idea deeper, consider a few reflective questions next time you’re on watch (even if you’re just inside a simulator or studying with a crew you trust):

• In a congested channel, what different signals could convey intent, and how would you recognize repetition as confirmation?

• How would you adapt your signaling if visibility dropped to near-zero—fog, rain, or smoke from a nearby vessel?

• What are your go-to checks before you proceed with an overtaking plan—distance, speed, wind, current, and traffic density?

• How might you coordinate with a farther vessel that’s also maneuvering near the same bottleneck?

These aren’t exams questions that end up in a gradebook; they’re everyday questions that influence how safely your crew, your cargo, and your fellow mariners fare when the water gets busy.

To bring this full circle: the fact that repetition signals agreement to overtaking is a reminder of the practical, human side of sea rules. It’s the moment when two captains, bound by rule and trained by habit, choose to move together rather than collide. It’s the quiet cue that says, “We’re aligned. We’ll pass on your terms, and we’ll do it safely.”

So the next time you’re musing over a signal in a crowded stretch, listen for that echo. If the same signal returns, it’s a sign that both vessels are reading the same map and crossing the same bridge of understanding. That’s the essence of safe navigation under COLREGs: clarity, cooperation, and calm, even when the sea is anything but.

And if you’re curious about the finer points of how these signals translate into real-world actions, you’ll find that the best mariners are those who blend crisp communication with steady, practiced seamanship. They don’t rely on luck; they rely on a shared language that every sailor understands. Repetition isn’t a gimmick; it’s a trusted mechanism—one more tool in the toolbox that keeps the water moving safely for everyone who sails it.

So, here’s to clear signals, careful listening, and the simple, powerful idea that repeating a signal is a friendly agreement to move forward with overtaking. It’s a small act with a big outcome, and in the world of COLREGs, that’s often all the difference between a smooth pass and a tense standoff on the water.