If you are being overtaken by another vessel that has the right of way, what is your status?

When overtaken by another vessel that has the right of way, your status is that you must yield. This is in accordance with the navigational rules established to ensure safe and orderly movement of vessels. The responsibility to avoid collisions falls on the overtaken vessel, meaning it must take actions to yield and allow the overtaking vessel to pass safely.

This requirement is crucial in preventing accidents during navigation, as it delineates clear expectations regarding which vessel must take action to avoid potential conflicts. Understanding this principle of yielding is essential for all mariners, particularly in situations where visibility may be limited, and the dynamics of vessel maneuverability differ.

The idea that a vessel has the right of way encompasses certain scenarios, but in the case of an overtaking situation, yielding is paramount for safety. The roles of both vessels are clearly defined to promote a predictable flow of maritime traffic, reinforcing the necessity to yield appropriately when being overtaken.