Rule 11 On the Same Tack, Overlapped
Rule 16.1 Changing Course
Definitions Keep Clear
Question
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Answer
Positions 1 and 2:
X is keeping clear because she is sufficiently far from A that A is able to
change course in both directions without immediately making contact.
Position 3:
After A’s first change of course, X still has room to keep clear. X must,
promptly and in a seamanlike way, do whatever she can to establish sufficient
distance between her and A so that she is keeping clear. If X does this she
is protected by rule 16.1.
Between 3 and 4:
A continues to change course, and X is no longer able to keep clear. A breaks
rule 16.1. Penalize A.
If A continues to luff and X continues to respond promptly and in a seamanlike
way to each luff, A will ultimately have to stop luffing when the boats are
so close that any further luff from A will result in X being unable to keep
clear. If A does stop luffing at such a time, and X continues to respond to
keep clear, neither boat breaks a rule.
A boat that is required to keep clear must promptly take any opportunity
to keep clear when a right-of-way boat changes course, but does not have to
anticipate any change of course by a right-of-way boat.