
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 33USC2013]

 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
                  CHAPTER 34--INLAND NAVIGATIONAL RULES
 
                           SUBCHAPTER I--RULES
 
                   Part B--Steering and Sailing Rules
 
         subpart ii--conduct of vessels in sight of one another
 
Sec. 2013. Overtaking (Rule 13)


(a) Overtaking vessel to keep out of the overtaken vessel's way

    Notwithstanding anything contained in Rules 4 through 18, any vessel 
overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being 
overtaken.

(b) Overtaking vessel defined

    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) Assumption that vessel is overtaking another in cases of doubt

    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) Overtaking vessel to become crossing vessel only when finally past 
        and clear

    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.

(Pub. L. 96-591, Sec. 2, Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3420.)

                       References in Text

    Rules 4 through 18, referred to in par. (a), are classified to 
sections 2004 through 2018 of this title.
    These Rules, referred to in par. (d), are the Inland Navigational 
Rules which are classified to this subchapter.

                          Codification

    Section was enacted as part of section 2 of Pub. L. 96-591 which 
enacted the Inland Navigational Rules which comprise this subchapter.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 2009, 2011, 2018 of this 
title.
