In two sailing vessels running before the wind with the wind on the same side, which must keep clear?

In two sailing vessels running before the wind with the wind on the same side, which must keep clear?

• A. The leeward vessel
• B. The windward vessel
• C. The faster vessel
• D. The larger vessel

Answer: (B)

When two sailing vessels are on the same tack with the wind coming from the same side, the vessel that is upwind (the windward vessel) must keep clear of the vessel on the leeward side. This rule protects the upwind boat, which has less freedom to maneuver across the other vessel’s path, from forcing a collision as the downwind boat may not be able to react quickly enough to an incursion from above. So in this situation, the windward vessel is required to adjust course or speed to stay clear of the leeward vessel. The other factors like speed or size don’t change this obligation.

When two sailing vessels are on the same tack with the wind coming from the same side, the vessel that is upwind (the windward vessel) must keep clear of the vessel on the leeward side. This rule protects the upwind boat, which has less freedom to maneuver across the other vessel’s path, from forcing a collision as the downwind boat may not be able to react quickly enough to an incursion from above. So in this situation, the windward vessel is required to adjust course or speed to stay clear of the leeward vessel. The other factors like speed or size don’t change this obligation.