In an overtaking situation, when are you finally past and clear?

• A. As soon as you pass the stern
• B. When nothing you do would resume risk of collision
• C. When you are abeam
• D. When you are 200m away

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that overtaking is not finished until you are completely safe from collision, no matter what either vessel does next. You are past and clear when there is no possibility that your subsequent maneuvers could bring you back into the other vessel’s risk area. In other words, you can proceed with normal operation only when nothing you do would resume the risk of collision.

That’s why the best choice is the one that frames safety in terms of potential future actions: once you have no path or action that could recreate a collision, you’ve cleared the other vessel. Being past the stern or being abeam are not guaranteed indicators of safety, and a fixed distance like 200 meters does not account for speed, angles, or maneuvers that could still bring you into danger. After you’re past and clear, continue to monitor the situation and proceed with due caution.