When overtaking another vessel, when does a vessel have the right of way?

In the context of maritime navigation, the rules concerning right of way primarily revolve around the action of vessels in relation to one another, rather than their size, type, or status such as being anchored. It is essential to recognize that the rules of the road, outlined in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), assign the responsibility of avoiding collisions, which means that the overtaking vessel must navigate carefully and give way, regardless of its size or type.

The statement that a vessel has the right of way "almost never" when overtaking holds true. According to the COLREGs, when one vessel is overtaking another, it is the responsibility of the overtaking vessel to keep clear of the overtaken vessel. This implies that the overtaking vessel does not typically have the right of way, and must take appropriate action to ensure safe and responsible navigation.

The other options offer scenarios that do not grant right of way based on typical maritime practices. A larger vessel does not inherently have the right of way over smaller vessels, and an anchored vessel is generally considered to be "not under command," which alters navigation responsibilities rather than simply granting overtaking rights. Similarly, the presence of a sailboat overtaking a powerboat