In basic boating right of way rules when one boat is overtaking another boat on the water which boat is required to give way?

Introduction / Context:
This question is drawn from basic navigation and collision prevention rules used in boating and sailing. Knowing which vessel must give way helps prevent accidents on crowded waterways. The specific case of one boat overtaking another has a clear and simple rule that applies regardless of the type or size of the vessels involved, which makes it a good reasoning question.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- There are two boats travelling on the same body of water.- One boat is overtaking the other, meaning it is coming up from behind and moving to pass.- Normal international collision regulations are assumed.- No special conditions such as restricted channels or emergency vessels are described.

Concept / Approach:
The core rule in most boating codes is that a vessel that is overtaking another vessel must keep clear of the vessel being overtaken. This keeps responsibility simple, because the overtaking boat has the better view of the situation and more freedom to change course or speed. The boat ahead may not even be aware of the overtaking manoeuvre and should not have to guess what the trailing boat will do.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that overtaking means approaching from a position more than a few degrees behind the beam of the other vessel and attempting to pass.Step 2: Under international regulations, an overtaking vessel is always the give way vessel. It must take early and substantial action to keep well clear.Step 3: The vessel being overtaken is the stand on vessel. It should maintain course and speed as far as is safe so that the overtaking vessel can judge its manoeuvre easily.Step 4: Apply this rule to the puzzle. Therefore the overtaking boat must give way to the boat ahead.

Verification / Alternative check:
If the rule were reversed and the boat being overtaken had to give way, safe navigation would become harder. The overtaking vessel might accelerate or change course suddenly, leaving the vessel in front uncertain about what to do. The established rule avoids this confusion by placing the burden entirely on the boat that initiates the overtaking.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B is wrong because the speed of a boat does not decide responsibility in this situation. Even a slower boat can be the one overtaking another if starting from behind.Option C is incorrect because there is no automatic requirement that both vessels turn to port together. That could even lead to a collision if both misjudge distances.Option D is also incorrect since the rules do not always make the smaller vessel give way. The special overtaking rule overrides size in this case.

Common Pitfalls:
Many people think that the vessel in front should move aside, because that seems polite. However navigation rules are designed to remove ambiguity. The key lesson is that the boat which decides to overtake takes full responsibility for avoiding collision while the vessel ahead generally keeps its course steady.

Final Answer:
The boat that is overtaking must give way to the boat being overtaken.