Approaching Another Sailing Vessel
The windward side is defined as the side opposite to that on which the mainsail is carried or, in the case of a square-rigged vessel, the side opposite to that on which the largest fore-and-aft sail is carried.
When each sailboat has the wind on a different side, the vessel that has the wind on its port (left) side is considered the give-way vessel. In this illustration, Sailboat A must take EARLY and SUBSTANTIAL action to keep clear of Sailboat B.
When both sailboats have the wind on the same side, the boat closer to the wind (upwind) is the give-way vessel and the boat further from the wind (downwind) is the stand-on vessel. In the illustration at left, Sailboat B must take EARLY and SUBSTANTIAL action to keep clear of Sailboat A.
If a sailboat has the wind on its port side and the sailor cannot determine with certainty whether the other boat has the wind on its port or starboard side, the first sailboat is considered the give-way vessel and must take EARLY and SUBSTANTIAL action to keep clear of the second sailboat.
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