When being overtaken by a deep draughted vessel, what action should you take?

When being overtaken by a deep draughted vessel, the appropriate action is to stand on. The term "stand on" refers to maintaining your current course and speed. This is in line with the Rules of the Road outlined in the COLREGs, particularly Rule 13, which deals with overtaking situations.

In such scenarios, the vessel that is being overtaken (the stand-on vessel) is expected to continue its course and speed, allowing the overtaking vessel to pass safely. Changing course or speed could create confusion or increase the risk of collision. As the stand-on vessel, your action signals to the overtaking vessel that it can proceed past you.

Maintaining your course helps to ensure that the overtaking vessel has a clear understanding of your position and intentions, allowing for a smoother passage. Any deviation from this could lead to unpredictable situations that may complicate the overtaking maneuver.