When two sailing vessels are approaching, what should the vessel which has the wind on the port side do?

When two sailing vessels are approaching, the vessel that has the wind on its port side is considered to be the windward vessel. According to the COLREGs, the windward vessel must keep out of the way of the other vessel, which is the leeward vessel (the one with the wind on its starboard side). This rule is in place to prevent collisions and ensure safe navigation between sailing vessels.

Understanding this rule reinforces the fundamental principle of maintaining effective communication of intentions between vessels to avoid overlapping maneuvering paths. Although other options may seem reasonable, such as keeping course or increasing speed, these actions could lead to dangerous situations where both vessels could become entangled or collide due to misunderstanding their respective navigational responsibilities.