Final answer:
The personal watercraft becomes the stand-on vessel when another motorboat is overtaking it, according to nautical rules. The boat doing the overtaking (the motorboat) is categorized as the give-way vessel in this situation and must adjust its path or speed accordingly to avoid a collision.
Step-by-step explanation:
In nautical terms, a stand-on vessel refers to the vessel that must maintain its course and speed during a crossing, overtaking, or head-on situation, while the give-way vessel must take action to avoid a collision. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Navigation Rules, when two power-driven vessels are in a situation where one is overtaking another, the vessel being overtaken - in your scenario, the personal watercraft - is the stand-on vessel, and the one doing the overtaking - the motorboat - is the give-way vessel. Thus, the motorboat is required to change course or speed to avoid the personal watercraft. Please ensure to keep this rule in mind when operating a boat to ensure safety at sea.
Learn more about Stand-on Vessel