Answer to rules question race day 7 December 2024
These are rules to consider.
Rule 11 ON THE SAME TACK, OVERLAPPED When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.
Rule 16 CHANGING COURSE
Rule 16.1 When a right-of-way boat changes course, it shall give the other boat room to keep clear.
These are rules to consider.
Rule 11 ON THE SAME TACK, OVERLAPPED When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.
Rule 16 CHANGING COURSE
Rule 16.1 When a right-of-way boat changes course, it shall give the other boat room to keep clear.
Question 1
15 seconds before the gun, Blue is close hauled to the Boat End and Red is reaching in, Both on Starboard. If no one moves they will collide.
Is Red entitled to room here?
Answer
Rule 11 applies and the windward boat (Red) must keep clear and is not allowed to hold her course. The leeward boat (Blue) is bound only by her duty to avoid a collision with damage (rule 14). Since Blue has not changed course, rule 16 does not apply.
Question 2
Blue and Red are both reaching on starboard to the Boat End for the start. Just before the gun, blue.
luffs up to the line, cutting off Red's approach. Red protests.
Does Red have a valid protest?
Answer
In accordance with rule 16.1 Blue may not change her course so late, because Red by this time no longer has room to keep clear. Blue should have luffed earlier, if she wanted to close the gap. There is no rule, that requires of a boat (here: Red) to anticipate an action of another boat (here: Blue's luff towards the starting line), even if this action is to be expected.
Question 2
Blue and Red are both reaching on starboard to the Boat End for the start. Just before the gun, blue.
luffs up to the line, cutting off Red's approach. Red protests.
Does Red have a valid protest?
Answer
In accordance with rule 16.1 Blue may not change her course so late, because Red by this time no longer has room to keep clear. Blue should have luffed earlier, if she wanted to close the gap. There is no rule, that requires of a boat (here: Red) to anticipate an action of another boat (here: Blue's luff towards the starting line), even if this action is to be expected.