Hi All,
A rules question came up last Thursday in which two overlapped port tacker
boats approaching a starboard tack boat. There are two rules that might be
applicable here, Rule 18 (Rounding and Passing Marks and Obstructions) or
Rule 19 (Room to Tack at an Obstruction).
§ Under Rule 18, one would conclude that the inside boat (which in
this case is the port tack windward boat) is entitled to room to pass (duck)
the obstruction (the starboard tack boat).
§ Under Rule 19, one would conclude that the leeward boat is entitled
to hail for room to tack at the obstruction.
I had never focused on the fact that these rules seem to conflict, and was
interested in figuring out the correct interpretation. I found the answer
in US Sailing Appeal 24, which discusses the situation of PW and PL
approaching S, which I've summarized below.
Facts Found By The Protest Committee:
Two Sunfishes overlapped on port tack (PW and PL) were converging on a
starboard tack Sunfish (S). PW hailed for room to go below S and began to
bear away. PL, not hearing the hail and only just aware of PW on her
windward side, hailed loudly for room to tack and put her hem down
immediately. Shortly thereafter, PL and PW collided, barely avoiding
contact with S.
Decision of the Appeals Committee:
“PW established an inside overlap on PL when the two boats were more than
two lengths from the obstruction. However, this fact alone did not give PW
right to room under rule 18.2(a) because at that point the two boats were
not necessarily about to pass the obstruction on the same side [a
requirement for the rule to apply stated in 18.1, and a key interpretation].
Therefore, PL was under no obligation to give PW room to pass astern of the
obstruction if in fact PL desired to tack. Moreover, rule 19.2 provides
that when rule 19.1 applies, rule 18 does not.”
Although PL was entitled under rule 19.1 to call for room to tack to clear
the obstruction, that rule specifically provides that a boat hailing for
room shall give the hailed boat time to respond. The fact that PL was not
aware of PW bearing away until it was too late does not absolve PL of her
duty to hail before tacking and then tack. Accordingly, PL is disqualified.
What does this mean for the V15 Fleet?
We’ve basically been doing it right all along. If the leeward port tack
boat decides to avoid the starboard boat by tacking, they must hail for room
and then give the other boat time to react. The case above suggests that
hailing and putting the helm over simultaneously (which happens a lot in our
fleet) is not considered to be "adequate" time. Further, if the leeward
port tack boat decides to duck the starboard tack boat (or is clear behind
with no duck required) then they must make room for the windward boat if the
windward boat also wants to duck.
I hope this clarifies any ambiguity.
Adam
Adam C. Spiegel
160 Guerrero St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 515-5396
<mailto:aaccss at yahoo.com> aaccss at yahoo.com
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