CALL UMP 14              

Rule 10, On Opposite Tacks
Rule 16.1, Changing Course

Question 1
On a windward leg, Blue and Yellow approach one another. At approximately four hull lengths from Blue, Yellow bears away to avoid Blue. Blue then bears away, so that the boats remain on a collision course. Yellow and Blue continue to bear away in the same way, until they finally pass one another with the wind approximately abeam. There is a Y flag. What should the call be?

Answer 1
The relevant rule is 16.1, but Blue has not broken it, because throughout the incident she has given Yellow room to keep clear. Display the green and white flag.

Question 2
In similar circumstances, Yellow's course would allow her to cross ahead of Blue, but Blue luffs to a collision course and Yellow tacks away in a seamanlike way. There is a Y flag. What should the call be?

Answer 2
As in Question 1, the relevant rule is 16.1, and although Blue has forced Yellow to change course, she has not done so without giving her room to keep clear. Display the green and white flag.