CALL MR 24              

Rule 2 Fair sailing
Rule C2.7 Changes to the Rules of Part 2 — room to tack
Rule C8.4 Penalties Initiated by Umpires — informing the protest committee

Question 1
Rule C2.7 requires clear and repeated arm signals, in addition to hails. If there is an arm signal but no hail from Yellow, what action should the umpires take

a) if Blue Y-flags?
b) on their own initiative?

Answer 1
a) When the umpires are certain that no hail was made, then the signal for room to tack has not been made. (The umpires may be certain there was no hail if they have had no difficulty hearing other calls from a similar position.) For the purpose of the rules of Part 2 they should act as if there has been no signal.

b) The umpires may decide that Yellow has broken rule C 8.3(b) or (c) and penalize her. They could also, in an extreme or repeated case, initiate a hearing under rule 2, Fair Sailing.

Question 2
If there is a hail but no arm signal, is the answer the same?

Answer 2
Yes.