Question
A and X are sailing on port tack on a windward leg. X tacks onto starboard
close to A. When X completes her tack onto starboard, both boats immediately
have to luff and tack away to avoid contact. A protests. What should the
call be?
Answer
No penalty. Neither boat breaks a rule. At position 3 X acquires right
of way through her own actions and must initially give A room to keep
clear. By tacking back onto port, she gives A room to keep clear.
If A has to take avoiding action before X completes her tack, X breaks
rule 13. If at position 4 the boats are so close that there is risk of
contact, or A had to tack in an unseamanlike way, then X breaks rule 15
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