Question
Yellow on starboard and Blue on port are sailing towards each other. When they
are about to meet, Yellow is penalized and required to take an immediate penalty
(the penalty was either a red flag penalty or her second penalty). When does
the right of way change?
Answer
The right of way does not change until it is clear that Yellow is taking her
penalty.
This is when she passes head to wind or the foot of her mainsail crosses the
centreline, as appropriate.
Blue will acquire right of way by the action of Yellow and so Blue will not
need to give room to Yellow under rule 15.