Rule D2.1(a) Right to Protest
Question 1
There is a possible incident between boats A and X, neither of which
appears to protest at that time. Another boat on A’s team shouts 'Protest!
Go ahead and protest!' As a result of that advice, A protests. Is this protest
valid?
Answer 1
No. Signal ‘No penalty’. In order to comply with rule D2.1(a), a
boat intending to protest must hail the other boat and conspicuously display
a red flagat the first reasonable opportunity for each. If the protest is made
in response to the advice from another boat on her team, it is not at the first
reasonable opportunity for each.
Question 2
A boat intends to protest, but fails to follow the correct procedure. She then
continues to hail 'Umpire', seeking a decision to the invalid protest. What
will the umpire do?
Answer 2
Signal 'No penalty'. Even though no valid protest has been submitted, it is
appropriate to signal clearly to the competitor that no penalty will be given.