CALL MR 34              

Rule 17 On the Same Tack: Proper Course
Rule C2.6 Tacking When Appoaching a Mark

Question 1
Blue completes her tack in the position shown as Question 1. Yellow is clear astern and can avoid an inside overlap by luffing. May Yellow create an inside overlap? What rules apply?

Answer 1
Yes. YYellow may create an inside overlap but rule C2.6(b) applies and she must give Blue mark-room. As Yellow established an overlap from clear astern she is also subject to rule 17 and shall not sail above her proper course unless in doing so she promptly sails astern of Blue.

Question 2
Blue completes her tack in the position shown as Question 2. Yellow is clear astern but cannot avoid an inside overlap by luffing. May Yellow create an inside overlap? What rules apply?

Answer 2
Rule C2.6 applies. Yellow is entitled to mark-room and Blue must keep clear of Yellow. In addition, Yellow is not required to give Blue room to keep clear as rule C2.6 states that rule 15 does not apply. As Yellow established an overlap from astern she is subject to rule 17 and shall not sail above her proper course unless in doing so she promptly sails astern of Blue.

Question 3
Blue completes her tack in the position shown as Question 3. Yellow is overlapped inside. What rules apply?

Answer 3
Rule C2.6 applies. Yellow is entitled to mark-room and Blue must keep clear of Yellow. In addition, Yellow is not required to give Blue room to keep clear as rule C2.6 states that rule 15 does not apply. As the overlap was established before Blue completed her tack rule 17 does not apply and Yellow may sail above her proper course.