Team Race - CALL F 02      


Rule 11 On the Same Tack, Overlapped
Rule 19.1 When Rule 19 Applies
Rule 19.2 Giving Room at an Obstruction
Definitions Obstruction

Question 1
Three boats, A, X and B, are reaching on proper courses. B is approximately two lengths directly behind A’s stern. X is overlapped to windward of B and half a length ahead. A slows, intending to luff X. X hails for room to pass to leeward of A and bears away, causing B to have to bear away to avoid her. B protests. What should the call be?

 

Answer 1
Penalize X.
A is a right-of-way boat and is therefore an obstruction to X and B. Because B is a right-of-way boat with regard to X, B may choose to pass A on either side. X must keep clear of B, but if B chooses to pass A to leeward, she must give X room between her and A. When X bears away between positions 1 and 2, she fails to keep clear as windward boat and breaks rule 11.

Question 2
Would the answer be the same if B is sailing a course to pass to leeward of A?

Answer 2
No. If at position 1, B is sailing a course to pass to leeward of A and X hails for room to pass to leeward of A as well, then at the point when X needs to commit to passing to leeward of A, B is the outside boat and must give X room under rule 19.2(b). If she fails to do so, penalize B.
If, when it becomes clear that B is not giving room, the umpires decide that X could have kept clear of B, also penalize X for breaking rule 11; otherwise exonerate X under rule 64.1(c).