Page 61 - Case Book 2017 - 2020 April 18

RYA 1977/7 RYA 1980/2
Rule 11, On the Same Tack, Overlapped Definitions, Finish
Rule 19.1, Room to Pass an Obstruction: When Rule 19 Rule 28.1, Sailing the Course
Applies Rule 86.1(b), Changes to the Racing Rules
Rule 19.2, Room to Pass an Obstruction: Giving Room A hook-round finish is contrary to the definition Finish,
at an Obstruction
and sailing instructions are not permitted to alter a
When two overlapping same-tack boats are less than one definition. When the course is shortened and a course
hull length apart, and when another boat clear astern is mark becomes a finishing line mark, its required side
closing on them, the right of way boat will rank as an may change.
obstruction to the other two boats. The boat clear astern
may establish an overlap between the boats ahead, with
an entitlement from the windward boat to room, provided B
that the windward boat is able to give room. Course of
protestees
When a boat is required to act to keep clear, no rule C A
protestors
entitles her to room to avoid becoming OCS. D (OLM) Course of

Finishing Line
W2

Wind W1
SUMMARY OF THE FACTS
L2 M2 A course was set round the marks shown in the diagram
as follows: ‘A - D - A - B - C – D (two rounds), then A
M1 – D – A – B – C – finish; Round all marks to port.’
L1
The race officer signalled a shortened course when the

SUMMARY OF THE FACTS boats had completed one round and the leading boat
Approaching the starting line, M established an overlap was approaching D for the first time in the second
from clear astern between L and W. W took no action to round, so that the course actually sailed was A - D - A -
keep clear, and there was then contact (not involving B - C – D, then A - D). Some boats left D to port, then
damage or injury) between M and W. W protested M crossed the finishing line from the direction of mark C,
under rule 15, on the grounds that she had not been and were given finishing positions. The race officer
given room to keep clear. The protest committee found scored as DNF the numerous boats that crossed the
that, had she acted promptly, W could have kept clear finishing line leaving D to starboard.
when M became overlapped to leeward of her. It These boats sought redress and protested the rest of the
disqualified W for failing to keep clear under rule 11 fleet, maintaining that they themselves had finished
and W appealed, claiming that to have done so would correctly, in that they had crossed the finishing line
have meant sheeting in, moving forwards faster and from the course side from the last mark, A, leaving
becoming OCS, and that she (W) was entitled to room mark D to starboard, whereas the protestees had
from M to prevent this happening. rounded mark D to port and crossed the finishing line
DECISION from the wrong direction.
W’s appeal is dismissed. The protest committee dismissed the protests and
L and W were overlapped, abreast, less than one length requests, affirming that the protestees, in leaving D to
apart. W, the windward boat was required to keep clear port, had sailed the prescribed course. The protestors
of L under rule 11. M was also required to keep clear of appealed.
L, first under rule 12 and then under rule 11. Therefore, DECISION
L ranked as an obstruction to both W and M. M was The appeals are upheld. The protestors are reinstated
initially required to keep clear of W under rule 12, but and the protestees are disqualified.
when she became overlapped to leeward, W was then
required to keep clear of her under rule 11. Rule 86.1(b) states that the sailing instructions may not
Furthermore, because M was the inside overlapped boat alter the definitions; hence a 'hook-round' finish can
at an obstruction W was also required by rule 19.2 to never be valid.
give her room to pass L. When mark D became the outer limit mark of the
W did not keep clear, although given room to do so, and finishing line, it ceased to be a rounding mark and
was correctly disqualified for breaking rule 11. No rule became a finishing line limit mark to be passed in
entitles a boat required to act to keep clear to room to accordance with the definition Finish. Consequently
avoid her becoming OCS. only the boats that finished by crossing the line from the
course side from A, the last mark, leaving mark D to
M broke rule 14, but is exonerated for doing so in the starboard, finished correctly.
absence of injury or damage.
Wings and others v Wispozora and others, Clacton SC
No Name v Mad Scramble, Hollingworth Lake SC
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