Rules Quiz
The Situation:

Two J/24s, Red and Green, are sailing close hauled in
about 10 knots of true wind on port tack approaching a
windward mark to be left to port.
Facts Found:
Red was approximately 1/2 boatlength below the port
tack layline. Green was approximately 1 boatlength ahead of
Red and one boatlength to leeward of her. When Green reached
the starboard layline, she tacked to starboard, completing
her tack slightly above the starboard layline. When Red saw
Green on starboard tack, she was too close (1/2 boatlength)
to bear off and duck so she did an emergency tack to leeward
of Green to avoid a collision. Red was able to avoid Green
and to leave the windward mark to port although she did
hit the mark. When Green saw Red tack close to leeward of
her, she luffed to avoid contact. Both boats protested, Green
under Rules 10 and 18.3, Red under Rules 13, 15 and 16.1.
Conclusions and Rules that apply:
Initially, Rule 18 applies, but Rule 18 does not apply
after Green passes head to wind because “the boats are on
opposite tacks on a beat to windward.” See Rule 18.1(a).
Green managed to complete her tack to starboard and keep
clear of Red but as soon as her tack is completed she gains
right of way and initially has to give Red room to keep clear
of her. The definition of room includes the space for Red to
maneuver “in a seamanlike way.” The emergency tack she
had to make to avoid a collision with Green was anything but
seamanlike, and it is not seamanlike to hit a mark, which Red
was forced to do. Therefore, Green did not give Red room as
required by Rule 15 and Green must either do a Two-Turns
Penalty or be disqualified. Red broke rules 18.3 and 31, but is
exonerated for doing so because she was compelled to break
them by Green’s breach of rule 15.
For an animated version of this situation, visit
www.ukhalsey.com, Rules Quiz 15.
UK-Halsey has just introduced UK Quick Test. It’s an
added feature to the UK Rules Quiz Program, which have
long been highly regarded by competitors and judges for
the clarity of its situational animations and explanations.
http://www.ukhalsey.com [sailing],
48° No r t h , Ma r c h 2010 Pa g e 62
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