PART 2


Another example is where, on a starting line, a boat clear astern moving in towards the starting line becomes overlapped to leeward on a boat ahead that is slow or stationary. That overlap might be established so close to the windward boat’s quarter that she cannot keep clear. But if the leeward boat immediately bears away to give room before the windward boat needed to take action, then rule 15’s requirements will have been met.


As the rule says, it applies when a boat acquires right-of-way through her own actions. If right of way is foolishly yielded by the other boat, rule 15 does not apply, and that is the other boat’s problem. The right-of-way boat’s responsibility is limited to collision avoidance under rule 14, beginning when it is clear that the other boat is not keeping clear. Here are some examples, in each of which Blue gives up right of way to Yellow, which is not required to give Blue room to keep clear:


Rule 15 – Bad Moves by Blue


2 1 1


Blue tacks to port. Yellow acquires right of way because of Blue's action.


2


Blue gybes to port. Yellow acquires right of way because of Blue's action.


1 2


Blue bears away and becomes overlapped. Yellow acquires right of way because of Blue's action.


2 1


There is exoneration under rule 21 for some breaches of rule 15. Rule 16 16.1 16.2 CHANGING COURSE When a right-of-way boat changes course, she shall give the other boat room to keep clear.


In addition, when after the starting signal a port-tack boat is keeping clear by sailing to pass astern of a starboard-tack boat, the starboard-tack boat shall not change course if as a result the port-tack boat would immediately need to change course to continue keeping clear.


The main elements of rule 16.1 have already been examined in detail, ‘room’ under rule 15 and ‘keep clear’ under rules 10 to 13. Those defined terms can be expanded to make rule 16.1 read as if it said:


When a right-of-way boat changes course, she shall give the other boat the space the other boat needs in the existing conditions while manoeuvring promptly in a seamanlike way, so that • the right-of-way boat can sail her course with no need to take avoiding action, and • when the boats are overlapped, the right-of-way boat can also change course in both directions without immediately making contact.


RYA The Racing Rules Explained 53


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