PART 2 , S ECT ION C, RUL E 18 : TACK ING, GY B ING & OTHE R EXCE P T IONS 219 Finally, the exception in rule 18.1(d) clarifies that if the mark is a “continu -
ing obstruction,” such as an island while the boats are passing it on a required side, rule 18 does not apply and rule 19 (Room to Pass an Obstruction) applies. This is primarily because it is an undesirable situation to require a boat that was astern or overlapped on the outside when first arriving at the island or long obstruction to continue to give the other boat(s) mark-room even if she gets ahead of them while passing the obstruction. We’ve discussed thoroughly how rule 18 applies slightly differently in cer-
tain situations, primarily at windward marks (including windward finishing marks), leeward marks where inside boats need to gybe to sail their proper course, starting marks and continuing obstructions. These are its only excep- tions.Otherwise, the rules for “mark-room” are exactly the same at every other mark on the course, including the finishing marks.
