Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing

PART 2: WHEN BOATS MEET— ROOM TO PASS & TACK AT AN OBSTRUCTION 235

hailed boat does not see any obstruction in front of the hailing boat. This is for safety. Perhaps the hailed boat can’t see the rock in front of the other boat; or perhaps the other boat was mistaken that there was a rock. Having responded, the hailed boat (or any boat) can protest the hailing boat for break- ing rule 20.1(a). If the protest committee finds that the hailing boat was not approaching an obstruction or did not need to make a substantial course change to ensure her safety, or if “safety” was not an issue, the hailing boat will be disqualified. Note the word “shall” in rule 20.1(a), “However, she shall not hail…”. (See Cases 10 and 33.) Note, if a sailor tried to take advantage of this situation by intentionally

calling for room to tack when there was no obstruction, that would be a clear breach of rule 2 (Fair Sailing).

“Is there anything I should know about the hail itself?”

Well, first of all the hail must be adequate, which implies that it must be loud enough for the other boat to hear it above the wind and noise of the boats, and it must be absolutely clear as to what the hail means. I personally try to turn my head toward the other boat, use their helmsman’s name if I know it, and say to the effect, “I have a dock or a starboard-tacker coming up; I need room to tack.” (See Case 54.) Secondly, the hailing boat must give the hailed boat time to respond; i.e.,

she cannot hail and tack simultaneously. Appeal 45 reads, “PL was at fault [by] …hailing and tacking simultaneously, contrary to rule 20.2(a).” The purpose of this is to provide time for the specific response called for under rule 20.2(c) (to tack or reply ‘You tack’). This requires boats to keep a good lookout so they are not “surprised” by an obstruction. Furthermore, it requires boats to be aware of the hailed boat’s ability to respond as well. Obviously it will require more time if the hailed boat will have to subsequently hail a boat or boats to windward of them, as permitted in rule 20.3 (see Case 113). Though the failure of a hailed boat to hear an adequate hail does not relieve

her of her obligations under rule 20, before she is hailed a boat is under no obligation to anticipate that another boat is going to hail for room to tack. Appeal 45 reads, “[The finding] that PW should have been prepared to respond is unwarranted.” Therefore a boat does not have to anticipate that another boat might be approaching an obstruction; and if the other boat does not adequately hail in time and subsequently runs aground or fouls a star-

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