Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing

246 UNDE R S TANDING THE RAC ING RUL E S OF SAI L ING THROUGH 2 0 2 4

boats are making a penalty turn, the Section A rules apply in the usual way, as does rule 23.2 (Interfering with Another Boat). Rule 21.3 covers the situation where a boat actually backs its sail (i.e., holds

the sail against the wind) and thereby causes the boat to move backwards, or sideways to windward (called “crabbing”), through the water. When a boat does this, she must keep clear of any other boat that is not doing likewise. Further more, she must remember that when she begins moving backwards or sideways, her action gives the right of way to boats astern or to windward of her; therefore they do not have to give her any room to keep clear of them under rule 15 (Acquiring Right of Way) because they acquired the right of way by the action of the boat moving astern or sideways. Note that if a boat begins to move backwards or sideways due to the backing

of her sail, she continues to be subject to this rule for as long as she is moving astern or sideways, even if she lets her sails come amidships. However, if a boat simply begins to move backwards because she has lost her headway, rule 21.3 does not apply to her.

R U L E 2 2 — C A P S I Z E D , A N C H O R E D O R A G R O U N D ; R E S C U I N G

If possible, a boat shall avoid a boat that is capsized or has not regained con- trol after capsizing, is anchored or aground, or is trying to help a person or vessel in danger. A boat is capsized when her masthead is in the water.

Rule 22 is a common sense rule of safety, and as such it complements rule 1 (Safety). These two rules place the safety of sailors and their boats well above the importance of any race they may be in. The rationale for rule 22 is clear: If a boat is anchored, aground or capsized it cannot very well “move” to get out of another boat’s way, and it may be in danger; and if one boat is in the act of rescuing another boat or person, no other boat should hinder the rescue in any way. Note that rule 22 requires you to “avoid” the boats described in the rule.

In my opinion, this means not only avoid contact but keep away from them as well. However, the rule’s opening phrase (“If possible…”) clarifies that if for whatever reasonable reason it is not possible for you to avoid them, you should not be penalized. This further emphasizes the safety principle in that if you are attempting to assist a boat that otherwise has right-of-way over you, you should not be penalized.

Table of Contents

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