Forum: Rule 18 and Room at the Mark

RRS 18 - Part 2 - Mark-Room

P
Paul Zupan
Nationality: United States
Certifications:
  • International Judge
  • National Judge
Rule 18 applies at all : all windward marks, all leeward marks (including the marks of a gate), marks at the end of reaching legs, and at all finishing marks -- except of course when it doesn't (see RRS 18 - Part 1 - When RRS 18 Applies).

And RRS provides for how shall be given. Simply stated, RRS (a) provides that when boats are overlapped the outside boat shall give the inside boat mark-room... However remember that (a) always applies unless rule (b) applies. But (b) covers about 90% of mark-room questions so (a) is generally the fall back rule and (b) is controlling. So start by deciding if RRS 18 applies. If it does then decide if RRS 18.2(b) applies. If not, then apply RRS 18.2(a).

But, before trying to understand (b), it is good to remember that while (b) applies, at least three other rules apply; a basic right-of-way rule (e.g.; RRS ), avoiding contact (RRS ) and exoneration (RRS ). And in some situations, one or more of RRS , , , and apply.  Got it?  Don't worry, it's complex (and gets much worse), but the basic rule is fairly easy to grasp and we all use it every time we race.
,

Diagram 1

So here is the basic analysis: In Diagram 1, Yellow and Blue are approaching the first windward mark on starboard. At position 1, both boats are required to leave the to port and B is in the , meeting all the requirements of the first sentence of RRS . And none of the exceptions apply as it is not a starting mark and they are not approaching the mark to start; they are not on opposite tacks; the proper course of neither boat is to tack; both boats are approaching the mark and the mark is not a continuing obstruction. We of course don't do all of this analysis in our head at the time (unless you are an umpire), but as competitors we generally recognize the situation developing as we approach the mark. The inside boat inevitably asks for "mark-room" and the outside boat complies.

So we conclude that mark-room is required both by custom and by the rule. However, is it RRS 18.2(a) or 18.2(b) that requires Y to give mark-room to B? RRS (b) states that If boats are when the first of them reaches the , the outside boat at that moment shall thereafter give the inside boat . Y is clearly overlapped with B when B enters the zone. It appears RRS 18.2(b) applies, so 18.2(a) does not.

Thus, B gets mark-room from Y and RRS (d) requires that Y give B mark-room until "has been given." And just a precursor to the later discussion of 18.2(d), B still gets mark-room at position 4, but probably not at position 5. We'll discuss this particular rule later, but let's conclude that B no longer gets mark-room from Y at position 5.

Thus, B gets from the time she enters the at position 1 until position 5. Y is still obligated under RRS to of B as long as she the windward boat. And both boats are obligated by RRS to avoid contact if possible. In addition, B will be exonerated under RRS should she break RRS when she luffs at position 3.

This is an example of a pretty simple mark-rounding we each see repeatedly every time we race. And while we tend not break any rule in this situation, the way the rule applies is not without some complexity. We will get into more complex situations (that will probably only be of interest to judges and umpires), but the general rule presented here is how to think about the basic mark-room rules as you approach that first very important windward mark.
Created: 17-Apr-18 01:27

Comments

P
Michael Butterfield
Nationality: United Kingdom
Certifications:
  • International Judge
  • International Umpire
  • International Race Officer
-1
If the leeward boat could clear the mark without the luff then they are taking more room than they are entitled to. They are row but subject to 16.1 mike
Created: 17-Apr-19 08:19
Paul Hanly
Nationality: Australia
0
The original comment in the first paragraph below the diagram says "the proper course of neither boat is to tack;" - In the diagram the proper course of both boats is to tack as it is a windward mark.

However at the windward mark it is correct to say that it is not true that "the proper course at the mark for one but not both of them is to tack" and therefore 18.1 (b) does not render the rule not applicable. It is long winded and confusing but correct whereas the shorter paraphrase used above was not correct.
Created: 19-Mar-06 03:05
Michael Purinton
Nationality: United States
0
We had a dispute during a recent Tuesday night race regarding this situation. Two boats were approaching the windward mark as shown in the diagram above on a windward-leeward course. The leeward boat was given room, but was heading up to take excess room, forcing the windward boat and themselves above proper course to and around the mark.

The leeward boat's argument is that rule 11 applies and the windward boat has to keep clear because the rule 17 restriction does not apply, and additionally claim that they have the right to continue sailing beyond the windward mark as if it did not exist.

The windward boat's argument is that rule 18 applies and the definition of mark-room is Room for a boat to leave a mark on the required side. Also,
  1. room to sail to the mark when her proper course is to sail close to it, and
  2. room to round the mark as necessary to sail the course.

Is the leeward boat required to round the mark as the race course requires or is it the obligation of the windward boat to sail clear of the leeward boat even though Rule 18 applies?
Created: 19-Aug-23 13:28
P
Angelo Guarino
Nationality: United States
Certifications:
  • Regional Judge
  • Fleet Measurer
0
Michael,  

"The leeward boat's argument is that rule 11 applies and the windward boat has to keep clear because the rule 17 restriction does not apply, and additionally claim that they have the right to continue sailing beyond the windward mark as if it did not exist."

The leeward boat is correct (assuming RRS 17 did not apply, which you state as a fact).

Case 75 is a downwind example of the key issue.  Case 75 states, "When rule 18 applies, the rules of Sections A and B apply as well."

  1. L is ROW via RRS 11.  
  2. RRS 17 does not apply (stated as fact)
  3. RRS 18.3 does not apply (a rule which could restrict L's ability to luff W above close-hauled inside the zone, but does still does not require L to "sail the course" after passing the mark)

L can hold her course past the mark if she'd like. L can luff/sail-higher to windward as she prefers, as long as she changes course in compliance with RRS 16.1 and as always avoids contact in compliance with RRS 14.
Created: 19-Aug-24 13:29
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