Rule 20.2(c), Room to Tack at an Obstruction: Responding
When a boat with right of way is required to give another boat room for a manoeuvre, right of way does not transfer to the boat entitled to room. When, in reply to her call for room to tack when approaching an obstruction, a boat is hailed “You tack”, and when she does so and is then able to tack again to keep clear in a seamanlike way, the other boat has given the room required.
Facts
A and B were International Dragons. A was approaching the shore close-hauled on starboard tack, clear ahead and on a track to leeward of B. A hailed for room to tack, and B replied “You tack.” A tacked and B held her course. A was then on a collision course with B and tacked again. Both of A's tacks were made in a normal, seamanlike way. After A's second tack she was overlapped to leeward of B. Shortly afterwards B tacked and A did likewise. A protested B for not giving room as required by rule 20.2(c).
The protest committee concluded that B failed to give A “room to tack and avoid her”, and disqualified B, stating that she had “failed to keep clear of A after her tack.” B appealed.
case_101.png62.2 KB
Decision
B's appeal is upheld, and she is to be reinstated. A's actions show that she had room to tack and avoid B. B therefore met her obligation under rule 20.2(c).
It is important to distinguish a requirement to keep clear from a requirement to give room. When a boat with right of way is required to give another boat room for a manoeuvre, right of way does not transfer to the boat entitled to room. After A tacked onto port tack, B was not required to keep clear of A; instead, it was A that was required by rule 10 to keep clear of B. B was only required by rule 20.2(c) to give A room to tack and avoid B, and B did so.
GBR 2001/11
Last Updated
Rules
Racing Rules of Sailing for 2013-2016; Version 6
December 2015
Racing Rules of Sailing for 2017-2020
August 2017
Racing Rules of Sailing for 2021-2024
December 2020
Prescriptions
Australia
July 2017
Canada
November 2019
Great Britain - RYA has declined to grant a license for prescriptions and cases.
November 2019
New Zealand
July 2017
United States
February 2017
Cases
World Sailing Cases
February 2022
World Sailing Q&As
March 2022
Match Race Calls
January 2020
Match Race Rapid Response Calls
September 2018
Team Race Calls
December 2018
Team Race Rapid Response Calls
February 2016
CAN Cases
October 2017
RYA Cases
November 2019
US Appeals
October 2019
Manuals
World Sailing Judges Manual
December 2019
Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more