Case 141
Preamble to Part 2
Rule 36, Races Restarted or Resailed
Rule 44.1(b), Penalties at the Time of an Incident: Taking a Penalty
Rule 60.3(a)(1) Right to Protest; Right to Request Redress or Rule 69 Action
Rule 61.1(a)(4), Protest Requirements: Informing the Protestee
Rule 63.5, Validity of the Protest or Request for Redress
Interpretation of the term ‘serious’ in the phrase ‘serious  damage’.
Question
Is there a special meaning in the racing rules of the term ‘serious’ when it is used in the phrase ‘serious damage’?

Answer
No. The term ‘serious’ is not defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS). The Terminology section of the Introduction states that ‘other words and terms are used in the sense ordinarily understood in nautical or general use.’ As understood in general use, when ‘serious’ is used in the phrase ‘serious damage’, the term means: important because of possible danger or risk; having potentially undesired consequences; giving cause for concern; or of significant degree or amount.

This suggests that when a protest committee has concluded from the facts found that damage occurred in an incident, it must then consider whether any of the four criteria implied by the definition above apply, and if so it should conclude that the damage is ‘serious’.

Questions to consider may include:
  1. Did the damage reduce the safety of the crew?
  2. Did the damage adversely impact the boat’s sailing performance in a significant way?
  3. Will the cost of repairing the damage be a significant amount relative to the market value of the boat?
  4. Will the value of the boat after repairing the damage be significantly diminished?

USA 2018/115
Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more