Situation
The sailing instructions of an event for the Olympic Classes have the following instructions:
SI 26.2 For each fleet, the protest time limit is 90 minutes after the last boat has finished the last race of the day or the race committee signals no more racing today (whichever is later).
SI 26.3 Notices will be posted within 30 minutes of the protest time limit to inform competitors of hearings in which they are parties or named as witnesses. Hearings will be held in the protest room, located at the race management area, beginning at the time posted. Hearings may be scheduled to begin up to 30 minutes before the end of protest time.
SI 26.4 Notices of protests by the race committee or protest committee will be posted to inform boats under RRS 61.1(b).
Question 1
In race 2, the last boat finishes at 15.00. The protest time limit is posted immediately thereafter as 16.30. The last boat arrives ashore at 15.25. Considering SI 26.3, may the protest committee schedule the hearing of a boat-vs-boat protest from this race for 16:00?
Answer 1
Yes. According to SI 26.3, the earliest hearing can be scheduled for 16.00. The notice should be posted in time for parties to see it and to prepare. If necessary, the protest committee can postpone the hearing if there is good reason to do so.
Question 2
In the same race, the protest committee decides to protest Boat X for breaking rule 31. At 15.15, a notice is posted on the official notice board about the protest committee's intention to protest Boat X. May the protest committee schedule the hearing of this protest for 16.00?
Answer 2
Yes. See Answer 1.