The Racing Rules of Sailing
Tacking in the zone after rounding a leeward mark
Several incidents and questions have come up regarding the obligations of a boat that tacks immediately after rounding a leeward mark to port. I think most of it is clear, and I think I have resolved the last question for myself. But I am interested in the opinions of others.
Scenario: Two boats on Port gybe approach a leeward mark to be rounded to port. Yellow enters the zone several boat lengths ahead of Blue and will be rounding and tacking to starboard while Blue is entering the zone heading to round such that they are on collision course at position 5.
Some easy parts: 18 does not apply (18.1a3). While tacking, rule 13 applies to Yellow and she must keep clear until born off to close hauled.
My question involves rule 15 and my uncertainty derives from USA Sailing appeal US52. That case found that a boat initially to leeward, gybing to starboard is right of way throughout and therefore rule 15 does not apply. However, there is no rule equivalent to rule 13 that applies while gybing. My interpretation is that a boat tacking from leeward to starboard is subject to rule 15 because she is the keep clear boat while rule 13 applies. Her position as starboard is a newly acquired right of way.
Through the course of the event I am considering, Yellow goes from clear ahead (Positions 1-3), to leeward (Position 4), to starboard (Position 5). But Yellow is the keep clear boat during the tack. So I conclude that she is subject to rule 15 as she completes the tack.
She must initially give Blue room to keep clear (whatever "initially" means in the extant conditions).
Any opposing views?
Created: Yesterday 17:43
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So RRS 15, “when a boat acquires right of way…” doesn’t apply.
RRS 13 uses “keep clear,” so I don’t see how yellow “looses” her status as RoW boat while taking because she instantly goes from leeward and luffing to starboard and bearing off. RRS 13 is just an obligation to do something (between HtW and CH), but it doesn’t transfer the RoW to the other boat.
Through this entire evolution the only rule that I see at play for Yellow is RRS 16.1 and, briefly, RRS 13.
A boat has right of way over another boat when the other boat is required to keep clear of her.
That is incorrect.
The preamble of Part 2 Section A states ..
RRS 13 states ..
Therefore 13 absolutely transfers ROW to ALL other boats that are not likewise simultaneously tacking. The "tacking" boat must keep clear of all of them .. therefore they all have ROW over her.
"Section ARIGHT OF WAY
I don't think 'right of way' or 'stand down' were ever used in the COLREGS/IRPCAS.
By all means show me a version where they were.
Whilst tacking yellow is keep clear boat hence Blue acquires right of way.
As soon as Yellow is close hauled on starboard, Yellow on port tack becomes keep clear boat. At this moment Yellow acquires right of way.
Now in my opinion rule 15 does come into play because here Yellow is acquiring right of way therefore it is obliged to initially give blue room to keep clear.