Vanguard 15 West Coast Fleet 53

Hi All,

A rules question came up last Thursday in which two overlapped port tacker boats approaching a starboard tack boat. There are two rules that might be applicable here, Rule 18 (Rounding and Passing Marks and Obstructions) or Rule 19 (Room to Tack at an Obstruction).

§ Under Rule 18, one would conclude that the inside boat (which in this case is the port tack windward boat) is entitled to room to pass (duck) the obstruction (the starboard tack boat).

§ Under Rule 19, one would conclude that the leeward boat is entitled to hail for room to tack at the obstruction.

I had never focused on the fact that these rules seem to conflict, and was interested in figuring out the correct interpretation. I found the answer in US Sailing Appeal 24, which discusses the situation of PW and PL approaching S, which I've summarized below.

Facts Found By The Protest Committee:

Two Sunfishes overlapped on port tack (PW and PL) were converging on a starboard tack Sunfish (S). PW hailed for room to go below S and began to bear away. PL, not hearing the hail and only just aware of PW on her windward side, hailed loudly for room to tack and put her hem down immediately. Shortly thereafter, PL and PW collided, barely avoiding contact with S.

Decision of the Appeals Committee:

“PW established an inside overlap on PL when the two boats were more than two lengths from the obstruction. However, this fact alone did not give PW right to room under rule 18.2(a) because at that point the two boats were not necessarily about to pass the obstruction on the same side [a requirement for the rule to apply stated in 18.1, and a key interpretation]. Therefore, PL was under no obligation to give PW room to pass astern of the obstruction if in fact PL desired to tack. Moreover, rule 19.2 provides that when rule 19.1 applies, rule 18 does not.”

Although PL was entitled under rule 19.1 to call for room to tack to clear the obstruction, that rule specifically provides that a boat hailing for room shall give the hailed boat time to respond. The fact that PL was not aware of PW bearing away until it was too late does not absolve PL of her duty to hail before tacking and then tack. Accordingly, PL is disqualified.

What does this mean for the V15 Fleet?

We’ve basically been doing it right all along. If the leeward port tack boat decides to avoid the starboard boat by tacking, they must hail for room and then give the other boat time to react. The case above suggests that hailing and putting the helm over simultaneously (which happens a lot in our fleet) is not considered to be "adequate" time. Further, if the leeward port tack boat decides to duck the starboard tack boat (or is clear behind with no duck required) then they must make room for the windward boat if the windward boat also wants to duck.

I hope this clarifies any ambiguity.

Adam