For what it's worth, the 2005-2008 rules changed rule 41 (Outside Help) to allow "help as provided for in rule 1". Rule 1 says (in part) "A boat or competitor shall give all possible help to any person or vessel in danger".

The guidelines for race committee passed down from US SAILING interpreted "in danger" to include capsized boats and crew in the water. Therefore, a boat that received righting assistance from race committee was permitted to continue racing without penalty. Doing race committee during that time, I assisted capsized boats several times and told them that they could continue racing.

That rule, however, was removed in the 2009-2012 RRS. So, in 2009, a boat could no longer receive outside help after capsizing without breaking rule 41. Boats were obligated to retire, or be subject to protest (and possible disqualification). The 2013-2016 rules are the same.

It sounds like Dick Rose advocates a change back to the 2009 style of rule 41. Although there may potentially be fairness issues, I generally agree.

You can implement this change in sailing instructions by adding something like:



Regards,
Eric