Ok, Saw this in a big boat race the other day and am curious if my interpretation of the rules is correct. The Red boat is on Port tack, on the layline to a mark. Their course is also parallel to a shoal. The blue boat is on Starboard, heading towards the red boat and the layline. As the Blue boat approaches, Red, she Hails starboard. Red hails back that she needs water and cannot tack. Blue tacks under Red to avoid a collision and hails protest.

Is the protest valid?? Basically this is a another obstruction situation but i'm not sure how it works if Red could still give way by ducking Blue. My initial reaction is tough poop for Red, they should have ducked. What do you experts say?

T

They could have slowed down as well.

The port-tack boat should have slowed down and let the starboard boat cross and run aground on the shoal. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

A shoal definitely is an obstruction to a boat that draws more than the shoal depth. Therefore, RRS 18 might apply, but you don't give enough information to tell. It sounds as if the two boats in question are on opposite tacks on a beat to windward, though. If so, then rule 18 does not apply. The port boat would be obligated to keep clear and apparently did not.

If the starboard boat immediately hailed "protest", flew a protest flag at the first opportunity, and filed a written protest that accurately identified the incident within the protest time limit, then his protest would be valid.

Regards,
Eric

You are correct, both boats were on a beat (the shoal ran parallel to the port layline). The shoal was shallower than what the Red boat's draft requirements so it was a continuing obstruction (rule 18 does apply). Red had two avenue's available to them to avoid the blue boat - Duck them or slow down. They could not tack due to the water depth. Since they could not tack because of an obstruction, does that mean that rule 14 does not apply?

I don't see why the red boat couldn't duck starboard since the obstruction appears to be on their other side?

I'm with Jake, Port boat has to slow down or foot off to duck the starboard boat.

You can debate rules all you want but the reality in any rule situation is how it is presented in the "room" and how the situation is interpreted in there by the judges. The rest is all hogwash and blah-blah-blah. In other words, stay out of the room. For learning, sit in a protest hearing and witness first hand how the process works. Dave Dellenbach and Dick Rose also have some cool stuff to download. You can purchase a rule book(s) anywhere (hint).

Bob <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Bob:

Understanding the rules 2006-2008 or someting like that by Dave Perry is best rules book I have found. Pics hekp explain things.

Doug

I agree with Doug. I have never understood rules as well as when I was sitting on the Victory Challenge team's chase boat listening to Dave Perry explain an America's Cup start sequence to me. His books are definitely a must read for every sailor.

The FREE ISAF Case Book is as good as anything have to pay for. Pictures are included and it is official! Walk into a protest with a case book extract and you will instantly have the protest commitees attention. And it's free...

Did I mention it is free?
ISAF Case Book

The only thing I like about some of the books is when they give you the little boat shapes, very handy for playing out scenarios and debating with other ppl over a rum-bo. I don't think there's any that provide cat boat shapes though.

That explains a lot. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />


Glue two monos together.

hehe, logic wins again!

Play the Rules:

http://game.finckh.net/

Good Site. The situation I am describing is medium situation # 46 on that site. I wasn't sure what the definition of "room" meant when given a port-starboard situation and a continuing obstruction.

TB

As a protest committee member, I have seen several protest hearings go the wrong way - simply because the protestee or protestor did not adequately present his case. If people do not present the facts accurately, then the outcome will be incorrect.

Therefore it behooves us to understand the rules. That way we can:
1) fulfill our obligations on the course (not break any rules) and exonerate ourselves if necessary,
2) assert our rights on the course (for tactical advantage), and
3) present a good case in the protest hearing if need be.

Discussing hypothetical scenerios is a useful learning tool.

Regards,
Eric

First of all, race committee should be flogged for setting a course with an obstruction on the layline.

That said, RRS 18.5 "Passing a Continuing Obstruction" does not apply for 2 reasons:
1) RRS 18.5 reads "While boats are passing a continuing obstruction...". Note the plural "boats". Only one boat is passing a continuing obstruction here -- the other is not. More importantly:
2) RRS 18.1 states "Rule 18... does not apply...while the boats are on opposite tacks... on a beat to windward", so 18.5 does not come into play at all.

RRS 10 "On Opposite Tacks" and RRS 14 "Avoiding Contact" both apply.

The port tack boat (red) was obligated to keep clear under RRS 10, and to avoid contact under RRS 14. In this scenerio, blue had to take avoiding action (tack). Therefore, red did not keep clear.

The starboard tack boat (blue) was obligated to avoid contact under RRS 14. Blue fulfilled that obligation by taking avoiding action (tacking).

If this situation came to me in a valid protest, I would rule that red broke RRS 10 and disqualify her under RRS 64.1.

Red could have:
1) slowed down and let blue cross,
2) ducked blue, or
3) exonerated herself under RRS 44.1

Regards,
Eric

Excellent explanation. That is what I figured, but wanted to have a clear understanding of which rules are applicable in the event that it happens again (beer can racing that results in some interesting courses and a boat that has a bit of dis-regard for the rules)...

Cheers...

TB