12/3/2019 TRS: RULES GOVERNING CROSSING SITUATIONS

DECEMBER 3, 2019

TRS: RULES GOVERNING CROSSING SITUATIONS

CHRIS HOFMANN AND FRED MOLNAR

This was a fantastic presentation and introduction to the racing rules of sailing.  Reference sources were presented and examples of protests and resolution of appeals were explained.  There was active participation and questions from many of the 30 people that attended.

Some other websites that may be interesting regarding racing rules.

An animated Rules Quiz (poke around a bit, there is a lot there):  http://game.finckh.net/indexe.htm

RacingRulesOfSailing.org, a GREAT site with the rules, links to the cases and appeals, and a discussion forum:  https://www.racingrulesofsailing.org/

Another site is:   https://www.sailing.org/documents/racingrules/index.php

Below is the simple, one-page explanation of the rules of racing from the Latitude 38 web site.  In the first paragraph is a reference to the US sailing web site for the rules of sailing. 

 Examples for this presentation were taken from the “case book” of protests, appeals and resolution.  The web site for this case book is:   www.sailing.org/documents/caseandcall/case-book.php

We made it though these cases in the case book website on Tuesday night.

Case 17  Definition of tacking and on a tack.

Case 6 starboard tack boat changing course

Case 3 room to tack at obstruction – port boats as an obstruction to oncoming starboard boat

Case 10 room to tack at an obstruction two boats on starboard-tack keeping clear of unresponsive port tack boat

Case 11 allow a boat to pass on the same side of the obstruction. If you duck you must allow other boats room to duck too

A few more crossing situations are on the plan for the next session, then we will start into mark roundings.  In particular we will look at some of the situations that often appear at black point buoy after the start in the easterly since its a short leg and often we have lots of boats in close quarters at that mark.

-Chris

The plan is to continue to pull from the case book.  The following cases (from the web site) will be discussed in the coming weeks. If you want, you can check these out for discussion on Tuesday.

Case 17  Definition of tacking and on a tack.

Case 6 starboard tack boat changing course  

Case 3 room to tack at obstruction – port boats as an obstruction to oncoming starboard boat

Case 10 room to tack at an obstruction two boats on starboard-tack keeping clear of unresponsive port tack boat

Case 11 allow a boat to pass on the same side of the obstruction. If you duck you must allow other boats room to duck too

Case 54 room to tack at an obstruction.

Case 9 starboard tack boat not required to tack on a starboard windward mark rounding

Case 15 port boats approaching a port tack rounding

Case 27 port tack boat flops to starboard without enough room.

I learned a lot from Tuesday’s presentation, but my biggest takeaway was that a starboard boat cannot change course in a crossing situation, even with a shift (header or lift) in the wind.

There is a lot of information and many websites referenced in this blog that should provide a source of information for anyone that wants to delve deeper into the topic.

We will continue this discussion next Tuesday with the barbecue open from 5:15 to 5:45. Seminar will start at 6pm.

See you next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

Latitude 38's Basic Racing Guidelines

Since sailboat racing is a recreational sport, we think the number one rule should be to have fun. Beyond that, some basic guidelines help prevent collisions and ensure that racing is both fun and fair. Below is an outline of the ten basic rules which cover most racing situations. For completeness and total accuracy, refer to Racing Rules of Sailing 2013-2016, published by US Sailing. See www.ussailing.org/rules for details.

1. Port tack keep clear of starboard tack.

2. If boats are on the same tack, and overlapped, the windward boat must keep clear of the boat to leeward.

3. If boats are on the same tack, a boat clear astern must keep clear of a boat clear ahead.

4. When tacking or jibing, keep clear of boats on a tack.

5. Avoid collisions. If you have the right of way and hit the other boat, causing damage or injury, you both will be penalized.

6. Don’t obstruct. Don’t make it hard for the ‘keep clear’ boat to do so. (No hunting allowed.)

7. Sail the course prescribed. You have to round the marks in the directions specified in the Sailing Instructions and can’t touch a mark.

8. Proper Course (same tack, within two hull lengths). If the leeward boat came from astern, leeward boat shall not sail above its own proper course during the overlap. (Remember that the windward boat still has to keep clear, even if windward is forced above what it believes is windward’s proper course. Leeward still has right of way.)

9. Give room at marks and obstructions to yachts overlapped on the inside, except:
a. When the overlap did not exist before the lead boat reaches the three-boatlength zone.
b. When approaching a windward mark on opposite tack.
c. At a starting mark surrounded by navigable water. That is, you don’t have to let a barger in at the start except to avoid collision (then protest).

10. Acknowledge your fouls and protest those who don’t.

A free rule book comes with US Sailing membership. The new rule books are printed on waterproof paper! See www.ussailing.org.