Rule 18.2(c), Rounding and Passing Marks and
Obstructions: Not Overlapped at the Zone Rule 18.5, Rounding and Passing Marks and Obstructions:
Passing a Continuing Obstruction
Definitions, Obstruction
When a leeward boat is a continuing obstruction to an overlapped windward
boat and a third boat clear astern, the boat clear astern may sail between the
two overlapped boats if there is room, as defined, to do so.
Summary of the Facts
When running towards the finishing line, W established an overlap on L
almost two hull lengths to windward of her. Subsequently, M established
an overlap between them. All three boats finished with no narrowing of
space between L and W and no contact. W protested M for taking room to
which she was not entitled, citing rule 18.2(c). The protest was dismissed
on the grounds that L and W had left sufficient room for M to intervene
safely. W appealed.
Decision
Appeal dismissed. W’s argument is based on the provision, in rule 18.2(c),
that a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead, and,
if the boat clear astern becomes overlapped between the other boat and
an obstruction (considering L to be the obstruction) within the two-length
zone, then the boat that had been clear astern is not entitled to room.
Once W overtook L, the two boats sailed overlapped at least six hull lengths
towards the finishing line. That was easily long enough to qualify L as
a continuing obstruction. For that reason, at positions 2 and 3 while
M and W were passing L rule 18.5 applied and rule 18.2(c) did not. At
the moment that M’s overlap on W began, there clearly was room for M to
pass between W and the continuing obstruction, L. Therefore, M was entitled
to room from W, and W gave her room. No rule was broken.
CASE 29
