CASE 35        

Rule 19.1(b), Room to Tack at an Obstruction

When a boat is hailed for room to tack at an obstruction and replies ‘You tack’, and the hailing boat is then able to tack and avoid the hailed boat, the hailed boat has complied with rule 19.1(b).

Summary of the Facts As two close-hauled boats approached a shore, L hailed W for room to tack. W replied ‘You tack’ and L then tacked immediately. After tacking, L bore away in a seamanlike way and passed under W’s stern, which she cleared by three feet (1m) or more. L protested W under rule 19.1. The protest committee decided that W failed to give room as required by rule 19.1(b) and disqualified her. W appealed. Decision Appeal upheld. L’s actions showed that she had room to tack and avoid W. W therefore met her obligation under rule 19.1(b). USSA 1976/189