Rule 13 While Tacking Rule 14 Avoiding Contact Rule 19 Room to Tack at an Obstruction
Question
A and X are overlapped and beating on port tack towards the committee
boat at the starboard end of the finishing line.
X can fetch the committee boat but A, the leeward boat, cannot. A sails
up to this boat and hails for room to tack. X does not respond. A hails
a second time, luffs and passes head to wind, whereupon X tacks and protests.
What should the call be?
Answer
Because X can fetch the committee boat which is a mark, rule 19.1 does
not apply and A is not entitled to room to tack. When A passes head to
wind, she becomes keep clear boat, and prevents X from sailing her course.
A breaks rule 13. Penalize A.
When A passes head to wind it is clear that she will not fulfil her obligation
under rule 13 to keep clear of X, and X will be required by rule 14 to
act to avoid contact.