Rule 16.1, Changing Course
Rule 18.2, Mark-Room: Giving Mark-Room
Definitions, Mark-Room
Definitions, Room
When a boat is entitled to room, the space she is entitled to includes space for her to keep clear of or give room to other boats when required to do so by the rules.
Assumed Facts for Question 1
A, B and C are overlapped and on the same tack when the first of them reaches
the zone of a mark. A is on the outside, C is on the inside and B is between
them.
Question 1
Does rule 18.2 require A to give enough space to B to enable B to give mark-room
to C?
Answer 1
Yes. B must give mark-room to C, and A must give mark-room to B. The definition
Mark-Room uses the defined term ‘room’, and room includes space
to manoeuvre in a seamanlike way. The space B needs to manoeuvre in a seamanlike
way includes the space she needs to comply with her obligations to C. Therefore,
rule 18.2 requires A to give B sufficient space for B to give C mark-room.
Assumed Facts for Question 2
L, M and W are overlapped and on the same tack with L to leeward, W to windward
and M between them. L has no proper course restriction and she luffs.
Question 2
Does rule 16.1 require L to give enough space to M to enable M to give room
to W to keep clear?
Answer 2
Yes. When M changes course to keep clear of L, rule 16.1 requires M to give
W room to keep clear. The space M needs to manoeuvre in a seamanlike way includes
the space she needs to comply with her obligations to W. Therefore, rule 16.1
requires L to give M sufficient space for M to give W room to keep clear.
Assumed Facts for Question 3
The mark at the starboard end of the starting line is surrounded by navigable
water. When approaching the starting line to start, L and W are overlapped on
starboard tack. L is sailing a course that will pass sufficiently far from the
mark that there is space for W to sail between L and the mark. W sails into
the space that L freely gives. After W is alongside the mark L luffs, and by
luffing promptly in response, W keeps clear of L. However, in order to keep
clear of L, W is compelled to touch the mark.
Question 3
Does L comply with rule 16.1?
Answer 3
No. W is required to keep clear under rule 11 and, as stated in the preamble
to Section C, she is not entitled to room under rule 19 or mark-room under rule
18. However, when L changes course W is entitled to room to keep clear of L
under rule 16.1. L’s change of course compels W, in keeping clear, to
break rule 31. It is not seamanlike to touch a mark and therefore L did not
give W space to keep clear in a seamanlike way. L breaks rule 16.1 and, under
rule 64.1(c), W is exonerated for her breach of rule 31.
Assumed Facts for Question 4
The same as the facts for Question 3 except that either rule B2.5 applies or
rule 31 has been deleted by the sailing instructions, and the mark is a committee
boat or other substantial object.
Question 4
Does L comply with rule 16.1?
Answer 4
No. Touching such a mark risks damaging either the boat racing or the committee
boat, and taking such a risk is not seamanlike.
ISAF 2010