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Several important Racing Rule concepts appear in this quiz. Read the situation and formulate your conclusion before reading the answer - then read the Key Points. Editor's Note: This quiz is inspired by a recent Lake Lansing situation, but the facts have been modified in significant ways for educational purposes.
Situation: Two boats, W and L, are close hauled and heading to a windward mark with L approximately 10 boat lengths to leeward of W (positions W1 and L1 in the diagram with distances shown to be closer than 10 boat lengths for convenience in creating the graphic). There is a wind shift that permits L to sail a higher course. W also gets the wind shift and initially sails higher, breaking any overlap with L. However, W realizes she is now overstanding the mark and eases her sails slightly while changing course toward the mark - re-establishing an overlap with L who is now about six boat lengths below (W2 and L2). As L closes the gap with W, she hails for W to keep clear - then turns up toward head to wind, but does not pass head to wind. W states that she is head to wind and keeping clear. There is contact that causes no damage (W3 and L3).
L protests W stating that W did not keep clear. What is the decision of the protest committee?
Answer: L's protest is upheld. L is clear astern after the boats react to the wind shift, but becomes overlapped with W with more than two boat lengths separating the boats as W resumes her course toward the mark. Because of acquiring the overlap in this manner, L is not limited to sailing her proper course (RRS 17.1).
A windward boat is required to keep clear of a leeward boat on the same tack (RRS 11). If the windward boat believes the leeward boat to be in the wrong, windward should keep clear - and protest the leeward boat.
A right of way boat (L in this case), when changing course, must give the other boat room to keep clear (RRS 16.1). L did not initiate a sudden course change in close proximity to W and therefore met her obligation to give room.
L maintains her leeward rights - unless she changes course to pass head to wind (RRS 13). W must keep clear, even if she must pass head to wind as long as L does not pass head to wind.
Rule 14 requires that a boat avoid contact if reasonably possible. L may have been able to avoid contact, however, Rule 14 also specifies that a boat will not be penalized under the "Avoiding Contact" rule unless there is contact that causes injury or damage. There was no damage or injury.
Some Key Points:
1. A windward boat must keep clear of a leeward boat - even if it means sailing past head to wind to do so - and even if she believes the leeward boat does not have the right of way (always keep clear but protest when you believe the other boat fouls).
2. A boat that acquires a leeward overlap from clear astern must not sail higher than her proper course - with this exception: If the overlap is acquired from more than two boat lengths away, the leeward boat can sail up to head to wind - as long as she gives the windward boat room to keep clear.
3. Keeping clear means to stay far enough away from the right-of-way boat so that the right of way boat can change course in either direction without immediately making contact.
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