Section B - The Prestart
MR CALL B15
Rule 11, On the Same Tack, Overlapped
Rule 16, Changing Course
Rule 19.2(c), Giving Room at an Obstruction
Question 1
Blue and Yellow are overlapped on port tack, with Yellow as the leeward, right-ofway
boat. They approach a continuing obstruction on courses that make it clear that
Yellow is the inside boat, or at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the shoreline
so that it is unclear which boat will be the inside boat when they reach the
obstruction. Yellow begins to luff or maintains her course and Blue keeps clear.
When Yellow is approximately one and a half lengths from the obstruction she
suddenly bears away and passes the obstruction to port leaving Blue clear astern.
Flag Y is displayed. What should the call be?
Answer 1
Display the green and white flag. Rule 11 applies, and rule 19 also applies when it
becomes clear that the boats are at the obstruction. Yellow has right of way and
can choose to luff or bear away as she pleases provided she complies with rule
16.1. If Yellow and Blue bear away to pass the obstruction to port, Yellow must
give room to Blue while the boats are overlapped. If Blue becomes clear astern,
she must comply with rule 19.2(c). In the situations shown, no rules are broken.
Question 2
In the pre-start, Blue and Yellow overlapped on port tack approach the outer end of
a dock. Before the boats are at the obstruction, Yellow, to leeward, luffs slightly and
Blue keeps clear. Yellow suddenly bears away, leaving the obstruction to port. Blue
leaves the obstruction to starboard. Flag Y is displayed. What should the call be?
Answer 2
Display the green and white flag.
Yellow has right of way and may choose to luff or bear away as she pleases provided
she complies with rule 16.1.