Section D - The Leg of the Course to a Windward Mark
MR CALL D5
Rule 10, On Opposite Tacks
Rule 16.1, Changing Course
Question 1
On a leg of the course to a windward mark, Blue and Yellow approach one another.
At approximately four hull lengths from Blue, Yellow bears away to avoid Blue.
Blue then bears away, so that the boats remain on a collision course. Yellow and
Blue continue to bear away in the same way, until they finally pass one another with
the wind approximately abeam. At no time does Blue sail a course that is more than
ninety degrees from the true wind. Flag Y is displayed. What should the call be?
Answer 1
Display the green and white flag. The relevant rule is 16.1, but Blue has not broken
it, because throughout the incident she has given Yellow room to keep clear.
Question 2
In similar circumstances, Yellow's course would allow her to cross ahead of Blue,
but Blue luffs to a collision course and Yellow tacks away in a seamanlike way. Flag
Y is displayed. What should the call be?
Answer 2
Display the green and white flag. As in Question 1, the relevant rule is 16.1, and
although Blue has forced Yellow to change course, she has not done so without
giving her room to keep clear.