CASE 113
Rule 20.1, Room to Tack at an Obstruction
An explanation of the application of rule 20 when three boats
sailing close-hauled on the same tack are approaching an
obstruction and the leeward-most boat hails for room to
tack, but cannot tack unless both boats to windward of her
tack.
Facts
L, M and W are sailing close-hauled on starboard tack. They are
approaching an obstruction that L cannot safely avoid without making a
substantial course change. The obstruction is not a mark. When the boats
are in the positions shown in the diagram, L hails ‘Room to tack’ loudly
enough to be heard by both M and W. When L hails, it is clear that M and
W must both tack in order to give room to L, and M does not have room to
tack and avoid W.
Question 1
Does rule 20.2(c) require W to respond to L’s hail?
Answer 1
Yes. When a boat that is not adjacent to the hailing boat has heard the hail,
and will have to respond before the hailing boat is able to tack, she is a
‘hailed boat’ in the context of rule 20.2 and she shall respond accordingly.
Question 2
Is M required to hail W for room to tack immediately after L’s hail?
Answer 2
Yes, if W is not already responding to L’s hail. Because replying ‘You tack’
is not an option for M in this case, M is required by rule 20.2(c) to respond
to L’s hail by tacking as soon as possible. Therefore, if M cannot tack
because of the presence of W, she must immediately hail W for room to
tack, and rule 20.3 permits her to do so even if, in the absence of L, M would
not yet need to hail for room to tack. If she fails to hail for room, and as a
result is unable to tack as soon as possible, she breaks rule 20.2(c).
World Sailing 2009