Section R - Other requirements

RS CALL R4

Rule E2.3, Boat Out of Radio Control

Until a competitor hails “out of control”, she is not entitled to exoneration for any breach of a rule of Part 2. Having hailed in compliance with rule E2.3, the boat must retire, even if control is regained.

Assumed Facts

A competitor loses radio control of his boat. He hails the boat's sail number followed by “Out of control”. The hail complies with rule E2.1. Several seconds later, radio control is re-established.

Question 1

Can the boat now continue to race?

Answer 1

No. Rule E2.3 states that a boat that has declared herself to be out of control shall retire.

Being out of control does not entitle a boat to exoneration for breaking a rule of Part 2. An out of control boat cannot intentionally take a One-Turn penalty. By retiring, an out of control boat takes an applicable penalty for any breach of a rule of Part 2 rule that she may commit until the boat can be recovered.

Question 2

Is a competitor required to hail “Out of control” immediately he loses radio-control of his boat?

Answer 2

The competitor may delay hailing “Out of control” while, for instance, he attempts to regain control. However, until he does hail, the boat does not benefit from the protection offered by declaring herself out of control. If, before hailing, the boat breaks a rule of Part 2, she would be unable to take a One-Turn penalty and should retire. If before making a delayed hail of “Out of control”, the boat causes serious damage to another competing boat, the protest committee should consider whether this breaches recognized principles of sportsmanship and fair play.