Section B – The Prestart
TR CALL B7
Rule 20, Room to Tack at an Obstruction
Question 1
Before the start B and Y are sailing close-hauled towards a pontoon. B calls for room
to tack. Y replies 'No, you can go inside'. B protests. What should the call be?
Answer 1
Penalize Y. Rule 20.1 allows B to hail for room to tack to avoid the obstruction. When
hailed, Y fails to respond as required by rule 20.2(c).
Question 2
The situation is the same except that B by luffing slightly is able to avoid the pontoon.
B calls for room to tack. Y replies 'No, you can luff slightly'. B does this and protests.
What should the call be?
Answer 2
Penalize both boats. Rule 20.2(b) requires Y to act in response to the hail even if the
hail breaks rule 20.1. By not doing so she breaks rule 20.2(b). In addition, because B
does not need to make a substantial course change to avoid the pontoon, B breaks rule
20.1(a) by hailing for room to tack.
If instead Y tacks and protests, then B breaks rule 20.1(a) and Y breaks no rule.
A boat hailed under rule 20.1 must act as if the hail is valid even if she believes it to
be invalid. If she does not, she breaks rule 20.2(b).
A boat hailing under rule 20.1, when not entitled to do so, breaks rule 20.1.