This week rules discussion will be a brief look at Section C rules. This section covers many situations and I hope you will take the time to ask me specific questions about the rules covering Marks and Obstructions.
SECTION C – AT MARKS AND OBSTRUCTIONS
(Preamble)
Section C rules do not apply at a starting mark surrounded by navigable water or at its anchor line from the time boats are approaching them to start until they have passed them. When rule 20 applies, rules 18 and 19 do not.
18 MARK-ROOM
18.1 When Rule 18 Applies
Rule 18 applies between boats when they are required to leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in the zone. However, it does not apply
(a) between boats on opposite tacks, on a beat to windward,
(b) between boats on opposite tacks when the proper course at the mark for one but not both of them is to tack,
(c) between a boat approaching a mark and one leaving it, or
(d) if the mark is a continuing obstruction, in which case rule 19 applies.
If you have read Bill Worrall’s article “Let’s Race With The Rules” in Model Yachting issue 158, he talked about applying the Section C rules at the starting marks. Bill Worrall sent out a correction that explained how rule 18 never applies at a starting mark. Most sailors believe that you are not required to give Mark-Room at the starting mark, and they are right. If you look at the preamble to Section C, you will note that it specifically does not apply at the starting mark surrounded by navigable water or its anchor line from the time boats are approaching them to start until they have passed the marks. Since the preamble is talking about your final run at the starting line to start, what about when you are making some practice timing runs at the starting line? If you read Rule 18.1 (When Rule 18 Applies), you will see that rule 18 “applies between boats when they are required to leave a mark on the same side! “ Since Rule 28.2 (Sailing the Course) only requires you to leave the starting mark on the correct side when you start, you can pass to either side of it prior to the start, but must pass the starting mark on the correct side and from the pre-start side of the starting line to start the race. The Preamble to Section C covers the time during your last run at the starting line to start and it states that Section C rules (rules 18, 19 & 20) do not apply at a starting Mark surrounded by navigable water. This would include a committee boat used for a starting mark. If one of the starting marks was an end of a pier or a breakwater, then Rules 19 and 20 (Obstructions) would apply except during your last run to start . Remember that the finish line is just another mark that ” applies between boats when they are required to leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in the zone.” Finish marks have a 4 boat zone around them just like the other marks. The starting marks do not have a zone as prior to the start, boats can pass them on either side and when you are actually starting, required to leave the mark on the correct side, at this time, the Preamble to Section C rules state Section C rules do not apply. You should also note that Rule 18 provides Mark-Room for boats at marks while Rule 19 and 20 provide only Room and obstructions do not have a zone. Always remember that Section A rules do apply!
Definitions:
Mark-Room
Room for a boat to sail to the mark, and then room to sail her proper course while at the mark. However, mark- room does not include room to tack unless the boat is overlapped to windward and on the inside of the boat required to give mark-room.
Room
The space a boat needs in the existing conditions while maneuvering promptly in a seaman-like way.
28 SAILING THE COURSE
28.1 A boat shall start, leave each mark on the required side in the correct order, and finish, so that a string representing her track after starting and until finishing would when drawn taut
(a) pass each mark on the required side,
(b) touch each roundingmark, and
(c) pass between the marks of a gate from the direction of the previous mark.
She may correct any errors to comply with this rule. After finishing she need not cross the finishing line completely.
28.2 A boat may leave on either side a mark that does not begin, bound or end the leg she is on. However, she shall leave a starting mark on the required side when she is approaching the starting line from its pre-start side to start.
How do we deal with a starting mark that is also an obstruction (committee boat)?
We now know that during your final run at the starting line, to start, turns off Section C rules, which include rule 19 and 20. During the time prior to your final run, a committee boat would be an obstruction and rule 19 and 20 would apply. Since a committee boat is surrounded by navigable water, you can pass it on either side. Remember that Rule 28 (SAILING THE COURSE) requires you to pass a starting mark on a specific side to start. Prior to starting, you can pass them on either side. Prior to your final approach to start, if two overlapped boats are approaching a committee boat (obstruction) Rule 19.2a tells us that the ROW boat at that time can choose which side of the obstruction she wants to pass the obstruction. 19.2b also tells us that when boats are overlapped , the outside boat shall give the inside boat Room between her and the obstruction. Remember that this requirement is for Room , not Mark-Room and is turned off during your final run to start!
Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
One boat is clear astern of another when her hull and equipment in normal position are behind a line abeam from the aftermost point of the other boat’s hull and equipment in normal position. The other boat is clear ahead. They overlap when neither is clear astern. However, they also overlap when a boat between them overlaps both. These terms always apply to boats on the same tack. They do not apply to boats on opposite tacks unless rule 18 applies or both boats are sailing more than ninety degrees from the true wind.
19 ROOM TO PASS AN OBSTRUCTION
19.1 When Rule 19 Applies
Rule 19 applies between boats at an obstruction except when it is also a mark the boats are required to leave on the same side. However, at a continuing obstruction, rule 19 always applies and rule 18 does not.
19.2 Giving Room at an Obstruction
(a) A right-of-way boat may choose to pass an obstruction on either side.
(b) When boats are overlapped, the outside boat shall give the inside boat room between her and the obstruction, unless she has been unable to do so from the time the overlap began.
(c) While boats are passing a continuing obstruction, if a boat that was clear astern and required to keep clear becomes overlapped between the other boat and the obstruction and, at the moment the overlap begins, there is not room for her to pass between them, she is not entitled to room under rule 19.2(b). While the boats remain overlapped, she shall keep clear and rules 10 and 11 do not apply.
20 ROOM TO TACK AT AN OBSTRUCTION
20.1 Hailing and Responding
When approaching an obstruction, a boat sailing close-hauled or above may hail for room to tack and avoid another boat on the same tack. After a boat hails,
(a) she shall give the hailed boat time to respond;
(b) the hailed boat shall respond either by tacking as soon as possible, or by immediately replying ‘You tack’ and then giving the hailing boat room to tack and avoid her; and
(c) when the hailed boat responds, the hailing boat shall tack as soon as possible.
20.2 Exoneration
When a boat is taking room to which she is entitled under rule 20.1(b), she shall be exonerated if she breaks a rule of Section A or rule 15 or 16.
20.3 When Not to Hail
A boat shall not hail unless safety requires her to make a substantial course change to avoid the obstruction. Also, she shall not hail if the obstruction is a mark that the hailed boat is fetching.