Question
In some situations, a boat does not break rule 31 by touching a mark. When a boat entitled to mark-room has been given room to leave the mark on the required side but is compelled to touch it, has mark-room been given?

Answer
No.
It is not seamanlike to compel a boat to touch a mark even if she does not break a rule by doing so. This is irrespective of any additional requirements in the definition ‘mark-room’ in Appendices B, C and F.

17 December 2018