Definition, Obstruction
Definition, Room
Rule 19.2(b), Room to Pass an Obstruction: Giving Room at an Obstruction
Rule 21(a), Exoneration
When an outside overlapped boat is required to give room to one or more inside boats to pass an obstruction, the space she gives must be sufficient to permit all the inside boats to comply with their obligations under the rules of Part 2.
Facts
Boats PW, PM and PL are close-hauled and overlapped on port tack. Boat S is close-hauled on starboard tack. PW is on a collision course with S. PM and PL do not need to change course to pass safely astern of S. PW bears away to pass astern of S without making contact, and PM bears away to give her just enough space to do so. PL holds her course and there is contact between PM and PL, without damage or injury. No boat takes a penalty. PM protests PL.
Question
How do the rules apply to this incident and which boat or boats should be disqualified?
Answer
S was an obstruction to PW, PM and PL because each of them would need to change course substantially if she were sailing directly towards S and were one hull length from S, and because they all were required by rule
The space that PL was required to give to PM and PW included enough space for PM to give PW room and for PM to keep clear of PL, as well as space for PW to keep clear of both S and PM (see the definition Room). PL did not give that space. Therefore, she broke rule 19.2(b), and should be disqualified. PL also broke rule 14 because the contact could have been avoided if PL given PM and PW enough space. However, because PL had right of way over PM and there was no damage or injury, PL is exonerated under rule 14(b) for her breach of rule 14.
PM broke rule 11, but she is exonerated under rule 21(a) or rule 64.1(a). PM did not break rule 14 because it was not possible for her to have avoided making contact either with PL or with PW.(See Case 11 for discussion of a similar situation.)
World Sailing 2013