An object the sailing instructions require a boat to leave on a specified side, a race committee boat surrounded by navigable water from which the starting or finishing line extends, and an object intentionally attached to the object or vessel.  However, an anchor line is not part of the mark.

Room for a boat

(a) to sail to the mark when her proper course is to sail close to it,

(b) to round or pass the mark on the required side, and,
(c) to leave it astern. 

An obstruction is
(a) an object that a boat could not pass without changing course substantially, if she were sailing directly towards it and one of her hull lengths from it;
(b) an object that can be safely passed on only one side; or
(c) an object that is so designated in a rule;
However, a boat racing is not an obstruction to other boats unless they are required to keep clear of her or, if rule 22 applies, avoid her.

 

A party to a hearing is 

(a) for a protest hearing: a protestor, a protestee;

(b) for a redress hearing: a boat requesting redress or for which redress is requested, a boat for which a hearing is called to consider redress under rule 61.1; a  committee acting under rule 61.1.

(c) for a redress hearing under rule 61.4(b)(a); the body alleged to have made an improper action or improper omission;

(d) a person against whom an allegation of a breach of rule 69.1(a) is made; a person presenting an allegation under rule 69.2(e)(1).

(e) a support person subject to a hearing under rule 62 or 69; any boat that person supports; a person appointed to present an allegation under rule 62.2.

However, a protest committee is never a party.

 

A course a boat would choose in order to sail the course as quickly as possible in the absence of the other boats referred to in the rule using the term. A boat has no proper course before her starting signal. 

Used in Rules: Mark-Room, 17, 18.1(b), 18.2(c)2, 18.4, 23.2