When is a start mark not a start mark?

A question for the rules experts out there.

At a recent club race we had an onshore wind so it was not possible to set a true start. Therefore we started on a close reach and headed off for the first mark where we hardened up onto a beat.

At the start I was on a direct line for the first mark from the start mark travelling at speed in my Contender (admittedly a couple of seconds late), when a laser and a 4.7 reached in and hardened up inside of me. I informed them they had no rights to water as it was the start mark.

After the race I challenged them about this. I was told that you are entitled to water at the start mark immediately after the start gun has gone because the start mark becomes a normal mark of the course after the start. Is this correct? If so then it is a charter to barge at start marks.

I thought it remains a start mark until you as a competitor have started and you have not started until you cross the line. Is this also correct?

By the way I forgot to shout protest so I could not protest after the race.

Originally posted by Stefan Lloyd Originally posted by Contender443 I was told that you are entitled to water at the start mark immediately after the start gun has gone because the start mark becomes a normal mark of the course after the start. Is this correct? No, it is not correct. Rule 18 does not apply until the start mark has been passed. The timing vis-a-vis the start gun is irrelevant. Bargers don't get water until the start mark has been passed (after which, they wouldn't need it anyway). See RRS 18.1 a.

Yep, I agree.  You should not have let him in.

Contender443

FYI

Rule 61.1 (a) (1)

if the other boat is beyond hailing distance, the protesting boat need not hail but she shall inform the other boat at the first reasonable opportunity;

Originally posted by Contender443 I asked them to do turns but I did not use the magic word protest

Red flag is also a requirement, although some SIs waive both requirements if the incident was "obvious". RRS 61.1.

Several points. Although you don't have to give room at a starting mark you may have to observe a 'proper course' depending on how any overlap was established (and remember the anchor chain on the committee boat is still an obstruction). The've got rid of the red flag requirement 'which is good' because I could never find it in the bottom of the boat and I'm going to start just calling protest rather than ask for turns or try and explain the rules - that then leaves me with the option of protesting once I'm ashore. Finally its not always worth protesting or insisting on your rights but deliberate bargers should always be protested otherwise the sport will just go downhill with everyone breaking the rules more and more blatently.