port and starboard

If this RS sailor is making a habit of unfair sailing and, it would seem, defrauding insurance companies, it is time to do something about it.

 

Learn the rules, go on any training courses that may be available, volunteer for protest committee work, make a habit of protesting when other boats infinge you, try and persuade an RYA judge to run rules evenings at the club. And every time your friend infringes a rule protest and go ahead with the protest, especially if he does not takes a penalty immediately.

If you can find a qualified judge who can spend the time get him out on the water for a day. If he whistles every time he sees an infringement and then explains what he saw and the rules involved this draws members attention to the rules. I'd do it myself, with pleasure, but there is the Irish Sea in the way.

 

Gordon

 

If you have his details (or can get them from the membership secretary) pass them on to your insurance company.

In this case because there was damage to your boat a protest should have been heard. The losing parties insurance company has to admit liability then as blame has been apportioned.

The thing is to shout protest then leave it at that and discuss it later.

If he expects you to pay just tell his insurance company you were racing, you were on starboard, he was on port, he took no avoiding action and cite the GP14 helm as a witness (if they are willing).

He really does not have a leg to stand on!

Paul

1. Never call on someone to do their turns - RRS 61.1 requires you to haoil "protest". It is up to the protested boat to decide if she should take a penalty.

2. You are not required to take avoiding action until it is clear that the other boat is not keeping clear (RRS 14.

3.A Two Turns Penalty is not sufficient if serious damage (or injury) has been caused (RRS44.1). The infringing boat should retire. Damage requiring professional repair work may be considered to be serious.

4. If the crew of the infringing boat continued to yell at you while sailing you into a corner then you would be entitled to protest them under rule 2 "Fair Sailing". a protest committee may even consider such behaviour to constitute serious misconduct an initiate a hearing under rule 69.

5.A two turns penalty should be taken "as soon after the incident as possible (RRS 44.2), not when the offending helmsman has calmed down, thought about the protest and decided he can't win it.

Conclusion

 If in doubt shout protest and get the protest form in  time. Even if the protested boat has done his turns there has to be a hearing (RRS 63.1) unlessyou request that the protest be withdrawn, and the protest committee grants you the right to withdraw (they are not obliged to do so RRS 63.1). At the hearing you can indicate why you claim that the penalty taken was inadequate.

If a protest committee refuses to hear a protest...appeal! They are required to hear all rotests. In this case it might be diplomatic to volunteer for future protest committee service! Don't complain unless you are willing to do the job yourself.

Originally posted by laser47 he eventually (when threatened with protest) did his turns my club have a habit of throwing out protests where the boat has done its turns because the protest comittee can't be bothered to hear it. also there was a bit of a lack of designated commitee members because two out of the three were witnesses

 

Just because he has done his turns may not exonerate him from more actions.  Did he admit liability for the accident - does the doing of turns do this.  It may do; but a protest is always useful.

Originally posted by gonzo protest him

You normally have to do so within a couple of hours of the finish. The time limit will be in SIs. You almost certainly won't be able to days later.