port /starboard obstruction

Originally posted by gbrspratt doesn't anything become an obstruction if your stupid enough to get close to it?

No: because its a definition in the rules: see what I posted on the first page. In many ways the definitions are the most important part of the rules, because most of the rules can't be understood without understanding the definitions they use.

Originally posted by G.R.F. I have to say I've never heard a lobster pot called as an obstruction, it would make interesting racing down at Bognor & Felpham, they are everywhere down there and anyway how many boat lengths is required, it's hardly a riverbank or something never ending that could likely occasion damage...

I don't think there is a requirement for an obstruction to be capable of causing damage. A length of rope that can ensnare your rudder is an obstruction if it's long enough, as is a big patch of floating weed.

Any mark or buoy can be an obstruction if it meets the definition.

Unlike rule 18, rules 19 and 20 are safety rules designed to protect boats. It is irrelevant what the obstruction is except that rule 19 does not apply at a mark unlessthe mark is a continuing obstruction.

Please describe lobster pot  -  i presume we are talking about the buoy. Was it a heavy dan buoy or a milk bottle? Was there a pick up line trailing downwind? Was there a pot line near the surface?

A protest committee would have to decide if, when a boat was one boat length from, and sailing directlt towards, the object the seamanlike action would be to make a substantial course change. If so the pot was an obstruction.

1. Boat 1 (the one who claims they had to tack for an obstruction) was required to give the hailed boats time to respond. This includes any time required for boat to windward to hail another boat. If she hailed and tacked almost immediately she broke rule 20.1a.


Once boats were on port the starboard boat was an obstruction for all boats on port. Furthest boat, the one required to act first to keep clear of Starboard can hail for room to tack back on to starboard. AsSargesail says thisis now a straight rule 10 incident.