Outer Distance Mark

Learning the Rules - Resources

Racing Rules of Sailing current until 2013

http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/RRS20092012with2010changes-[8222].pdf

The [ISAF] Case Book

http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/CaseBook20092012updatedNov2011-[11669].pdf

ISAF Q&As

http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/QABookletAugust92012-[13200].pdf

RYA Appeals Book

http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Racing/RacingInformation/RacingRules/Case%20Book%20with%20indexes%20including%202012-2.pdf

These electronic versions are particularly useful because they enable you to electronically search for relevant words or phrases.  You might find it useful to download them so you don’t have to go on-line to see them.

The RRS and the ISAF Casebook are binding.

The RYA Appeals, although they will nearly always be followed in the UK, are, strictly speaking, not binding.

The Q&A are advisory only, but can be very helpful.

The RRS contains an index, which is often a good place to start, until you become more familiar with the rules.

As JimC might have already told you, the Definitions in the RRS are critically important:  you need to read and understand them, and, if you have a memory like mine, constantly refer to them as you apply the rules.

The Casebook Section 1 contains Abstracts of Cases by Rule Number.

The RYA Appeals Book Section 2 is similar but it contains both RYA Appeals AND ISAF Cases.

The RYA Appeals Book, at pages 3 to 6 contains a very useful table, listing all the rules, showing alongside them the relevant ISAF Cases and RYA Appeals.

The RYA Appeals Book is, therefore the easiest one to work from initially, but, as any law student will tell you, don’t rely on the head-notes, and once you have located a relevant Appeal or Case, look at the full version in the Appeal book or the Casebook, and, if in doubt, look critically at other relevant appeals and cases.

Particular Problem – Distance or Limit Marks and Starting Marks

The apparent question is whether the distance mark was a ‘mark'?

And perhaps a further question, if it was a mark did you or your competitor have an obligation to pass it on a ‘required side’ at the time of the incident?

Here’s how you can answer that question

Read the Definition of mark.

Read the Definition of start.

Read Rules 28 and 31, and the preamble to Section C

Read RYA Appeal 2006/ and Q&A 2010-33.

OK, let’s assume it was a mark and a starting mark.

As you have seen, if it was a starting mark, you have no entitlement to mark-room.

But what does apply is rule 16.1 (read that one).  The leeward boat, changing course shall give you room that is (read Definition:  room) the space you need in the existing conditions manoeuvring promptly in a seamanlike way to keep clear of her.

If, by changing course, the leeward boat does not leave enough space for you to fit between her and the mark, she will break rule 16.1.

So, you can now comprehensively answer your own and any future rules questions.

Can’t you <g>.