protest!!!

so the port tack boat has to prove themself innocent if the starboard boat makes any change from course. ok, say you were the port tack boat and thought you could clear, how would you go about defending yourself (so this ever happens i know what route i should go down).

Originally posted by tmoore so the port tack boat has to prove themself innocent if the starboard boat makes any change from course. ok, say you were the port tack boat and thought you could clear, how would you go about defending yourself (so this ever happens i know what route i should go down).

You can ask questions in the hearing:
"Had you crossed before?" and if so "how was the distance in that crossing?"
if not, perhaps an earlier distance in mark rounding can give you an argument.
Or "Where would starboard have hit you if she had not changed course" The more to the stern, the more likely you had a change...
Even a next crossing can give you an argument if the distance there was more then a boat length.
"When did they hail?"
"Did SB need to release any sheets?"
"How fast were the boats going"
"When did SB become aware that you - in his mind- could not cross?"

I also agree with Jim C. As Keep Clear boat you take a risk: If a crossing is doubtful and SB hails protest, maybe a two rounds penalty is the better alternative?