Rule 16.1 Changing Course
Definitions Room
Question 1
In the definition of Room, how should the umpires apply the phrase ‘in
a seamanlike way’?
Answer 1
The question is addressed in ISAF Case 21, which refers to ‘extraordinary’
and ‘abnormal’ manoeuvres as being ‘unseamanlike’.
However, actions that are not seamanlike in a fleet of many boats may be considered
seamanlike in a situation with only two boats. Thus, in match racing some manoeuvres
might be considered normal that would be considered abnormal in other racing,
and therefore ‘seamanlike way’ should be interpreted somewhat more
broadly in match racing.
Any manoeuvre, however, that puts a boat or her crew at unreasonable risk of
damage is unseamanlike. The umpires will have to judge each incident on the
basis of the boat's actions in relation to the conditions of wind and water
that she is experiencing.
Question 2
Blue on port tack and Yellow on starboard tack are on a leg to the windward
mark. Yellow bears away to a downwind course and as a result Blue has to change
course to keep clear. There is a Y flag. What should the call be?
Answer 2
Yellow breaks rule 16.1 by not giving Blue room, namely the space to manoeuvre
in a seamanlike way. Penalize Yellow.