CASE 29

Rule 18.2(c), Rounding and Passing Marks and Obstructions: Not Overlapped at the Zone
Rule 18.5, Rounding and Passing Marks and Obstructions: Passing a Continuing Obstruction
Definitions, Obstruction

When a leeward boat is a continuing obstruction to an overlapped windward boat and a third boat clear astern, the boat clear astern may sail between the two overlapped boats if there is room, as defined, to do so.

Summary of the Facts
When running towards the finishing line, W established an overlap on L almost two hull lengths to windward of her. Subsequently, M established an overlap between them. All three boats finished with no narrowing of space between L and W and no contact. W protested M for taking room to which she was not entitled, citing rule 18.2(c). The protest was dismissed on the grounds that L and W had left sufficient room for M to intervene safely. W appealed.

Decision
Appeal dismissed. W’s argument is based on the provision, in rule 18.2(c), that a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead, and, if the boat clear astern becomes overlapped between the other boat and an obstruction (considering L to be the obstruction) within the two-length zone, then the boat that had been clear astern is not entitled to room. Once W overtook L, the two boats sailed overlapped at least six hull lengths towards the finishing line. That was easily long enough to qualify L as a continuing obstruction. For that reason, at positions 2 and 3 while M and W were passing L rule 18.5 applied and rule 18.2(c) did not. At the moment that M’s overlap on W began, there clearly was room for M to pass between W and the continuing obstruction, L. Therefore, M was entitled to room from W, and W gave her room. No rule was broken.

USSA 1974/163