![](Case09.jpg)
|
9. Facts found: Spirit of Spam was reaching
along the start line on starboard
tack
at about hull speed (5 knots) in 10 knots of breeze. If he had held his
course, he would have crossed behind Meat Cleaver who was starting on
port. At the start signal, the boats were one length apart as shown in
the diagram. Spirit of Spam
headed up to close-hauled and collided with Meat Cleaver. The latter's rub
rail was damaged. Both boats protested in accordance with rule 61.
|
.....
Decision:
Spirit
of Spam
was the right-of-way boat and therefore bound by rule 16.1 to change course in such a way
as to "give the other boat room to keep clear". When Spirit
of Spam
altered course, she was moving at 5 knots and only one boatlength (16')
from Meat
Cleaver.
This allowed Meat
Cleaver
no room to keep clear or to avoid
the
collision. Meat
Cleaver
is therefore absolved of responsibility for the incident and, as
provided in rule 64.1(b), she
shall not be
penalized under rule 10
(port/starboard) or
under rule 14 (avoiding contact).
Spirit
of Spam
infringed rules 14 and 16
and is DSQ.
.....
case #10
return to Quiz Index
|