26. Facts found:  Bingo (windward) and the German boat, Schnauze (leeward) were beating on port tack in a 5-knot breeze. They were bow to bow and about one boat width apart as shown on the left. They were both on a collision course with Wonder Weenie who was approaching  on starboard. When WW was about 5-6 lengths away from Bingo...
	...the latter asked Schnauze for room to pass astern of Wonder Weenie but Schnauze called for room to tack instead. Bingo refused to tack and both boats ended up passing astern of Wonder Weenie. Schnauze lodged a valid protest.

.....
Decision: Here, the two port-tack boats are about to meet an obstruction, the right-of-way boat Wonder Weenie while sailing close-hauled. The leeward boat Schnauze is thus entitled to ask for room to tack under rule 20, a request that takes precedence over Bingo's request - under rule 19 - for room to pass astern of the obstruction Wonder Weenie. because rule  19.2(a) states. "A right-of-way boat may choose to pass an obstruction on either side." Since Schnauze was entitled to room to tack and made her hail in time for Bingo to respond, Bingo infringed rule 20.1 by refusing to give WW room to tack, and is DSQ.

.....
Case #27
return to Rules Quiz Index