28. Facts found:  As indicated in the diagram on the left, Able Mabel (windward) and Lucky Luke (leeward) were about to round a windward mark to be left to port. The inside overlapped boat, Abel Mabel asked for room to pass the mark but Lucky Luke did not give the requested room. Abel Mabel finally forced room, colliding with both Lucky Luke and the mark. The winds were at 4 knots and there was no damage. Luke and Mabel both protested.

.....
Decision: Since the two boats were within three boatlengths of the mark, i.e  in the zone, rule 18 applied between them. Lucky Luke was mistaken in his impression that rule 18 does not apply at a windward mark: Rule 18.1a states only that the need to give mark-room does not apply between boats "on opposite tacks".

Since Able Mabel and Lucky Luke  were not on opposite tacks, Rule 18 did apply in this situation and Lucky Luke was required by rule 18.2(a), to give Able Mabel mark-room . Since he did not do so, Lucky Luke has infringed rule 18 and is DSQ.
.....
Both boats infringed rule 14 (avoiding contact) but are not penalized for this since the contact caused no damage (rule 14b).
.....
Able Mabel broke rule 31 by touching the mark, but is exonerated under rule 21 since she was wrongfully compelled to do so by Lucky Luke.

.....
Case #29
return to Quiz Index