YACHT RACING RULES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19927, 21 April 1928, Page 14

YACHT RACING RULES.

AUCKLAND CASE DECIDED. MOANA-VICTORY PROTEST. ENGLISH AUTHORITY'S RULING. A decision of first-rate importance and interest to racing yachtsmen throughout the Empire has been given by the council of the Yacht. Racing Association upon a protest case stated by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron concerning a situation in which the yachts Prize, Victory and Moana found themselves during tlie* first-class race at least year's anniversary regatta. It. has been eagerly awaited by the Auckland yachting trator nity. The decision, which reverses that of the sailing committee, has led to a lively discussion in English yachting journals, and promises to become a classic. The following is the text of the two rules concerned : Rule 31.—Giving room at marks or obstructions to sea room: If an overlap exists between two yachts when both ol them, without tacking, ure about to pass an obstruction to sea room or a mark on the starboard side, the outside yacht must give room to the yacht in danger of fouling such mark or obstruction, whether she be the weather or the leeward yacht, provided the yachts are not clear of each other on actually reaching such mark or obstruction. An overtaking yacht shall not be justified in attempt ing to establish an overlap, and thus force a passage between the leading yacht and the "mark Sr obstruction, after "the latter has reached it or altered her course for the purpose, and in the act of rounding it. A craft under way (including another yacht racing), of which the yacht concerned has to keep out of the way, ranks as an obstruction for the purpose of this or the following rule. Rule 32.—Close-hauled, approaching an obstruction to set room or a mark: If two yachts are stnnding close-hauled on the same tack toward the shore or an obstruction to sea room which the lee ward yacht cannot clear without tacking, and if she is not able to tack without coming into collision with the yacht to windward; the latter shall, on being hailed by the person in charge of the leeward yacht, at once allow her room to tack. A. yacht so claiming room shall be bound to tack immediately her hail is responded to. But if the obstruction is a mark of the course the leeward yacht has no right to so hail the other about if that other can herself pass (lie mark without- tacking. The Facts Stated. The facts upon which the decision was based were as follows: ( The keel yachts Prize, Victory and Moana, when competing on January 29, 1927, at Auckland, New Zealand, were beating to the mark. The Prize approximately 42ft. over all and 32ft. water-line. The Moana slightly larger and the Victory a little smaller. Each vessel carries a bowsprit about 10ft. outboard. The Prize was laying the mark on the starboard tack about 150 ft. awav. The Moana was on the port tack in the position indicated in the diagram, in such

( a position that had she remained on her course she would have cleared the Prize. The Victory way to windward of the Moana. Her bowsprit would be in a line with the aft part of the Moana's cockpit, as shown in the diagram. Had the V ictory held on her course she would have collided with the Prize. In order to avoid the Prize she bore down on to the Moana, whose sailing master was compelled to alter course and bear away about two to three points. The vessels were in such a position with regard to the mark that any rule applying to rounding a mark did not" apply. The Victory «:oulri have luffed up and avoided Prize and then come back on her course on the port tack. The Moana protested and contended : The Victory had sea room by staying round without interfering with Moana and causing her to be placed under a disadvantage as regards the Prize. The Moana, had she held on her course, would have just cleared the stern of the Prize without altering her course. The Victory contended: —That under rule 31 the Prize ranked as an obstruction and that Victory was entitled to call upon Moana for room to pass Prize as an overlap existed between Moana and Victory. , . The Sailing Committee held that the question of rounding the mark had nothing to do with the decision of the case; that the Victory, being the windward boat, had to keep clear of Moana. she also had ample room in which to manoeuvre between herself and the mark without interfering with the other vessels; and that the Prize, a moving yacht in the race, did not rank as an obstruction to sea room. Therefore rule 31 does not apply. The Victory, in the circumstances, had no right to bear down on the Moana -ntid cause her to alter her course (rule 30). It was also held that had the Moana stood on her course she would have cleared the Prize without altering her course. Victory was disqualified. The Finding. The decision of the Y.R.A. was as follows : Rules 31 and 32 only operate when the precise conditions specified therein are fully established. In regard to rule 31 the essential conditions "are: — (1) Without tacking; (2) overlap (made in proper time); (3) danger of fouling the obstruction. (1) Without Tacking.—May be accepted as meaning that the yacht nearest to the obstruction would not have to resort to tacking if sho could ignore the outside yacht. (2) Overlap.—For the purpose of this rule must mean that the inside yacht is so placed that she cannot transfer herself from'the inside berth to the outside berth without fouling. (3) Danger of Fouling.—Slioucl be held to be present when a yacht is closely approaching a position in which an immediate alteration of course will be necessary if a foul is to be avoided. In regard to rule 32 the essential conditions are:—(l) Close hauled on the same tack; (2) cannot clear without tacking; (3) cannot tack for want ot room, (4) special reservation in regard to mark in the course. Numbers (1), (3) and (4) seem to require no special explanation; (2) cannot clear without tacking should be interpreted as meaning: "Has no other reason able means of clearing the obstruction except to tack." The •incidence ot the two rules differs in the following respects: —Rule 31 can be invoked to claim room whether or not there are alternatives, provided the danger of fouling—as defined —exists. Rule 32 can only be invoked provided no reasonable alternative is available. The council thus finds Lhat the Prize did rank as an obstruction under rule 31 and that by that rule the Moana was obliged to give room to the Victory to pass under the stern of the Prize. The council therefore reverses the decision of the committee and dismisses the Moana'. o protest and finds the Victory should not bo disqualified.