IRPCS v. RRS

[FWB]

I don't see why, I understand both laws. Obviously if you're planning to ram me while racing then ill try to avoid your boat.

I don't race. I keep out of the way

 

[lustyd]

I don't race. I keep out of the way

Thank goodness for that!

 

[FWB]

Thank goodness for that!

You can say that again, my bowsprit extends 13ft from the stem

 

[lustyd]

You can say that again, my bowsprit extends 13ft from the stem

Just remember its not a bumper

 

[FWB]

The boat is 9 tons and the surface area of the sprit is 20sq ins. So I think that's nearly half a ton per square inch

 

[wotayottie]

Which is what I've said all along. If you collide with a racing craft you are guilty of breaking the bylaw.
Depending on the nature of the collision either you or the racing yacht or both is guilty of breaking the IRPCS. These are separate issues and one has no bearing on the other. After the collision, you will be prosecuted for the local breach but the collision investigation will proceed as if you were in open water and there was no race.

What you are saying is that if you are the stand on boat under colregs but are not racing and you meet a racing boat which expects you not to impede under the bye law, so neither of you give way and there is a crash, then both of you are guilty under different laws. That's a nonsense that even the British courts would not apply. The harbour bye law changes the normal COLREG rules to make it clear that "

13. The master of a small vessel on the occasion of any boat race, regatta,
championship race, public procession or any other occasion when a number of small vessels are assembled therein shall not permit his small vessel to pass therein so as to obstruct, impede or interfere with the boat race, regatta, championship race or procession, or endanger the safety of persons assembling in the harbour, or prevent the maintenance of order therein, and the master of a small vessel shall observe the
directions of the Harbour Master or other persons authorised by the Commissioners to superintend the execution of this bye-law

 

[lustyd]

What you are saying is that if you are the stand on boat under colregs but are not racing and you meet a racing boat which expects you not to impede under the bye law, so neither of you give way and there is a crash, then both of you are guilty under different laws. That's a nonsense that even the British courts would not apply. The harbour bye law changes the normal COLREG rules to make it clear that "

If the bylaw had anything whatsoever to do with collisions then you'd be right. It doesn't, however, so you are not. All the bylaw achieves is that the Harbour Master has the ability to tell you off for going into a race area, in rare circumstances you may even be prosecuted for it but unlikely. The result is that racers can expect a clear area to race in, but if they should meet a vessel in that area, normal rules apply because there is no expectation of right of way in the bylaw.
This is just like the "keep off the grass" sign in a park. You would expect the grass to be clear of people, but it doesn't then follow that you have any more or less rights when interacting with someone who has wandered onto the grass. Unfortunately both yourself and Dylan have read more into the bylaw than there is and made an assumption that not being allowed in somehow changes collision rules. If you read more carefully, or call the HM you'll find the law gives no mention of collisions at all or indeed rights of way.