Racing Rules vs IRPCS

[AndrewB]

Re: What\'s the difference?

Thanks for that, Peter. Yes, I can see that racing rules do not oblige yachts to the equivalent of IRPCS rule 9(a). "A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable". The racing rules dealing with obstructions could clearly lead to quite different actions.

Rule 9(b) which you cite seems a matter of simple common sense, and I agree with DeeGee that it would be eminently sensible for the standard racing rules to codify this. Maybe the problem is that it would be impossible for race committees to judge when this rule had been broken without a positive complaint from vessel that was impeded, so the normal protest system would break down.

But I'm not convinced that 'almost all' the complaints we hear from cruising and motor yachts relate just to narrow channels. A frequent issue is a difference of understanding between racing and cruising/motor yachts as to what constitutes action "made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship" to avoid colllision (IRCPS rule 8a). Racing yachts typically sail closer to one another, and take essential action later, than cruising yachts. My view is that the education here needs to be as much on the part of cruisers as of racers.

 

[TheBoatman]

Re: What\'s the difference?

Peterb
You're perfectly correct and I would add the following.
Most people (racers) are not necessarily aware that these "narrow channels" are controlled normally by a ports authority and as such have the powers of prosicution if they believe an infringement has taken place.

Just recently 4 racing yachts "attacked" a large vessel in the Thames Channel and were duly reported by the pilot and captain of the vessel. We all thought that Rule 9(b) would apply, which we were told by the ports authority carried a penalty of (Max) £5000 fine and/or 2 years imprisonment and/or confiscation of the vessel. However because the Thames Channel is marked down its centre by Sea Reach buoys we were also told that Rule 10 (j) may apply(TSS) with a penalty of (Max) £50,000 and/or 2 years imprisonment and/or confiscation of the vessel.

So I would say racers beware because the ports authorities do not accept "sorry I didn't know that" or ignorance of the ColRegs as a defence.

regards
Peter

PS
With lots of bowing and scrapping the ports authority let them off with a severe b***kin' and a promise that if they did it again the only racing they would be doing is from their cell to the mess hall and they needn't worry about mooring dues because the boat would no longer be theirs<s>

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[TheBoatman]

Re: What\'s the difference?

This is an interesting debate. I have had some input into larger regattas as well as normal club racing and I would say that it would be impossible to list all of the relevant ColRegs, so it should only be necessary to point the racer towards the whole lot, i.e. IRPCS apply at all times, what can be more clear than that, if the skipper choses to ignore that advice "on his head be it"
After all if they are only day racing then they need only know those regs that would apply, however if they are racing at night and possibly offshore then they would need to know more.
Surely the sensible (safe) method of attack is to know the ColRegs first and then back it up with the RRS.

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[NigeCh]

But the problem is ....

that most boaters don't know ColRegs.

I do a fair bit of ocean racing and ColRegs has to known by all of the crew. It's a pity that day racers don't know them to the same degree that ocean racers have to know them.

Perhaps this is a case which the RYA might want to investigate and take a lead - Afterall, they claim to be the 'official' progenators of all that is good for all those who take to the waters for leisure.

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[bedouin]

Re: What\'s the difference?

But that's no different to the Racing Rules.

The SIs do not include RRS, but rather list any amendments.

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[qsiv]

Re: What\'s the difference?

I would also argue that many racing dinghies are just as much (and in some cases more so) constrained by a channel. Even older boats like Wayfarers draw more (about 4') than plenty of smaller cruisers, and high performance boats can easily get closer to 6'.

The difference is that the cruiser assumes that the dinghy draws less.

I also think there are two strands running here - one is 'dinghies in harbour channels', the other is more generic and is 'race boats versus cruisers', implicitly in more open spaces such as the Solent or Plymouth Sound. Offshore I have never, ever come across a crusier v racer incident, and in general when racing I wouldnt want to be within 100 yards of a crusing boat - unless I was well ahead, as the opportunity for disturbed air, or a dinghy being towed astern is just too big a risk.

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[qsiv]

Re: What\'s the difference?

I was just getting the paperwork ready for Key West (next year), and noticed that the SI said

"5. . All boats shall stay outside the Main Ship Channel unless absolutely necessary when transiting to and from the race course. The channel is narrow making safety an issue for Navy Vessels, Cruise Ships and other vessels restricted due to draft. Boats shall not cross just ahead of ships in the channel and are asked to operate prudently while transiting in the vicinity of the channel. Boats that do not abide by this instruction will be subject to disqualification from the regatta."

Nice and clear, and quite unequivocal.

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[TheBoatman]

Re: What\'s the difference?

qsiv
Our 4 boats were also disqualified from the regatta.

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[davidhand]

Dee Gee is right, RRS refers to the port starboard situation, the windward leeward situation and to a boat clear astern.
"When two boats are on the same tack and not overlapped, a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead. Basically what this means is that you can't ram the guy in the transom, but the moment your bow cuts a line from his transom perpendicular to the centreline of his boat it becomes a windward/leeward situation. This means if you try and pass to leeward (a difficult thing to do) you gain right of way as soon as an overlap occurs. This is slightly modified by another rule which says "When a boat acquires right of way, she shall initially give the other boat room to keep clear,....." this has been interpreted by protest and appeals committees as avery brief period of time however. These are still in the 2001-2004 rules.

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