Rules Question

[roblpm]

Regatta today. Last race. Wind dies completely. Tide going out at about 2 knots. We were drifting down and just managed to clear inside the finishing mark by about 15 feet. Boat behind us didn't and hit the mark, get stuck on it and then cross the line. No turns or anything after.

They got a finish time which luckily when adjusted was just after us. I normally wouldn't care but we were last in the first two races so keen to get a non last!

So in this case can the committee ever penalise a boat or does there have to be a protest from another boat? Or is it not a penalty to hit a finishing mark?

I am not really bothered. Just interested to know in case it happens in the future!

 

[Keen_Ed]

The RC can't penalize without a PC hearing (RRS 63.1).

A boat can be protested by another boat, the RC or the PC. RRS 60.

You can't hit a finish mark. RRS 31.

They should have gone back, done a one-turn penalty (*) and crossed the finish line again, and the RC should have recorded their finish time on the second time they crossed.

 

[roblpm]

The RC can't penalize without a PC hearing (RRS 63.1).

A boat can be protested by another boat, the RC or the PC. RRS 60.

You can't hit a finish mark. RRS 31.

They should have gone back, done a one-turn penalty (*) and crossed the finish line again, and the RC should have recorded their finish time on the second time they crossed.

Interesting. I actually think a penalty turn and recrossing the line was impossible under the circumstances. A 2 knot tide. 0 knots wind!

So I assume the RC didn't protest them as it wouldn't have made any difference to the results so not in anybodies interests.

Actually why would the RC bother if it just means they have to attend a protest hearing instead of going to the bar?!

 

[awol]

If the skipper of the errant boat had any honour (possibly an alien concept at PE?) he would have retired. Neither you nor the committee should have needed to protest. Why not name and shame?

 

[roblpm]

If the skipper of the errant boat had any honour (possibly an alien concept at PE?) he would have retired. Neither you nor the committee should have needed to protest. Why not name and shame?

I am talking about an imaginary regatta..... No idea what you are talking about! Anyway its all interesting stuff! I could obviously read the rule book but I tend to only retain stuff when it has happened in practice.

 

[Keen_Ed]

Actually why would the RC bother if it just means they have to attend a protest hearing instead of going to the bar?!

Pretty common for RCs not to protest as a matter of policy, other than where they're required to. It's supposed to be a self policing sport.

From the RYA race management manual.

RACE COMMITTEE PROTESTS
Since the primary responsibility for protesting breaches of the rules rests with competitors, the race committee will not normally protest a competitor. However, the race committee is obliged to protest a boat when it receives a report from an event measurer for an infringement concerning measurement. Outside of this, it is considered best practice to only protest a boat for a blatant breach of the rules that affects the fairness of a race such as failing to take a penalty after knowingly touching a mark or failing to sail the course. The race committee would also normally protest a competitor for a breach of good sportsmanship.

 

[roblpm]

"Outside of this, it is considered best practice to only protest a boat for a blatant breach of the rules that affects the fairness of a race such as failing to take a penalty after knowingly touching a mark"

This is exactly what happened..... Maybe it didn't affect the fairness of the race but what points do you get if you retire?

 

[Keen_Ed]

Starters plus one.

A4.2
A boat that did not start, did not finish, retired or was disqualified shall be scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of boats entered in the series. A boat that is penalized under rule 30.2 or that takes a penalty under rule 44.3(a) shall be scored points as provided in rule 44.3(c).

 

[roblpm]

Thanks for the answers. Maybe i need to read the rules.......!

 

[scottie]

For a series that is held over a period of time longer than a regatta, a boat that came to the starting area but did not start, did not finish, retired or was disqualified shall be scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of boats that came to the starting area. A boat that did not come to the starting area shall be scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of boats entered in the series.

 

[awol]

I am surprised at Brian, I would have expected much better of him. Not an excuse, but it would not have changed the overall result.
Protests are best avoided - raise the flag and shout but if they don't respond with turns just forget it, unless you really care about the result. From my experience the offender will probably lie his teeth off anyway. Karma will get them eventually.