When does Starboard tack give way to Port tack?

Athene V30

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Went out for a sail to check out the new stack pack and lazy jacks were OK and on way back up river (I was reaching on starboard tack) were several boats of varying sizes beating on Port tack.

I stand on, watching approaching boats. Next thing I see in the bows of the closest boat (and biggest by far) is a chap waving madly. By this stage I have decided that as a risk of collision exists - at mast level if not hull level as he is healing quite a lot - I ease off to port so have not crossed his bows. As we approach within a boats length I ask (without being aggressive or swearing) if they know the difference between Port and Starboard tacks to which I receive the reply from the helmswoman - 'we're racing'.

OK - If a recognisable fleet of boats (ie similar type / size etc) was coming towards me I would probably turn early and avoid any risk of mixing it, just to be civil, unless navigational hazards suggested otherwise. BUT how on earth am I supposed to know that a boats is racing when seen from ahead? Can't see a class flag flying (there wasn't one anyway), can't see if ensign up (doesn't mean much either as several boats seem to go round without an ensign anyway).

Should I just let it pass and put it down to the ignorance of racing sailors or should I speak to the Yacht Club organising the racing?

What would you do?
 
G

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To answer the question in your header: the starboard tack boat gves way if the starboard tack boat is overtaking the port tack boat. Or if the port tack boat is restricted in her ability to manoeuvre. Of if the port tack boat is not under command for any reason.

Any others?
 

Athene V30

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[ QUOTE ]
Or if the port tack boat is restricted in her ability to manoeuvre. Of if the port tack boat is not under command for any reason.


[/ QUOTE ]

Is a racing boat restricted in her ability to manoeuvre because she is racing? I had 5m of water under the keel and the river does not shelve that steeply so I can see no justification for for RAM! Didnt seem to be NUC either. As explained in the text we were meeting head on so I wasn't overtaking either.
 
G

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[ QUOTE ]
Is a racing boat restricted in her ability to manoeuvre because she is racing?

[/ QUOTE ]
No!
 

raquet

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[ QUOTE ]
Racing be buggered. They were using bullying tactics without any justification.
Complain loudly to the club.

[/ QUOTE ]I couldn't agree more. Giving way to racing boats is a courtesy I will extend when I see some indication that the crews of such boats will extend courtesy to me. When I used to sail the Solent it was tough enough plotting like a chess grand master for the next dozen moves without worrying about whether some lurid tart’s boudoir of a boat was racing. The rules are the same for all of us.
 

Shanty

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I think I'm right in saying that anyone may enter a protest against a yacht racing. Next time, contact the club concerned & lodge a formal protest. If the club has any regard for their reputation, they will take it from there.
 

Poignard

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OK consider this. Being a courteous sort of bloke you decide to give way to another vessel because it is racing even though you are the "stand-on-vessel" according to the Colregs. What if the the skipper of the racing boat is a sensible man who always obeys the Colregs and he alters course to avoid you. Confusion results and there is a collision. Who is in the wrong?
 

l'escargot

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[ QUOTE ]
....I receive the reply from the helmswoman - 'we're racing'....

[/ QUOTE ]
Reply is "What the F*** has that got to do with it?". Colregs overide racing rules.

I would lodge a protest with the club organising the race.
 

FullCircle

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In fact you have given advantage to that boat in the race, as he/she had sailed into a give way situation which meant they *should* have tacked away, and thus probably disadvantaged themselves in the race.
I have radio'ed in to the Race office and asked them to retire boats for that sort of conduct, and the next move would always be to follow up with a protest if that boat did not retire immediately.
They have not abided by the rules of racing or the collision regs, and so at the very least have brought themselves and their club into disrepute.

My twopenny worth.
 

BlueSkyNick

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[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
....I receive the reply from the helmswoman - 'we're racing'....

[/ QUOTE ]
Reply is "What the F*** has that got to do with it?". Colregs overide racing rules.

I would lodge a protest with the club organising the race.

[/ QUOTE ]
My sentiments exactly, but you beat me to it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 

l'escargot

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[ QUOTE ]
Love it...Love it!! Raggie vs. Raggie.

With love,
A Stinkpot /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
But a Raggie who doesn't know Colregs qualifies as an honorary Stinkpot!
 

Lakesailor

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I spoke of the real effects rather than the rules verbatim, which you of course knew.
I assumed a level of knowledge amongst the forumites which would mean they didn't need it spelling out. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 

l'escargot

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[ QUOTE ]
....I assumed a level of knowledge amongst the forumites which would mean they didn't need it spelling out. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Dangerous territory...... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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