Race Boat Obstruction: Navigating The Legal Waters

Whether or not a race boat is considered an obstruction depends on the situation. According to the Racing Rules of Sailing, an obstruction is defined as an object that a boat could not pass without changing course substantially, if it were sailing directly towards it and one of its hull lengths from it. An object that can be safely passed on only one side and an area so designated by the sailing instructions are also obstructions. However, a boat racing is not an obstruction to other boats unless they are required to keep clear of it or, if Rule 23 applies, avoid it. A vessel under way, including a boat racing, is never a continuing obstruction.

In a discussion on a sailing forum, a user asked if the committee boat is a valid obstruction. Some responses stated that the committee boat is not an obstruction, while others argued that it is. One response clarified that while the committee boat is an obstruction, the rules regarding obstructions do not apply at a starting mark surrounded by navigable water.

In another forum post, a user described a scenario where several boats were sailing towards a turning mark, with two of the boats overlapped on port tack and a third boat on starboard tack. The user asked if the starboard boat was an obstruction to the other two boats. According to the Racing Rules of Sailing, the starboard boat would indeed be considered an obstruction in this scenario.

What constitutes an obstruction?

The definition of an obstruction is outlined in the Racing Rules of Sailing. An obstruction is defined as:

• An object that a boat could not pass without changing course substantially, if it were sailing directly towards it and one of its hull lengths from it.
• An object that can be safely passed on only one side.
• An object, area, or line designated as an obstruction by the sailing instructions.
• A boat racing is not an obstruction to other boats unless they are required to keep clear of it, or if Rule 22 applies, avoid it.
• A vessel under way, including a boat racing, is never a continuing obstruction.

A continuing obstruction is not defined but includes any sort of obstruction that a boat is overlapped on for a length of time and/or distance – such as a river bank or a long jetty. There are some different rules that apply at a continuing obstruction.

An obstruction does not have to be visible; a shallow area is an obstruction to any boat that would run aground if it sailed onto it. In this case, it is the perception of the ‘endangered’ boat that decides whether it is an obstruction.

In the context of race boats, a race boat can be considered an obstruction if it meets any of the above definitions of an obstruction. For example, if a race boat is anchored or if it is required to keep clear of another boat, it would be considered an obstruction.

Can a race boat be an obstruction?

The definition of an obstruction, according to the Racing Rules of Sailing, is an object that a boat could not pass without changing course substantially, if it were sailing directly towards it and one of its hull lengths from it. An object that can be safely passed on only one side and an area so designated by the sailing instructions are also obstructions. However, a boat racing is not an obstruction to other boats unless they are required to keep clear of it or, if Rule 23 applies, avoid it. A vessel under way, including a boat racing, is never a continuing obstruction.

A race boat can be an obstruction, depending on the situation. For example, if a race boat is capsized, anchored, or aground, it is considered an obstruction. Additionally, if a race boat is providing assistance to a person or vessel in danger, it is also considered an obstruction. In such cases, other boats would be required to keep clear of the race boat or avoid it if Rule 23 applies.

Furthermore, the size and angle of approach of the boats can also determine if a race boat is an obstruction. For instance, if two boats are overlapped and the outside boat needs to give the inside boat room to pass an obstruction, the race boat could be an obstruction if it is preventing the inside boat from passing.

It is important to note that the determination of whether a race boat is an obstruction depends on the specific circumstances and the application of relevant racing rules. The racing rules also specify that there are no situations in which a row of boats sailing close to one another is considered a continuing obstruction.

What are the rules for passing an obstruction?

The rules for passing an obstruction are outlined in Rules 19 and 20 of the Racing Rules of Sailing. These rules are specifically concerned with "room at obstructions".

Rule 19: Room to Pass an Obstruction

This rule applies between two boats at an obstruction, except when the obstruction is a mark that the boats are required to leave on the same side. In this case, Rule 18 applies. However, at a continuing obstruction, Rule 19 always applies and Rule 18 does not.

The right-of-way boat may choose to pass an obstruction on either side. When boats are overlapped, the outside boat must give the inside boat room to pass between her and the obstruction. This does not apply if the inside boat becomes overlapped from clear astern with no room to pass.

Rule 20: Room to Tack at an Obstruction

A boat may request room to tack and avoid a boat on the same tack. However, they should not hail if:

• They can avoid the obstruction without making a substantial course change
• They are sailing below close-hauled
• The obstruction is a mark that a boat fetching it would be required to respond to and change course

If a boat hails, the hailed boat must respond, even if the hail breaks Rule 20.1. They can respond by tacking as soon as possible, or by replying "You tack" and giving the hailing boat room to tack and avoid them.

Obstruction Definition

An obstruction is defined as an object that a boat could not pass without changing course substantially if it were sailing directly towards it and one of its hull lengths from it. It can also refer to an object that can be safely passed on only one side or an area designated as such by sailing instructions.

A boat racing is not considered an obstruction to other boats unless they are required to keep clear of it, or if it is capsized, anchored, or aground. A vessel under way, including a boat racing, is never a continuing obstruction.

Examples of Obstructions

• A committee boat
• A river bank
• A long jetty
• A moored boat
• A pier

What are the rules for tacking at an obstruction?

When approaching an obstruction, a boat may ask for room to tack and avoid a boat on the same tack. However, they should not hail if:

• They can avoid the obstruction safely without making a substantial course change
• They are sailing below close-hauled
• The obstruction is a mark and a boat that is fetching it would be required to respond and change course

After a boat hails, they must give the hailed boat time to respond. The hailed boat must respond even if the hail breaks Rule 20.1. The hailed boat should respond by either tacking as soon as possible, or by immediately replying "You tack" and then giving the hailing boat room to tack and avoid them. When the hailed boat responds, the hailing boat must tack as soon as possible.

If a boat has been hailed for room to tack and intends to respond by tacking, they may hail another boat on the same tack for room to tack and avoid them. They may hail even if their hail does not meet the conditions of Rule 20.1. Rule 20.2 applies between them and the boat they hail.

If conditions are such that a hail may not be heard, the boat should also make a signal that clearly indicates their need for room to tack or their response. The notice of the race may specify an alternative communication for a boat to indicate their need for room to tack or their response, and boats may be required to use it.

How do obstructions affect right-of-way?

When it comes to the right-of-way, obstructions play a crucial role in determining which boat has the right of passage. This is especially important during races, where every second counts and proper navigation around obstructions can make or break a competitor's performance.

Firstly, it's important to understand what constitutes an obstruction. According to the Racing Rules of Sailing, an obstruction is defined as an object that a boat could not pass without significantly altering its course if it were sailing directly towards the object and was within one of its hull lengths. Additionally, an object that can only be safely passed on one side and an area designated as an obstruction by the sailing instructions are also considered obstructions. Importantly, a boat racing is not typically considered an obstruction to other boats unless certain conditions are met, such as if they are required to keep clear of the racing boat or if the racing boat is capsized, anchored, or aground.

Now, let'ssection identify how obstructions impact the right-of-way. When two boats approach an obstruction, the right-of-way boat, or the boat that is not required to keep clear, has the choice to pass the obstruction on either side. This is outlined in Rule 19 of the Racing Rules of Sailing, which pertains to room to pass an obstruction. The outside boat, or the boat that is required to keep clear, must give the inside boat room to pass between them and the obstruction. However, if the inside boat becomes overlapped from clear astern and there is insufficient room to pass, the outside boat is not obligated to provide room, and the inside boat must keep clear.

In some cases, an obstruction may be designated as a continuing obstruction, such as a river bank or a long jetty. A vessel under way, including a boat racing, is never considered a continuing obstruction. When boats are navigating a continuing obstruction, the rules may differ slightly. For example, if a boat that was clear astern and required to keep clear becomes overlapped between another boat and the continuing obstruction, and there is not enough room for them to pass, that boat is not entitled to room and must keep clear.

It's also worth noting that the presence of obstructions can change the right-of-way between boats. For instance, if a boat sailing on port tack is on a collision course with a boat on starboard, the port-tack boat must keep clear. However, if another boat on port tack becomes overlapped with the original port-tack boat, both port-tack boats now have to keep clear of the starboard boat, effectively making the starboard boat an obstruction. This scenario is described in detail in one of the sources.

Lastly, it's important to mention that the rules regarding obstructions may vary slightly depending on the specific sailing instructions provided for a race or event. These instructions can designate certain areas as obstructions and may include additional restrictions or requirements for navigation. Therefore, it is crucial for sailors to familiarise themselves with the specific rules and instructions for each event to ensure they correctly navigate obstructions and maintain the right-of-way when necessary.

Frequently asked questions