Two port-tack boats are sailing close-hauled toward the windward mark, outside the zone (so Rule 18 does not yet apply).
A starboard-tack boat is also sailing close-hauled on the opposite tack (the “stand-on” boat under Rule 10).
The inner port-tack boat wants to tack because she is on a collision course with the starboard-tack boat.
However, the inner boat only shouts “woi tack!” — and does not use the proper call “Room to tack for an obstruction” as required by Rule 20.1(a).
It's safety rule, what shall starboard boat do?
Bear in mind that, in this scenario, PL is exercising a choice under RRS 19.2(a): she can always change her mind and bear away and pass astern of S, and accept her obligation to give PW room to pass between her and S under RRS 19.2(b)
From google translate - "Woi tack" is likely a phonetic spelling of the Chinese phrase "我去" (w qùw space q ù
𝑤 𝑞ù), which translates to "I'm going" or "I'm leaving" in English.
That does not sound like an acceptable translation for 'Room to Tack'. Is there a Chinese version of the RRS and what words does that specify for the hail?
Again google suggests the phrase "room to tack" can be translated to "空間\" (kōngjiān) for the general meaning of "room" or space. But knowing what is in the RRS would help?
John
Rule 14 specifically requires boats to avoid making contact or causing contact between other boats, so yes, the windward port-tack boat should tack or slow if it becomes clear that the leeward port-tack boat will collide with the starboard-tack boat if she doesn't tack. But that has nothing to do with rule 20. If the leeward boat doesn't hail properly for room to tack, rule 20 does not apply and the windward boat is not obligated to tack or respond in any way.
My personal opinion is that rule 20 is far from being a safety rule, and in fact is the most dangerous rule in the RRS because it encourages boats to sail into danger and rely on a complicated set of hails and actions, possibly by multiple boats, to get her out of it. Without rule 20, she would slow or otherwise provide for her own safety, as a prudent mariner should do.
No, S is not on the same tack as the hailing boat. See RRS 20.1 first sentence.
PW might not be blocking PL from tacking, but that does not affect PL's entitlement to hail 'room to tack' under RRS 20.1. If PL hails 'room to tack' PW must respond and if there is plenty of space for PL to do so, PW mar respond 'you tack' and do nothing else.
Absolutely a starboard tack right of way boat is an obstruction to a port tack give way boat, with the usual Optimist v Commanche exception.
Obstruction An obstruction is
(a) an object that a boat could not pass without changing course
substantially, if she were sailing directly towards it and one of her
hull lengths from it;
(b) an object that can be safely passed on only one side; or
(c) an object, area or line that is so designated in a rule;
However, a boat racing is not an obstruction to other boats unless they
are required to keep clear of her or, if rule 22 applies, avoid her.
PL Is the inner boat. She is to leeward of PW. Unles PL is clear astern of PW, she is ROW, RRs 11 or 12.
Certainly she can, but that doesn't affect her RRS 20 entitlements.
I'm betting that the Bhasa Melayu version of RRS 20.1 does have those words <g>.
If so, what are the words shown in quotes in RRS 20.1?
In the 2025 RRS using exactly the right words is important.
Hails A language other than English may be used for a hail required by the rules provided that it is reasonable for it to be understood by all boats affected. However, a hail in English is always acceptable.
And fitting that with RRS 20.1?
To me if all boats use the local language and understand it, nothing has to be done to make a hail in that language acceptable.
There will always be a translation problem, as " room to tack" is strange wording.
So I believe the windward boat was required to respond to the hail.
This a bit like current UK law gived a two tier system, if you are in events where the competitors do not use the same language, " room to tack" is all that can be used.
In an event where all competitors use another language, something in that language, that may mean the same is now acceptable.
A strict rule if in English, but like the old rule for other language only regattas.
If the MNA publishes RRS in the national language then the words in the national language version of RRS 20.1 OR 'room to tack' must be used.
If the MNA does not publish RRS in the national language, then it is up to the jury to establish a jury policy stating what words, other than 'room to tack' shall be used.
The change Inserting '"room to tack"' into RRS 20.1 make it clear that exact specified words must be used.
A boat exercising either prudent seamanship or sound tactics will initially hail in sufficient time to repeat the hail, or have it passed on if necessary, before she 'sails into danger'.
Rob's (and my) main point is that if RRS 20 were not in the rule book, racers would deal with the situation much earlier using the existing rules. Using this case as an example, PL could luff HTW in a way where she avoided S and gave time to PW to avoid her, under RRS 10, 11, and 16. This would be a much safer option than waiting until she (PL) would "soon need to take avoiding action" and then expecting PW to bail her out of the situation by tacking immediately.
Deleting RRS 20 would put an end to all the questions and threads about the exact words used, when they were used, if they were heard, etc. Gee, one fewer rule and simplifying things. One less nuance to the rules. How can that be bad?
SCENARIO
NB: Other variables such as the relative positions, actual distance between the boats, their relative speeds etc could impact this.
As we're outside the zone, the mark is irrelevant, so the terms inner and outer become relative to the obstruction.
GREEN: Stbd, and an Obstruction - SOb
YELLOW: Port, Windward, Outer (relative to SO, the obstruction) - PWO
BLUE: Port, leeward, Inner, (relative to SOb, the obstruction) - PLI
All boats are required to avoid/and avoid causing contact (RRS 14).
SOb must hold her course (RRS 16).
PLI and PWO must both keep clear of SOb (RRS 10).
PLI must "choose" how she intends to avoid SOb early enough for PWO to keep clear of her RRS 19.2(a).
PWO must Keep Clear of PLI (RRS 11).
PWO must give PLI room to keep clear of SOb RRS 19.2(b).
There is nothing in the rules that says if a coultry publish a rule book they can change the words.
A translated version just contains a translation.
It is still open to a one language regatta to use similar words.
The translates rule book is not given preference.
No, but RRS Introduction Hails says
Hails A language other than English may be used for a hail required by the rules provided that it is reasonable for it to be understood by all boats affected. However, a hail in English is always acceptable.
The rules drafters are trying to have it both ways: specifying exact words in RRS 20.1 and saying 'any language' in the Introduction.
In my opinion, if a MNA translates the rules providing exact words, in quotes in RRS 20.1, that will meet the requirement.
Uhhh ... so MANY other threads ... we are running out of buses to throw it under.