Racing Rules

Revised: April 20, 2001

Overview

This document provides:

Working summaries of the racing rules we will be using on yacht "Impetuous" for Friday night "Twilight" racing
Selected excerpts from the Racing Rules of Sailing 2001-2004, which became effective on 1 APR 2001.

This is definitely a work in progress, and your inputs are appreciated. I will issue and update in about one week.

Summary of rules

Rule Title Summary

10 ON OPPOSITE TACKS Port tack boat keeps clear

11 SAME TACK, OVERLAPPED Windward boat keeps clear

12 SAME TACK, NOT OVERLAPPED Boat clear astern keeps clear

13 WHILE TACKING After passing head to wind, keep clear of other boats until on a close-hauled course

14 AVOIDING CONTACT Avoid if reasonably possible, but need not act until it is clear that the other boat is not keeping clear

15 ACQUIRING RIGHT OF WAY Initially give other boat room to keep clear, unless other boat's actions gave you right of way

16.1 CHANGING COURSE A right-of-way boat gives other boat room to keep clear. Does not apply when rounding marks --- see rule 18.2d

16.2 CHANGING COURSE If a port-tack boat is keeping clear, the starboard-tack boat shall not change course to cause the port-tack boat to immediately change course (does not apply before starting gun)

17.1 ON SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE If a boat clear astern becomes overlapped within two of her hull lengths to leeward of a boat on the same tack, she shall not sail above her proper course while they remain overlapped within that distance, unless in doing so she promptly sails astern of the other boat. This rule does not apply if the overlap begins while the windward boat is required by rule 13 to keep clear.

17.2 ON SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE Except on a beat to windward, a boat shall not sail below her proper course if (a) less than 2 hull lengths from a leeward boat or (b) a boat clear astern is steering a course to leeward, unless she gybes.

--- AT MARKS AND OBSTRUCTIONS ---

18 ROUNDING AND PASSING MARKS AND OBSTRUCTIONS In rule 18, "room" is room for an inside boat to round or pass between an outside boat and a mark or obstruction, including room to tack or gybe when either is a normal part of the manoeuvre.

18.1 When this rule applies Rule 18 applies when boats are about to round or pass a mark they are required to leave on the same side, or an obstruction on the same side, until they have passed it. However, it does not apply

(a) at a starting mark surrounded by navigable water or at its anchor line from the time the boats are approaching them to start until they have passed them, or
(b) between boats on opposite tacks, either on a beat to windward or when the proper course for one or both of them to round or pass the mark or obstruction is to tack.

18.2a Overlapped - Basic Rule When boats are overlapped the outside boat shall give the inside boat room to round or pass the mark or obstruction, and if the inside boat has right of way the outside boat shall also keep clear. Other parts of rule 18 contain exceptions to this rule.

18.2b Overlapped at the zone If boats were overlapped before either of them reached the two-length zone and the overlap is broken after one of them has reached it, the boat that was on the outside shall continue to give the other boat room. If the outside boat becomes clear astern or overlapped inside the other boat, she is not entitled to room and shall keep clear.

18.2c Not overlapped at the zone If a boat is clear ahead at the time she reaches the two-length zone, the boat clear astern shall thereafter keep clear. If the boat clear astern becomes overlapped inside or outside the other boat she shall also give room to the boat that was clear ahead. If the boat that was clear ahead passes head to wind, this rule no longer applies.

18.2d Changing course to round or pass When rule 18 applies between two boats and the right-of-way boat is changing course to round or pass a mark, rule 16 does not apply between her and the other boat.

18.2e Overlap rights - doubt If there is reasonable doubt that a boat obtained or broke and overlap in time, it shall be presumed that she did not.

18.2e Overlap rights - unable to give room If outside boat is unable to give room when overlap begins, rules 18.2(a) and 18.2(b) do not apply.

18.3 Tacking at a Mark When rule 18 applies between two boats and the right-of-way boat is changing course to round or pass a mark, rule 16 does not apply between her and the other boat.

18.4 Gybing When an inside overlapped right-of-way boat must gybe at a mark or obstruction to sail her proper course, until she gybes she shall sail no farther from the mark or obstruction than needed to sail that course.

19.1 ROOM TO TACK AT AN OBSTRUCTION Boat needing room must hail and then give other boat time to respond. Responses of the other boat are: 1) Immediate tack, or 2) hail "You tack" and then must give room

19.2 ROOM TO TACK AT AN OBSTRUCTION Rule 19.1 does not apply at (a) a starting mark surrounded by navigable water or (b) a mark that the hailed boat can fetch

--- PENALTIES ---

31 TOUCHING A MARK Requires promptly making a 360-degree turn (once around)

44.2 TAKING A PENALTY If you break a rule in Part 2 (Rules 10-22), it requires a 720-degree (twice around) turn, after getting well clear and as soon as possible.

20 PENALTY TURNS A boat making a penalty turn shall keep clear of one that is not.
--- STARTING ---

Def Proper course A boat has no proper course before her starting signal

16.2 CHANGING COURSE If a port-tack boat is keeping clear, the starboard-tack boat shall not change course to cause the port-tack boat to immediately change course (does not apply before starting gun)
19.2 ROOM TO TACK AT AN OBSTRUCTION Rule 19.1 does not apply at (a) a starting mark surrounded by navigable water

20 STARTING ERRORS Must keep clear of all other boats while returning to pre-start side of the start line to satisfy over-early or I-flag requirements.

27.3 Postponement AP (Answering Pennant) + 2 guns. The postponement stops when ***** fill in *****

29.2 Individual Recall Flag X + one sound. Flag is displayed until recalled boats are cleared, up to a maximum of four minutes.

29.3 General Recall First Substitute + 2 sounds. The warning signal for a new start for the recalled class shall be made one minute after the First Substitute is removed (one sound). Note: This is different than the RRS 1997-2000 Sequence

30.1 Round-an-end rule Flag I, instead of Flag P. If over start line or extensions early, must go around either end, keeping clear of all other boats until on the pre-start side.

31.1 Abandonment Flag N + three sounds

Rule	Title	Summary
10	ON OPPOSITE TACKS	Port tack boat keeps clear
11	SAME TACK, OVERLAPPED	Windward boat keeps clear
12	SAME TACK, NOT OVERLAPPED	Boat clear astern keeps clear
13	WHILE TACKING	After passing head to wind, keep clear of other boats until on a close-hauled course
14	AVOIDING CONTACT	Avoid if reasonably possible, but need not act until it is clear that the other boat is not keeping clear
15	ACQUIRING RIGHT OF WAY	Initially give other boat room to keep clear, unless other boat's actions gave you right of way
16.1	CHANGING COURSE	A right-of-way boat gives other boat room to keep clear. Does not apply when rounding marks --- see rule 18.2d
16.2	CHANGING COURSE	If a port-tack boat is keeping clear, the starboard-tack boat shall not change course to cause the port-tack boat to immediately change course (does not apply before starting gun)
17.1	ON SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE	If a boat clear astern becomes overlapped within two of her hull lengths to leeward of a boat on the same tack, she shall not sail above her proper course while they remain overlapped within that distance, unless in doing so she promptly sails astern of the other boat. This rule does not apply if the overlap begins while the windward boat is required by rule 13 to keep clear.
17.2	ON SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE	Except on a beat to windward, a boat shall not sail below her proper course if (a) less than 2 hull lengths from a leeward boat or (b) a boat clear astern is steering a course to leeward, unless she gybes.
	--- AT MARKS AND OBSTRUCTIONS ---
18	ROUNDING AND PASSING MARKS AND OBSTRUCTIONS	In rule 18, "room" is room for an inside boat to round or pass between an outside boat and a mark or obstruction, including room to tack or gybe when either is a normal part of the manoeuvre.
18.1	When this rule applies	Rule 18 applies when boats are about to round or pass a mark they are required to leave on the same side, or an obstruction on the same side, until they have passed it. However, it does not apply (a) at a starting mark surrounded by navigable water or at its anchor line from the time the boats are approaching them to start until they have passed them, or (b) between boats on opposite tacks, either on a beat to windward or when the proper course for one or both of them to round or pass the mark or obstruction is to tack.
18.2a	Overlapped - Basic Rule	When boats are overlapped the outside boat shall give the inside boat room to round or pass the mark or obstruction, and if the inside boat has right of way the outside boat shall also keep clear. Other parts of rule 18 contain exceptions to this rule.
18.2b	Overlapped at the zone	If boats were overlapped before either of them reached the two-length zone and the overlap is broken after one of them has reached it, the boat that was on the outside shall continue to give the other boat room. If the outside boat becomes clear astern or overlapped inside the other boat, she is not entitled to room and shall keep clear.
18.2c	Not overlapped at the zone	If a boat is clear ahead at the time she reaches the two-length zone, the boat clear astern shall thereafter keep clear. If the boat clear astern becomes overlapped inside or outside the other boat she shall also give room to the boat that was clear ahead. If the boat that was clear ahead passes head to wind, this rule no longer applies.
18.2d	Changing course to round or pass	When rule 18 applies between two boats and the right-of-way boat is changing course to round or pass a mark, rule 16 does not apply between her and the other boat.
18.2e	Overlap rights - doubt	If there is reasonable doubt that a boat obtained or broke and overlap in time, it shall be presumed that she did not.
18.2e	Overlap rights - unable to give room	If outside boat is unable to give room when overlap begins, rules 18.2(a) and 18.2(b) do not apply.
18.3	Tacking at a Mark	When rule 18 applies between two boats and the right-of-way boat is changing course to round or pass a mark, rule 16 does not apply between her and the other boat.
18.4	Gybing	When an inside overlapped right-of-way boat must gybe at a mark or obstruction to sail her proper course, until she gybes she shall sail no farther from the mark or obstruction than needed to sail that course.
19.1	ROOM TO TACK AT AN OBSTRUCTION	Boat needing room must hail and then give other boat time to respond. Responses of the other boat are: 1) Immediate tack, or 2) hail "You tack" and then must give room
19.2	ROOM TO TACK AT AN OBSTRUCTION	Rule 19.1 does not apply at (a) a starting mark surrounded by navigable water or (b) a mark that the hailed boat can fetch
	--- PENALTIES ---
31	TOUCHING A MARK	Requires promptly making a 360-degree turn (once around)
44.2	TAKING A PENALTY	If you break a rule in Part 2 (Rules 10-22), it requires a 720-degree (twice around) turn, after getting well clear and as soon as possible.
20	PENALTY TURNS	A boat making a penalty turn shall keep clear of one that is not.
	--- STARTING ---
Def	*Proper course*	A boat has no proper course before her starting signal
16.2	CHANGING COURSE	If a port-tack boat is keeping clear, the starboard-tack boat shall not change course to cause the port-tack boat to immediately change course (does not apply before starting gun)
19.2	ROOM TO TACK AT AN OBSTRUCTION	Rule 19.1 does not apply at (a) a starting mark surrounded by navigable water
20	STARTING ERRORS	Must keep clear of all other boats while returning to pre-start side of the start line to satisfy over-early or I-flag requirements.
27.3	Postponement	AP (Answering Pennant) + 2 guns. The postponement stops when *** fill in ***
29.2	Individual Recall	Flag X + one sound. Flag is displayed until recalled boats are cleared, up to a maximum of four minutes.
29.3	General Recall	First Substitute + 2 sounds. The *warning* signal for a new start for the recalled class shall be made one minute after the First Substitute is removed (one sound). Note: This is different than the RRS 1997-2000 Sequence
30.1	Round-an-end rule	Flag I, instead of Flag P. If over start line or extensions early, must go around either end, keeping clear of all other boats until on the pre-start side.
31.1	Abandonment	Flag N + three sounds

RACING RULES OF SAILING 2001-2004 - Excerpts

The rest of this document consists of excerpts from the "Racing Rules of Sailing 2001-2004", as provided by US Sailing on their web site at http://www.ussailing.org.

These cover most (but not all) of the situations we encounter in our racing on SF Bay.

Disclaimer: These excerpts are for instructional purposes only, and any questions about or references to the rules should use the original rules themselves.

Changes from the RRS 1997-2000 rules are underlined.

My comments and additions are in [bracketed italics].

Colored pages showing the race signal flags are on the US Sailing web site (see above).

DEFINITIONS

To fully understand the rules, you must be familar with the definitions, which can be found at

http://www.sailing.org/rrs2001/rrsdefinitions.pdf

Often-used definitions are shown below (Source: RRS 2001-2004, the above web site.)

Editorial comments:

Unfortunately some definitions refer to the rules, which can change the definitions, so be careful of these.
"Starting" generally means "on your final course to the starting line before the starting signal". This is not the same as "sailing around in the starting area while your preparatory signal is displayed"

Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap One boat is clear astern of another when her hull and equipment in normal position are behind a line abeam from the aftermost point of the other boat’s hull and equipment in normal position. The other boat is clear ahead. They overlap when neither is clear astern or when a boat between them overlaps both. These terms do not apply to boats on opposite tacks unless rule 18 applies.

Finish A boat finishes when any part of her hull, or crew or equipment in normal position, crosses the finishing line in the direction of the course from the last mark, either for the first time or after taking a penalty under rule 31.2 or 44.2 or, under rule 28.1, after correcting an error made at the finishing line.

Keep Clear One boat keeps clear of another if the other can sail her course with no need to take avoiding action and, when the boats are overlapped on the same tack, if the leeward boat can change course in both directions without immediately making contact with the windward boat.

Leeward and Windward A boat’s leeward side is the side that is or, when she is head to wind, was away from the wind. However, when sailing by the lee or directly downwind, her leeward side is the side on which her mainsail lies. The other side is her windward side. When two boats on the same tack overlap, the one on the leeward side of the other is the leeward boat. The other is the windward boat.

Mark An object the sailing instructions require a boat to leave on a specified side, and a race committee vessel surrounded by navigable water from which the starting or finishing line extends. An anchor line and objects attached temporarily or accidentally to a mark are not part of it.

Obstruction 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. 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 her, give her room or, if rule 21 applies, avoid her.

Proper Course A course a boat would sail to finish as soon as possible in the absence of the other boats referred to in the rule using the term. A boat has no proper course before her starting signal.

Racing A boat is racing from her preparatory signal until she finishes and clears the finishing line and marks or retires, or until the race committee signals a general recall, postponement or abandonment.

Room The space a boat needs in the existing conditions while manoeuvring promptly in a seamanlike way.

Start A boat starts when after her starting signal any part of her hull, crew or equipment first crosses the starting line and she has complied with rule 29.1 and rule 30.1 if it applies.

Tack, Starboard or Port A boat is on the tack, starboard or port, corresponding to her windward side.

Two-Length Zone The area around a mark or obstruction within a distance of two hull lengths of the boat nearer to it.

PART 2 - WHEN BOATS MEET

The rules of Part 2 apply between boats that are sailing in or near the racing area and intend to race, are racing , or have been racing . However, a boat not racing shall not be penalized for breaking one of these rules, except rule 22.1. The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea or government right-of-way rules apply between a boat sailing under these rules and a vessel that is not, and they replace these rules if the sailing instructions so state.

Section A - Right of Way

A boat has right of way when another boat is required to keep clear of her. However, some rules in Sections B, C and D limit the actions of a right-of-way boat.

10 ON OPPOSITE TACKS

When boats are on opposite tacks, a port-tack boat shall keep clear of a starboard-tack boat.

11 ON THE SAME TACK, OVERLAPPED

When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.

12 ON THE SAME TACK, NOT OVERLAPPED

When boats are on the same tack and not overlapped, a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead.

13 WHILE TACKING

After a boat passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boats until she is on a close-hauled course. During that time rules 10, 11 and 12 do not apply. If two boats are subject to this rule at the same time, the one on the other’s port side shall keep clear.

Section B - General Limitations

14 AVOIDING CONTACT

A boat shall avoid contact with another boat if reasonably possible. However, a right-of-way boat or one entitled to room

(a) need not act to avoid contact until it is clear that the other boat is not keeping clear or giving room, and
(b) shall not be penalized under this rule unless there is contact that causes damage.

15 ACQUIRING RIGHT OF WAY

When a boat acquires right of way, she shall initially give the other boat room to keep clear, unless she acquires right of way because of the other boat’s actions.

16 CHANGING COURSE

16.1 When a right-of-way boat changes course, she shall give the other boat room to keep clear.
16.2 In addition, when after the starting signal boats are about to cross or are crossing each other on opposite tacks, and the port-tack boat is keeping clear of the starboard-tack boat, the starboard-tack boat shall not change course if as a result the port-tack boat would immediately need to change course to continue keeping clear.

17 ON THE SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE

17.1 If a boat clear astern becomes overlapped within two of her hull lengths to leeward of a boat on the same tack, she shall not sail above her proper course while they remain overlapped within that distance, unless in doing so she promptly sails astern of the other boat. This rule does not apply if the overlap begins while the windward boat is required by rule 13 to keep clear.
17.2 Except on a beat to windward, while a boat is less than two of her hull lengths from a leeward boat or a boat clear astern steering a course to leeward of her, she shall not sail below her proper course unless she gybes.

Section C - At Marks and Obstructions

To the extent that a Section C rule conflicts with a rule in Section A or B, the Section C rule takes precedence.

18 ROUNDING AND PASSING MARKS AND OBSTRUCTIONS

In rule 18, room is room for an inside boat to round or pass between an outside boat and a mark or obstruction, including room to tack or gybe when either is a normal part of the manoeuvre.

18.1 When This Rule Applies

Rule 18 applies when boats are about to round or pass a mark they are required to leave on the same side, or an obstruction on the same side, until they have passed it. However, it does not apply

(a) at a starting mark surrounded by navigable water or at its anchor line from the time the boats are approaching them to start until they have passed them, or
(b) between boats on opposite tacks, either on a beat to windward or when the proper course for one or both of them to round or pass the mark or obstruction is to tack.

18.2 Giving Room; Keeping Clear

(a) OVERLAPPED - BASIC RULE When boats are overlapped the outside boat shall give the inside boat room to round or pass the mark or obstruction, and if the inside boat has right of way the outside boat shall also keep clear. Other parts of rule 18 contain exceptions to this rule.

(b) OVERLAPPED AT THE ZONE If boats were overlapped before either of them reached the two-length zone and the overlap is broken after one of them has reached it, the boat that was on the outside shall continue to give the other boat room. If the outside boat becomes clear astern or overlapped inside the other boat, she is not entitled to room and shall keep clear.

(c) NOT OVERLAPPED AT THE ZONE If a boat is clear ahead at the time she reaches the two-length zone, the boat clear astern shall thereafter keep clear. If the boat clear astern becomes overlapped outside the other boat she shall also give the inside boat room. If the boat clear astern becomes overlapped inside the other boat she is not entitled to room. If the boat that was clear ahead passes head to wind, rule 18.2(c) no longer applies.

(d) CHANGING COURSE TO ROUND OR PASS When rule 18 applies between two boats and the right-of-way boat is changing course to round or pass a mark, rule 16 does not apply between her and the other boat.

(e) OVERLAP RIGHTS If there is reasonable doubt that a boat obtained or broke an overlap in time, it shall be presumed that she did not. If the outside boat is unable to give room when an overlap begins, rules 18.2(a) and 18.2(b) do not apply.

18.3 Tacking at a Mark

If two boats were approaching a mark on opposite tacks and one of them completes a tack in the two-length zone when the other is fetching the mark, rule 18.2 does not apply. The boat that tacked

(a) shall not cause the other boat to sail above close-hauled to avoid her or prevent the other boat from passing the mark, and
(b) shall give room if the other boat becomes overlapped inside her, in which case rule 15 does not apply.

18.4 Gybing

When an inside overlapped right-of-way boat must gybe at a mark or obstruction to sail her proper course, until she gybes she shall sail no farther from the mark or obstruction than needed to sail that course.

18.5 Passing a Continuing Obstruction

While boats are passing a continuing obstruction, rules 18.2(b) and 18.2(c) do not apply. A boat clear astern that obtains an inside overlap is entitled to room to pass between the other boat and the obstruction only if at the moment the overlap begins there is room to do so. If there is not, she is not entitled to room and shall keep clear.

19 ROOM TO TACK AT AN OBSTRUCTION

19.1 When safety requires a close-hauled boat to make a substantial course change to avoid an obstruction and she intends to tack, but cannot tack and avoid another boat on the same tack, she shall hail for room to do so.
Before tacking she shall give the hailed boat time to respond. The hailed boat shall either
- (a) tack as soon as possible, in which case the hailing boat shall also tack as soon as possible, or
- (b) immediately reply ‘You tack’, in which case the hailing boat shall tack as soon as possible and the hailed boat shall give room, and rules 10 and 13 do not apply.
19.2 Rule 19.1 does not apply at
- a starting mark surrounded by navigable water or at its anchor line from the time boats are approaching them to start until they have passed them or
- at a mark that the hailed boat can fetch.
When rule 19.1 applies, rule 18 does not.

Section D - Other Rules

When rule 20 or 21 applies between two boats, Section A rules do not.

20 STARTING ERRORS; PENALTY TURNS; MOVING ASTERN

A boat sailing towards the pre-start side of the starting line or its extensions after her starting signal to comply with rule 29.1 or 30.1 shall keep clear of a boat not doing so until she is completely on the pre-start side. A boat making a penalty turn shall keep clear of one that is not. A boat moving astern by backing a sail shall keep clear of one that is not.

21 CAPSIZED, ANCHORED OR AGROUND; RESCUING

If possible, a boat shall avoid a boat that is capsized or has not regained control after capsizing, is anchored or aground, or is trying to help a person or vessel in danger. A boat is capsized when her masthead is in the water.

22 INTERFERING WITH ANOTHER BOAT

22.1 If reasonably possible, a boat not racing shall not interfere with a boat that is racing.
22.2 A boat shall not deliberately interfere with a boat making penalty turns to delay her.

PART 3 - CONDUCT OF A RACE

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS AND SIGNALS

Sailing instructions shall be made available to each boat before a race begins. The meanings of the visual and sound signals stated in Race Signals shall not be changed except under rule 86.1(b). The meanings of any other signals that may be used shall be stated in the sailing instructions.

26 STARTING RACES

Races shall be started by using the following signals. Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded.

[My additions are in bracketed italics. NOTE: EYC starts may be different than those shown below.]

Item	Signal Flag	Sound	Minutes before starting signal
Warning	Class flag [and course flag]	1 sound	5*
Preparatory	P, I, Z, Z with I, or black flag	1 sound	4
One-minute	Preparatory flag [and course flag] removed	1 long sound	1
Starting	Class flag removed	1 sound	0

*or as stated in the sailing instructions

The warning signal for each succeeding class shall be made with or after the starting signal of the preceding class.

27 OTHER RACE COMMITTEE ACTIONS BEFORE THE STARTING SIGNAL

27.1 No later than the warning signal, the race committee shall signal or otherwise designate the course to be sailed if the sailing instructions have not stated the course, and it may replace one course signal with another, signal that a designated short course will be used (display flag S with two sounds), and signal that wearing personal buoyancy is required (display flag Y with one sound).
27.2 No later than the preparatory signal, the race committee may move a starting mark and may apply rule 30.
27.3 Before the starting signal, the race committee may for any reason postpone (display flag AP, AP over H, or AP over A, with two sounds) or abandon the race (display flag N over H, or N over A, with three sounds).

28 SAILING THE COURSE

28.1 A boat shall start, leave each mark on the required side in the correct order, and finish, so that a string representing her wake after starting and until finishing would when drawn taut pass each mark on the required side and touch each rounding mark. After finishing she need not cross the finishing line completely. She may correct any errors to comply with this rule, provided she has not already finished.
28.2 A boat may leave on either side a mark that does not begin, bound or end the leg she is on. However, she shall leave a starting mark on the required side when she is approaching the starting line from its pre-start side to start.

29 STARTING; RECALLS

29.1 On the Course Side at the Start

When at a boat's starting signal any part of her hull, crew or equipment is on the course side of the starting line, she shall sail completely to the pre-start side of the line before starting.

29.2 Individual Recall

When at a boat’s starting signal she must comply with rule 29.1 or 30.1, the race committee shall promptly display flag X with one sound. The flag shall be displayed until all such boats are completely on the pre-start side of the starting line or its extensions and have complied with rule 30.1 if it applies, but not later than four minutes after the starting signal or one minute before any later starting signal, whichever is earlier.

29.3 General Recall

When at the starting signal the race committee is unable to identify boats that are on the course side of the starting line or to which rule 30 applies, or there has been an error in the starting procedure, the race committee may signal a general recall (display the First Substitute with two sounds). The warning signal for a new start for the recalled class shall be made one minute after the First Substitute is removed (one sound), and the starts for any succeeding classes shall follow the new start.

[Note: the new start is the WARNING signal, not the PREPARATORY signal as in the RRS 1997-2000.]

30 STARTING PENALTIES

30.1 Round-an-End Rule

If flag I has been displayed before, with, or as a boat’s preparatory signal, and any part of her hull, crew or equipment is on the course side of the starting line or its extensions during the minute before her starting signal, she shall sail to the pre-start side of the line around either end before starting.

30.2 20% Penalty Rule

[This rule is hardly ever used, but you should know that it exists and know the colors of the "Z" flag, in case it is ever used. Rather than trying to identify and enforce this rule, the Race Committee usually does a General Recall instead.]

If flag Z has been displayed before, with, or as a boat’s preparatory signal, no part of her hull, crew or equipment shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the minute before her starting signal. If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall receive, without a hearing, a 20% scoring penalty calculated as stated in rule 44.3(c). She shall be penalized even if the race is restarted, resailed or rescheduled, but not if it is postponed or abandoned before the starting signal.

30.3 Black Flag Rule

[This draconian rule is hardly ever, ever used, and you can forget it, but you should know that it exists as sort of a "Level 4" (P, I, Z, black) way to discourage boats from going over the start line early.]

If a black flag has been displayed before, with, or as a boat’s preparatory signal, no part of her hull, crew or equipment shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the minute before her starting signal. If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall be disqualified without a hearing, even if the race is restarted, resailed or rescheduled, but not if it is postponed or abandoned before the starting signal. If a general recall is signalled or the race is abandoned after the starting signal, the race committee shall display her sail number, and if the race is restarted or resailed she shall not sail in it. If she does so, her disqualification shall not be excluded in calculating her series score.

31 TOUCHING A MARK

31.1 While racing, a boat shall not touch a starting mark before starting, a mark that begins, bounds or ends the leg of the course on which she is sailing, or a finishing mark after finishing.
31.2 A boat that has broken rule 31.1 may, after getting well clear of other boats as soon as possible, take a penalty by promptly making one complete 360º turn including one tack and one gybe. When a boat takes the penalty after touching a finishing mark, she shall sail completely to the course side of the line before finishing. However, if a boat has gained a significant advantage in the race or series by touching the mark she shall retire.

32 SHORTENING OR ABANDONING AFTER THE START

32.1 After the starting signal, the race committee may abandon the race (display flag N, N over H, or N over A, with three sounds) or shorten the course (display flag S with two sounds), as appropriate,
- (a) because of an error in the starting procedure,
- (b) because of foul weather,
- (c) because of insufficient wind making it unlikely that any boat will finish within the time limit,
- (d) because a mark is missing or out of position, or
- (e) for any other reason directly affecting the safety or fairness of the competition.
However, after one boat has sailed the course and finished within the time limit, if any, the race committee shall not abandon the race without considering the consequences for all boats in the race or series.
32.2 After the starting signal, the race committee may shorten the course (display flag S with two sounds) to enable further scheduled races to be sailed.

33 CHANGING THE POSITION OF THE NEXT MARK

At any rounding mark the race committee may signal a change of the direction of the next leg of the course by displaying flag C with repetitive sounds and the compass bearing of that leg before any boat begins it. The race committee may change the length of the next leg by displaying flag C with repetitive sounds and a ‘-’ if the leg will be shortened or a ‘+’ if the leg will be lengthened.

34 MARK MISSING

When a mark is missing or out of position, the race committee shall, if possible,

(a) replace it in its correct position or
(b) substitute one of similar appearance, or a buoy or vessel displaying flag M with repetitive sounds.

35 TIME LIMIT AND SCORES

If one boat sails the course as required by rule 28.1 and finishes within the time limit, if any, all boats that finish shall be scored according to their finishing places unless the race is abandoned. If no boat finishes within the time limit, the race committee shall abandon the race.

36 RACES TO BE RESTARTED OR RESAILED

If a race is restarted or resailed, a breach of a rule, other than rule 30.3, in the original race shall not prohibit a boat from competing or, except under rule 30.2, 30.3 or 69, cause her to be penalized.

Part 4 - OTHER REQUIREMENTS WHEN RACING

44 PENALTIES FOR BREAKING RULES OF PART 2

44.1 Taking a Penalty

A boat that may have broken a rule of Part 2 while racing may take a penalty at the time of the incident. Her penalty shall be a 720º Turns Penalty unless the sailing instructions specify the use of the Scoring Penalty or some other penalty. However, if she caused serious damage or gained a significant advantage in the race or series by her breach she shall retire.

44.2 720º Turns Penalty

After getting well clear of other boats as soon after the incident as possible, a boat takes a 720º Turns Penalty by promptly making two complete 360º turns (720º) in the same direction, including two tacks and two gybes. When a boat takes the penalty at or near the finishing line, she shall sail completely to the course side of the line before finishing.

44.3 Scoring Penalty

(a) A boat takes a Scoring Penalty by displaying a yellow flag at the first reasonable opportunity after the incident, keeping it displayed until finishing, and calling the race committee’s attention to it at the finishing line. At that time she shall also inform the race committee of the identity of the other boat involved in the incident. If this is impracticable, she shall do so at the first reasonable opportunity within the time limit for protests.
(b) If a boat displays a yellow flag, she shall also comply with the other parts of rule 44.3(a).
(c) The boat’s penalty score shall be the score for the place worse than her actual finishing place by the number of places stated in the sailing instructions, except that she shall not be scored worse than Did Not Finish. When the sailing instructions do not state the number of places, the number shall be the whole number (rounding 0.5 upward) nearest to 20% of the number of boats entered. The scores of other boats shall not be changed; therefore, two boats may receive the same score.