This week, whilst heading for the finishing line on a port tack I inadvertently collided with two boats which had become entangled. As windward boat I should keep clear plus I’m on port but because the other boats are tangled up mast head to mast head and effectively out of control should I do a turn - or turns? 

I shall be interested in the answers from those more knowledgeable than me, but my take on it would be that one always has an obligation (even when in the right) to try to avoid a collision. And it sounds like the other two were unable to do that themselves. (There's lotsa rules, I've only briefly read, about being disabled).

The question it most raises in my mind is "did you infringe on anyone?".... I guess someone behind you could have benefitted if you had done turn/turns (one for each of the boats, if you hit both?)

I got moaned at once for clipping someone who was hooked on a (non-course) buoy - ironically, in doing so, I freed them up!! 😆

 

Edited February 21, 20251 yr by Colin Helliwell

My take is that you broke a rule (may be several) - could be 11, 12, 14,  22 - it does not matter which. As you gained no advantage when you hit one of them while they were rafted, it sounds like a single penalty turn is adequate.

John

The entangled boats were unable, perhaps temporarily, to proceed in the race, so they were disabled. Rule 22 is changed by RRS E1.3(c) to read 'If possible a boay shall avoid a boat that us disabled'.
If you could have avoided the entangled boats but did not you broke RRS 22.

As for rule 10 (port and starboard) and 11 (windward-leeward)  that depends on the exact situation and whether the entangled boats were changing course.

If you gained no advantage in the heat (in other words if you place was not better than if you had not broken a rule) then one turn is sufficient.

23 minutes ago, Gordon W Davies said:

The entangled boats were unable, perhaps temporarily, to proceed in the race, so they were disabled. Rule 22 is changed by RRS E1.3(c) to read 'If possible a boay shall avoid a boat that us disabled'.
If you could have avoided the entangled boats but did not you broke RRS 22.

As for rule 10 (port and starboard) and 11 (windward-leeward)  that depends on the exact situation and whether the entangled boats were changing course.

If you gained no advantage in the heat (in other words if you place was not better than if you had not broken a rule) then one turn is sufficient.

Thanks Gordon, I was worse off!! I should have just turned off wind to avoid them but instead tightened up, went head to wind and lost steerage but I was about 6 feet from the line!!  We live and learn - the joy of yachting!!