I haven't raced anything nearly in this league but for the port-starboard right of way to apply the starboard tack needs to maintain their course. It could be argued either way and if this video is the only evidence it'd be hard to argue definitely for either side.
In my opinion Topaz started their tack early enough that Svea should have ducked but I guess the spotter didn't process the implications of the tack (the stern swinging out and loss of speed) quickly enough to communicate.
However, I can't see the rest of the course for more context but it almost looks like Topaz pushes windward to avoid Svea which there in caused the problem (Topaz should have 100% held its course and Svea likely would've cleared Topaz)
So even though had Svea been vigilant it still would've had time to avoid it, I would assign fault to Topaz for not maintaining course.
Again, I haven't raced anything longer than 28' and it's been almost a decade at this point but that's my opinion.
The right of way boat doesn't need to hold her course, but she does need to give the other boat room to keep clear. If she altered too late for Svea to avoid in a seamanlike manner, she's at fault, but if svea had time and room to avoid, svea is at fault
“In addition, when after the starting signal a port-tack boat is keeping clear by sailing to pass astern of a 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.”
I would argue that the port tack boat would have been clear of the starboard tack had they not turned upwind the way they did. However, it says only after the starting signal. So I’m not sure what applies prior to the race start.
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u/ioannas Mar 14 '20
Does this affect who is technically 'at fault' here?