The document summarizes changes to rules regarding marks and obstructions. Key changes include: 1) The definition of "mark-room" has been changed to no longer include room to tack unless certain overlap criteria are met. 2) Rule 18.2 has been modified so the outside boat must give the inside boat mark-room, including room to tack in some instances. 3) Rule 18.3 clarifies rights after a boat tacks in the zone, including not causing another boat to sail above close-hauled and giving mark-room if an overlap occurs. 4) Rule 19 on room at obstructions now allows for exoneration if a boat breaks certain rules while sailing within

1. 31.01.13
What about the start?
 No change to the definition Start, BUT
 Definition Mark has been changed!
Definition – Mark-Room
Room for a boat to leave a mark on the required
side. Also,
(a) room to sail to the mark when her proper
course is to sail close to it, and
(b) room to round the mark as necessary to
sail the course.
Definition – Mark-Room
However, mark-room for a boat
does not include room to tack
unless she is overlapped inside
and to windward of the boat
required to give mark-room and
she would be fetching the mark
after her tack.
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2. 31.01.13
Definition - Room
The space a boat needs in the existing conditions,
including space to comply with her obligations
under the rules of Part 2 and rule 31, while
manoeuvring promptly in a seamanlike way.
When B changes course rule 16.1 requires her to give Y room to keep clear of B
When ain this situation, space to comply with her and thereby rules
including, right-of-way boat changes course obligations under
18.3(a) and situation that will
creates a 31.respond promptly, but causehave been able toasail to the wrong
a breach of rule by the
If Y does not would
other the markshe breaks rule she hadifdone so, penalize Y for breaking rule
side of boat, without hitting it if 16.1 she maintains this
18.3(a).
course.respond promptly to the change of course by againwas unable to tack
If Y did
However she may change course B, but to comply
and pass the mark on the wrong case neither boat breaks a rule.
with rule 16.1, in which side, then Y is entitled to space to comply with
rules 18.3(a) and 31. B gave Y this space by luffing. Display the green and white
flag.
Rules at Marks and Obstructions
Part 2 – Section C
Section C rules do 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.
The introduction no longer introduce any limits (When rule 20
applies, rules 18 and 19 do not.)
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3. 31.01.13
Rule 18.1
No change to the wording of rule 18.1. The rule still explains
when and between whom the mark rule applies:
 18.1 When rule 18 applies
 Rule 18 applies between boats when they are required to
leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in
the zone. However, it does not apply
(Note that even if the rule may apply – you may not always
be able to use it for anything…..)
Rule 18.2(a)
When boats are overlapped the outside boat shall
give the inside boat mark-room, unless rule 18.2(b)
applies.
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4. 31.01.13
Rule 18.2(b) – Giving Mark-Room
18.2 (b) Blue must give Because Yellow’s proper course is to sail close to
Yellow Mark-Room the mark she must be given room to sail to the
mark even if she is required to keep clear under
rule 11. Thereafter she must be given room to
round the mark as necessary to sail the course
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Rule 18.2(b) – Giving Mark-Room
18.2 (b) Blue must give
Yellow mark-room
Yellow is inside boat with
right of way under rule 10.
Blue must both keep clear and
give Yellow mark-room.
(Unless this is a gate, Yellow
is subject to rule 18.4, so must
not delay the gybe)
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Rule 18.2(b) – Giving Mark-Room
18.2 (b) Yellow must give Blue
mark-room.
That includes room to tack because
Blue is windward boat and
overlapped on the inside
It then depends on whether the
boats pass head to wind
simultaneously or one pass head
to wind before the other
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5. 31.01.13
Rule 18.2(c) – Giving Mark-Room
When a boat is required to give mark-room by
rule 18.2(b),
(1) she shall continue to do so even if later
an overlap is broken or a new overlap
begins;
(2) if she becomes overlapped inside the boat
entitled to mark-room, she shall also give
that boat room to sail her proper course
while they remain overlapped .
Rule 18.2(e) – Giving Mark-
Room
If a boat obtained an inside
overlap from clear astern or
by tacking to windward of
the other boat and, from
the time the overlap began,
the outside boat has been
unable to give mark-room,
she is not required to give
it .
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6. 31.01.13
Rule 18.3 – Tacking in the Zone
If a boat in the zone passes
head to wind and is then on
the same tack as a boat that is
fetching the mark, rule 18.2
does not there-after apply
between them. The boat that
changed tack
(a) shall not…….
Rule 18.3 – Tacking in the Zone
(a) shall not cause the other boat to sail above
close-hauled to avoid contact or prevent the
other boat from passing the mark on the
required side, and
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7. 31.01.13
Rule 18.3 – Tacking in the Zone
(b) shall give mark-room
if the other boat
becomes overlapped
inside her.
Rule 18.3 – Tacking in the Zone
18.2(a)(b) – 18.3
…(if so: no 18.2(a)
A is inside boat – without right
of way
A is entitled to mark-room –
including room to tack (as soon
as it is possible to tack and
round)
After the tack: A is right-of-way boat and has ’luffing rights’
A may sail above her proper course – and is not required to bear away
BUT….. 18.3 may apply…. (if Yellow pass head to wind first…)
21
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8. 31.01.13
Rule 19 – Room to pass an
Obstruction
 There are no changes to the wording of rule 19
 However… because of new rule 21 Exoneration…
the application of rule 19 has changed
 A boat entitled to room under rule 19 will be
exonerated if she breaks a rule of Section A, rule
15 or rule 16, or is compelled to break rule 31…. If
she is sailing within that room.
 Even if she could have avoided it….
RULE 19.2 – GIVING ROOM AT AN OBSTRUCTION
Blue is right-of-way boat and may
choose to pass on whichever side
she wants of the anchored boat
(which is an obstruction).
Rule 19.2(a)
Yellow is outside boat and must
give Blue room.
Here Yellow must also keep clear
because she is windward boat
19.2(a)
A right-of-way boat may choose to pass an obstruction on
either side.
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9. 31.01.13
RULE 19.2 – GIVING ROOM AT AN OBSTRUCTION
Blue is right-of-way boat on
starboard tack. Yellow on port
tack must keep clear
In position 2, Blue must give
Yellow seamanlike room to pass
the obstructions.
It does not matter what tacks the
boats are on
In position 3, Yellow has passed
the obstruction and must keep
clear of Blue, probably by gybing
RULE 19.2 – GIVING ROOM AT AN OBSTRUCTION
When Blue esteblishes a late
19.2(b) inside overlap Yellow is not able to
Yellow is right-of-way boat
When boats areclear ahead the outside boat shall give the inside
because she is overlapped, give room – and then she does
boat room between her and the obstruction, unless to give room.
not have
she has been
Rule19.2(b)
unable to do so from the time the overlap began.
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10. 31.01.13
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11. 31.01.13
Rule 20 - Room to Tack at
an Obstruction
Rule completely restructured:
20.1 - Hailing
20.2 - Responding
20.3 - Passing on a hail to an additional boat
Rule 20.1 Hailing
When approaching an obstruction, a boat may hail for
room to tack and avoid a boat on the same tack.
However, she shall not hail if
(a) she can avoid the obstruction safely without
making a substantial course change,
(b) she is sailing below close-hauled, or
(c) the obstruction is a mark and a boat that is
fetching it would be required to respond and
change course.
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12. 31.01.13
Rule 20.2 Responding
(a) After a boat hails, she shall give the hailed boat
time to respond.
(b) The hailed boat shall respond even if the hail
breaks rule 20.1.
(c) The hailed boat shall respond either by tacking
as soon as possible, or by immediately replying
‘You tack’ and then giving the hailing boat room
to tack and avoid her.
Rule 20.2 Responding
(d) When the hailed boat responds, the hailing boat
shall tack as soon as possible.
(e) From the time a boat hails until she has tacked
and avoided the hailed boat, rule 18.2 does not
apply between them.
Rule 20.3 Passing On a Hail
to an Additional Boat
When a boat has been hailed for room to tack and she
intends to respond by tacking, she may hail another
boat on the same tack for room to tack and avoid her.
She may hail even if her hail does not meet the
conditions of rule 20.1. Rule 20.2 applies between
her and the boat she hails.
NEW!!!!
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13. 31.01.13
 If someone hails when the rule does not apply:
 Not necessary to respond
 If someone hail when rule says no:
 Must respond (and may protest)
• Not specific words
• Boat that is hailing MUST complete tack
RULE 20 – ROOM TO TACK AT AN OBSTRUCTION
Green is an
obstruction for Blue
and Yellow
Yellow cannot hail for room
to tack, because she does
not need to make a
substantial course change to
avoid Green
If Yellow hails for room to
tack anyway, Blue must
respond to the hail AND
Yellow breaks rule
20.1(a)
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14. Rule does not apply:
Approaching to start,
no obstruction (starboard boat hails to avoid port boat)
Rule says no:
Not close-hauled or higher,
safety does not require it,
hailed boat is fetching mark