<b>RRS 2, 14, 44.1</b>
I feel this should be visited to hear opinions from those that sail in scheduled regattas just for fun and those whose fun is competing at a higher level; those that know the rules and those that rely on the basic ones. I may not have the right perspective of what we do and why, but wonder at seeing the same issues regatta after regatta; a skipper having rights thereby assuming no other responsibilities on the water with friends at the time. There is some truth in being Dead Right. It is the aftermath that concerns me more and how it places a pall over our playground.
These rules cover Fair Sailing, Avoiding Contact, and Taking a Penalty (the retiring part).
Refer to the rulebook in your toolbox. Here are the points of discussion:
The intent of Rule 14 is there should be no contact if reasonably possible. How is a boat, with her skipper yelling starboard, to be handled in this rule when she runs over you with no attempt to avoid?
If there was damage in the collision to the burdened boat, should the boat that just ran over you be subject to retirement from the heat under 44.1? I consider a scratch to a faired hull or a crease in a sail to be damage and an issue of performance.
Further, where does this stack with reasonable consideration to fair play and sportsmanship? I consider running over my boat because I was numb and vacant or unavoidable on my part an act outside the bounds of fair play, sportsmanship and just plain poor behavior.
(I probably sail more competitive events than most of you in a season and feel it fair to make this observation from experience. In my recent escapades into the IOM Class with two championships and three area club events with more than 10 sailing, more boats have retired from a heat under 44.1 than any I am aware of in 12 years of EC12 racing. Many were not noted till a review of the scoring, as these have been the quietest regattas I have ever sailed.)
I have been told that pressing these matters with a boat that has the right away is futile. I think it should matter and be presented to a protest committee anyway to illuminate the reoccurring issues for consideration under these rules. I think this is fair play and chances to present your point of view where you think some consideration is due even when you commit the first wrong. I have done some stupid things in sailing and maybe some were boneheaded. For most I should have retired and sent to my room. There are times when an apology needs to be followed with a demonstration of the words.
Now having said all this, I have to say those of you I sail and visit with in my travels have enriched my life with friendships and camaraderie. Truly, I would not be doing this otherwise. We lose control for a few seconds and may not know how to follow up till the calm comes later. What do you think?
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