Hearing Decision

Protests 1/2026 and 2/2026 were heard together.

The protest from C08 was received outside the time limit. The time limit was extended by the PC due to the time required to secure the boat due to damage.

Both protests were deemed valid.

• Wind approximately 15 knots, flat sea.


• C-888 and C-08 on starboard sailing parallel to the start line shortly before the warning signal. C-888 to windward and about 8 boat lengths astern of C-08.


• C-99 was sailing on port tack approaching C-08 on a collision course


• C-08 luffed sharply to avoid contact with C-99.


• The luff created an overlap between C-08 and C-888 with C-888 becoming windward boat.


• At the same time, C-99 tacked to starboard.


• There was no contact between C-99 and C-08.


• As C-08 luffed, there was initially sufficient room for C-888 to avoid contact.


• C-888 heard calls from C-08 to keep clear.


• C-888 was not keeping adequate watch and was late to react to the luff of C-08.


• C-888 attempted to avoid contact by bearing away to pass astern of C-08.


• C-888 made contact with C-08 with the bowsprit of C-888 piercing the hull of C-08 just behind the starboard chainplate and just above the waterline, breaking the bowsprit of C888, and causing injury to a crew member on C-08.


• C-08 and C-888 both retired due to the damage.


• C-99 sailed the Division 2 race and finished.


• The repairs to C-08 will result in her being unable to race for the remainder of the season.

• None of the boats were Racing.


• The damage to both C-08 and C-888 was considered serious.


• C-99 on port tack caused C-08 on starboard tack to take late avoiding action and broke RRS 10.


• C-888 broke RRS 11 and RRS 14.


• It was not reasonably possible for C-08 to avoid contact with C-888 and did not break RRS 14.

• As C-99 was not racing she shall not be penalised as the actions of C-99 did not cause serious damage or injury (preamble to RRS Part 2).


• Although C-888 was not racing, the contact caused both serious damage and injury and therefore could be penalised for breaking RRS 14. The appropriate penalty for C-888 was to retire from the race. As she did so, there is no further penalty.


• Redress is granted to C-08. C-08 receives average points in Race 4 of the Wooden Boat Series calculated using her results from races 1 - 3. The crew from C-08 will sail a replacement boat for the remainder of the season aggregate. Scores for the season aggregate will be the combined scores of C-08 and the replacement boat.