Hearing Decision

Procedural preamble: Hearing 10 was heard together with hearing 11 in accordance with RRS 63.2 since both hearings arose from the same incident.  During the hearing, the jury learned that 3017, although not a party to the hearing, was involved in the incident and may have broken a rule. The jury protested 3017, closed the current hearing and proceeded as required by rule 61.1(c). 

1. 2130, 3017 & 3185 were sailing downwind towards the leeward right-hand gate mark in 25 knots and were overlapped.


2. At the zone, 2130 was two sail reaching below the port tack lay line on port tack overlapped with 3017 sailing two sail down wind above the port tack lay line on port tack, who was overlapped with 3185 sailing two sail on the starboard lay line on starboard tack, all on a converging course. 


3. When 3017 and 3185 were close, 3017 gybed onto starboard and capsized.


4. As 2130 bore away to round the mark, 3185 bore away off the starboard layline and sailed past 3017, still on a converging course with 2130


5. 2130 tried to bear away harder but contact occurred between 2130 bow-sprit and 3185 starboard side near the bow, causing a hole in 3185's hull.


6. The boats separated and 2130 capsized. 2130 control lines detached and kite sheets tangled. 


7. 3185 could not finish the race. 


8. 2130 righted the boat and after completing a penaty turn continued in the race.

1. 3185 outside overlapped at the zone failed to give 2130 mark room and broke RRS 18.2(b)

2. Since 2130 broke RRS 10 while she was sailing in the mark room to which she was entitled, she is exonerated under RRS 43.1(b) for this breach.

3. It was not reasonably possible for 2130 to avoid contact with 3185.  2130 did not break RRS 14.

As 3185 retired from the race, no further penalty.

The requirements for redress in RRS 62.1 were not met.