Is anyone official going to do anything about the rag and stick biggots changing tack in front of the race boats at Cowes this year?
In the worst case, just after the fort last year V4 and myself had to take avoiding action Zigging right to avoid a rag boat cutting in front of us with under 50 meters to go, and then having to zag left to avoid another idiot who came from the other side, who then waved and cheared as we almost hit the fekker. We both lost places because of that.
There were several other times this happened!
It appears as if they think it is part of the fun.
Perhaps maintaining the race line, and cutting one in half would teach them a lesson? hmmmmn - No that was done two years ago with no effect.
As far as my understanding of the collision rules go, the 'skipper' of the rag boats can be prosecuted for cutting in front of another boat.
Rule 5 places the requirement on the skipper to maintain the appropriate action for the circumstances. Crossing a racing line, which has been published 2 months in advance in the notice to mariners, would require the skipper to pay additional attention to the risk of a collision.
Rule 8 states that the skipper may not take any action to place his boat into a colision path, and also states that no matter what action the other boat takes ( ie the racer ) the skipper has to take action to avoid a collision.
Rule 9 refers to a 'narrow channel' - more specifically that no other boat can cross the narrow channel if this impedes a boat travelling in the narrow channel. part b says that any boat of less than 20 meters *shall not* impede the passage of a boat which can only safetly navigate in the narrow channel. The race line for the cowes around the island is a defined 'narrow channel' for the race boats.
Rule 18 is what the raq & stick boats always refer to ( even though they proberbly dont know the actual Rule, nor have they read the rule correctly ) " Power gives way to sail " - My arse it does. Rule 18 establishes the order in which a boat needs to give way to another boat. In order, a bowerboat gives way to: vessel not under command, vessel restricted in manoeuvreability, fishing vessel, sailing vessel. But! a Sailing vessel must give way to ( in order ) vessel not under command, vessel restricted in manoeuvreability, fishing vessel.
I would think a powerboat on a demarkated race line, would be considered haveing a restriction in manoeuvreability? This rule clearly states that the more manoeuvreable should give way to the less manoeuvreable. Se Rule 9 and the general rules 'avoiding a collision' rules.
__________________