RULE 19.2 Giving room at an obstruction
Let’s look at what the rule says:
Rule 19.2 Giving room at an obstruction
(a) A right-of-way boat may choose to pass an obstruction on her port or starboard side. If a right-of-way boat changes course when choosing on which side to pass the obstruction, she shall give the other boat room to keep clear.
(b) When the boats are overlapped, the outside boat shall give the inside boat room between her and the obstruction, unless she has been unable to do so from the time the overlap began.
(c) While boats are passing a continuing obstruction, if a boat that was clear astern and required to keep clear becomes overlapped between the other boat and the obstruction and, at the moment the overlap begins, there is not room for her to pass between them,
(1) she is not entitled to room under rule 19.2(b), and
(2) while the boats remain overlapped, she shall keep clear and rules 10 and 11 do not apply.
Obstruction An obstruction is
(a) an object that a boat could not pass without changing course substantially, if she were sailing directly towards it and one of her hull lengths from it;
(b) an object that can be safely passed on only one side; or
(c) an object, area or line that is so designated in a rule;
However, a boat racing is not an obstruction to other boats unless they are required to keep clear of her or, if rule 22* applies, avoid her.
(* Rule 22 – Often a capsized dinghy)
Let’s look at the examples of Rule 19.2(a) and Rule 19.2(b). In Example 1, Green and Blue are approaching an upturned dinghy which is an obstruction and Rule 19.1 determines that Rule 19 applies.
Green, may pass an obstruction on her port or starboard side under Rule 19.1(a). In this scenario, Green passed the obstruction on her starboard side. Blue must give Green room under Rule 19.2(b). Because Green changes course when choosing to pass the obstruction on her starboard side, she must ensure that Blue can give Green that room.
Let’s look at another example of Rule 19. In Example 2, Blue and Green are sailing along the sea wall, which is a continuous obstruction. Blue overlaps Green from clear astern. Blue hails for room: “Rule 19—Room!” Green hails back: “NO ROOM!”
In this case, should Green give room to Blue? No, Green is not required to provide room to Blue because they are passing a continuous obstruction. Blue overlaps, and there is no room for Blue to pass Green. Therefore Rule 19.2(c) applies. This means that Rule 19.2(b) expressly does not apply and whilst Blue and Green stay overlapped, Rule 10 and 11 also do not apply.
NO, Blue has every right to pass the obstruction on either side.
So to sum up Rule 19.2
- When boats overlap and at least one is entitled to room at an obstruction, the outside boat must give the inside boat room.
- Rule 19.2(c) applies to continuous obstructions.
