Too frequently protest committees are forced to close a hearing without a determination of the facts as the competitors were unaware of their obligations under RRS 60.2(a)(1) (Intention to Protest). Unless these requirements are complied with, the protest is invalid, and the hearing must be closed in accordance with RRS 60.4, as the committee has no discretion in the matter.

Here is a quick quiz to test yourself as to your knowledge of this aspect of the Racing Rules of Sailing.

Authored by John Kirkjian, Chair of the CYCA Protest Committee, and Vice Commodore David Jacobs, Chair of the CYCA Sailing Committee.

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Facts:

During a race, Boat A is on a starboard tack and Boat B is on port tack. They are on converging courses.  Boat A hails “Starboard” but Boat B does not change course. At the last minute, to avoid a collision, Boat A changes course by ducking under Boat B.

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Question 1:

To inform the other boat of the protest, Boat A must:

1. Hail “Protest” at the first reasonable opportunity
2. Hail protest within 5 minutes of the incident
3. Hail protest by the end of the race
4. Waive a red flag until seen by the other boat
5. Conspicuously display a red flag at the first reasonable opportunity and keep it raised until seen by the other boat
6. Conspicuously display a red flag at the first reasonable opportunity and keep it raised until she is no longer racing
7. Some combination of the above

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Question 2:

We have determined that in these facts, Boat A must hail “protest” and conspicuously display a red flag, both at the first reasonable opportunity. Which of the above satisfies the requirement of “first reasonable opportunity” in relation to conspicuously displaying a red flag?

1. A crew member of Boat A goes down below, grabs the red flag from the navigation station, returns to the deck and displays it.
2. Same as A but the crew member can’t immediately locate the flag and takes some time to locate it.
3. The tactician has the red flag in his/her pocket and pulls it out and waives it.
4. The red flag is on the backstay and the tactician moves to the backstay and releases it.
5. The tactician has it in his/her pocket. He/she has a 30 second conversation with the helmsman as to whether to protest or not and on deciding to protest, pulls the flag from the pocket and displays it.