Rules 19 and 20 – Room at Obstructions: Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024

This video covers what you need to know about Rule 19 and 20, with video, animations, and questions and answers. See more at SailZing.com.

Rule 19 – Room to Pass an Obstruction
19.1 – When Rule 19 Applies

“Rule 19 applies between two boats at an obstruction except

(a) when the obstruction is a mark the boats are required to leave on the same side, or

(b) when rule 18 applies between the boats and the obstruction is another boat overlapped with each of them.

However, at a continuing obstruction, rule 19 always applies and rule 18 does not.”

19.2 – Giving Room at an Obstruction
“(a) A right-of-way boat may choose to pass an obstruction on either side.

(b) When 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.”

Rule 20 – Room to Tack at an Obstruction
20.1 – Hailing
“A boat may hail for room to tack and avoid a boat on the same tack. However, she shall not hail unless

(a) she is approaching an obstruction and will soon need to make a substantial course change to avoid it safely, and

(b) she is sailing close-hauled or above.

In addition, she shall not hail if the obstruction is a mark and a boat that is fetching it would be required to change course as a result of the hail.”

20.2 – Responding
“(a) After a boat hails, she shall give a hailed boat time to respond.

(b) A hailed boat shall respond even if the hail breaks rule 20.1.

(c) A hailed boat shall respond either by tacking as soon as possible, or by immediately replying ‘You tack’ and then giving the hailing boat room to tack and avoid her.

(d) When a hailed boat responds, the hailing boat shall tack as soon as possible.

(e) From the time a boat hails until she has tacked and avoided a hailed boat, rule 18.2 does not apply between them.”

20.3 – Passing On a Hail to an Additional Boat
“When a boat has been hailed for room to tack and she intends to respond by tacking, she may hail another boat on the same tack for room to tack and avoid her. She may hail even if her hail does not meet the conditions of rule 20.1. Rule 20.2 applies between her and a boat she hails.”

20.4 – Additional Requirements for Hails
“(a) When conditions are such that a hail may not be heard, the boat
shall also make a signal that clearly indicates her need for room
to tack or her response.

(b) The notice of race may specify an alternative communication for
a boat to indicate her need for room to tack or her response, and
require boats to use it.”

The 2021 changes added Rule 20.4 in its entirety. The changes enhance safety, in situations when hails made under Rule 20 may not be heard.

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