With the increasing number of events being organised, inevitably there are occasions when two or more fleets of boats are racing in in close proximity. This article emphasises the importance of pre-event planning before examining the rules that apply when fleets meet.
Prevention
In an ideal world racing would take place on courses that are well separated from any other nautical activity. Unfortunately, this does not always happen.
At a general level, it is the event organising committee’s responsibility to ensure that all racing can be conducted safely and that every person involved in the regatta is aware of the fact that safety comes first at all times.
This includes coordinating with other local sailing clubs and all other organisations that may wish to organise events on the water. A plan should be put in place to ensure that different activities and events do not clash. In addition, clear lines of communication should be established between the event organisers and also between the on the water management teams which in sailing we call the race committee.
When several sailing events are sharing the same waters, clear agreement should be obtained beforehand as to who in each event is responsible for liaising with the other event team. This agreement may include for instance deciding which areas will be reserved for one of the events, or, ultimately, which event has priority at any given time. Details of these agreements should be communicated to all race officials and integrated into the Event Safety Plan and Risk Assessment.
The principal race officer and course race officers, not forgetting the event safety leader, are appointed by the event organisers, and are bound to conduct races as directed by the organisers. All race officials should be aware of all arrangements made and know who to contact when needed.
One possibility is to designate the race area of another fleet to be a prohibited area. In which case that race area becomes an obstruction and the appropriate racing rules apply.
Rules that apply.
When boats that are racing meets any other vessel that is not racing the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea applies (IRPCAS)
When both fleets are sailing under the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), all of the rules of RRS Part 2, When Boats Meet, apply between boats sailing in different fleets regardless of whether they are sailing in the same event or not. In particular 23.2 applies; when reasonably possible, a boat shall not interfere with a boat that is sailing on another leg of the course.
Another rule that always applies between boats whether they are racing or not, and applies under both IRPCAS and RRS, is the obligation to maintain a good look out. Under RRS 14, Avoiding Contact, a boat shall avoid contact if it is reasonably possible to do so. Avoiding contact Includes keeping a good lookout. It is no excuse to say ‘oh I didn’t see them coming’. The crew of the boat must always be aware of what’s going on around them. They need to be aware of any boat or vessel that may be at risk of collision with them.
When the fleets that are crossing are of greatly different size, speed or manoeuvrability, for instance when a cruiser-racer fleet meets a dinghy fleet, the situation can be particularly dangerous. World Sailing Case 138 clearly defines as an act of misconduct ‘acting recklessly or in a manner that does or is likely to cause damage or injury’. Sailing at high speed in close proximity to a fleet of much smaller boats, especially a fleet of younger sailors, may well be considered reckless. In which case boats may be protested under RRS 2, Fair Sailing, or reported under Rule 69 Misconduct.
When images of such behaviour are widely distributed on publicly available media then a case may be made that this is conduct that brings the sport of sailing into dispute, which is also a breach of Rule 69, Misconduct.
Finally, if there is an unfortunate incident in which any vessel or person is in danger RRS 1 requires all boats competitors or support persons to give all possible help.
What should a boat and crew do if their course takes them through another fleet?
The crew should evaluate the situation and decide whether they can continue to sail their course safely. The decision to participate in a race (before the start and during the race) is the responsibility of the crew on board (RRS3). They should take into account their own safety and, more importantly, perhaps, the safety of other competitors. This is especially important when there is a large difference in size, speed or manoeuvrability between boats, or in experience between crew sailing in each fleet. Boats should remain at a safe distance from other boats, which depends on conditions.
If the crew decides they cannot continue to sail on their course without undue risk of causing damage or injury to themselves or to another boat, then they should take whatever action is seamanlike. This may include changing course or reducing speed. As we have seen failure to do so may be considered reckless. If, by doing so, their race score is made significantly worse by an improper action or omission of the race committee they may consider requesting redress under RRS61.4(a)
Summary
Sailing is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk. Event organisers, race officials, competitors and support persons are all responsible both for their own safety and for the safety of all other participants.
Event organisers, race officials, competitors and support persons are all bound by the rules and should read and understand them – the new RRS for 2025-2028 are available online here and the RRS book is available to purchase here.
Irish Sailing policies on event organisation, race management and safety are published on the Irish Sailing Website here. Irish Sailing has updated the Race Official Risk Assessment, to accommodate the above observations, please see and use the new version here.
Written by Gordon Davies for the Race Officials Policy Group Newsletter.