Hey Sleddog,
Thanks for starting this off. Now here's where we get into the shades of grey:
Scenario 1: a racer broadcasts to the fleet that he's busted his roller furler and is missing a screw to repair it. Not necessarily a "life threatening" situation as covered in the rules. Another racer offers to "screw him". Should the racer that accepted outside assistance in such a non life threatening situation be disqualified? Should the racer that offered assistance in such a non life threatening situation be given redress?
Scenario 2: a racer broadcasts to the fleet that he has been dismasted, but has fabricated a jury rig and is proceeding towards the finish under sail. Another racer in close proximity alters course and offers spare fuel to the jury rigged boat. The jury rigged boat accepts the fuel but completes the course under sail. Should the racer that accepted outside assistance be disqualified, weather he made use of the fuel or not? Should the racer that offered outside assistance be given redress?
Scenario 3: a racer broadcasts to the fleet that his rudder has broken and he is having difficulty steering his boat with the emergency rudder. Another racer in close proximity alters course and offers to stand by to render any assistance if necessary. The injured boat manages to make the proper adjustments to his boat in order to continue towards the finish under sail but at considerably reduced speed and states that he does not need assistance. The standby boat does not continue racing towards the finish at full speed but reduces his speed to pace the injured vessel. How much redress should the standby boat receive?
It is clearly the race committee's decision to grant redress if so requested and to then determine the amount of time that is deemed fair and reasonable. But the race committee does not have the power to disqualify for a rules infraction if they did not witness it, and apparently hearing it discussed over the radio either directly or indirectly does not count. So, either another racer must file a protest, or the racer must disqualify themselves, or nothing happens and thus the incident "never happened".
Synthia/Eyrie
Last edited by Eyrie; 06-14-2008 at 02:29 PM.
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