On a ship in the Navy, Hail and Farewell parties blend the arrival of a new member of the wardroom with a send-off for a departing shipmate. In the Racing Rules of Sailng 2025-2028, an improper “hail” could result in an untimely “farewell” from the protest room.
The current rules address Hailing as follows:
20.1 Hailing
A boat may hail for room to tack and avoid a boat on the same tack by hailing ‘Room to tack.’ However, she shall not hail unless
- she is approaching an obstruction and will soon need to make a substantial course change to avoid it safely, and
- 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.
Intertwined in this rule are a number of subtle points that most sailors “reading through the rules” quickly may miss. Let’s consider hailing at an obstruction.
An Obstruction is:
- 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;
- an object that can be safely passed on only one side; or
- 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 (capsized, anchored, aground, rescuing) applies, avoid her.
In this illustration, is the anchored powerboat an obstruction to boat 1?
Yes, the anchored powerboat IS an obstruction as a substantial change of course is required not to hit it.
When approaching an anchored boat, can 1 hail 2 for “Room to Tack”?
Yes, you may hail for “Room to Tack” when sailing close hauled and approaching an obstruction.
But what about this situation at a finish line and 1 finds herself in the “coffin corner”?
1 may NOT hail for “Room to Tack” if the obstruction is a mark and a boat that is fetching would have to change course because of your hail. Remember that final sentence in Rule 20.1?
If 1 hails, 2 must respond, and after responding 2’s remedy is to hail “Protest” and fly her protest flag.
Here’s another common situation that has one of those nuanced rules. Can 2 hail for “Room to Tack”?
No, you can only hail for “Room to Tack” if you’re sailing close-hauled or above. Both 1 and 2 are reaching down the line on port sailing towards black on starboard which is an obstruction. 2’s hail breaks 20.1 for which she can be protested.
Some final points to remember:
- When hailing for room to tack, you must use the words “Room to Tack” in your hail.
- After hailing for “Room to Tack,” you must give the hailed boat time to respond.
- When you are the hailed boat, you must respond by tacking as soon as possible or by replying “You Tack” and then giving the hailing boat room to tack and avoid you.
- You must respond even if the hail breaks rule 20.1.
So, learn when and when not to hail. Hopefully, that will prevent a protest committee from wishing you a quick farewell.
