Conference unifix::sailing

Part I - Status of Rules, Fundamental Rules and Definitions

Status of Rules
The International Yacht Racing Rules have been established by the IYRU for 
the organization, conduct and judging of the sport of yacht racing, and are 
amended and published every four years by the IYRU in accordance with its 
Constitution.

Fundamental Rules

A. Rendering Assistance
   Every yacht shall render all possible assistance to any vessel or person 
   in peril, when in a position to do so.

B. Responsibility of a Yacht
   It shall be the sole responsibility of each yacht to decide whether or 
   not to start or to continue to race.

C. Fair Sailing
   A yacht shall participate in a race or series of races in an event only 
   by fair sailing, superior speed and skill, and, except in team races, by
   individual effort.  However, a yacht may be penalized under this rule 
   only in a case of a clear-cut violation of the above principles and only
   when no other rule (except rule 75, Gross Infringement of Rules or 
   Misconduct) applies.

Definitions

All preambles and definitions rank as rules.  Further definitions of terms 
used in Part VI will be found at the beginning of Part VI.

RACING - A yacht is racing from her preparatory signal until she has either 
finished and cleared the finish line and finishing marks or retired, or 
until the race has been postponed, abandoned, canceled, or a general recall 
has been signaled, except that in match or team races, the instructions 
may prescribe that a yacht is racing from any specified time before the 
preparatory signal.

STARTING - A yacht starts when, after fulfilling her penalty obligations, 
if any, under rule 51.1(c)(Sailing the Course) and after her starting 
signal, any part of her hull, crew or equipment first crosses the starting 
line in the direction of the course to the first mark.

FINISHING - A yacht finishes when any part of her hull, or of her crew or 
equipment in normal position, crosses the finishing line in the direction 
of the course from the last mark, after fulfilling her penalty obligations, 
if any, under rule 52.2 (Touching a Mark).

LUFFING - Altering course toward the wind.

TACKING - A yacht is tacking from the moment she is beyond head to wind 
until she has borne away, when beating to windward, to a close-hauled 
course; when not beating to windward, to the course on which her mainsail 
has filled.

BEARING AWAY - Altering course away from the wind until a yacht begins to 
gybe.

GYBE - A yacht begins to gybe at the moment when, with the wind aft, the 
foot of her mainsail crosses her center line, and completes the gybe when 
the mainsail has filled on the other tack.

ON A TACK - A yacht is on a tack except when she is tacking or gybing.  A 
yacht is on a tack (Starboard or Port) corresponding to her windward side.

CLOSE-HAULED - A yacht is close-hauled when sailing by the wind as close as 
she can lie with advantage in working to windward.

CLEAR ASTERN AND CLEAR AHEAD; OVERLAP - A yacht is clear astern of another 
when her hull and equipment in normal position are abaft an imaginary line 
projected abeam from the aftermost point of the other's hull and equipment 
in normal position.  The other yacht is clear ahead.  The yachts overlap 
when neither is clear astern; or when, although one is clear astern, an 
intervening yacht overlaps both of them.  The terms clear astern, clear 
ahead, and overlap apply to yachts on opposite tacks only when they are 
subject to rule 42, (Rounding or Passing Marks and Obstructions).

LEEWARD AND WINDWARD - The leeward side of a yacht is that on which she is, 
or, when head to wind, was, carrying her mainsail.  The opposite side is 
the windward side.  When neither of two yachts on the same tack is clear 
astern, the one on the leeward side of the other is the leeward yacht.  The 
other is the windward yacht.

PROPER COURSE - A proper course is any course that a yacht might sail after 
the starting signal, in the absence of the other yacht or yachts affected, 
to finish as quickly as possible.  The course before luffing or bearing 
away is presumably, but not necessarily, the yacht's proper course.  There 
is no proper course before the starting signal.

MARK - A mark is any object specified in the sailing instructions that a 
yacht must round or pass on a required side.  Every ordinary part of a mark 
ranks as part of it, including a flag, flagpole, boom or hoist boat, but 
excluding ground tackle and any object either accidentally or temporarily 
attached to the mark.

OBSTRUCTION - An obstruction is any object, including a vessel under way, 
large enough to require a yacht, when more than one overall length from it, 
to make a substantial alteration of course to pass on one side or the other, 
or any object that can be passed on one side only, including a buoy, when 
the yacht in question cannot safely pass between it and the shoal or object 
that it marks.  The sailing instructions may prescribe that certain defined 
areas shall rank as obstructions.

POSTPONEMENT - A postponed race is one that is not started at its scheduled 
time and that can be sailed at any time the race committee may decide.

ABANDONMENT - An abandoned race is one that the race committee declares 
void at any time after the starting signal, and that can be re-sailed at 
its discretion.

CANCELLATION - A cancelled race is one that the race committee decides will 
not be sailed thereafter.

Part II - Management of Races

Authority and Duties of the Race Committee
The rules of Part II deal with the duties and responsibilities of the race 
committee in conducting a race, the meaning of signals made by it and of 
other actions taken by it.

{I will omit sections of this Part as it deals with the how to's on 
organization of a race.}

3	The Sailing Instructions

3.1	Status - These rules shall be supplimented by written sailing 
	instructions which shall rank as rules and may alter a rule by 
	specific reference to it, but, except in accordance with rule 
	3.2(b)(xxviii), they shall not alter Parts I and IV of these rules,
	or rules 1, 2, 3, 26, 51.1(a), or 61, or the rules of Section C
	and D of Part VI, or the provisions of rule 68.2(a), (Protests by 
	Yachts), that International Code flag "B" is always accepted as a
	protest flag.  However, when so prescribed by the national 
	authority, this restriction shall not preclude the right of 
	developing and testing proposed rule changes in local regattas.

3.2	Contents

	(a) The sailing instructions shall contain the following 
	information:

		(i) That the race or regatta will be governed by the 
		International Yacht Racing Rules, the prescriptions of the
		national authority when they apply (for international 
		events, a copy in English of prescriptions that apply shall
		be included in the sailing instructions), the rules of each
		class concerned, the sailing instructions and such other
		rules as are applicable.

		(ii) The schedule of races, the classes to race, and the 
		order and times of warning signals.

		(iii) The course or courses to be sailed or a list of marks
		or courses from which the course or courses will be selected,
		describing the marks and stating:

		1. the order, and either

		2. the side on which each mark is to be rounded, or

		3. the side on which each mark is to be passed

		A diagram or chart is recommended.

		(iv) Description of the starting line, the starting system
		and any special signals to be used.

		(v) The proceedure for individual and general recalls and
		any special signals.

		(vi) Description of the finishing line and any special 
		instructions for finishing a course shortened after the
		start.

		(vii) The time limit, if any, for finishing.

		(viii) The scoring system when not previously announced in
		writing, including the method, if any, for breaking ties.

	(b) The sailing instructions shall, when appropriate, include the 
	following:

		(i) Variations from the racing rules, subject to rule 3.1, 
		or the class rules for a special race or regatta.

		(ii) The registration proceedure.

		(iii) Location(s) of official regatta notice board(s).

		(iv) Proceedure for changes in the sailing instructions.

		(v) Restrictions controlling modifications to yachts when
		supplied by the organizing authority.

		(vi) Signals to be made ashore and location of signal 
		stations.

		(vii) Class flags.

		(viii) The racing area.  A chart is recommended.

		(ix) The starting area.

		(x) Course signals.

		(xi) Approximate course length; approximate length of 
		windward legs.

		(xii) Information on tides and currents.

		(xiii) Proceedure for shortening the course before or after 
		the start.

		(xiv) Mark boats; lead boats.

		(xv) Proceedure for changing the course after the start and 
		related signals.

		(xvi) The time limit, if any, for yachts other than the 
		first yacht to finish.

		(xvii) Whether races postponed or abandoned for the day 
		will be sailed later and, if so, when and where.

		(xviii) The number of races required to complete the 
		regatta.

		(xix) Safety, such as requirements and signals for personal
		buoyancy, check-in at the starting area, and check-out and
		check-in ashore.

		(xx) Any measurement or inspection proceedure.

		(xxi) Alternative penalties for rule infringements.

		(xxii) Whether declarations are required.

		(xxiii) Protest proceedure and times and place of hearings.

		(xxiv) Restrictions on use of support boats, plastic pools,
		radios, etc. and limitations on hauling out.

		(xxv) Substitute competitors.

		(xxvi) Prizes.

		(xxvii) Time allowances.

		(xxviii) Racing rules applicable between sunset and sunrise
		and night signals to be used by the race committee.

		(xxix) Disposition to be made of a yacht appearing at the 
		start alone in her class.

		(xxx) Denial of the right to appeal, subject to rule 1.7, 
		(the USYRU makes no prescriptions to this rule).

		(xxxi) Other commitments of the race committee and 
		obligations of yachts.

3.3	Distribution - The sailing instructions shall be available to each
	yacht entitled to race.

3.4	Changes - Before a race or during a series, the race committee may
	change the sailing instructions by timely posting a written notice
	on the official notice board.  On the water, it may make such a 
	change by communicating it to each yacht before her warning signal.

3.5	Oral Instructions - Oral instructions shall not be given, except in
	accordance with proceedure specifically set out in the sailing 
	instructions.

Part III - General Requirements

Owner's Responsibilities for Qualifying his Yacht

18 	Entries

{This is just the prescribed method for submitting an entry}

19 	Measurement or Rating Certificates

19.1	Every yacht entering a race shall hold such valid measurement or
	rating certificate as required by the national authority or duly
	authorized body, by her class rules, by the notice of race or 
	regatta, or by the sailing instructions.

19.2	An owner shall be responsible for maintaining his yacht in 
	accordance with her class rules and for ensuring that her 
	certificate is not invalidated by alterations.  Deviations in 
	excess of tolerances specified in the class rules caused by normal
	wear or damage and that do not affect the performance of the yacht
	shall not invalidate the measurement or rating certificate of the
	yacht for a particular race, but shall be rectified before she 
	races again, unless in the opinion of the race committee there has
	been no practicable opportunity to rectify the wear or damage.

19.3	(a) The owner of a yacht who cannot produce such a certificate when 
	required, may be permitted to sign and lodge with the race 
	committee, before she starts, a statement in the following form:
	{style of the form and required contents}

	(b) In this event the sailing instructions may require that the owner
	shall lodge such a deposit as may be required by the organizing
	authority, which may be forfeited when such certificate or true 
	copy is not submitted to the race committee within the prescribed
	period.

20 	Ownership of Yachts
	{states that only boats registered and recognized by a national 
	authority may race; an owner can race only 1 boat at a time; an 
	owner cannot compete against his own boat while in another.}

21 	Member on Board
	{states that a member of a nationally recognize sailing 
	organization must be on board}

22 	Shifting Ballast

22.1 	General Restrictions
	Floorboards shall be kept down; bulkheads and doors left standing;
	ladders, stairways and water tanks left in place; all cabin, galley 
	and forecastle fixtures and fittings kept on board; all movable 
	ballast shall be properly stowed under the floorboards or in 
	lockers and no dead weight shall be shifted.

22.2 	Shipping, Unshipping or Shifting Ballast; Water
	From 2100 on the day before the race until she is no longer racing,
	a yacht shall not ship, unship or shift ballast, whether movable or
	fixed, or take in or discharge water, except for ordinary ship's
	use and the removal of bilge water.

23 	Anchor

	Unless otherwise prescribed by her class rules, every yacht shall
	carry on board an anchor and chain or rope of suitable size.

24 	Life-Saving Equipment

	Unless otherwise prescribed by her class rules, every yacht, except
	one that has sufficient buoyancy to support the crew in case of
	accident, shall carry adequate life-saving equipment for all 
	persons on board, one item of which shall be ready for immediate 
	use.  USYRU prescribes that, irrespective of any provisions in the
	sailing instructions, every yacht shall carry life-saving equipment
	conforming to government regulations.

25 	Class Insignia, National Letters, and Sail Numbers

25.1	Every yacht of international class recognized by the I.Y.R.U. shall
	carry on her mainsail, and as provided in rule 25.1(d)(iii) on her
	spinnaker:

	(a) The insignia denoting the class to which she belongs.

	(b) A letter that denotes the nationality, thus:
	{there is a listing of all recognized countries 1 or 2 letter 
	insignia}

	(c) A sail number allotted to her by her national authority.  In the
	case of a self-administered international class, the number may
	be allotted by the class owners' association.
	{they go on about how to hang national letters and numbers}

	(d)(iii) The national letters and sail numbers only shall be 
	similarly placed on both sides of a spinnaker, but at approximately
	half-height.

	(e) National letters need not be carried in home waters, except in
	an international championship.

	(f) {more on how to hang the letters and numbers}

25.2	(a) USYRU prescribes that, unless otherwise provided in the class 
	rules or sailing instructions, a yacht not in one of the above 
	classes shall carry her class insignia, national letters and sail
	number on her mainsail  and spinnaker as provided above, except
	that an alternative size requirement is that the insignia, letters
	and numbers shall not be less than 10 inches in height for yachts
	under 22 feet waterline length, not less than 15 inches in height
	for yachts 22 feet to 32 feet waterline length, and not less than
	18 inches in height for yachts over 32 feet waterline length.

	(b) USYRU prescribes that offshore racing yachts not subject to rule
	25.1 shall carry USYRU numbers on mainsails, spinnakers and each
	overlapping headsail having a luff perpendicular exceeding 130%
	of the base of the foretriangle.

26 	Advertising
	{Don't do it unless all yachts are supplied by the same company
	or other organization, and is authorized by the organizing 
	authority.}

27 	Forestays and Jib Tacks
	Unless otherwise prescribed by the class rules, forestays and jib 
	tacks (not including spinnaker staysails when not close-hauled) 
	shall be fixed approximately in the center-line of the yacht.

Part IV - RIGHT OF WAY RULES
{In their entirety.}

Rights And Obligations When Yachts Meet

The rules of Part IV do not apply in any way to a vessel that is neither 
intending to race nor racing; such vessel shall be treated in accordance 
with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea or 
Government Right of Way Rules applicable to the area concerned.  The rules 
of Part IV apply only between yachts that either are intending to race or 
are racing in the same or different races, and, except when rule 
3.2(b)(xxviii)(Race Continues After Sunset), applies, replace the 
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea or Government 
Right of Way Rules applicable to the area concerned, from the time a yacht 
intending to race begins to sail about in the vicinity of the starting line 
until she has either finished or retired and has left the vicinity of the 
course. (See Appendix 9)(Excerpts from the International Regulations for 
Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972).{I will not include these.}

	SECTION A - OBLIGATIONS AND PENALTIES

31 	Disqualification

31.1	A yacht may be disqualified or otherwise penalized for infringing
	a rule of Part IV only when the infringement occurs while she is 
	racing, whether or not a collision results.

31.2	A yacht may be disqualified or otherwise penalized, before or after 
	she is racing, for seriously hindering a yacht that is racing, or 
	for infringing the sailing instructions.

32 	Avoiding Collisions

	A right-of-way yacht that fails to make a reasonable attempt to 
	avoid a collision resulting in serious damage may be disqualified
	as well as the other yacht.

33 	Rule Infringement

33.1	Accepting Penalty - A yacht that realizes she has infringed a racing
	rule or a sailing instruction is under an obligation either to 
	retire promptly or to exonerate herself by accepting an alternative
	penalty when so prescribed in the sailing instructions, but when 
	she does not retire or exonerate herself and persists in racing,
	other yachts shall continue to accord her such rights as she has
	under the rules of Part IV.

33.2 	Contact Between Yachts Racing - When there is contact that is not 
	both minor and unavoidable between the hulls, equipment or crew
	of two yachts, both shall be disqualified or otherwise penalized
	unless:
	either
		(a) One of the yachts retire in acknowledgement of the
		infringement, or exonerates herself by accepting an 
		alternative penalty when so prescribed in the sailing
		instructions,
	or
		(b) One or both of these yachts acts in accordance with
		rule 68,(Protests by Yachts).

34	Hailing

34.1	Except when luffing under rule 38.1,(Luffing and Sailing Above a
	Proper Course After Starting), a right-of-way yacht that does not
	hail before or when making an alteration of course that may not be
	foreseen by the other yacht may be disqualified as well as the 
	yacht required to keep clear when a collision resulting in serious
	damage occurs.

34.2	A yacht that hails when claiming the establishment or termination
	of an overlap or insufficiency of room at a mark or obstruction
	thereby helps to support her claim for the purposes of rule 42,
	(Rounding or Passing Marks and Obstructions).

	SECTION B - PRINCIPAL RIGHT OF WAY RULES AND THEIR LIMITATIONS

	These rules apply except when over-ridden by a rule in Section C.

35	Limitations on Altering Course

	When one yacht is required to keep clear of another, the 
	right-of-way yacht shall not alter course so as to prevent the 
	other yacht from keeping clear; or so as to obstruct her while 
	she is keeping clear, except:

	(a) to the extent permitted by rule 38.1,(Same Tack, Luffing and
	Sailing Above a Proper Course After Starting), and

	(b) when assuming a proper course:
	    either
		(i) to start, unless subject to rule 40,(Same Tack Luffing
		    Before Starting), or to the second part of rule 44.1(b),
		    (Returning to Start),
	    or
		(ii) when rounding a mark.

36	Opposite Tacks - Basic Rule

	A port-tack yacht shall keep clear of a starboard-tack yacht.

37	Same Tack - Basic Rules

37.1	WHEN OVERLAPPED - A windward yacht shall keep clear of a leeward
	yacht.

37.2	WHEN NOT OVERLAPPED - A yacht clear astern shall keep clear of a
	yacht clear ahead.

37.3	TRANSITIONAL - A yacht that establishes an overlap to windward from
	clear astern shall allow the windward yacht ample room and 
	opportunity to keep clear.

38	Same Tack - Luffing and Sailing Above a Proper Course After 
	Starting

38.1	LUFFING RIGHTS - After she has started and cleared the starting 
	line, a yacht clear ahead or a leeward yacht may luff as she 
	pleases, subject to proper course limitations of this rule.

38.2	PROPER COURSE LIMITATIONS - A leeward yacht shall not sail above
	her proper course while an overlap exists, if when the overlap
	began or at any time during its existence, the helmsman of the 
	windward yacht (when sighting abeam from his normal station and 
	sailing no higher than the leeward yacht) has been abreast or 
	forward of the mainmast of the leeward yacht.

38.3	OVERLAP LIMITATIONS - For the purpose of rule 38 only; An overlap
	does not exist unless the yachts are clearly within two overall 
	lengths of the longer yacht; and an overlap that exists between 
	two yachts when the leading yacht starts, or when one or both of
	them completes a tack or gybe, shall be regarded as new overlap
	beginning at that time.

38.4	HAILING TO STOP OR PREVENT A LUFF - When there is doubt, the 
	leeward yacht may assume that she has the right to luff unless
	the helmsman of the windward yacht has hailed "Mast Abeam", or words
	to that effect.  The leeward yacht shall be governed by such hail,
	and, when she deems it improper, her only remedy is to protest.

38.5	CURTAILING A LUFF - The windward yacht shall not cause a luff to 
	be curtailed because of her proximity to the leeward yacht unless
	an obstruction, a third yacht or other object restricts her ability
	to respond.

38.6	LUFFING TWO OR MORE YACHTS - A yacht shall not luff unless she has
	the right to luff all yachts that would be affected by her luff, in
	which case they shall all respond, even when an intervening yacht
	or yachts would not otherwise have the right to luff.

39	Same Tack - Sailing Below a Proper Course After Starting

	A yacht that is on a free leg of the course shall not sail below
	her proper course when she is clearly within three of her overall 
	lengths of either a leeward yacht or a yacht clear astern that is
	steering a course to pass to leeward.

40	Same Tack - Luffing Before Starting

	Before a right-of-way yacht has started and cleared the starting 
	line, any luff on her part that causes another yacht to have to 
	alter course to avoid a collision shall be carried out slowly and
	initially in such a way as to give a windward yacht room and
	opportunity to keep clear.  However, the leeward yacht shall not
	so luff above a close-hauled course, unless the helmsman of the 
	windward yacht (sighting abeam from his normal station) is abaft 
	the mainmast of the leeward yacht.  Rules 38.4,(Hailing to Stop or
	Prevent a Luff); 38.5,(Curtailing a Luff); and 38.6,(Luffing Two
	or More Yachts), also apply.

41	Changing Tacks - Tacking and Gybing

41.1	BASIC RULE - A yacht that is either tacking or gybing shall keep
	clear of a yacht on a tack.

41.2	TRANSITIONAL - A yacht shall neither tack nor gybe into a position
	that will give her right of way, unless she does so far enough 
	from a yacht on a tack to enable this yacht to keep clear without
	having to begin to alter her course until after the tack or gybe
	has been completed.

41.3	ONUS - A yacht that tacks or gybes has the onus of satisfying the
	race committee that she completed her tack or gybe in accordance
	with rule 41.2.

41.4	WHEN SIMULTANEOUS - When two yachts are both tacking or both 
	gybing, the one on the other's port side shall keep clear.


	SECTION C - Rules That Apply at Marks and Obstructions and Other
	Exceptions to the Rules of Section B

	When a rule of this section applies, to the extent to which it
	explicitly provides rights and obligations, it over-rides any 
	conflicting rule of Section B, Principal Right of Way Rules and
	Their Limitations, except rule 35,(Limitations on Altering Course).

42	Rounding or Passing Marks and Obstructions

	Rule 42 applies when yachts are about to round or pass a mark, 
	other than a starting mark surrounded by navigable water, on the
	same required side or an obstruction on the same side, except that:

	(a) rule 42 shall not apply between two yachts on opposite tacks
	on a beat or when one of them will have to tack to either round the
	mark or to avoid the obstruction;

	(b) rule 42.4 begins to apply when yachts are approaching the 
	starting line to start.

42.1	WHEN OVERLAPPED

	An Outside Yacht

	(a) An outside yacht shall give each inside overlapping yacht room
	to round or pass the obstruction, except as provided in 42.3.  Room
	is the space needed by an inside overlapping yacht, which is 
	handled in a seamanlike manner in the prevailing conditions, to 
	pass in safety between an outside yacht and a mark or obstruction,
	and includes space to tack or gybe when either is an integral part
	of the rounding or passing manoeuvre.

	(b) An outside yacht overlapped when she comes within two of her 
	overall	lengths of a mark or obstruction shall give room as 
	required, even though the overlap may thereafter be broken.

	(c) An outside yacht that claims to have broken an overlap has the
	onus of satisfying the race committee that she became clear ahead
	when she was more than two of her overall lengths from the mark or
	obstruction.

	An Inside Yacht	

	(d) A yacht that claims an inside overlap has the onus of 
	satisfying the race committee that she established the overlap in
	accordance with rule 42.3

	(e) When an inside yacht of two or more overlapped yachts, either
	on opposite tacks or on the same tack without luffing rights, will
	have to gybe in order most directly to assume a proper course to 
	the next mark, she shall gybe at the first reasonable opportunity.

42.2	WHEN NOT OVERLAPPED

	A Yacht Clear Astern

	(a) A yacht clear astern when the yacht clear ahead comes within
	two of her overall lengths of a mark or obstruction shall keep
	clear in anticipation of and during the rounding or passing 
	manoeuvre, whether the yacht clear ahead remains on the same tack
	or gybes.

	(b) A yacht clear astern shall not luff above close-hauled so as to
	prevent a yacht clear ahead from tacking to round a mark.

	A Yacht Clear Ahead

	(c) A yacht clear ahead that tacks to round a mark is subject to
	rule 41,(Changing Tacks - Tacking and Gybing).

	(d) A yacht clear ahead shall be under no obligation to give room
	to a yacht clear astern before an overlap is established.

42.3	EXCEPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS

	(a) Limitation on Establishing an Overlap - A yacht that 
	establishes an inside overlap from clear astern is entitled to
	room under rule 42.1(a) only when, at that time, the outside yacht:

		(i) is able to give room, and

		(ii) is more than two of her overall lengths from the mark
		or obstruction.  However, when a yacht completes a tack
		within two of her overall lengths of a mark or obstruction,
		she shall give room as required by rule 42.1(a) to a yacht
		that cannot thereafter avoid establishing a late inside
		overlap.

	At a continuing obstruction rule 42.3(b) applies.

	(b) Limitation When an Obstruction is a Continuing One - A yacht 
	clear astern may establish an overlap between a yacht clear ahead
	and a continuing obstruction, such as a shoal or the shore or 
	another vessel, only when, at that time, there is room for her to 
	pass between them in safety.

	(c) Taking an Inside Yacht to the Wrong Side of a Mark - An outside
	leeward yacht with luffing rights may take an inside yacht to 
	windward of a mark provided that she:

		(i) hails to that effect, and

		(ii) begins to luff before she is within two of her overall
		lengths of the mark, and

		(iii) also passes to windward of it.

42.4	AT A STARTING MARK SURROUNDED BY NAVIGABLE WATER - "ANTI-BARGING"

	When approaching the starting line to start and after starting, a
	leeward yacht shall be under no obligation to give any windward 
	yacht room to pass to leeward of a starting mark surrounded by 
	navigable water; but, after the starting signal, a leeward yacht
	shall not deprive a windward yacht of room at such a mark by
	sailing either:

	(a) above the compass bearing of the course to the first mark, or

	(b) above close-hauled.

43	Close-hauled, Hailing for Room to Tack at Obstructions

43.1	HAILING

	When two close-hauled yachts are on the same tack and safe pilotage
	requires the yacht clear ahead or the leeward yacht to make a 
	substantial alteration of course to clear an obstruction, and when
	she intends to tack, but cannot tack without colliding with the 
	other yacht, she shall hail the other yacht for room to tack and
	clear the other yacht, but she shall not hail and tack 
	simultaneously.

43.2	RESPONDING

	The hailing yacht at the earliest possible moment after the hail
	shall:

	either

	(a) tack, in which case the hailing yacht shall begin to tack, 
	either:

		(i) before the hailed yacht has completed her tack, or

		(ii) when she cannot then tack without colliding with the
		hailed yacht, immediately when she is able to tack and 
		clear her;

	or

	(b) reply "YOU TACK", or words to that effect, when in her opinion
	she can keep clear without tacking or after postponing her tack.
	In this case:

		(i) the hailing yacht shall immediately tack, and

		(ii) the hailed yacht shall keep clear.

		(iii) The onus of satisfying the race committee that she
		kept clear shall lie on the hailed yacht that replied,"You
		Tack".

43.3	LIMITATION ON RIGHT TO ROOM TO TACK WHEN THE OBSTRUCTION IS ALSO
	A MARK

	(a) When an obstruction is a starting mark surrounded by navigable
	water, or the ground tackle of such a mark, and when approaching
	the starting line to start and after starting, the yacht clear 
	ahead or the leeward yacht shall not be entitled to tack.

	(b) At other obstructions that are marks, when the hailed yacht
	can fetch the obstruction, the hailing yacht shall not be entitled
	to room to tack and clear the hailed yacht, and the hailed yacht 
	shall immediately so inform the hailing yacht.  When, thereafter,
	the hailing yacht again hails for room to tack and clear the hailed
	yacht, the hailed yacht shall, at the earliest possible moment 
	after the hail, give the hailing yacht the required room.  After
	receiving room, the hailing yacht shall either retire immediately
	or exonerate herself by accepting an alternate penalty when so
	prescribed in the sailing instructions.

	(c) When, after having refused to respond to a hail under rule 
	43.3(b), the hailed yacht fails to fetch, she shall retire 
	immediately, or exonerate herself by accepting an alternative
	penalty when so prescribed in the sailing instructions.

44	Returning to Start

44.1	(a) After the starting signal is made, a premature starter 
	returning to start, or a yacht working into position from the 
	course side of the starting line or its extensions, shall keep 
	clear of all yachts that are starting or have started correctly,
	until she is wholly on the pre-start side of the starting line or
	its extensions.

	(b) Thereafter, she shall be accorded the rights under the rules of 
	Part IV of a yacht that is starting correctly; but when she thereby
	acquires right-of-way over another yacht that is starting 
	correctly, she shall allow that yacht ample room and opportunity
	to keep clear.

44.2	A premature starter, while continuing to sail the course and until
	it is obvious that she is returning to start, shall be accorded the
	rights of the rules under Part IV of a yacht that has started.

45	Re-rounding After Touching a Mark

45.1	A yacht that has touched a mark, and is exonerating herself in 
	accordance with rule 52.2,(Touching a Mark), shall keep clear of
	all other yachts that are about to round or pass it or have rounded
	or passed it correctly, until she has rounded it completely and has
	cleared it and is on a proper course to the next mark.

45.2	A yacht that has touched a mark, while continuing to sail the 
	course and until it is obvious that she is returning to round it
	completely in accordance with rule 52.2,(Touching a Mark), shall
	be accorded rights under the rules of Part IV.

46	Person Overboard; Yacht Anchored, Aground or Capsized

46.1	A yacht under way shall keep clear of another yacht racing, that:

	(a) is manoeuvring or hailing for the purpose of rescuing a person
	overboard, or

	(b) is anchored, aground or capsized.

46.2	A yacht shall not be penalized for fouling a yacht that she is 
	attempting to assist or that goes aground or that capsizes
	immediately in front of her.

46.3	A yacht anchored or aground shall indicate the fact to any yacht
	that may be in danger of fouling her.  Under normal conditions, a
	hail is sufficient indication.  Of two yachts anchored, the one 
	that anchored later shall keep clear, except that a yacht dragging
	shall keep clear of one that is not.

Part V - OTHER SAILING RULES

Obligations of Helmsman and Crew in Handling a Yacht

A yacht is subject to the rules of Part V only while she is racing.

50	Ranking as a Starter

	A yacht whose entry has been accepted and that sails about in the 
	vicinity of the starting line between her preparatory and starting 
	signals shall rank as a starter whether or not she starts.

51	Sailing the Course

51.1	(a) A yacht shall start and finish only as prescribed in the 
	starting and finishing definitions.

	(b) Unless otherwise prescribed in the sailing instructions, a 
	yacht that either crosses prematurely or is on the course side of 
	the starting line or its extensions at the starting signal, shall 
	return and start in acordance with the definition.

	(c) "Round the Ends Rule" - Unless otherwise prescribed in the 
	sailing instructions, when Code flag "I" has been displayed, and
	when any part of a yacht's hull, crew or equipment is on the course
	side of the starting line or its extensions during the minute 
	before her starting signal, she shall return to the pre-start side 
	of the line across one of its extensions and start.

	(d) Failure of a yacht to see or hear her recall notification shall
	not relieve her of her obligation to start correctly.

51.2	A yacht shall sail the course so as to round or pass each mark on
	the required side in correct sequence, and so that a string 
	representing her wake from the time she starts until she finishes,
	would, when drawn taut, lie on the required side of each mark, 
	touching each rounding mark.

51.3	A mark has a required side for a yacht as long as she is on a leg
	that it begins, bounds or ends.  A starting line mark begins to 
	have a required side for a yacht when she starts.  A starting limit
	mark has a required side from the time she is approaching the 
	starting line to start until she has left the mark astern on the 
	first leg.  A finishing line mark and a finishing limit mark cease
	to have a required side for a yacht as soon as she finishes.

51.4	A yacht that rounds or passes a mark on the wrong side may 
	exonerate herself by making her course conform to the requirements
	of rule 51.2.

51.5	It is not necessary for a yacht to cross the finishing line 
	completely; after finishing she may clear in either direction.

51.6	USYRU prescribes that, in the absence of the race committee, a
	yacht shall take her own finishing time and report it to the 
	race committee as soon as possible.  If there is no longer an
	established finishing line, it shall be a line extending from the
	required side of the finishing mark at right angles to the course
	from the last mark and of the shortest practical length.

52	Touching a Mark

52.1	A yacht that either:

	(a) touches:

		(i) a starting mark before starting; or

		(ii) a mark that begins, bounds or ends the leg of the
		course on which she is sailing; or

		(iii) a finishing mark while racing;

	or

	(b) causes a mark or mark vessel to shift to avoid being touched,

	shall either exonerate herself in accordance with rule 52.2, or act
	in accordance with rule 68, (Protests by Yachts), when she alleges
	that she was wrongfully compelled by another yacht to touch it or
	cause it to shift, unless the other yacht retires or exonerates 
	herself by accepting an alternate penalty when so prescribed in the
	sailing instructions.

52.2	(a) When a yacht touches a mark surrounded by navigable water, she may
	exonerate herself by completing the rounding of the mark, leaving 
	it on the required side and thereafter re-rounding it or re-passing
	it without touching it, as required to sail the course in 
	accordance with rule 51.2, (Sailing the Course), and the sailing
	instructions.

	(b) When a yacht touches:

		(i) a starting mark, she shall carry out the rounding
		after she has started;

		(ii) a finishing mark; she shall carry out the rounding,
		and she shall not rank as having finished until she
		has completed the rounding and again crosses the 
		finishing line in accordance with the definition of
		finishing.

	(c) When a yacht touches a mark not surrounded by navigable water,
	she may exonerate herself by completing one 360 degree turn at the
	first reasonable opportunity.

53	Casting Off, Anchoring, Making Fast and Hauling Out

53.1	At the Preparatory Signal - A yacht shall be afloat and off 
	moorings at her preparatory signal, but may be anchored.

53.2	When Racing - A yacht shall not make fast or be made fast by means
	other than anchoring, nor be hauled out, except for the purpose of
	rule 55, (Aground or Foul of an Obstruction), or to effect repairs,
	reef sails or bail out.

53.3	Means of Anchoring - Means of anchoring may include the crew 
	standing on the bottom or any weight lowered to the bottom.  A yacht
	shall recover any anchor or weight used, and any chain or rope 
	attached to it, before continuing in the race, unless, after making
	every effort, she fails to do so.  In this case she shall report 
	the circumstances to the race committee, which may penalise her
	when it considers the loss due either to inadequate gear or to
	insufficient effort to recover it.

54	Means of Propulsion

54.1	Basic Rule

	(a) Unless otherwise permitted by this rule, a yacht shall be 
	propelledonly by the natural action of the wind on the sails and
	spars, and the water on the hull and underwater surfaces.  A yacht
	shall not check way by abnormal means.

	(b) Sails may be adjusted, and a competitor may move his body in 
	order to maintain or change the angle of heel or fore and aft trim,
	or to facilitate steering.  However, except as provided in the 
	rules 54.1(c) and 54.3, no actions including tacking and gybing,
	shall be performed that propel the yacht faster than if the sails,
	hull and underwater surfaces had been trimmed to best advantage
	at the time.

	(c) A yacht may promote or check way by means other than those
	permitted by this rule for the purpose of Fundamental Rule A,
	(Rendering Assistance).

	(d) A yacht may anchor as permitted by rules 53, (Casting off,
	Anchoring, Making Fast and Hauling Out) and 55, (Aground or Foul
	of an Obstruction).  A yacht shall not recover an anchor in a 
	manner that causes her to pass the point at which the anchor is
	lifted off the ground.

54.2	Actions That Are Prohibited
	Examples of rules that are prohibited, except as permitted under
	rules 54.1(b) and 54.3:

	(a) Repeated forceful movements of the helm (sculling).

	(b) Persistent or rapidly-repeated trimming and releasing of any
	sail (pumping).

	(c) Sudden movement of the body forward or aft (oochin).

	(d) Persistent or rapidly-repeating athwatships body movement.

	(e) Movement of the body or adjustments of the sails or centerboard
	that leads to persistent rolling of the yacht (rocking).

54.3	Actions That Are Permitted
	The following actions are permitted for the sole purpose of 
	accelerating a yacht down the face of a wave (surfing) or, when
	planing conditions exist, responding to an increase in the velocity
	of the wind.

	(a) Not more than three rapidly-repeating trims and releases of
	any sail (pumping).

	(b) Sudden movement of the body forward or aft (ooching).

	There shall be no further pumping or ooching with respect to that
	wave or increase of wind.

55	Aground or Foul of an Obstruction

	A yacht, after grounding or fouling another vessel or other object,
	is subject to rule 57, (Manual and Stored Power), and may, in 
	getting clear, use her own anchors, boats, ropes, spars and other
	gear; may send out an anchor in a boat; may be refloated by her 
	crew going overboard either to stand on the bottom or to go ashore
	to push off; but may receive outside assistance only from the crew
	of the vessel fouled.  A yacht shall recover all her own gear used
	in getting clear before continuing in the race.

56	Sounding

	Any means of sounding may be used, provided that rule 54, (Means of 
	Propulsion), is not infringed.

57	Manual and Stored Power

	A yacht shall use manual power only and shall not use any device
	that derives assistancefrom stored energy for doing work; except
	that, when so prescribed in the sailing instructions, a power winch
	or windlass may be used may be used in weighing anchor or in 
	getting clear after running around or fouling any object, and a
	power pump may be used in an auxiliary yacht.

58	Boarding

	Unless otherwise prescribed in the sailing instructions, no person
	shall board a yacht except for the purposes of Fundamental Rule A,
	(Rendering Assistance), or to attend an injured or ill member of 
	the crew or temporarily as one of the crew of a vessel fouled.

59	Leaving, Crew Overboard

	Unless prescribed in the sailing instructions, no person on board
	a yacht when her preparatory signal was made shall leave, unless
	injured or ill, or for the purposes of Fundamental Rule A, 
	(Rendering Assistance), except that any member of the crew may fall
	overboard or leave her to swim, stand on the bottom as a means of
	anchoring, haul her out ashore to effect repairs, reef sails or 
	bail out, or to help her to get clear after grounding or fouling
	another yacht or object, provided that this person is back on board
	before the yacht continues in the race.

60	Outside Assistance

	Except as permitted by Fundamental Rule A, (Rendering Assistance),
	rule 55 (Aground or Foul of an Obstruction), and rule 58, 
	(Boarding), a yacht shall neither receive outside assistance nor
	use any gear other than that on board when her preparatory
	signal was made.

61	Clothing and Equipment

61.1	(a) Except as permitted by rule 61.2, a competitor shall not wear
	or carry clothing or equipment for the purpose of increasing his
	weight.

	(b) Furthermore, the total weight of clothing and equipment worn
	or carried by a competitor shall not be capable of exceeding 15 
	kilograms, when soaked with water and weighed as provided in 
	Appendix 10, (Weighing of Wet Clothing), unless class rules or the
	sailing instructions prescribe a lesser or greater weight, in which
	case such weight shall apply, except that it shall not exceed 20 
	kilograms.

61.2	When so prescribed by the rules, weight jackets of non-metallic 
	material (except normal fasteners), with or without pockets,
	compartments or containers shall be permitted, provided that the
	jacket:

	(a) is permanently buoyant,

	(b) does not extend more than 30 milimeters above the competitors
	shoulders, and

	(c) can be removed by the competitor in less than ten seconds.

	and that ballast carried in the pockets, compartments and 
	containers shall only be water.  For the purpose of rule 61.1(b),
	the pockets, compartments and containers shall be completely filled 
	with water and included in the total weight.

61.3	When a competitor is protested or selected for inspection, he shall
	produce all containers referred to in rule 61.2 that were carried
	while racing.

61.4	The organising authority of an offshore event or events for 
	cruiser-racer type yachts may prescribe that rule 61.1(b) shall
	not apply to the event or events.

62	Increasing Stability

	Unless otherwise prescribed by her class rules or in the sailing
	instructions, a yacht shall not use any device, such as a trapeze
	or pank, to project outboard the weight of any of the crew, nor,
	when lifelines are required by the conditions for the race, shall
	any member of the crew station any part of his torso outside them,
	other than temporarily.  On yachts equipped with upper and lower
	lifelines of wire, a crew member sitting on the deck facing 
	outboard with his waist inside the lower lifeline may have the 
	upper part of his body outside the upper lifeline.

63	Skin Friction

	A yacht shall not eject or release from a container any substance,
	(such as a polymer), the purpose of which is, or could be, to 
	reduce the frictional resistance of the hull by altering the 
	character of the flow of water inside the boundary layer.

64	Setting and Sheeting Sails

64.1	Changing Sails - While changing headsails and spinnakers, a 
	replacing sail may be fully set and trimmed before the sail that
	it replaces is taken in, but only one mainsail and, except when
	changing, only one spinnaker shall be carried set.

64.2	Sheeting Sails to Spars

	(a) Unless otherwise prescribed by the class rules, any sail may
	be sheeted to or led above a boom regularly used for a working sail
	and permanently attached to the mast to which the head of the 
	working sail is set, but no sail shall be sheeted over or through
	outriggers.

	(b) An outrigger is any fitting so placed, except as permitted in
	rule 64.2(a), that it could exert outward pressure on a sheet at a
	point from which, with the yacht upright, a vertial line would fall
	outside the hull or deck planking at that point, or outside such
	positions as class rules prescribe.  For the purpose of this rule:
	bulwarks, rails and rubbing strakes are not part of the hull or 
	deck planking.  A boom or a boomed headsail that requires no 
	adjustment when tacking is not an outrigger.

64.3	Spinnaker: Spinnaker Boom - A spinnaker shall not be set without a
	boom.  The tack of a spinnaker when set and drawing shall be in 
	close proximity to the outboard end of a spinnaker boom.  Any 
	headsail may be attached to a spinnaker boom, provided that a 
	spinnaker is not set.  Only one spinnaker boom shall be used at a
	time and, when in use, shall be carried only on the side of the 
	foremost mast opposite to the main boom and shall be fixed to the
	mast.  Rule 64.3 shall not apply when shifting a spinnaker boom or
	sail attached thereto.

64.4	Headsail - Unless otherwise prescribed by the class rules, the 
	following distinction shall apply between spinnakers and headsails.
	A headsail is a sail in which its mid-girth, measured between the
	midpoints of the luff and leach, does not exceed 50% of the length
	of the foot, and in which any other intermediate girht does not 
	exceed a value similarly proportional to its distance from the head
	of the sail.  A sail tacked down abaft of the foremost mast is not
	a headsail.

65	Flags

	A national authority may prescribe the flag usage that shall be
	observed by yachts under its jurisdiction.

	USYRU prescribes that a yacht may display her private signal on the
	leach of her mainsail or from her mizzen head, and a wind indicator
	of a solid color or a feather.  Other flags shall not be displayed
	except for signalling.  A yacht shall not be penalized for 
	infringing the provisions of this rule without prior warning and
	adequate opportunity to make correction.

66	Fog Signals and Lights

	Every yacht shall observe the International Regulations for 
	Preventing Collisions at Sea or Government Rules for fog signals
	and, as a minimum, the exhibition of lights at night.

	USYRU prescribes that the use of additional special purpose lights
	such as masthead, spreader or jib luff lights shall not constitute
	grounds for protest.

Part VI - Protests, Penalties and Appeals

Definitions

The definitions rank as rules.

RULES - 

	(a) These racing rules, and

	(b) the prescriptions of the national authority concerned, when 
	they apply, and

	(c) the sailing instructions, and

	(d) the appropriate class rules, and

	(e) any other conditions governing the event.

PROTEST - A written allegation by a yacht under rule 68, (Protest by 
Yachts), that another yacht has infringed a rule or rules.

The term protest includes when appropriate:

	(a) a request for redress under rule 69, (Request for Redress); or

	(b) a request for a hearing under rule 70.1, (Action by Race or 
	Protest Committe), or Appendix 3, rule 2.6 (Alternative Penalties);
	or

	(c) a notification of a hearing under rule 70.2, (Action by a Race 
	or Protest Committee); or

	(d) an investigation of redress under rule 70.3, (Yacht Materially 
	Prejudiced); or

	(e) a report by a measurer under rule 70.4, (Measurer's 
	Responsibility).

PARTY TO A PROTEST - The protesting yacht, the protested yacht, the race
committee or any yacht involved in the incident that might be penalised 
as a result of the protest.

PROTEST COMMITTEE - The body appointed to hear and decide protests in 
accordance with rule 1.5, (Authority for Organising, Conducting and Judging 
Races), namely:

	(a) the race committee or a sub-committee thereof; or

	(b) a seperate and independent protest committee or jury; or

	(c) an international jury.

INTERESTED PARTY - Anyone who stands to gain or lose as a result of a 
decision of a protest committee or who has a close personal interest in the 
result.

SECTION A  -  Initiation of Action

68	Protest by Yachts

68.1	Right to Protest - A yacht can protest any other yacht, except that 
	a protest for an alleged infringement of the rules of Part IV can 
	be made only by a yacht directly involved in or witnessing an 
	incident.

68.2	During a Race - Protest Flag

	(a) An intention to protest an infringement of the rules occuring
	during a race shall be signified by the protesting yacht 
	conspicuously displaying a flag.  Code Flag "B" is always 
	acceptable, irrespective of any other provisions in the sailing
	instructions.

	(b) The flag shall be displayed at the first reasonable opportunity
	after the incident.

	(c)	(i) Except as provided in rule 68.2(c)(ii), the flag shall
		be displayed until the yacht finishes or, when the first 
		opportunity after finishing, until acknowledged by the race
		committee.

		(ii) In the case of a yacht sailed single handed, it will
		be sufficient to display the flag at the first reasonable 
		opportunity after the incident and to bring it to the 
		notice of the race committee when the protesting yacht 
		finishes.

	(d) When the yacht retires, the flag shall be displayed until she 
	has informed the race committee or has left the vicinity of the 
	course.

	Administrative Protests

	USYRU prescribes that administrative protests may be lodged in 
	accordance with the provisions of Appendix 14, (Protests Involving
	Measurement and Rating Certificates Issued by USYRU).

68.3	After a Race

	A yacht may protest without having displayed a protest flag:

	(a) when she has no knowledge of the facts justifying a protest 
	until she has finished or retired, or

	(b) when a yacht, having displayed a protest flag, fails to lodge
	a valid protest as required by rule 33.2, (Contact Between Yachts 
	Racing), or rule 52, (Touching a Mark).

68.4	Informing the Protested Yacht

	A protesting yacht shall try to inform the yacht she intends to 
	protest that a protest will be lodged.  When an alternative penalty
	is prescribed in the sailing instructions, she shall hail the other
	yacht immediately.

68.5	Particulars to be Included

	A protest shall be in writing and signed by the owner or his 
	representative, and include the following particulars:

	(a) the date, time and whereabouts of the incident;

	(b) the particular rule or rules alleged to have been infringed;

	(c) a discription of the incident;

	(d) unless irrelevant, a diagram of the incident.

68.6	Time Limit

	Unless otherwise prescribed in the sailing instructions, a 
	protesting yacht shall deliver or, when not possible, mail her 
	protest to the race committee:

	(a) within two hours of the time she finishes the race or within
	such time as may have been prescribed in the sailing instructions,
	unless the protest committee has reason to extend this time limit,
	or

	(b) when she does not finish the race, within such time as the 
	protest committee considers reasonable in the circumstances.

68.7	Fee

	Unless prescribed by the sailing instructions, a protest shall not
	be accompanied by a fee.

68.8	Remedying Defects in the Protest

	The protest committee shall allow the protesting yacht to remedy
	during the hearing:

	(a) any defects in the details required by rule 68.5, provided that
	the protest identifies the nature of the incident, and

	(b) a failure to deposit such fee as may be required under rule 
	68.7.

68.9	Withdrawing a Protest

	When a written protest has been lodged, it shall not be withdrawn,
	but shall be decided by the protest committee, unless prior to the
	hearing one or more of the yachts acknowledges the infringement, 
	except that, when the protest commitee finds that contact between
	two yachts was minor and unavoidable, a protesting yacht may 
	withdraw her protest.

69	Request for Redress

	A yacht that alleges that her finishing position has been 
	materially prejudiced through no fault of her own by:

	(a) an action or omission of the race committee, or

	(b) rendering assistance in accordance with Fundamental Rule A,
	(Rendering Assistance), or

	(c) being disabled by another vessel that was required to keep 
	clear, (a yacht is "disabled" when, in the absence of other yachts,
	she is significantly impaired in her ability to proceed at normal
	speed or to manoeuvre or to proceed in safety), or

	(d) a yacht infringing Fundamental Rule C, (Fair Sailing), or 
	against which a penalty has been imposed under rule 75.1, 
	(Penalties by the Race Committee or Protest Committee),

	may request redress from the protest committee in accordance with
	the requirements for a protest provided in rules 68.5, 68.6, 68.7,
	and 68.8, (Protests by Yachts).  A protest flag need not be 
	displayed.  The protest committee shall then proceed in accordance
	with rule 74.2, (Consideration of Redress).

70	Action by Race or Protest Committee

70.1	Without a Hearing

	The race committee may act in accordance with rule 74.4, 
	(Penalties), without a hearing against a yacht that:

	(a) fails either to start or finish, except that she shall be 
	entitled to a hearing when she satisfies the protest committee that 
	an error may have been made, or

	(b) when the Percentage Penalty as set out in Appendix 3, {rule 2, 
	in Appendix 3, Alternative Penalties for Infringement of a Rule in 
	Part IV}, is in	effect, displays Code flag "I", {ackowledgement of 
	infringement of the rules of Part IV}, during a race but fails to 
	report the infringement and is thus subject to Appendix 3, rule 
	2.6, {50 percent penalty, instead of the standard 20 percent 
	penalty}.

	A yacht so penalized shall be informed of the action taken, either
	by letter or by notification in the race results.

70.2	With a Hearing

	The race committee or the protest committee may call a hearing when
	it:

	(a) sees an apparent infringement by a yacht of any of the rules 
	(except as provided in rule 70.1), or

	(b) learns directly from a written or oral statement by a yacht
	(including one contained in an invalid protest) that she may have
	infringed a rule, or

	(c) has reasonable grounds for believing that an infringement 
	resuled in serious damage, or

	(d) receives a report not later than the same day from a witness
	who was neither competing in the race nor otherwise an interested
	party, alleging an infringement, or

	(e) has reasonable grounds for supposing, from evidence at the 
	hearing of a valid protest, that any yacht involved in the incident
	may have committed an infringement.

	For such hearings, the race committee or the protest committee 
	shall notify the yacht involved thereof in writing, delivered or
	mailed no later than 1800 on the day after:

		(i) the finish of the race, or

		(ii) the receipt of the report, or

		(iii) the hearing of the protest.

	When rule 70.2(e) applies, this notice may be given orally at the
	hearing.  The notice shall identify the incident, the rule or rules
	alleged to have been infringed and the time and place of the 
	hearing.

70.3	Yacht Materially Prejudiced

	The race committee or the protest committee may initiate 
	consideration of redress when it is satisfied that any of the 
	circumstances set out in rule 69, (Request for Redress), may have
	occurred.

70.4	Measurer's Responsibility

	When a measurer concludes that a yacht does not comply with her 
	class rules or measurement or rating certificate:

	(a) before a race or series; he shall request the owner or his 
	representative correct the defect.  When the defect is not 
	corrected, he shall report the matter in writing to the race 
	committee, which shall reject or rescind the yachts entry in 
	accordance with rule 19, (Measurement or Rating Certificates).  The 
	yacht shall be entitled to a hearing upon her request.

	(b) after a race; he shall make a report to the race committee or 
	to the protest committee, which shall notify the yacht concerned 
	and call a hearing.

	The measurer shall not have the authority either to rescind an 
	entry or to disqualify a yacht.


{The last rule that I feel needs to be included is the following:}

76	Liability

76.1	Damages
	The question of damages arising from an infringement of any of the
	rules shall be governed by the prescriptions, if any, of the 
	national authority.

	USYRU makes no prescription to this rule.