This is a typical situation. Let’s see how the new rules apply and if there are any game changers. There is one additional question I would like to add.

7. At position 3 who has right of way White or Blue?

If you got your new rule book you will have noticed that there are some important differences in the structure of the rules at marks. In the old rules your position was set at the zone but the rule didn’t turn on until you were “about to round or pass the mark” and room was only defined as the room necessary to pass the mark. Now mark-room is defined as “room to sail to the mark and to sail your proper course at the mark” and the rule is turned on when the first boat reaches the zone (which is now 3 boat lengths) not when you are about to round or pass a mark. So as an outside boat, the requirements for providing mark-room starts much earlier in the rounding in the new rules.

Another important difference is that previously the rules of Part C took precedence over the rules of Parts A and B (read the preamble to part C in the old rules). This is no longer the case. In effect the rules in Part C now act more like limitations to the right of way boat rather than changing who has right of way. In this way the Part C rules now act more like the Rules in Part B. This is semantics in some ways, but it makes the new rules more consistent than the old Part C rules.

I think in the end most got the correct answers. I’ve posted Case 59 that covers the situation in this quiz for your reference. Note that the cases have not yet been published for the new rules so the rules called out in the case are for the old rules.

Here are my “official” answers to the quiz:

1. No – Orange reaches the zone and White does not have an overlap so White must give Orange mark-room per rule 18.2(b).

2. Yes – White has is overlapped with Blue when she reaches the zone so Blue must give mark-room to White.

3. Yes – Same reason as 2 above.

4. Blue – Green is clear astern at position 2 so by Rule 12 Blue has right of way.

5. Blue – Green is overlapped to windward of Blue at position 3, so by Rule 11 Blue has right of way.

6. No – Green must give Blue mark-room because there was no overlap at the zone so she better be careful to give Blue room to sail her proper course at the mark.

7. Blue – Blue is leeward boat and has right of way by Rule 11. But she
is limited by Rule 18.2(b) and must give mark-room to White.