Situation

A regatta is held over five days with eight races scheduled. During the second race, there was a collision between boat A on port tack and boat B on starboard tack. A takes a Two-Turns Penalty and B retires from the race as a result of the incident. On the water, B shouts using profanities and unpleasant language. When A returns ashore she signs a retirement declaration.

After the prizegiving ceremony, A delivers a report under rule 69 to the protest committee secretary.

Question 1

May the protest committee secretary refuse to accept the report because it is being delivered after the protest time limit and the event has ended?

Answer 1

No. There is no time limit for informing the protest committee of a possible breach of rule 69. Furthermore, only the protest committee may make decisions about validity. Protests, requests and reports delivered must always be forwarded to a protest committee.

Question 2

Is there a deadline for making a report under rule 69?

Answer 2

The rules do not specify a time limit for making a report under rule 69. However, a protest committee may take into consideration the timeliness of a report and the reasons for any delay when deciding whether to call a hearing.