yachts of each successive race; in case of a start from anchors or moorings to take up their stations for the start with head sails down or all sails down, as the sailing committee may direct, or, in case the start be a flying one, to approach the starting line, viz. :

B of Commercial Code for the Yachts of the 1st Race.

and so on. Five minutes before the preparative flag shall be lowered a blue Peter hoisted, and a gun fired; after which the yachts in the race shall be amenable to the rules. At the expiration of five minutes exactly, the blue Peter shall be hauled down and a second gun fired as a signal to start. If the start is to be made from anchors or moorings, lots shall be drawn for stations, and springs shall be allowed on the same bridle, or anchor, chain, or warp, as the bow fasts, but are not to be carried to a buoy, pier, or other vessel, or fixed object. If any yacht lets go or parts her bridle before the signal to start, or if she drags any moorings or anchor to which she is made fast for the purpose of starting, she shall be liable to be disqualified, unless such parting or dragging be explained to the satisfaction of the committee, or unless she has returned, after the signal to start, within the line of starting buoys, so as not to obtain any advantage by the accident. In a flying start, if any yacht, or any part of her hull or spars be on or across the line before the signal to start is made, she must return and re-cross the line; a yacht so returning, or one working into position from the wrong side of the line after the signal to start has been made, must keep clear of all competing yachts. Should the gun miss fire, the lowering of the blue Peter shall be the signal to start.

18. Meeting End on.-If two yachts are meeting end on, or nearly end on, so as to involve risk of collision, the helms of both shall be put to port, so that each may pass on the port side of the other.

19. Two Yachts Crossing.-When two yachts are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, then-if they have the wind on different sides-the yacht with the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the yacht with the wind on the starboard side, except in the case in which the yacht with the wind on the port side is close hauled and the other yacht free, in which case the latter yacht shall keep out of the way; but if they have the wind on the same side, or if one of them has the wind aft, then the yacht which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the yacht which is to leeward.

20. Overtaking, Rounding Marks, &c.-A yacht overtaking another yacht shall keep out of the way of the last mentioned yacht, but when rounding any buoy or vessel used to mark out the course, if two yachts are not clear of each other at the time the leading yacht is close to, and actually rounding the mark, the outside yacht must give the other room to pass clear of it, whether it be the lee or weather yacht which is in danger of fouling the mark. No yacht shall be considered clear of another yacht, unless so much ahead as to give a free choice to the other on which side she will pass. An overtaking yacht shall not, however, be justified in attempting to establish an overlap and thus force a passage between the leading yacht and the mark after the latter yacht has altered her helm for the purpose of rounding.

21. Obstructions to Sea Room.-When passing a pier, shoal, rock, vessel, or other obstruction to sea room, should yachts not be clear of each other, the outside yacht or yachts must give room to the yacht in danger of fouling such obstruction, whether

she be the weather or the leeward yacht, provided always that an overlap has been established before an obstruction is actually reached.

22. Luffing and Bearing Away.-A yacht may luff as she pleases to prevent another yacht passing to windward, but must never bear away out of her course to hinder the other passing to leeward-the lee side to be considered that on which the leading yacht of the two carries her main boom. The overtaking vessel, if to leeward, must not luff until she has drawn clear ahead of the yacht she has overtaken.

23. Close Hauled Approaching Shore.-If two yachts are standing towards a shore or shoal, or towards any buoy, boat, or vessel, and the yacht to leeward is likely to run aground, or foul of such buoy, boat or vessel (a mark vessel excepted), and is not able to tack without coming into collision with the yacht to windward, the latter shall at once tack on being hailed to do so by the owner of the leeward yacht, or the person acting as his representative, who shall be bound to see that his own vessel tacks at the same time.

24. Running Aground, &c.-Any yacht running on shore, or foul of a buoy, vessel, or other obstruction, may use her own anchors, boats, warps, &c., to get off, but may not receive any assistance, except from the crew of the vessel fouled. Any anchor, boat, or warp used must be taken on board again before she continues the race.

25. Fouling Yachts, Marks, &c.-Each yacht must go fairly round the course, and must not touch any buoy, boat, or vessel used to mark it out, but shall not be disqualified if wrongfully compelled to do so by another yacht. Any yacht causing a mark vessel to in any way shift her position to avoid being fouled by such yacht, shall be disqualified. If a yacht, in consequence of her neglect of any of these Rules, shall foul another yacht, or

compel other yachts to foul, she shall forfeit all claim to the prize, and shall pay all damages.

26. Means of Propulsion.-No towing, sweeping, poleing, or pushing, or any mode of propulsion, except sails, shall be allowed.

27. Anchoring.-A yacht may anchor during a race, but must weigh her anchor again, and not slip. No yacht shall, during a race, make fast to any buoy, stage, or pier, or send an anchor out in a boat, except for the purpose of Rule 24.

28. Sounding.-No other means of sounding than the lead and line allowed.

29. Side Lights.-All yachts sailing in a race at night shall observe the Board of Trade rule as to the carrying of side lights.

30. Man Overboard.-In case of a man falling overboard from a competing yacht, all other yachts in a position to do so shall use their utmost endeavours to render assistance; and if it should appear that any yacht was thereby prevented winning the race, the committee shall have power to order it to be re-sailed between any yacht or yachts so prevented and the actual winner.

31. Protests. Should the owner of any yacht, or the person acting as his representative, consider that he has a fair ground of complaint against another for foul sailing, or any violation of these rules, he must, if it arise during the race, signify the same on first passing the committee's vessel, by showing an ensign conspicuously in the main rigging. The protest shall be made in writing, and under such regulations (if any) as the Sailing Committee may have determined, within twelve hours of the arrival of the protesting yacht, and shall be heard by the Sailing Committee and decided after such inquiries as they may consider necessary. They shall also, without a protest, disqualify any yacht should it come to their knowledge that she has committed a breach of the rules.

32. Removal of Flag Boat.-Should any flag vessel or other

mark be removed from its proper position, either by accident or design, the race shall be sailed over again or not, at the discretion of the Sailing Committee.

33. Penalty for Disobeying Rules.-An yacht disobeying or infringing any of these rules, which shall apply to all yachts, whether sailing in the same or different races, shall be disqualified from receiving any prize she would otherwise have won, and her owner shall be liable for all damages arising therefrom. Should a flagrant breach of these rules be proved against any yacht, her sailing master may be disqualified by the Council, for one season, from sailing in any race held under the Rules of the Yacht Racing Association.

34. Cruising Trim.-When yachts are ordered to sail in cruising trim, the following rules are to be strictly observed:

I. No doors, tables, cabin skylights or other cabin or deck fittings (davits excepted) shall be removed from their places before or during the race.

II. No sails or other gear shall be put into the main cabin in yachts exceeding forty tons.

III. Anchors and chains suitable to the size of the yacht shall be carried; one at the cathead (or in yachts of forty tons and under at the usual place on the bow), which anchor shall not be unshackled from the chain before or during the race.

IV. Every yacht exceeding thirty and under seventy tons shall carry a boat on deck not less than 10ft. in length and 3ft. 6in. beam; a yacht of seventy tons and over, her usual cutter and dinghy.

V. No extra hands, except a pilot, beyond the regular crew of the yacht shall be allowed.

The Yacht Racing Association further recommend for the consideration of sailing committees: