How does one boat protest another in sailing?
I · Intermediate · Penalties and protests · 10 of 11A protest is a claim by a boat or a committee that a boat has broken a rule. For an incident on the water the protesting boat must hail "Protest" at the first reasonable opportunity, show a red flag if its hull is longer than 6 metres, and deliver the protest in writing within the time limit.
How it works
- The hail: "Protest", at the first reasonable opportunity.
- The flag: if the hull is longer than 6 metres, a red flag displayed conspicuously at the first reasonable opportunity and kept up until the boat is no longer racing.
- In writing: the protest identifies the protestor, the protestee and the incident. It is delivered to the race office.
- The time limit: for an incident observed in the racing area, two hours after the last boat in the race finishes, unless the sailing instructions state a different limit.
- When no hail is needed: if the other boat is beyond hailing distance, if the incident was an error in sailing the course, or if the protestor did not see it in the racing area. The protestor must then inform the other boat at the first reasonable opportunity.
- Danger, injury or serious damage: if this is obvious at the time, the hail and flag rules do not apply. The boat tries to inform the other within the time limit.
- Who may protest: a boat, the race committee, the technical committee or the protest committee.
- Involved or a witness: a boat cannot protest a breach of a right-of-way rule or a mark touch unless it was involved or saw the incident.
- The outcome: if the protest committee decides a boat broke a rule, it disqualifies that boat, unless the boat is exonerated, has already taken an applicable penalty or another penalty applies.
Tricky cases
A boat shouted "You fouled me!" and filed a protest later. Is it valid?
No, as far as the rule goes. The hail required is "Protest". A protest that does not comply with the hail requirement is invalid.
Does a small dinghy need a red flag?
No. The flag is required only when the hull is longer than 6 metres.
Can a spectator or a coach protest a boat?
No. A boat or a committee may protest. A committee cannot base a protest on a report from a person with a conflict of interest.
Can a boat be penalised without any hearing?
Yes, in the cases the rules name, such as starting penalties, rule 42 penalties signalled on the water and scores given by the race committee. Otherwise a boat is penalised only at a hearing to which it is a party.
Why the rule exists
With no referee, the boats enforce the rules on each other. The instant hail tells the other boat that it should consider taking a penalty now, while a cheap one is still available. The time limit and the written form stop grudges being raised days later.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Racing Rules of Sailing | As above | RRS 60; RRS Definitions (Protest) |
| Each event | The sailing instructions may set a different time limit and method of delivery | RRS 60.3 (b) |
| Extending the limit | The protest committee may do so for good reason | RRS 60.3 (b) |
From the rule book
World Sailing The Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028, rule 60 and the Definitions (Party, Protest). In force from 1 January 2025. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: The Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028 (PDF).