Contact and damage
The situation
Two Optis collide at a mark and one cracks her hull. The right-of-way boat says it wasn't her fault, so she keeps racing.
The question
If there's real damage, is the Two-Turns Penalty enough?
The ruling
No. Even the right-of-way boat must avoid contact if reasonably possible (rule 14), and when contact causes serious damage or injury, a Two-Turns Penalty is not available — under rule 44.1(b) the boat that broke a rule and caused the damage must retire from the race. The right-of-way boat is only penalised under rule 14 if she could have avoided the contact and didn't. After damage there should also be a protest so the facts are heard. Avoiding contact always comes first.
Serious damage means turns aren't enough — the boat at fault retires (rule 44.1(b)). Right of way is never a reason to hit.
Opens the situation on the boat-length grid — scrub it and see exactly how the boats meet. Free, no account needed.
Rules cited
See the underlying rule: Rule 14 — Right of Way but Contact.