How to protest

The situation

A boat fouls Harper and doesn't take a penalty. Harper wants to protest so it gets sorted out on shore.

The question

What must Harper do at the time to make a valid protest?

The ruling

At the first reasonable opportunity she must hail 'Protest' and, in a boat long enough, display a red flag and keep it up until she's no longer racing (rule 60.2). In a small boat like an Optimist — whose hull is not longer than six metres — rule 60.2 does not require a red flag at all (only the hail), so the loud, clear hail at the time is the key step. Then she reports the protest to the race office after finishing and a protest committee hears both sides. Protesting isn't unsporting — it's how the rules are enforced fairly when someone won't take their turns.