Sorry, Inner Limit Mark. Often used to keep starters away from the committee boat. Don't know it they are used much in Laser fleets but used to be used in Fireballs and certainly used in larger boat races (where a bit of barging or squabbling could cause quite a lot of damage to the committee boat).What's an ILM?
Yelling there is no room means nothing. It will only work if the person being yelled at doesn't know their rights - a bit like those boffins that yell 'starboard' 5 boat lengths from every mark. As there is generally no room for anyone anywhere on a startline with an average sized fleet, you're better off concentrating on what you're doing.
Yes it's legal, as long as they give you time to keep clear and don't take you past head to wind. You have to give way to a leeward boat, even if it means going over the start line early.
What the ILM is classed as (obstruction or mark) depends on the description in the race instructions. If it's described as a no-go zone, it's an obstruction. If it's described in relation to the pin end of the line then it's a mark. Penalty could be any of the usual choices.As a slight aside (but related), clearly a leeward boat can push a windward boat the wrong side of the committee boat provided it gives the windward boat an opportunity to keep clear (even in "keeping clear" means going the wrong side of the committee boat).
However, where there is an ILM, is the area between the committee boat and the ILM considered an obstruction or can a leeward boat force a windward boat between the committee boat and an ILM (and for the windward boat to suffer the consequences).
(As I'm useless at explaining situations) to clarify by example, suppose two overlapped boats reaching in intending to pass the committee boat, then head up onto the wind round the ILM and start. they pass the committee boat reaching along fine, but then the leeward boat starts to head-up to start really close to the ILM, forcing the windward boat inside the ILM (between the committee boat and the ILM). Who has broken the rules ? Nobody has hit anybody nor anything.
Also, what is the normal penalty race officers impose for passing between the committee boat and an ILM.
Many thanks
Ian