RACE OFFICER PLATFORM INFO
The following are the Race Officer duties listed in sequence of actions
Before the Race
- Get Black R/C box, Flag Bag, Radio, Horn, Binoculars from R/C locker. DO NOT PLACE BINOCULARS IN BAG, BANGING THEM AROUND WILL BREAK THEM.
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Display the BLUE RC Flag (blue with RC on it) from atop and POSTPONEMENT Flag before leaving marina. - For PHRF Events: Leave dock in time to get to JB no later than 1630 to observe wind, pick course and starting line location.
For Centerboard Events: Leave dock in time to check wind and set marks of course, and anchor at starting line before 1700 start. Typically leave 1630. - Go beyond the mouth of the creek and using the Wind Speed Meter, determine the wind speed and direction. Wind in mouth of the creek will be different than further out in the river. Pick a suitable course length for the wind speed and to get a windward leg using the course selection guide. Courses are defined in Race Instructions Appendix D and the Course Selection Guide.
- Anchor such that the start line is approximately perpendicular to the course to the next mark. Ensure that the start line is at least 1 boat length (approximately 25 feet) long times the total number of starters for the race; longer is better. Do not anchor in the channel.
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Display the pure ORANGE flag for Starting Line on Race Officer platform. Sight the start and finish line from this flag. For PHRF Events, display the course designation for the racers. - Get all required flags from the flag bag, White, P, Over Early, General Recall. Provide instructions and info to hailing competitors, log each as they check in. For PHRF events, announce course and approximate starting time of race on VHF 68. For Centerboard Events, announce course and approximate starting time of race to each competitor.
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Select a time that will be 1 minute prior to the desired begin of the starting sequence and call this time BEGIN. Lower the Postponement Flag and sound the horn once at BEGIN. For PHRF events, announce "Start of sequence in one minute" on VHF 68. For Centerboard Events, announce "Start of sequence in one minute".
- Do the starting sequence shown at the end of this section. It is suggested to use the count-up timer to minimize the math and potential for errors. However, record the time of day of the start of the sequence in case the count up timer fails or is accidentally reset.
- Monitor the starting line for boats that are over the line before the starting signal. If any boats are over the line:
- All Boats Identified
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If any part of any boat(s) is over the start line when the start signal is made a second horn will be sounded and flag "X" will be displayed. The Race Officer may hail the premature starter(s). When all premature starter(s) have returned to behind the start line or after 4 minutes flag "X" will be lowered. Competitors returning to restart have no rights over competitors that have started. Announce competitors name(s)/sail number(s) on VHF 68. - Some Boats not Identified
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In the event that the Race Officer cannot determine who is over early or there is an error in the starting procedure, display the General Recall Flag (First Substitute Flag - yellow triangle in blue triangle) and sound the horn twice. The warning signal for a new start for the recalled fleet shall be made one minute after General Recall Flag is lowered, and starts for any succeeding classes shall follow the new start.
During the Race
- Once all competitors have started:
- Record wind velocity on score sheet
- Record PHRF-B and PHRF-C courses on score sheet
- For start/finish lines that are at a mark of the course, move to the finish mark to set a proper finish line as indicated on the course diagram. The finish line is a line between the finish mark and the ORANGE flag on the RO platform. The finish line should be perpendicular to the course from the prior mark.
- Record any lap times and finish times. The boat completes the lap or finishes when any part of boat or crew in normal position crosses the finish line.
- Continuously monitor the conditions and if they deteriorate, consider the following options in order presented. The intent is to have a fair and safe race.
- Shorten Course
- If the lead competitors has not reached a mark, the race can be shortened to that mark as follows:
When appropriate, the Race Officer may shorten the course by flying flag "S" (a white flag with a blue square in the center). In this event, the Race Officer shall make every effort to inform all competitors by using VHF CH68, a two sound signals and hailing. The finish line shall be a line from the finishing mark perpendicular to the course from the prior mark. The Race Officer platform shall be placed so that finishing competitors will pass the mark on the original course side of the mark. The Race Officer can shorten the course to one of the designated marks for the course while the competitors are on that leg. - Change of Course
- If the lead competitor has not reached a mark, the next mark or finish line can be changed as follows:
The Race Officer may change a leg of the course that begins at a rounding mark by changing the position of the next mark (or the finishing line) and notifying all competitors on VHF CH68, a single sound signal and hailing before any competitor begins the leg. The next mark need not be in position at that time.
- Reduce Number of Laps in Multi-Lap Course
- If the lead competitor has rounded the lap finish mark, the number of laps for a multi-lap course can be reduced as follows:
When appropriate and prior to two competitors completing the original course, the Race Officer may reduce the number of laps in a multi-lap course to the last lap completed by the lead competitor by flying the pure GREEN flag. In this event, the Race Officer shall make every effort to inform all competitors by using VHF CH68, two sound signal and hailing. The finish line shall be a line from the finishing mark perpendicular to the course from the prior mark. The latest lap times will be used as the official finish times. Competitors that have not completed the lap within time limit will be scored "DNF".
- Abandon Race
- The race needs to be abandoned if the following conditions exist:
- The conditions create a safety hazard, typically thunderstorm, fog, excessive wind.
- Two competitors have not finished prior to time limit of 19:00 during April, May, September, October or 19:30 during June, July, August. At the discretion of the Race Officer the time limit may be extended 15 minutes, typically for a freshening wind that has just about allowed the race to complete before the normal time limit.
When appropriate, the Race Officer may abandon the race by flying flag "N" (a blue and white checkerboard flag). In this event, the Race Officer shall make every effort to inform all competitors by using VHF CH68, three sound signal and hailing. When the race is abandoned, there will be no score for any competitor regardless of finish.
- Remain on station at the finish until all competitors have finished or have withdrawn from the race and released the race committee to return to shore. This is for competitor safety, Race Officer does not leave course until all boats return or boat indicates it is not returning and Race Officer is no longer responsible for safety.
After the Race
Cleanup as follows:
- Put Clock and Wind Meter back in protective box
- Roll up Course Board and put back in flag bag
- Put Clock, Wind Meter and Notebook in Black R/C box
- Put Flags back in flag bag
- Put Black R/C box, Horn, Radio, Binoculars, Flags back in Race Committee Locker
- Connect Horn and Radio to Battery Chargers
- Put Score Sheet in Rack on Locker Door
