RC start/finish boat procedures

Once the course is set, the staff on the RC boat attempts to record the sail numbers of the boat as they arrive in the racing area on the "Start/Finish" forms provided.

The races are then started in accordance with the racing rules:

Visual signals are official and take precedence over audible signals (horn/whistle) (USSA rule 26). When the blue Race Committee flag is flying, it signifies that the RC boat is on station and serves as the RC boat end of the starting line.  The port end of the starting line is marked by a buoy, preferably one with a flag (staring pin).

THE STARTING LINE - Under normal circumstances, the race committee should set the start line approximately 1/3^rd of the way up the windward leg from the leeward most mark and use the same line for starting and finishing.  This will help avoid delays caused by shifting the committee boat and to improve the chance of completing three races during the afternoon.  If conditions warrant, however, the starting line may be set at the leeward-most end of the windward leg and the committee boat moved to an upwind location for finishing.

RESTRICTED AREA AT START - an area extending 25 yards forward and aft of the starting line and 25 yards on the outboard side of the Race Committee boat and the pin end.  Any yacht whose preparatory signal has not been made may be disqualified for entering the restricted area.  The starting area is restricted until all fleets have started.  A yacht is subject to disqualification by the Race Committee if it sails through the starting line while on an intermediate leg of the racecourse prior to the last fleet's start.  Once all fleets have started the finish line is no longer restricted during intermediate legs of the racecourse.

SOUND SIGNAL - A sound signal or series of signals may be sounded approximately one minute before the beginning of the normal sequence to attract attention and signal that the race sequence is about to begin.  A signal will be sounded when each flag is raised or lowered.

MODIFIED U.S. SAILING STARTING SEQUENCE – In order to expedite the starting of four fleets we will be using a shortened version of the U.S. Sailing Starting Sequence.  This will be rolling process of 3 minute start sequences followed by one minute between sequences.  Once a fleet has started the RC has the one minute period between the starts to appropriately signal premature starters (individual or general recall). After the one minute has timed out the next starting sequence is initiated by raising the appropriate warning flag for the next start.  Race committees are encouraged to give several short sound signals just prior to the beginning of the first starting sequence. 

If there is insufficient wind for the prior starters to clear the starting area, race committees should fly a postponement flag (AP flag), accompanied by 2 sound signals, until the next starting sequence can be initiated.  The lowering of the postponement flag is also accompanied by a single sound signal.  The warning signal for the next start shall follow one minute after the AP lowering. 

The ROLLING START SEQUENCE is described below in the following table and figure.

In addition the RC may need to use other flags and sound signals for individual recalls, general recalls, postponements, race abandonment, shortened courses.  

Flag/Shape	Name	Sounds	Meaning
	X	1 when raised	Individual Recall
	First Substitute	2 when raised 1 when lowered	General Recall
	AP	2 when raised 1 when lowered	Postponement
	I	None when raised 1 when lowered	Round the Ends Starting Rule
	N	3 when raised 1 when lowered	Abandonment and Re-sail
	S	2 when raised	Shorten Course
	Y	1 when raised	Wear Life Jacket
	N over H	3 when raised	Abandonment Return to Shore

When you are running the races it may be easiest to set your watch for a 4 minute count down.   You would then start each division's sequence as your timer reaches 3 minutes.

On Sundays and Holidays the warning signal for the first start of the day should be raised at 1:45 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possible.   Note that the pursuit races scheduled for holiday weekends may start earlier.  Please check the calendar in the club directory.  For Wednesday evening racing the first warning signal should be raised at 7:00 pm. 

If no boats are participating from one of the starts, the Race Committee may skip this start sequence and move on to the next start for which boats are present in the order specified below.      

 On SUNDAYS the Fleets start in the following sequence:

On WEDNESDAYS the Fleets start in the following sequence:

POSTPONEMENT

Postponement will be signaled by the raising of the "answering pennant" and the sounding of two audible signals (horn).  A postponement can be done within a sequence or in between sequences.  Started fleets will continue to race. Fleets not yet started will start in previously defined order after a new warning signal is made.

RECALLS

Individual recalls will be signaled in accordance with Racing Rule 29.  A sound signal will be made and flag "X" will be displayed.  Whenever possible, the yacht(s) over early will be hailed by sail number.

A general recall will be signaled by two sound signals (horn/whistle) and the raising of the “first substitute” flag.  The start sequences for the fleets yet to start will remain unchanged.  The fleet(s) subject to general recall will be started with a new sequence in their original order, after the last scheduled start.  This modifies RRS 29.2.  By example, if the second start (Windmill, 505, Snipe, Laser, FJ, Non-Fleet) results in a general recall, the next starting sequence for these fleets will be after the initial pass through the starting sequences has been completed.   If two starts, such as the 1st and 3rd starts, result in a general recall, both starts would then be restarted at the end of the normal sequence, with the first having the first re-start.  Race committees are encouraged to use the “I” flag for the PREPARATORY (2 minute) signal for any restarts following a general recall. This will expedite starting and minimize potential conflicts between fleets starting and those completing their first time around the course.

Note: Recall sound signals are in addition to the sound signal at the start.

CHANGING THE COURSE

Neither the course nor the position of any mark will be changed after the warning signal, except that the starting pin may be adjusted up until the time of the first fleet preparatory signal.  This changes RRS 33. Shortening the course is not considered a change of course and is allowed after the start.  Competitors will be notified of the shortened course at the last turning mark before the finish.  Flag “S” will be flown on the Committee boat.

FINISH

The finish line will be between the flag on a Race Committee boat and the flag on the port end finishing mark.

TIME LIMIT

There will be no time limit prescribed.  Racing Rule 32 is modified to provide that the Race Committee may abandon or cancel a race in progress when a change in weather conditions has, in its judgment, made the race an unsatisfactory test of skill.

PROTESTS

Racing Rule 61 is modified to provide that protests shall be written on forms provided by the Race Committee and shall be lodged with a member of the Race Committee within 30 minutes after the Committee boat docks after the last race.  The protestor shall be responsible for notifying the Race Committee and the protestee on the water or within ten minutes after they reach the dock after the last race.

ALTERNATIVE PENALTIES

All yachts participating in regularly scheduled Club races shall be governed by the 720 degree turns penalty, as described in Rules 44.1 and 44.2 of the US Sailing racing rules.

ABANDONMENT

Abandonment will be signaled by the raising of the "N" flag and the sounding of three audible signals (horn).

The Race Committee may abandon racing for the day if fewer than two yachts from any starting group and fewer than five yachts overall intend to race.  However, the Race committee shall not cancel or abandon Sunday or Holiday racing before 3:00 p.m.  In the event of now wind, inclement weather, or high winds the committee shall postpone in the hope that conditions may improve enough to facilitate safe racing.

INTERFERING WITH FISHING CRAFT

A racing yacht interfering with a fishing craft by either snagging or breaking a fishing line shall be disqualified.

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