Race course communication Session Four

Comms between CV & course boats Types of comms: VHF (agree channels & note) Mobile phone voice Mobile phone Apps Face to face Hand signals Notebooks Etc. Agree primary comms method beforehand, and backups. 2

Course boats Remote eyes and ears of the RO ROs want data to make informed decisions Keep VHF transmissions short & to the point Confirm instructions received!!!! Remember!!! Listen before you speak Don’t transmit during sequence unless urgent or asked for Transmit 15s after minute is good time Think about response cascade with multiple boats Wind noise……… (clingfilm) 3

Course boats Only transmit facts e.g: Wind direction & speed – now and trend Your location - before laying Mark location – when marks laid Problems - and solutions! 4

Course boats Be prepared for RO to ask for wind information when you are working - at any time! RO may ask for your “Opinion” - OK (but do not give it without being asked!!!) Mark layers work and communicate as one team to cover whole race area – don’t be afraid to speak with each other CV - remember that the mark layers need which fleet & course countdown start time – and ‘all clear’ etc number of starters

Course boats – keeping records Record LAT/LON of all laid marks – using GPS Record wind speed & direction at regular intervals Notes taken on RIBs are for use of race team - not anyone else Don’t speak with competitors during race unless it is an emergency or to avoid collision – tell RO! Mark roundings are important – but secondary to mark laying Recommendations:- Have a good ‘wet book’ Be consistent with your notes Day Race No Time Wind Speed Wind Direction Mark Number Lat Lon Incident

Course boats If questioned - communicate only with and through RO Protest & redress If questioned - communicate only with and through RO RIB wet notes are for race team use only You are one team Keep all discussion face to face - not on VHF!!!! A race officer in need of rescue!!!

Thank you

SI tweaks….

Controlling release from the shore OK if on schedule Conflicts with AP if postponed? Solution? ‘Flag D with one sound means ‘The warning signal will be made not less than 30 minutes after flag D is displayed. Boats shall not go afloat until this signal is made.’ ‘When flag AP is displayed ashore, it means that the display of flag D onshore is postponed. Flag D will be displayed shortly after flag AP is removed. This changes Race Signals.’

Let’s go racing…. Use ‘U flag rule’ RRS 30.3 ‘P’ is for ‘practice’! No individual/general decision Let’s go racing….

'Dodgy’ gate or missing gate mark Solution? ‘If one of two gate marks is missing and has not been replaced as described in RRS 34, then the remaining mark shall be rounded to port. This changes RRS 34.’ 8-10 boat lengths

NB Risks using change marks if signal not seen Minor mark moves ‘Minor mark moves (up to approximately 100m) may be made without signalling the change. This changes RRS 33.’ Benefits: Only one mark boat needed – no signalling Less confusion for competitors at previous mark Risks: Are there any? NB Risks using change marks if signal not seen

Penalties other than DSQ ‘For infringements of rules other than in Parts 1 and 2 of the RRS, the penalty for a breach of a rule may, at the discretion of the protest committee, be less than disqualification.’ Benefits: More appropriate for ‘minor’ breaches Reduces ‘spurious’ (but technically correct) protests? Risks: Jury need to make more complex decisions? Jury need to be ‘on message’ with class