1. Race course communication
Session Four

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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!!!

8. Thank you

9. SI tweaks….

10. 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.’

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

12. '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

13. 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

14. 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