CSA DUTY RACE COMMITTEE INSTRUCTIONS, 2004

1. PRIOR TO DUTY SUNDAY

The responsible race officer from the duty fleet will serve as the race committee chairman (senior race officer) and determine that all boats are adequately staffed. The minimum crew consists of:

RC Boat: Three People

Each Whaler: Two People

There should be a total of seven people serving as the race committee for each Sunday. THE DUTY FLEET MUST BE PREPARED TO SUPPLY ALTERNATES IN CASE OF UNEXPECTED ABSENCES.

If a fleet is holding a regatta on that Sunday, contact the regatta race committee to insure a timely and orderly transfer of race equipment.

IF A DESIGNATED FLEET PRINCIPAL RACE OFFICER (PRO) CANNOT SERVE, THE SCHEDULED FLEET PRINCIPAL RACE OFFICER WILL TRY TO SWAP WITH ANOTHER DESIGNATED OFFICER IN THE FLEET, AND THEN INFORM THE PERMANENT RACE COMMITTEE (Peg Woodworth)

2. SUNDAY PRE-RACE

If weather conditions are borderline or hazardous, a decision as to race or not race must be made. Factors include the weather forecast, wind strength, air and water temperatures, and the number of rescue craft available. The PRO should consult with the Commodore and the Permanent RC and reach a consensus. It must be remembered that these are club races and are not worth hazard to life-and-limb.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE CLUB:

Pick up the necessary equipment at the Harbormaster's Office. The office will have a hand-held compass, spare radios, and a vhs radio for safety.

RC shed combination is 6789. All boat keys are inside. Fuel shed key is on the pontoon boat key ring.

Plug in the battery charger in the receptacle in the console.

Place the drain plugs in the whalers, and launch them. Be sure that the gas cans are filled, and warm-up the engines. There are 2 kinds of gasoline needed for the boats, regular and Pre-Mix. The gas shed contains only Pre-Mix. The Newest Whaler and the Committee Boat require regular gasoline. Get them filled at West Access Marina. The remaining Whalers and the Aqua Sport use the Pre-Mix gasoline from the Gas Shed.

Check each whaler for the required equipment, and load the required marks (see the equipment checklist). The whalers have built-in radios, horns, and PA system all operating on one battery. Use these electronics sparingly.

The hand-held compasses are to be used on all boats. These hand-held compasses will not perform adequately if you are wearing glasses with metal frames.

Discuss duty assignments with your crew. It is suggested that duty assignments be firmly stated (recording secretary, flagman, anchor-yanker, mark-set, etc.) so that each person understands exactly what is expected.

Review the course-setting procedures and the desired course length with the mark-set boat. Guideline 8 to 10 mph wind: 1 mile long beat for the inside course.

Insure that the RC boat is equipped with score sheets, pencils, and a good timing device. Times must be kept for the starting sequence, elapsed time for handicapped boats, elapsed time for possible abandonment and elapsed time in case a shorten course is necessary. Remember that tall cats, Lightnings and misc. monohulls need finish times in minutes and seconds.

Post DNF and protest registration forms on the official bulletin board.

At about 10:30, send the mark-set boat to the vicinity of the race course to make wind strength and direction observations. These observations should be radioed to the PRO frequently.

Attach the orange (courtesy harbor departure) flag to the halyard on the main mast. Attach the individual recall and general recall to metal flag poles to be displayed from the bow of the boat. Attach postpone flag to the halyard on the stern starboard side of the committee boat.

After 10:45, take the committee boat to the race area. Hoist the courtesy flag, and sound a LO....NG horn signal while leaving the harbor.

If there is any confusion with the instructions, or with the procedures, consult with past RC chairmen, or with the knowledgeable "old hands" in the vicinity.

3. RACE COMMITTEE BOAT POWER-UP

This procedure is for preparing the RC boat for operation at the beginning of the day. This process must be reversed for equipment storage at the end of the day.

1. Plug the extension cord into the electrical receptacle below and to the left of the helm. The extension cord should be the shortest heavy gauge cord available. To determine if the charger is functioning, turn on the toggle switch labeled radio on the console, the voltmeters should give a voltage reading for both batteries. 12 volts or better means they are fully charged. Plugging in the extension cord to the receptacle should make the voltage rise a couple of volts. If the needles do not jump, the cord is not plugged in at the lamp post receptacle, or the receptacle has not been turned on.

2. After charging, turn the master power switch located below the steering wheel to "1" or "2" position. Donπt forget to disconnect the extension cord from the receptacle before departing. Continue to use the battery you have started with throughout the day. Switch over and use the second battery as a stand-by if you loose power with the first battery.

3. To lower the motor, use the power trim button located on the throttle control on the console.

4. Turn on the radio and perform radio checks with the whalers. The inner knob is the on/off switch, and squelch control. Adjust the squelch control to the minimum setting-eliminating static. Use channel one.

5. Turn on the PA only as needed.

4. COURSE SET-UP

The mark-set boat has been observing the wind speed and direction. Determine the average wind direction and set the course accordingly. If the wind is oscillating split the difference and determine the average direction.

If you have two whalers, one may be used to set the marks, and the other for setting the line and to aid in calling early starters. With just one whaler, set the line first and then the marks.

The standard race course for the early (1130 race) is to be a triangle (twice around), and the standard race course for the afternoon race an Olympic Modified, (once around). All triangles are set with 90-degree gybe. A fleet may sail a different course, as stated in the 2004-2005 CSA Sailing Instructions, and must abide by rule 7.7 of these instructions.

A. For the line, determine the average wind direction, and set the line perpendicular (a 90 degree angle) to the wind. It is permissible to favor the pin end. Favoring the RC boat end will lead to problems. The line must be long enough to accommodate the number of starters in the largest starting fleet. The starting line should seem to be too long, and the finish line to be too short.

B. Set the regular course mark (yellow) at approximately 2/3 of the total course length to weather of the committee boat. Make sure that the anchor is firmly on the bottom, and that excess anchor line is tied-off (to prevent boats from snagging the line). Set the extended mark (pink/orange) at least 100 yards to weather of the yellow mark and in-line with the course. Note: in winds of 8 to 10, the entire length of weather leg should be 1 mile for the inside course. The total length of the weather leg for the extended course should be 1.5 miles.

C. Return to the yellow weather mark, and determine the correct bearing to the gybe mark from the tables. Get a shore bearing, and proceed directly in line towards that bearing. When you are at the correct distance, a bearing of 90 degrees to the left of your current location will be in a line to the leeward mark located behind the stern of the committee boat. Place the gybe mark (yellow) with the same precautions used in setting the weather mark.

D. Determine the direction to the leeward mark. Pick out a land bearing and proceed in that direction. You will be in the correct position when you are astern of the starting line, and in-line with the two weather marks. Set the leeward (yellow) mark observing the previous mark-setting precautions.

E. Head down-wind at least 100 yards and set the extended leeward mark (pink/orange) using the mark-setting precautions.

G. The starting line should be astride the weather leg when you have completed the course set-up.

Keep the RC Duty Officer informed at all times as to your position, when the marks are set, etc. He/she needs to know when the weather marks are in the water, so that he can START THE SEQUENCE.

5. START TIMES

Morning Race

Harbor Warning ≠ 1100

Start Time ≠ 1130

Afternoon Race*

Harbor Warning ≠ 1400

Start Time ≠ 1430

*If the weather conditions prevent the morning race from being sailed, fly the postpone (AP) flag. Do not abandon this race. The race committee has the option of running two back-to-back races when weather conditions permit. The start time for the afternooon race can be moved up to 1330.

6. THE STARTING SEQUENCE

BEFORE THE START MAKE CERTAIN THAT:

∑ Everyone knows their assignment and has the proper equipment.

∑ Division flags, and a flagstaff are ready.

∑ Course boards are posted, including the weather heading.
(Note that 90 is posted as 09, 190 is 19, 274 is 27, etc.)

∑ The top of the score sheet is filled out.

∑ The PA and horn are turned on.

∑ MAKE CERTAIN THAT AP (POSTPONE) IS READY. IF A MISTAKE OCCURS, AP (POSTPONE) IS FLOWN WITH TWO HORN SIGNALS. YOU ARE THEN FREE TO START AGAIN AND ALL SINS ARE FORGIVEN.

THE STARTING SEQUENCE IS AS FOLLOWS:

∑ Check the following web site for the new starting sequence and signals:

http://www.ussailing.org/racemgt/new_starting_system/index.htm

http://www.sailing.org/rrs2001/rrsracesignalspg1.pdf

http://www.sailing.org/rrs2001/rrsracesignalspg2.pdf

∑ Races shall be started by using the following signals. Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded.

Minutes before

Signal Flag and sound starting signal

Warning Class flag; 1 sound 5

Preparatory P, I, Z, Z with I, or black flag; 1 sound 4

One-minute Preparatory flag removed; 1 long sound 1

Starting Class flag removed; 1 sound 0

The warning signal for each succeeding class shall be made simultaneously with the starting signal of the preceeding class.

NOTES ON STARTING:

Try to avoid general recalls. If only one or two boats are early, hoist the individual recall flag with one sound signal AFTER THE START SIGNAL and announce the recall numbers. Then don't worry about the recalled boats unless they are returning. Call their number when they are on the recall side of the line, and lower the individual recall as the last recalled boat returns. DON'T LET A RECALL INTERFERE WITH YOUR NEXT START. If you must have a general recall, the recalled fleet goes to the last start in your sequence. Keep your time going, as the start signal is the preparatory signal for your next start.

After the division pennant has been raised, announce over the PA the names of the fleets in

that start. Warn all other boats to stay clear of the starting area.

Record exact starting times for each division. Exact elapsed times must be kept for the handicap fleets, and in case of the time limit for an abandoned race.

EXACT ELAPSED TIMES MUST BE KEPT FOR ALL CATS, LIGHTNINGS AND ALL MISC. MONOHULLS WILL REQUIRE A FINISH TIME IN MINUTES AND SECONDS. THE CATS ALSO REQUEST THAT WIND STRENGTH BE RECORDED AT THEIR START, MIDWAY THROUGH THEIR RACE, AND AT THE CONCLUSION OF THEIR RACE.

THE STARTING SEQUENCE IS:

Division 1 -- E Scow, Y Flyer

Division 2 -- Catamarans

Division 3 -- Lightning, Snipe, Misc. Monohull, Lasers, Sunfish

Division 4 -- Flying Scot , San Juan 21, and Cabin

7. DURING THE RACE

If any division cannot reach the gybe mark within 30 minutes, the course must be shortened. Set up the finish line on the beat (weather) leg. Get set-up before Division 1 (Y's, E Scows and Stars) have reached the leeward mark. Send the mark-set boat to the leeward marks with the shorten course pennant. The RC boat will also fly the shorten course flag, and make the appropriate horn signal (2 horns). If you decide to shorten the course for only some of the divisions, you must indicate your intentions by displaying the division signals to which the shorten course signal applies. If you display a shorten course flag at the leeward mark without division signals a competitor may rightfully assume that the signal applies to him, and he will race to the finish line. If he then finds that he is not finishing, he will be ticked, and he will probably protest the action of the race committee, and he will succeed in having the race discarded.

Changing the course for a multi-division race is very difficult. If you try to change the course to adjust for a wind shift, remember that you must make the proper flag and sound signals at the last mark before the change prior to any boat that will be affected reaches that mark. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT NO COURSE CHANGES BE MADE, UNLESS THE CHANGE IS FOR THE FINAL BEAT BEFORE THE FINISH.

If the weather becomes threatening, THE RACE SHALL BE ABANDONED. IT IS BETTER TO ERR ON THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE.

8. ABANDONMENT

Do not abandon the racing for the day prior to 3:30pm.

9. SUNDAY POST-RACE

Remove all flags from the pavilion flag pole and return them to the harbormasterπs office.

Return all equipment to the proper storage locations.

Clean the boats. Wash down the interior of the whalers with brushes. Brushes, swabs, and approved detergents are located in the equipment shed.

Fill gas tanks in Whalers #1 and #2 if used.

Please Note: The gasoline in the gas shed has oil mixed in it and should never be used on the Committee Boat of Whaler #4. These boats have Yamaha 4-cycle motors which use regular non-mixed gas.