DYC CENTERBOARD FLEET RACE OFFICER INFORMATION General Information: The Centerboard races will be started and finished at the end of the DYC Pier. All start/finish lines should be located to the west or south of the pier. Do not place a start/finish line that will obstruct the launching ramp access on the east side of the dock. The course is at the option of the Race Officer and can include DYC orange buoys, the Yellow permanent buoy across the creek from the DYC Pier, and any navigational aid appropriate for use in the course. Courses can be windward/leeward, triangular, dogleg or any other shape to allow creation of an acceptable race. Downwind or reaching start/finish are acceptable. Multiple laps around buoys in the creek are acceptable. Due to the start/finish being located at the pier, the first leg may not be a beat, but some leg of the race should contain a beat. The selected course shall be specified verbally to the competitors. No course flags will be used. 1.  Display the Postponement and YELLOW RC Flag from end of Pier(yellow with RC on it). 2.  Leave dock in time to get to course set no later than 1645. 3.  Go to the middle of the creek and determine the wind speed and direction. Pick a suitable course for the wind speed and to get a windward leg. Deploy the needed buoys to form the course. 5.  Display the pure ORANGE flag for Starting Line on the end of the pier. Sight the start and finish line from this flag. 6.  Provide course instructions and info to hailing boats, log each as they check in. 7.  One minute before the alert, inform the fleet that the start will begin in 1 minute by lowering the Postponement (Answer Pennant) flag. 8.  Do the starting sequence shown on the next page. 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. 9.  Flag any over early boats by raising the Individual Recall (Code "X" flag) and sound the horn once. Continue to raise the Individual Recall until the yacht crosses the start line. 10.  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 prep signal for a new start for the recalled fleet shall be made one minute after General Recall Flag is lowered. 11. Not Used. 12.  Record Finish Times. The yacht finishes when any part of yacht or crew in normal position crosses the finish line. 13. Continuously monitor the conditions and take appropriate action if warranted. If conditions deteriorate, consider the following options in order presented. The intent is to have a fair and safe race. a.  Shorten Course - If the lead yacht 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 a 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 Race Officer boat shall be placed so that finishing yachts will pass the mark on the original course side of the mark. b. Abandon Race - If the conditions create a safety hazard or if it is apparent that the finish time of the lead yacht will be exceed the maximum, abandon the race as indicated below: 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 three sound signal and hailing. When the race is abandoned, there will be no score for any boat regardless of finish. 14.  Remain on station at the finish until all yachts have finished or are accounted for. 15.  Give the score sheet to the Chief Scorer if available. 16.  Cleanup as follows: Put Clock back in protective box Put Clock and Course Letters in Duffel Bag Put Flags back in their bag Put Duffel Bag, Horn, Radio, Flags back in Race Committee Locker Connect Horn and Radio to Battery Chargers Put Score Sheet in Rack on Locker Door   Race Signals The meanings of visual are stated below. When a visual signal is displayed over a class flag, the signal applies only to that class. Races not started are postponed. Warning or other signal will be made 1 minute after removal. General recall. The position of the next mark has changed. Wear personal buoyancy. All races are abandoned. Protest Flag. Race course shortened. Start/Finish Line on End of Pier. No. of laps in a multi-lap race course are reduced. Fleet Signal Individual recall.     CENTERBOARD FLEET STARTING SEQUENCE Regular Thursday Night starting times should be around 1700 if possible. In no event shall a Thursday night race begin prior to 1700. Do not rush the start sequence. It there are problems, do not start the sequence until you are ready to continue. Follow the table of actions below: Time Action What flags are up after action Prior to Timer=0 Hoist Postponement Flag   Timer = 0 Inform fleet starting sequence will begin in 1 minute by lowering Postponement Flag, sound horn Start Timer     Timer = 1 Hoist pure Yellow flag, sound horn Fleet Warning Signal   Timer = 2 Hoist P flag, sound horn Timer = 5 Lower P flag, sound horn   Timer = 6 Lower Yellow flag, sound horn, record start time Fleet Start Signal     Over Early-- If any boat has crossed the starting line prior to their start, hoist the "X" flag, hail the early starters, and give one horn blast. The "X" flag is not lowered until all early starters have returned or after 4 minutes.   General Recall - 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 fleet 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. For more information, please contact the Race Governor. Page Last Updated May 2, 2006 Send comments or questions to: DYC