Conway Yacht Club - Founded 1911 
Race Officer Guide - 2005
Prepared by Pam Macdonald 
| New ISAF Rules (2001 - 2005) - New Starting System - '5-4-1-GO!' | ||||
| Standard Starting System as used at CYC | ||||
| Signal | Warning | Preparatory | One-Minute | Start |
| Time | 5 Mins. | 4 Mins. | 1 Min. | 0 Mins. |
| Flag Actions | Display Class Flag: 'R'   Cruiseror 'E'  CODor 'D'  Squib |
Display 'P' Flag: |
Remove (or cover up) 'P' Flag: |
Remove (or cover up) Class Flag: 'R' Cruiseror 'E' CODor 'D' Squib |
| Sound Signal | 1 Short BIP! | 1 Short BIP! | 1 Long BEEP! | 1 Short BIP! |
| Flags Showing AFTER Signal Given | 'R' or 'E' or 'D' |
'R' or 'E' or 'D' plus 'P' |
'R' or 'E' or 'D' |
No Flags Showing (Unless there's a Recall - See Below) |
| Successive
Starts at Ten Minute Intervals ie. Cruisers then CODs Under the old system, the Cruiser start was also the COD 10-minute gun. Under the new system, the starts are no longer 'connected' - which is much simpler. When the first fleet has got away, you have a 5 minute breather (assuming no recalls) before you start all over again by giving the warning signal for the second fleet |
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| Individual Recall Procedure | |||
| Situation : One or more boats are (partly or wholly) over the line when the starting signal is given, and can be identified. The recall signal should be given within 5 seconds of the Start. | |||
| Display Flag and ... | ... At Same Time give Sound Signal | Watch the Line! | ... Remove Flag (No sound signal for this) |
Display Flag 'X' |
1 Short BIP! NB This sound signal is very important & must be clearly given. |
To see when all offending yachts have fully re-crossed and ... | Remove Flag 'X' As soon as all offending yachts are clear (or for 4 mins. max.) |
| Boats which fail to answer the recall - ie. don't re-cross the line - should be noted and marked as 'OCS' - 'On Course Side' on the results sheet. However it is advisable to keep a note of their finishing time and / or position, in case of a protest. It doesn't matter whether you give them a finishing signal or not. | |||
| Postponement Procedure | ||
| Indefinite Posponement at any time before the Start itself - ie. you can postpone even in the last minute of the Starting Sequence. Why? - Any reason whatsoever eg. No wind, a mistake in the starting procedure, technical problems etc. | ||
| Sound Signal | Display | Then Remove (or cover up) |
| 2 sounds - BIP! BIP! | Flag 'AP' (Answering Pennant) |
Any other flags that are currently displayed |
| Postponement stops everything. Now you can take as long as you want to take stock of the situation and decide what to do. | ||
| End Postponement Procedure | ||
| Re-Starting
after Postponement You've fixed the problem, or it's fixed itself (the wind has come up etc.). When you signal the end of the postponement, you must give the warning (5 minute) signal exactly 1 minute later. So, in effect, you now have to prepare for a six minute sequence. Make sure that you, and your watch, and the course boards, are ready for this. The procedure is then as follows: |
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| Time | Sound Signal | Remove / Cover |
| 1 minute before the new Warning Signal (6 mins. before new Start) | 1 Short BIP! | Flag 'AP' |
| Exactly 1 minute later | Give Warning (5 Minute) Signal as above under new Starting System ie. Display Class Flag + 1 Sound Signal and continue as normal. | |
| Other Signals |
| Shortened Course & Abandonment |
Shortened Course : Display Flag 'S'  +
2 sounds as the leading boat is approaching the 'last mark before the Finish Line' (Usually The Perch). If shorteneing
for one class only, display Class Flag also. Remember that you can use the Guard Boat to shorten a race to a
mark, if you can organise it in time. |
Abandonment : Display Flags 'N'  over
'H'  or 'N' over
'A'  (it doesn't matter which, but not
'N' on it's own) plus Class Flag if appropriate, plus 3 sounds. |