If you are unable to attend, it is your responsibility to arrange for a swap with another member of the club. Once this has been arranged please contact Colin Ross, not later than 10 days prior to your duty.
Please remember the morning races should be a maximum of 40 minutes long, if there is a query as to whether the race should take place due to adverse weather please consult with a member of the sail committee.
To assist you, a list of the Race Officer’s responsibilities is attached. However, if you have any outstanding questions about what you have to do, you can either contact me or any other member of the Sailing Committee before the day.
In the event that any members may wish to hire a Club boat, please read the conditions below:
Please record elapsed time of all Laser Class Boats.
Please be aware: The Declaration Notice must be signed to declare that a competitor has sailed the Race/Races in accordance with ISAF Rules.
It is essential that the Race Officer and / or Assistant Race Officer provide clear, legible race results to enable them to be entered onto the club computer by a person totally familiar with this computer.
A Sail Trainee may have been allocated to join you today. Will you please show him/her how we run/organize races and put the results on the computer.
As you may well be aware, there have been a number of incidents of theft from the changing rooms and it is asked that, in as far as is practical, you keep the Boathouse locked during racing.
Race Officer
Responsibilities
1. Turn up at least 1 1/2 hours before the start of the First Race.
2. Use club PC to access local weather station via the club Website (www.hastingssc.org/links) and note the forecast for the day and decide if the conditions will be fit for sailing.
3. Set a course on the blackboard with the weather forecast, height and time of high tide, taking into account the direction of the wind. If guidance is needed consult with experienced members.
4. Put up the aerial and connect to the radio in the Starters Box. Check the Base Radio and the Handheld Portables are working. Position the hooter on the race office counter and test. Get out the Start Line pole, flag boards, signing on/off forms, binoculars and chronometers.
5. Ensure Patrol Boat Helm and Crew are ready. There is no racing without a Patrol Boat on the water. Ensure the Patrol Boat Helm gets the Patrol Boat on the promenade, runs the engine, and checks that the boat has a radio, handheld radio as back up, compass, first aid kit and a survival blanket. The boat should also be equipped with a flare, knife, bolt croppers, an anchor and warp, a small buoy and 2 paddles. Check that there is a full tank of fuel.
6. Brief the Patrol boat crew on the course to be laid, and any other important information, load the required number of buoys, complete with anchors and weights for the course to be set. Ensure that there are enough people changed to safely launch the Patrol boat and standby to receive info.from course layers regarding conditions. If a course change is necessary post flag “ L “ with 2 sound signals and change the course on the blackboard.
7. Ensure that novice sailors are given assistance to launch, if required.
8. The Race Officer should be familiar with the Emergency Plan as displayed on the office notice board and remind the Patrol boat crew that lives must be saved before property. If the Patrol boat is overwhelmed with capsized boats needing assistance, the race should be abandoned. Advise them that a damaged boat should be anchored until it can be retrieved safely with the assistance of more people. Remind the Patrol boat crew to unlock the engine before coming ashore.
9. Ensure that all boats have returned to shore safely before instructing the Patrol boat to return ashore.
10.Ensure that warning notices are put out and that all winch operations are carried out safely by members over the age of 18.
11.Arrange for race results to be recorded on the computer via a sailing committee member.
Please be aware: The Declaration Notice must be signed to declare that a competitor has sailed the
Race/Races in accordance with ISAF Rules.
12.At the end of the day, ensure the Patrol Boat Helm arranges for the Patrol Boat to be washed, the engine run in clean water, and all equipment to be put away in its correct place. If any gear is damaged or broken the Coxswain must be informed.
13.Ensure the boathouse is locked up and if advised the storm boards are put in place, or appoint another member to do so if you are not the last person to leave.
Your main duties are:
To ensure the safety of the fleet (be vigilant at all times and remain in touch with the patrol boat)
To record the number of laps that each boat sails.
To register the finishing order, or in a handicap race the elapsed time of each boat to the nearest second.
If you have any queries, please speak to any member of the Sailing Committee.