South Bay Yacht Racing Association
SBYRA HOME RACING RULES COURSE/MARKS RACE RESULTS PHOTOS ABOUT SBYRA
SBYRA RACE COMMITTEE TOOLBOX
Invitation & Application to Winter 2003 Series (PDF) Race Committee - Winter 2002-3 Entries RC Checklist (PDF)
Standing SBYRA Race Instructions (HTML) (PDF) Race Committee - Summer 2003 Entries RC Checklist (PDF)
US Sailing Protest Form (PDF) Winter 02 Race Committee PHRF Worksheet (Excel)
US Sailing Protest Form (PC use/page 2)(PDF) Berkeley YC race committee crib sheet
US Navy Signal Flags Past Entries and PHRF Ratings
Postponement sequence

The SBYRA encourages the Race Committee to announce key starting instructions via VHF Channel 71 as part of the starting procedure.

SBYRA Race Committee Starting Sequence Script
   
This is how your flag staff / halyards should look:
    
TIME EVENT
SIGNAL HALY'D1
SIGNAL HALY'D2
SIGNAL HALY'D3
SOUND SIGNALS
 FLAG/SOUND & RC ACTIVITIES
10:00:00 SKIPPERS MEETING (If any)
 
    
 
 Review any unusual race instructions, course selection criteria such as the number of races, length of course, order of starting divisions with the skippers. Do not ever commit to a specific course during the skippers meeting. Leave that option open for on the water evaluation and decision on the course. The purpose of the skipper's meeting (if any) is to clarify the rules for this race - nothing more, no less.

Here are a few other items for reminders:

  1. Take a role call of all the signed up boats. This will let you know right away which boat may be no-shows. You will have a general idea of how many boats will be on the line and can set the line accordingly.
  2. Answer questions from the racers with facts, not opinions. Above all do not give your interpretation of the racing rules to the racers - it may differ from the Protest Committee's.
  3. Be sure you have the most current list of entrants before you leave the docks
10:30:00 GATHER RC TOOLS
 
    
 
 Collect all necessary RC gears:
  1. Class Flags, (for SBYRA, it's usually A, B, C, D for the various divisions).
  2. Course Flags, (usually numeric signal flags)
  3. Signal Flags, (the alphabet signal flags_
  4. A copy of race instruction, course sheet, list of competitors and boat names, PHRF ratings, score sheets,
  5. Shotgun & a box of shells. (you'll need minimum of 4 per starting class plus extras for over earlies and postponements. That's 16 shells minimum total.)
  6. horns and a whistle for sound signals
  7. Temporary mark(s) (hang them at the stern to act as a big fender if you decide not to use them.)
  8. Anchor(s), chain and ropes long enough for the area that you're setting them,
  9. Sandwiches and drinks for all RC volunteers
  10. Binoculars for seeing sail numbers and finishers.
11:15:00 DEPARTURE
 
 
Race committee boat departing dock to race venue, hoist the race comittee flag so racer can see the committee boat is going out to start the race. If they are still in the harbor, it's a signal they better get moving soon.
11:30:00 SET S/F LINE

 
Set up starting line square to the wind if possible, not to the mark! For typical SBYR regattas, the starting line should be at least 200 feet long or wide enough to allow the entire starting fleet to be on the line at the same time, whichever is longer. Attach an Orange flag at the sight line to indicate where the actual starting line is measured for the racers.
Hoist the "Come within hail" signal flag (code L) , and assign a couple of volunteers to check-in the racing boats by taking down their sail number and compare with the list of entrant. Check off the ones accounted for and monitor VHF Ch 71 for late comers and drop outs. Make note of the one's unaccounted for. This will come in handly as you wait for that last boat to finish at dusk and realize that boat didn't even start the race!
11:40:00 CHECK-IN VTS

 
 
 Notify Vessel Traffic System on VHF Ch 14, advise VTS: racing area, number of boats and duration of the race. This is a Coast Guard request for all marine events. It's a courtesy call. The call in shoud go something like this:
"Traffic, SouthBay YRA Race Committee checking in for the SBYRA Winter Race. We expect 25 boats today, course will be on the South Bay, west of the San Bruno Shoal and deep water channel. Monitoring 14 and 71. Committee boat's name is _____,, and we will monitor 71 after the start. We expect to be finished by sixteen hundred (4 PM), over."
11:45:00 COURSE SELECTION

 
 
 Check wind direction at 10 minute intervals to make sure the line is square to the median prevailing winds, select an appropiate course for weather leg. Once the course is decided, have the right signal flags on stand by,
As a guideline for SBYRA course selection, choose a course that is between 1.5 - 2 hours to complete, factoring in the expected wind condition. If the wind is light, assume an average boat speed of 4 knots, 5-6 knots if the wind is above 10 knots. Therefore, it may make sense to chose a longer course for the large boats, and a shorter course for the smaller boats.
When the wind is light and variable, it may be prudent to chose a short course twice around - since you can always shorten course if the wind dies down. To indicate a twice around course, you would hoise signal flag T below the course signal. For example, if you chose a course #3 twice around, you would hoist and in that order.
11:53:00 ANNOUNCEMENT OF RACE

 
 
 Announce on VHF Ch 71 that the beginning of the starting sequences will occure in a few minutes and the next starting class, course number to the racing fleet; advise non-starters to keep away from starting area.
Also at this time, announce on VHF Ch 71 that no further communications will be answered by the RC from the warning signal until after the last start.
If for any reason the RC expects to signal POSTPONEMENT, see link for time sequence.
11:54:00 COURSE FLAG UP


 
Raise course flag if desired (assuming it's course #1 for this class);, announce the starting class and course for that class on VHF Ch 71.
11:55:00 WARNING (division A)



 
Raise class flag , course flag , 1 sound(gun preferably); Announce starting class and course on VHF Ch. 71. Note Class and course flag will remain up until the start.
11:56:00 PREPARATORY (division A)



Raise signal flag P , 1 sound(gun preferably)
(optional: I , Z , Z with I , or black flag ; FYI, 2002-3 SBYRA Standing Race Instructions assumes the I flag is always flying and stipulate that the Black flag will never be used.);
11:59:00 1 MINUTE warning (division A)



HORN
 Remove P flag; 1 long sound w/horn or whistle. Prepare to raise course flag for the starting class. Prepare the next group of flags to go up. This is the time to change the course for the next starting class if you want to do so. It is usually a good idea to send the smaller boats to a shorter course.
12:00:00 START (division A); WARNING (division B)



 
1 sound(gun preferably); Drop old class flag,
Raise next class flag , course flag (assuming it's course #2); Announce starting class and course number on VHF Ch 71. Count the number of starters at the line, write it down on the regatta worksheet. Mark the time as well if you didn't start precisely at the stated starting time.
12:00:10 INDIVIDUAL RECALL (if needed)




:
 Hoist signal flag X , 1 sound(gun perferabley). Announce the sail number for the over early yacht(s) over VHF Ch 71and/or loud hailer. As each yacht crosses the starting line properly, dip the X flag briefly to signify they have cleared the line or announce it over VHF Ch 71. After the last yacht clears, the X flag can be lowered without further sound signals.
12:00:15 GENERAL RECALL (if needed)




Hoist signal flag First Repeater , 2 sounds (gun perferabley). Announce the GENERAL RECALL over VHF Ch 71and/or loud hailer. The recalled class is put at the end of the division for their starts in SBYRA SRI. Drop the First Repeater as soon as it is clear that all yachts in that division got the message. You will need to begin a new sequence for the next class by hoisting the class and course flag for the next division.
12:01:00 PREPARATORY (division B)



Raise signal flag P , 1 sound(gun preferably)
(optional: I , Z , Z with I , or black flag ; FYI, 2002-3 SBYRA Standing Race Instructions assumes the I flag is always flying and stipulate that the Black flag will never be used.)
12:04:00 1-MINUTE warning (division B)



HORN
 Preparatory flag removed; 1 long sound w/horn or whistle
12:05:00 START of division B; WARNING (division C/D)


1 sound (gun preferably), Class flag removed if this is the last division starting. Cours flag can be removed if there are no over earlies. If there is another class: Raise next class flag , course flag (assuming it's course #3); Announce starting class and course number on VHF Ch 71. Count the number of starters at the line, write it down on the regatta worksheet. Mark the time as well if you didn't start precisely at the stated starting time.
12:05:10 INDIVIDUAL RECALL (if needed)



:
 Hoist signal flag X , 1 sound(gun perferabley). Announce the sail number for the over early yacht(s) over VHF Ch 71and/or loud hailer. As each yacht crosses the starting line properly, dip the X flag briefly to signify they have cleared the line or announce it over VHF Ch 71. After the last yacht clears, the X flag can be lowered without further sound signals.
12:05:15 GENERAL RECALL (if needed)



Hoist signal flag First Repeater , 2 sounds (gun perferabley). Announce the GENERAL RECALL over VHF Ch 71and/or loud hailer. The recalled class is put at the end of the division for their starts in SBYRA SRI. Drop the First Repeater as soon as it is clear that all yachts in that division got the message. You will need to begin a new sequence for the next class by hoisting the class and course flag for the next division.
12:05:00 PREPARATORY (division C/D)



Raise signal flag P , 1 sound(gun preferably)
(optional: I , Z , Z with I , or black flag ; FYI, 2002-3 SBYRA Standing Race Instructions assumes the I flag is always flying and stipulate that the Black flag will never be used.)
12:09:00 1-MINUTE warning (division C/D)



HORN
 Preparatory flag removed; 1 long sound w/horn or whistle
12:10:00 START of division C/D


1 sound (gun preferably), Class flag removed if this is the last division starting. Cours flag can be removed if there are no over earlies.
12:15:00 STANDING DOWN
     
Take down all unnecessary signals, but leave the RC flag flying to identify yourself as the Race Committee to other boaters
.... DURATION OF THE RACE ....
2:00:00 RC
ON STATION

 
Raise BLUE signal flag , to signify the race comittee is officially on station for the FINISH; Set up the ORANGE signal flag to indicate where the committee boat end of the starting line is located.
END OF RACE FINISH

 

HORN / WHISTLE
 1 sound(gun preferably for the first boat in each division, horn or whistle sound for the rest of the fleet) As yachts approach the finish line, jot down their sail numbers before they converge the finish line. Otherwise you may not be able to see their numbers in a crowded finish.
Ideal division of duties - one person sights the line and calls out as each yacht cross the line. Second person jots down the time at that actual instance. Take note if you see a protest flag flying onbaord the yacht - either on the starboard spreader or attached to the back stay, If you do, make notation of it next to the yacht name.on the regatta worksheet.
END OF RC WORK           Transfer finishing times to the Excel spreadsheet and email to SBYRA Chair as soon as possible. The results are then posted up on the website for viewing. The perception of how good the race committee work is often dictated by the speed in which results are posted.
.... SHORTEN COURSE SITUATIONS ....
SHORTEN COURSE (if needed)
.... CHANGING OR MISSING MARK SITUATIONS ....