Situation
Rule
33(a) requires either a new compass bearing or a red rectangle for signalling a changing of the nest leg to port and a green triangle for a change to starboard.
Question 1
Will white flags of approximately 35cm x 56 cm with the required shapes inserted in the middle be in compliance with Race Signals, Changing the Next Leg? (Size of the red rectangle is about 12 x 25 cm and the green triangle about 18 cm on each side.)
Answer 1
Rule
33 does not specify if the visual signals, apart from Flag
C, should be a flag or other object. Moreover, rule
25.3 allows the race committee to use either a flag or other object as a visual signal. If the signal displayed to change the position of the next mark is not clearly visible to and understandable by the boats, then the signal required under rule
33 has not been properly made. If the required shapes on the flags are large enough and the shapes are clearly visible to the boats, then these flags will comply with both Race Signals and rule
33.
Whether displayed on a flag or a panel or board, a shape of 12 x 25 cm. or 18 cm. on each side might be sufficient to be clearly visible in a dinghy regatta, in light conditions and where the signal boat is close the competitors. However, it may not be of a sufficient size in all circumstances.
Question 2
If the answer to Question 1 is yes, what would happen if there is very little wind and the flag is not properly displayed?
Answer 2
If, because of very light wind, the flag is not extended either by the wind, by hand or by some other means and displayed at right angles to the direction to the mark, then the signal is not clearly visible to the boats. A panel or a board of sufficient size is preferable because it is generally more readily visible than a flag.