Situation
At the start of a race with 60 Lasers and approximately 15-18 knots wind, the race officer observes 4 boats on the course side of the starting line close to the pin end. 10 seconds after the starting signal the race committee signals an individual recall with flag X and one sound. Case <%= case_link('79') %> states the following about the timing of individual recalls:

‘No specific amount of time will apply in all circumstances, but in this rule it means a very short time. A race committee should signal ‘Individual recall’ within a very few seconds of the starting signal. Forty seconds is well beyond the limits of acceptability’.

Question 1
Is 10 seconds acceptable under the mentioned circumstances?

Answer 1
To recall boats individually, rule <%= rule_link(29.1) %> requires the race committee to display flag X with one sound promptly after the starting signal. Promptly cannot be quantified. The acceptable time between the two signals may depend on various parameters such as the size of the fleet, the size and maneuverability of the boats, the length of the starting line and even the weather conditions. In the circumstances described in question 1, 10 seconds would not be promptly.

Question 2
If the answer to Question 1 is no, what would be the latest acceptable time for signaling?

Answer 2
See Answer 1.

Question 3
If the answer to Question 1 is no, consider the following: Neither of the 4 identified boats return to start correctly. 2 of them request redress under rule <%= rule_link('62.1') %>(a) after racing. The protest committee finds in a hearing that the 2 boats are eligible for redress. Would all 4 boats be entitled to redress although only 2 of them requested redress?

Answer 3
When the protest committee decides that the race committee acted improperly by failing to signal the individual recall promptly, the protest committee shall, according to rule <%= rule_link('64.2') %>, make as fair an arrangement as possible for all the boats affected, whether or not they asked for redress. However the protest committee shall determine individually for each of the boats if the rest of the conditions of rule <%= rule_link('62.1') %> for giving redress are met.

NOTE. Guidance concerning race management 'best practices' of the application of rule <%= rule_link('29.1') %> can be found in the World Sailing Race Management Policies posted on the World Sailing website.