Situation
Before the start of a 29er fleet the wind was 15 knots. Flag O was displayed with the warning signal to indicate that pumping, rocking and ooching was permitted as specified in the class rules. 30 seconds before removal of the preparatory signal the wind dropped to 8 knots. The race committee removed flag ,O and displayed flag R with repetitive sounds before the starting signal of the race.

Question 1
May the race committee display flag R as per rule P5(c) at a starting mark when flag O has already been displayed before the warning signal in that starting sequence?

Answer 1
Yes. Unlike rule P5 (a), which requires flag O to be displayed before the warning signal, there are no such time constrains in rule P5 (c). The race committee boat is a mark as defined. Once a boat passes the mark (by crossing the starting line) she will be subject to the restrictions of rule 42 again.

Question 2
Rules P5(b) and P5(c) refer to visual and sound signals given at a 'mark'. It also refers to certain actions being permitted or not after a boat has passed that mark. Would the display of flag R with repetitive sounds at the starting mark, which is a passing mark, constitute an error or omission by the race committee?

Answer 2
No. Rule P5 does not distinguish between a rounding mark and a passing mark and the action is permitted by the rules.See answer to question 1.

However, because competitors might have seen flag O properly displayed and thereafter did not look at the race committee signal boat again, the best course of action will be to postpone the start and remove flag O. See ISAF Race Management Policies for ISAF Events (Fleet Racing) 13.2.