• Rule 40.2.b ......at all times while afloat that day
  15 Comments
  Ralf Weidner Yesterday 20:19
• Any NOR/SI Language Needed to Allow Redress if Race-Automation System Makes an Error?
  12 Comments
  Angelo Guarino Wed 20:26
• RRS 70.3(b) - Denial of right to appeal (conditional)
  19 Comments
  Benjamin Harding Tue 01:10
• To be a MARK or not to be
  6 Comments
  Catalan Benaros 26-Feb-11 21:57
• On-the-water "3-minute Justice" NOR/SI/Appendix?
  10 Comments
  Angelo Guarino 26-Feb-10 12:11

• Rule 40.2.b ......at all times while afloat that day
  It's amazing to me how many people want to twist the simple words of a rule into what they want the rule to say.  As a wise judge once told me 'read what the words say, not what you want them to say'.
  
  40.2(b) is really simple.  If the flag is flown or the rule is invoked in the NoR or SI then you have to wear PFDs 'while afloat that day'.  There is no ambiguity, no 'while racing', no mention of when people are competitors.  If you are afloat on that day you must be wearing a PFD or break the rule.
  
  People do not switch on and off being competitors.  We have a definition of what a competitor is, i.e. 'a person who races or intends to race in the event.'  You become a competitor when you start 'intending to race' and, importantly, it never ends.  You are a competitor in that race forever.  50 years after the event, if it is found that you cheated, you can be penalized.
  
  As far as the preamble to Part 4 goes, the rule very clearly states otherwise.  'That day' is clearly a different time frame than 'while racing'.
  
  As far as possible penalties, if you break the rule you are penalized in the race nearest in time to when the rule was broken.  If it is after the end of the last race of the series, then you are penalized in the last race of the series.  See the last part of RRS 60.5(c).
  
  Clearly, RRS 40.2(b) has situations when it is not appropriate.  It is not appropriate when boats are coming from all over an area to a central racing venue.  If it takes a boat 2 hours to motor to and from the racing venue, then this is not a good option.  If you are racing a small dinghy where everyone is coming from a single club, the boats may not launch until the D flag is displayed and are all escorted back to shore, then this may be a good option.
  
  For events where boats are coming from all over, I generally recommend saying that RRS 40.1 applies to competitors while boats are in the racing area and are preparing to race, are racing, or have been racing.
  John Christman Today 16:57
• Any NOR/SI Language Needed to Allow Redress if Race-Automation System Makes an Error?
  Dustin ... thanks for that input. The standard language out of Vakaros overly-broadly denies R4R IMO (as the "no fault of their own" clause should take care of the vast majority of a boat's individual equipment issues). That's why in my OP I framed the question based on the assumption that R4R-restrictive language was not present. 
  
  Seems the consensus thus far is that errors/omission from systems, that perform an "RC function" and are implemented by the RC, map onto "improper action/omission of the [race] committee .." in RRS 61.4(a)(1) without further clarification needed in the race-docs. 
  
  That said, I think my suggestion of adding "system" to the term "Race Committee" would hurt anything. 
  Angelo Guarino Thu 13:51
• RRS Power Point Presentation
  My apologies folks, Australian Sailling has rearranged their websiet and the links in my old post are all dead.
  
  This webpage has lots of useful doccuments and presentations (as I'm sure most other MHA websites have too).
  
  https://www.sailingresources.org.au/officiating/race-officer-resources/
  John Allan Thu 01:49
• RRS 70.3(b) - Denial of right to appeal (conditional)
  As a matter of interest - here in the Philippines it would be a very simple and non-costly challenge: case entered into 'the blotter', mandatory 3x sessions at the local 'Barangay Hall' with the 'Barangay Captain' (Lawyers not allowed inside the hearing room) and that Barangay Captain will make a call on the matter - either parties may disagree and trot off to the small claims Court for a speedy low-cost judgement :). Not entirely dissimilar to other countries that I have worked in as well. 
  John Quirk Wed 09:03
• Mark-Room and Room to Pass an Obstruction who wins.
  See John's response.   For the sake of simplicity, if we ask for an interpretation, the testimony of both competitors is that was only room for one boat to pass safely between the mark and the obstruction.
  
  Further. What happens if there are three boats overlapped? I was recently on a one-design start line with 103 boats.  I wish I could tell you that I had a fantastic first leg and arrived at the top mark in the top 3 boats with no overlap. Alas by the time I got there, so did a lot of other boats.  Fortunately, no obstruction. But I confess that Mark's Xmas puzzler was going through my head as I rounded 3 abreast.
  
  Oh, and I had a much better downwind leg. Thanks for asking.
  Justin Scott 26-Feb-16 19:04

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