This past weekend I ran a Pursuit Start race and a few questions came up.
There were 13 starters with ratings that had start times spread over 30 minutes. 2 boats started at 1230, 2 boats at 1300, the other 9 at various times in between based on our 14 mile course. They had all been given their respective start times at the Skippers Meeting. The way I start them is with a Rule 26 start sequence where the first warning signal is sounded at 1225, obviously, a 4 minute signal, a 1 minute and a start horn. This is done with proper flags and horns. From then on, the only signals are verbal, over the VHF radio, where each boat is given their 1 minute to go notice and called clear at their start (if they are). That is to say, only the first boats to start get a warning and a four minute signal. This system has worked well for the fleet for several years.
Questions:
1. When are all boats in the fleet considered racing?
2. When do boats need to have their engines off in light air?
3. Under an I Flag starting penalty, which 1 minute signal is used?
Options:
A. Everything hinges on the first to start sequence.
B. Things start to go in to effect at each boat’s unsignaled time frame.
C. Some combination of these two scenarios.
This is not an aggressive fleet of racers. They follow the rules when they understand them and are looking to better understand them all the time. They prefer to not be disadvantaged by others not approaching the line to start. They don’t bump into each other and would prefer others use their engines to be sure that doesn’t happen.
Can you post links/relevant extracts to those documents to help us along.
9.1 Races will be started by using RRS 26 with the Warning signal made 5 minutes before the starting signal for the first boat to start.
This leads to the question about when to start the clock for the time limit.
13.1 The time limit for races will be 3-1/2 hours for the first boat to finish.
From their Preparatory Signal.
Australian Sailing has a prescription to RRs 26
Australian Sailing prescribes that when handicap starts apply a boat’s preparatory signal is deemed made four minutes before the boat’s starting time.
Note the first column heading in RRS 26 is 'Minutes before starting signal'
I think it's pretty clear from the SI that the designated time for each boat to start is her starting signal, so her Preparatory Signal is 4 minutes before that, and she is racing from her Preparatory Signal.
'While racing': that is, from the Prep Signal.
There is all sorts of language that can be used to permit boats to use motors for late starts, if you want to go that way.
Well the signal is the I Flag.
Once again, looking at that heading in RRS 26, the 1 Minute period starts one minute before the boat's starting signal.
Winter Series Sailing Instructions – Inclusive of Amendment
Problem with Race Time Limit.
Assuming this is a fun type race followed by some socialing, I'd be inclined to specify the Race Time Limit by time of day as Nick suggests below.
If you don't go that route your SI need.to be tweaked to make clear when the time limit time runs from. For simplicity I'd be inclined to go for 'From the first starting signal'.
Re your specific questions:
- Not sure why you would ever use an I Flag, boats are starting one at a time.
- Because of the spread of start times boats will be motoring to the start across a broad time window. I would say turn off the engine 4 minutes before their designated start time.
I'm not sure that any of the described starts (OP/Anthony/Australian Sailing) so far comply with or suitably change RRS 26.
Surely, SI needs to change RRS 26 to suit the pursuit style, including that signals may not be visual, but aural/oral, or perhaps a signal may be 'virtual/deemed', rather than actually made (for first paragraph timing purposes), and that there will be no 1 minute signals. "These change RRS 26."
For simplicity's sake, something like. "The warning signal for all boats will be at 1225. All preparatory signals and start times will follow GPS-synchronized time with start times per Table XYZ. A boat's preparatory signal will be a virtual signal 4 minutes before her start time. There will be no 1-minute signal. Start times may also be announced orally on VHF. This changes RRS 26."
Just an idea.
How about ...
In the NOR ...
The purpose of these documents is to facilitate efficient and effective conduct of an event as required by the RRS. This off course can be done and limited to using the flexibility afforded by the RRS in dealing with any situation which is not copy book (RRS covered)
The example of an entry to SI given by Benjamin looks quite a good solution to me in this particular situation
Each boat is racing from her Prep Signal, which is defined as 4 minutes prior to her Start Time (without a signal).
Motoring is allowed (as provided by RRS 42.3.i) to reach the starting area regardless of prep or start time. We host a prominant pursuit race with a starting area located about 12 NM from the harbor and being late to the start, for whatever reason, already seems enough of a 'penalty' without prohibiting motoring after the prep signal time.
The I Flag Rule time limitation is clearly described in RRS 30.1 (and does not include a signal), so this isn't really an issue.
Kett Cummins