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Consistency and Quality of RC Performance
by Martin Ford
Listening to sailors discuss Race Committee performance, one sometimes hears comment that there is "lack of consistency between committees," implying that some conduct better race programs than others. We should strive to narrow the differences, and the purpose of this narrative is to list some of the incidents that give rise to complaint, and suggest how they may be avoided.
For the most part, they are listed in the sequence in which they may occur during a race or regatta. They are not in order of importance, for they are all important, and most of the solutions are common sense.
There is no such thing as a single, correct method of managing a race or regatta, for individual race officers use different techniques, and the nature and quality of each event dictates how it should be controlled. It is reasonable that a Friday evening race at the Club should be conducted in more relaxed fashion than an Association or National Championship.
However, when serving as PRO or RO at an ILYA Invitational or Championship Regatta, officials must make every effort to be well prepared, ensure their race committee can and will perform to expectation, and conduct a program that will leave every competitor satisfied that the committee did everything possible to make the event both a success and a pleasure to sail.
So here is a list of problems (undoubtedly you will think of more) that most of us have witnessed at one time or another, and thoughts on how to overcome them:
1. LACK OF COMMUNICATION. Within limits prescribed by the rules, a PRO needs to be a good communicator. On shore, this means keeping competitors and spectators informed of the PRO's intentions when schedules are disrupted. On the water it means making appropriate signals, or announcements when permitted.
2. THE SIGHT OF PRE-REGATTA CONFUSION AMONGST THE RC! This is a symptom of lack of preparation. Equipment is not assembled or checked in time; boats and their drivers turn up late or do not appear at all; fuel tanks are nearly empty; radios don't work; the signal boat is not set up, etc. Write a checklist of all the preparations that must be made, anticipate problems before they occur, get ready early and don't assume 'things will go right on the day'.
3. SKIPPERS' MEETING FAILS TO START ON TIME. There is no reason not to start on time. If only a handful of skippers are present at the appointed hour, go ahead with them alone. Why should they (or you) be kept waiting for late-comers?
4. SKIPPERS' MEETING CONTAINS REDUNDANT MATERIAL. Don't repeat items that are already spelled out in the Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions or elsewhere. However, do take time to review new procedures if you know the fleet has not encountered them before.
5. PRO FAILS TO RESPOND IN A PROPER MANNER. The tone of a regatta can be set by the PRO at the skippers' meeting. This is the one opportunity to impress on competitors the manner in which the event will be run. Keywords are 'firm', 'complete', 'concise', 'considerate', and above all 'polite'.
6. FAILURE TO POST NOTICES. Any significant new information affecting all competitors, made known at the skippers' meeting or any other time, must be posted.
7. COMPETITORS ENCOURAGED (MADE) TO SAIL WHEN CONDITIONS ARE UNSUITABLE. Advise competitors when conditions are unsuitable for racing and delays are expected, so they are not obliged to go out and risk damaging their sails and gear when the wind is above limits, or sit and wait out a calm.
8. START DELAYED BECAUSE OF LATE-COMERS. It is the responsibility of competitors, knowing fleet size and what facilities are available, to appreciate how long it may take to launch and get to a starting area. With this in mind, then only if something unexpected occurs that causes a hold-up in the process, should a scheduled start be delayed. Otherwise, it's not fair to the majority who did make it on time. Check with those on shore before committing.
9. START DELAYED BECAUSE RC IS NOT READY. A major offense! Get out on the water in time to 'nail the wind', determine and set up the course layout and, assuming conditions are suitable, be ready to commence a start sequence on time.
10. START DELAYED FOR ANY OTHER REASON. There may be many, but one of the most annoying is caused by the RC boat that cannot anchor! Either the line is too short the wind too strong or the anchor not suitable. If, as PRO or RO, you are not familiar with an RC boat or driver, make absolutely certain that the anchor gear is adequate, by going out on the water and have the driver practice anchoring in deep water, in ample time to make necessary equipment changes before the event.
11. START LINE MOVED (SECRETLY!) WITHOUT CLEAR INDICATION. Competitors understand the start line is set when line flags are raised. When moving the line, lower both flags as a clear signal that it is not set. This applies even when throwing out another 50' of line to square up a few seconds before the Preparatory Signal. So, make sure flags can be lowered (or wrapped) quickly, and not lashed in such a way as to make them immovable!
12. START LINE IS TOO SHORT. When unsure at estimating the length of a start line, have Boat 2 run it to measure the length with a GPS.
13. START LINE THAT IS MORE THAN 5 DEGREES OFF SQUARE IN A (RELATIVELY) STEADY WIND. One advantage of a square line is that if the wind shifts 5°, the line is no more than 5° off. If it was set with a deliberate 5° favor on the port end, then when the wind goes 5° left, the line is 10° off! In a relatively steady wind condition this is unacceptable, so be very careful when planning any out-of-square adjustment.
14. START DELAYED BECAUSE THE WIND WAS NOT EXACTLY TRUE TO THE COURSE HEADING, WHEN VERY SHIFTY CONDITIONS PREVAIL. The objective is to get an agreeably fair start, and in these conditions it is as well to let a race proceed, even if the wind is significantly (10°?) off line at the start, provided it was seen to be fair to the competitors. Having endless general recalls because the wind is not true can be thoroughly counter-productive.
15. SPECTATOR BOATS CROWDING THE ENDS OF THE START LINE. At major events when there are many spectators, this can be a serious problem. If you cannot get compliance by hail or radio, enlist the help of a judges boat to move the offenders to a reasonable distance.
16. UNABLE TO SEE THE SIGNAL FLAGS CLEARLY. Some clubs, sailing small fleets, may have small flags on compact flag hoists. For a large fleet this is unacceptable. Make sure the signal boat is rigged so that flags are large enough and can be seen. In particular, ensure that when a new signal is given when another is flying (e.g. recall after a start), the flags are at different heights and may be seen plainly.
17. UNABLE TO HEAR ACCOMPANYING SOUND SIGNALS. Similar problem to the last one. A small fleet may react to a horn or whistle, but these will be inadequate with a large fleet in high wind. Make certain the sound will be adequate.
18. UNEXPECTED SIGNALS MADE AT THE SAME TIME AS EXPECTED ONES. Don't signal a postponement (or any other signal) at the precise moment a starting sequence signal is due. Make it a reasonable length of time before or after a scheduled signal.
19. SEEMINGLY UNENDING SERIES OF GENERAL RECALLS. Rule 29.3 states (without the italics shown here) 'when there are several unidentified boats the race committee may signal a general recall'. It does not have to, and each PRO should have in mind how many boats may be allowed go undetected if the individual recall is made instead. The individual recall is a most effective tool, whereas a succession of general recalls become progressively less effective.
20. RC ISSUES A SERIES OF GENERAL RECALLS WITHOUT MAKING ANY LINE ADJUSTMENTS. If a general recall is necessary, there is always a reason for it! It may be aggressiveness on the part of competitors, but just as often it is because of a line problem. The start line is too short, is off square, is too close to shore at one end. etc. After every general recall, think and determine why it occurred. If it is something that can be fixed, then fix it!
21. RC USES THE BLACK FLAG AFTER ONE OR TWO GENERAL RECALLS, WHEN THERE ARE NO TIME CONSTRAINTS. The black flag is a useful tool when time permits only one attempt to start. Otherwise it should be used with great reluctance. Provided the line is fair, the most aggressive fleet may be controlled with successful use of the individual recall, and if the line is not fair it is quite unjust to use a black flag. So make the black flag a tool of last rather than first resort.
22. RC FAILS TO USE THE BLACK FLAG AFTER MANY GENERAL RECALLS. All else being fair, don't prolong the agony by endless (more than three or four?) attempts to start. If one is still trying to start when the race might otherwise be half over, there'll be no thanks for it!
23. CALLED BACK TO RE-START WHEN YOU KNOW YOU ARE ASTERN OF NUMEROUS BOATS THAT WERE NOT. It is vital that the identity of every boat called over after an individual recall, is correct. If there is doubt, check with another line boat. If doubt remains, let the boat go.
24. INDIVIDUAL RECALL SIGNAL MORE THAN TEN SECONDS AFTER THE START. Though confirming the identity of boats over may take as long as necessary, the individual recall signal must be made immediately. No more than five seconds - more often less - should elapse before the PRO's mind is made up to make this signal. Beyond that time, a different signal is more appropriate.
25. RC FAILURE TO ABANDON IF THE INDIVIDUAL RECALL SIGNAL IS UNREASONABLY LATE. If the recall signal is made too late, then the race should be abandoned and re-sailed, if racing is to continue.
26. CALLED BACK MORE THAN 20 SECONDS AFTER THE START. If OCS (on the course side of the line at the start) boats are to be hailed, then hail as soon as possible. Apart from confirming doubtful numbers, the only reason for delay in hailing is to identify a boat that has 'hidden' behind another sail. In that case, hail the numbers you are sure of and add any others when they can be seen. Make a careful, written note of when and why a boat is called late, in case of claim for redress.
27. UNABLE TO HEAR ANNOUNCEMENTS OF OCS BOATS. Consider the size of fleet, the number of RC boats on the start line, and the equipment to be used for announcing OCS boats. Maximize the possibility that all boats can hear numbers called.
28. CROWDED BY SPECTATOR OR RC BOATS AT MARK ROUNDING. This is a slightly different problem to crowding the start line. Depending on which mark is involved, be concerned about wind shadow and/or plenty of room for sailboats to maneuver.
29. WIND SHADOW FROM NON-COMPETING BOATS AND CHOPPY WAVES GENERATED BY POWER BOATS. These are often related - a big power boat shadows a yacht going downwind, interferes with wind flow and creates an unacceptable chop for those following. Some polite policing of the course is essential.
30. RACE ABANDONED BECAUSE OF THREATENING WEATHER THAT NEVER MATERIALIZES, OR FAILURE TO ABANDON UNTIL AFTER THE ARRIVAL OF FOUL WEATHER. Either event will create dissatisfaction among competitors, but prudent race management means that is far better to abandon too early rather than too late.
31. RACE ABANDONED BECAUSE SOME COMPETITORS WERE UNABLE TO COPE WITH THE CONDITIONS. The nature of the event determines if this is acceptable or not. No championship event should be abandoned if weather conditions are within prescribed limits, but a club race may be abandoned if necessary to ensure that novice sailors are not overwhelmed.
32. SAILING THE SAME COURSE TIME AFTER TIME. If a fleet requires one pattern of race course only, so be it. But if not, then six consecutive windward - leeward courses may be too much of a good thing! If the breeze is especially strong or light, insert some form of triangle to break the monotony and provide an exciting ride.
33. SAILING A COURSE THAT COMES TOO CLOSE TO LAND. Though windward leg lengths are usually as long as reasonably possible, don't compromise the wind conditions by sailing too close to a distinctive land feature, for the sake of cutting out one circuit of the course. Likewise, leave ample room for making a change of course.
34. FINISH LINE EXCESSIVELY LONG, SHORT OR OFF LINE. As the line should be set perpendicular to the last leg of the course, the longer the line the more advantage may be gained from being on one side of the course or the other. So keep lines as short as will allow several boats (on the same tack) to cross together.
35. NOT NOTIFIED (ON LAND) THAT ONE IS PROTESTED. Whatever procedure is called for, liaise with the judges to ensure notices are posted promptly to advise those who have been named at the finish line as being protestor or protestee.
36. SCORES NOT POSTED WITH REASONABLE SPEED. Ensure race results are passed to the scorer with minimum delay. Be on hand to resolve uncertainties. and see that results are posted without delay.
37. TOMORROW'S SCHEDULE NOT POSTED PROMPTLY. Don't delay checking with anyone who may wish to offer valid advice on the time for the first race of the next day, then having decided, post it!
38. CAN'T LOCATE PRO SOON AFTER COMING ASHORE. As PRO, be available to competitors, judges, the scorer and regatta management personnel for as long is reasonably necessary after coming ashore.
39. RC/JUDGES 'PARTYING' BEFORE DUTIES COMPLETE. Don't do it! | 
