Page 29 - Race

7. COMMUNICATION

Apart from Competitors’ Briefings and the Official Notice Board race management teams
communicate with sailors by various means, both official and unofficial, as far as the SIs are
concerned.

Official communication on the water is made predominantly by the use of signals and, in the case of
many keelboats, VHF transmissions. Visual signals may be made using a flag or other object of
similar appearance.

The ‘signal’, when given as a visual signal accompanied by a sound signal, is the most common
method of communicating with competitors. In these instances, the visual signal is the dominant
component and the sound signal simply attracts attention to the flag or other object being displayed.
So, according to the rules, if a sound signal is absent or late the signal remains valid. There is one
exception to this, however, and that is an Individual Recall when ‘X’ must be displayed with an
accompanying sound signal (both promptly) to retain validity.

Ashore, additional information can be given to sailors through a conventional public address system;
afloat, through VHF or a loudhailer system from the main committee vessel.

Only when the SIs describe the procedure involved can SIs be amended verbally when afloat.

7.1 Visual Signals

The word flag in this section is synonymous with an object of similar appearance.

It is important to understand how the signalling system operates - it is inherited from the navies of
the world. A signal flag when displayed tells you what is going to happen. When it is removed (the
executive signal), the fleet carry out the order. The signal must be displayed on time. Two good
options include: have the flags on bungee (rubber cord) and tensioned, so that when released they
appear at the yardarm instantly; have the flags on stick/poles when, even in heavy conditions, they
can be handled by one person and be displayed quickly.

The dimensions of the flag are determined mainly by the position of the flag pole ashore and the size
of the fleet when afloat - competitors must be able to identify the flag displayed from a reasonable
distance. A flag is displayed when it first becomes conspicuous, so not necessarily when it reaches
the top of the hoist.

The sound signal is made to draw attention to the visual signal. The visual signal is the governing
signal.

Ashore
Flag L has a specific meaning in the RRS Race Signals when displayed ashore with
  one sound (see Race Signals 'L'):

 "A notice to competitors has been posted." This is often an amendment to the SIs
but does not have to be - it could be an official notice of another kind.

Flag ‘L’ is removed without a sound signal when the displayed notice has become effective. This is
at the start of the scheduled race it affects. So for amendments to the SIs, ‘L’ is removed at the
Warning signal of the first race to which the change first applies.

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