Page 53 - Judge Manual 2017

Our sport is based on the premise that the competitors, not Judges, have the
lead responsibility for enforcing the rules on themselves and their fellow
competitors. Therefore, not every incident observed by the judges on the water
leads to a protest. Judges should protest only when they witness a clear
infringement that is not observed by other competitors, or when rule 2 (Fair
Sailing) is involved.

Judges should also record details of any error or improper action by the race
committee that may become the subject of a request for redress.
I.3 Liaison with Race Committee

Many classes have special rules related to wind speed that switch on and off
some of the prohibited or permitted actions under rule 42. If the wind speed
exceeds or falls below a specified limit, the race committee can bring parts of
rule 42 (pumping, rocking and ooching) in or out of play at a mark. For these
classes, it is essential that the race committee and the on-the-water Judges
have a proactive and reliable means of communicating to ensure that Judges
apply rule 42 correctly.

If radio communications are difficult, the Judges should try to round the marks
with the lead competitors to witness any signals that might change the
application of the class rules.
I.4 Equipment Required

Prior to the event the Jury Chairman should arrange suitable boats for judging
rule 42 on the water. Suitable boats are those that are safe for the judges to
use in the prevailing conditions, and will not affect the fairness of competition
on the race course. If suitable boats cannot be provided, then the judges should
not attempt to judge rule 42 on the water.

The boats must be suitable for the type of boats they are judging. They must
be normally maneuverable, hard-bottom, and of a speed allowing the Judges
to follow the boats. The boats must have the capacity to accommodate two
Judges. Their equipment shall be large enough to operate safely in the range
of weather and sea conditions in which the competitors will race. The Rigid-
Inflatable boat (RIB) are commonly used for this purpose. Additionally, since
the Judges will be maneuvering in close proximity to the competitors, the boats
should optimally have a design that minimizes their wind shadow and wake.

The Jury boats should be clearly identified to avoid confusion with spectator
and coach boats. Equipping the boats with two-way radios will facilitate
communication between the Judges and with the race committee. When
judging rule 42 under Appendix P, the Judges must have with them a yellow
flag and whistle for signaling penalties to competitors.

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