Page 74 - Judge Manual 2017

This involves a brief hearing in which the protestor provides the reasons for the
request. The protest committee would allow the withdrawal of the protest if it is
satisfied that the request is reasonable. The competitor should also sign the
protest form confirming withdrawal of the protest
J.8 Scheduling Hearings

If it is known when hearings are to begin, the representative of the protesting
boat can be informed when his hearing is scheduled. The first few hearings are
best scheduled at 20 minute intervals, and then at half-hour intervals (assuming
there is only one protest committee). Thus, if the first one or two protests are
invalid, there is little delay. Should the first hearings take much longer, the
remaining hearings can be rescheduled.

The objective is to keep the protest committee working until all hearings are
complete (allowing for a meal break where required). Keep the competitors
waiting for as short a time as possible. If hearings get behind schedule, later
hearings should be rescheduled, so that competitors can get changed or go for
a meal.

When there is a protest and a counter protest, or protests from different boats
about the same incident, they should be scheduled to be heard at one hearing.

The Chairman should first read the delivered protests and decide the most
efficient order of the Hearings. Schedule first any hearings where the Race
Officer is a party, so they can be heard consecutively. On the last day of the
event, schedule first any hearings involving boats that may possibly be a prize
winner, so the prize giving can commence as soon as possible.

Inform the race committee promptly of any request for redress to allow them as
much time as possible to investigate the request.

Post the hearing schedule on the Official Notice Board as soon as possible after
the end of protest time but before the end of the time limit for posting protests
on the Official Notice Board. Hearings may begin before the protest time expires
provided that the parties to the protest are ready to proceed.
J.9 The Hearing

When the protest committee is ready for a hearing, give a copy of the protest
(or request to each member of the protest committee. When the protest
committee is ready to proceed, call the parties, usually one from each boat, and
interpreters if necessary.

Check the alternative penalty list to see whether either party to the hearing took
a penalty in the incident involved in the protest.

If observers are allowed the Protest Committee chairman should remind the
observers of the applicable rules for observers.

The protest committee secretary should check that witnesses are available and

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