Officer Of The Day

Ultimately, you are responsible for the safety of those racing
You have full authority to either not allow inexperienced sailors to race or cancel racing entirely. It is YOUR decision.
If you are unsure about anything – ask for help.

Fraser Embrey Photography©

The week before – confirm timekeeper, rescue boat helm and rescue boat crew are available.
- Need help? contact the sailing secretary or sailing committee member.
Two days before – check conditions
- Is a gale expected? Maybe cancel early.
Check the conditions before launching
- Know the forecast weather
- Wind and tides before launching
Arrive 1.5 -> 2 hours before the start of the race.
- We aim to start race @ 11am and run 2 * 45 minute races.
Open race-hut:
- Keys in blue box beside locker hallway door.

Make go/cancel decision. WhatsApp and/or email if cancelling.
Check the rescue boat crew are preparing the boat and all is OK. No rescue boat – no race.
Talk to the duty pool boat manager.
Ensure all barriers and cones to mark the launch lane are put out
Check all the start/finish lights are working (know where circuit breakers are)
Put the race sign-on sheet on the clipboard. If people do not sign on they cannot race.
Get ready with the the tablet to use the SailRace app for time keeping.
- View the timekeeping instructions

Decide on the course + draw it on the whiteboard (including conditions + tide).
- Aim for 3 * 15-minute laps for the slowest boats.
Test the radios with the rescue boat crew.
Brief rescue boat crew about laying marks.

30 minutes before the race
Gather helpers to launch the rescue boat
- Confirm that buoys are where you want them

Start the race light sequence
- 🟢 Press the green button
  The light sequence will start
  - Lights flash for 20 seconds: 💡💡💡
    to get everyone's attention, then go off
  - 5 minutes: 💡💡💡 all lights on
  - 4 minutes: 💡 💡
    middle light will turn off
  - 1 minute: 💡
  - Start: lights go out
If someone is over the line early with a false start
- 🟢Press the green button: 💡 💡 2 lights back on.
- 🟢Press the green button again to turn them off after they have seen and do a penalty (say 30 seconds)

Finish the race
- 🟢 Press the green button just before the first boat crosses the line:
  💡 💡2 lights on indicates the end of the race.
- All boats finish when they cross the line next.
- 🟢 Press the green button again to switch the lights off ready for the next race.
- If anyone is more than 15 minutes behind the first boat then they can be disqualified.
As soon as all boats finish the first race start the sequence for the second race.

Press the red button 🛑 during the start sequence or the race to show the abandon race lights.
- Lights flash on sequence right to left.
Press the 🛑 red or 🟢 green button to stop the abandon race lights.

Watch for inexperienced sailors landing in bad conditions- organise landing parties.
Check everyone is back safely.
Get the landing party and winch cable ready for the rescue boat.
Winch the rescue boat up
⚠️Remind people to sign off (disqualified if they don’t)
Put the signoff sheets on the in-tray for results entry.
Make sure everything is put away tidily and locked up – keys back in blue box.
Store radios in the safety hut where they should be placed on charge
Flush the engine with fresh water and tighten the petrol tank air inlet
Claim your free drink at the bar