Notes:
This system was developed to take advantage of the fact that with the proliferation of GPS, everyone has very easy access to the exact time. It has been used for three seasons of Friday Night Races at Berkeley Yacht Club with good results. Novice RC volunteers especially appreciate the elimination of needless complexity and opportunity for error.
All times are exact to UTC. Timing of RC signals is always approximate.
Class flags and sound signals for warning, preparatory, and start are optional.
VHF hails are optional.
How this works in practice: For a small fleet, all the RC has to do is set the line, signal the course, and watch for early starters. All boats already know exactly what time they start, and will have exact countdowns running.
For larger fleets, the class flags can be added.
Explanatory VHF hails can be added at any time.
Starting
and Course Signals
|
|
Approximate time |
Flag or placard |
Sound signal |
VHF hail |
|
First warning |
10 minutes before start |
First substitute |
One sound signal |
Time of first start and first class |
|
First preparatory |
5 minutes before start |
First substitute down |
One sound signal |
|
|
Class and course signal |
Between 4 and 3 minutes before start |
Class flag up and course signal up |
|
|
|
VHF hail |
Between 3 and 2 minutes before start |
|
|
Class and course number |
|
Start |
At start |
|
One sound signal |
|
|
Signals down |
Between 1 and 2 minutes after start |
Class flag and course signal for previous
start down |
|
|
|
Class and course signals for next start |
Between 4 and 3 minutes before next start |
Class flag and course signal for next start up |
|
|
|
VHF hail |
Between 3 and 2 minutes before start |
|
|
Class and course number |
|
Start |
At start |
|
One sound signal |
|
Recalls
|
|
Approximate time |
Flag or placard |
Sound signal |
VHF hail |
|
Individual recall |
After start |
Code flag X |
One additional sound signal |
Sail number of early starter |
|
General recall Recalled classes start after all other classes
in sequence. |
After start |
First substitute |
Two additional sound signals |
Announce general recall |
Postponement
|
|
Approximate time |
Flag or placard |
Sound signal |
VHF hail |
|
Postponement |
Before start |
Answering pennant |
Two sound signals |
Announce postponement |
End
of Postponement
|
|
Approximate time |
Flag or placard |
Sound signal |
VHF hail |
|
End of postponement |
Between 9 and 6 minutes before start |
Answering pennant down |
One sound signal, |
Announce end of postponement and time of next
start |
|
First preparatory signal after postponement |
5 minutes before start |
Code flag "P" |
One sound signal, |
Announce time of next start |
|
Class and course signals for next start |
Between 4 and 3 minutes before next start |
Class flag up and course signal up |
|
|
|
VHF hail |
Between 3 and 2 minutes before start |
|
|
Class and course number |
|
Start |
At start |
|
One sound signal |
|