Race Duty Notes

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	Notes for OODs and Patrol Boat Crews. Race Officer Key Points Patrol Boat - Operator Instructions Race Officer Key Points - 2006 Arrive at Embsay reservoir at least 40-60 minutes before the first race is due to start, armed with a pencil and rubber and an authoritative manner! Check the condition of the slipway and if it is slippery scrub it (or ask for a volunteer to do it). Check that the patrol boat operator is happy to operate the boat in the prevailing conditions and has read and understood the patrol boat instructions. Provide help if required to ensure the patrol boat is on the water. Brief the patrol crew about your race plans – agree between you whether the patrol boat crew should plan to be on the water for all of the race (e.g. in windy conditions) or whether the boat simply needs to be ‘ready to go’ (e.g. in light winds). Do a radio check. Brief them to help you check that all crews have safely returned at the end of each race. Set a course suitable to the conditions. A book of courses that have been proven to work well with different wind directions can be found in the OD’s pack. Useful tips: Whenever possible, make the first buoy to windward with boats passing it to port (so that they sail round on starboard tack with right of way) Set the Finish Line as a gate between the mark on the Race Officers box and buoy ‘F’ – boats only need to sail through this gate to finish. To avoid any confusion, show on the course sheet which side boats should leave ‘F’ to finish. Check the proposed course with at least one of the race entrants. Display the course on a course sheet at least 20 minutes prior to the start of the race and put out a race sheet so that entrants can record their names, boat class and number, and handicap. Start the race promptly using the 10, 5,4, 1 ‘go’ starting sequence - a 10 minute (informal) long sound signal with no flags, a 5 minute sound signal (raising the general handicap flag), a 4 minute sound signal (raising flag ‘P’), a 1 minute long sound signal (dropping flag ‘P’) and a starting sound signal (dropping the general handicap flag). The ‘sailing timer’ device will automatically make the sound signals for you – make sure you know how to use it! (Instructions are by the device). Call back any boats that are over the start line with another sound signal. Record the order of boats as they complete each lap. At about 50 minutes, pick a boat that is approaching the last mark of the course, make 2 sound signals and fly Flag ‘S’, finishing each boat as they cross the line after this one. Boats ahead of the selected boat should go on to complete another lap before finishing. Finish boats as they cross the finish line, recording the elapsed times (the ‘sailing timer device’ will record the elapsed time every time you press the hooter). Adjust the times of slower boats that have sailed fewer laps by adding additional laps using their average lap time. Check at the end of each race that all crews are safely ashore. Calculate the time on handicap for each boat and pin the results on the wall in the clubhouse, after checking for any helms that have retired on the race sheet. At the end of the day, help the patrol crew put the patrol boat away and help tidy up. If you are not last away, check there is a person with keys who knows they have the responsibility of locking up the clubhouse. Back to top PATROL BOAT OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS: *On the water* SAFETY NOTE 2006 There is a yellow wire-cutting safety knife that can be quickly detached from the red petrol can should you need to cut anyone free. It has a rounded end to avoid cutting people. The knife floats should you need to pass it or throw it to the crew. Take particular care to check that the crews of capsized trapeze boats are accounted for because of the increased risk of entrapment with these boats. PLEASE REPLACE AFTER USE *RESPONSIBILITIES* The main responsibility of the patrol boat operator is to look out for and to help sailors in difficulty. Other responsibilities are to help the in the recovery of boats, boards and equipment and to help the Race Officer. The rescue boat operator should work in partnership with the Race Officer by: Agreeing whether it is safe to run a race (although the decision remains with competitors as to whether to competent and the need for any radio contact. This agreement should consider whether you feel competent to man the patrol boat in the prevailing conditions. Checking the location of the First Aid box in the club house and the resuscitation instructions nearby. Understanding the course that has been set and the most likely place for capsizes, e.g. gybe marks Checking that all boats and crew have returned safely at the end of each race. In windy conditions, the patrol boat should be the first boat on the water and the last off. Agree whether this is required with the Race Officer. *RULES* Rule 1. The patrol boat has a normal maximum capacity of four people. You may have to pick several people from the water, so never leave the shore with more than two people aboard except in an emergency. Rule 2. If you think that a person in the water is not capable of making rational judgements, take the initiative and try to get him/her into the boat and back to the shore as soon as possible. Similarly, you decide who most requires your assistance at any point. You may call on any other boat for assistance at any time. *GENERAL TIPS WHEN ASSISTING SAILORS* Pull people from the water over the bows of the rescue boat when possible. Manoeuvre slowly when you are close to boats or people in the water. If a boat capsizes, get to it as quickly as possible and stand off upwind and clear of masts and sails. Be aware that dinghies can come up and roll straight over the other way and position yourself accordingly. Check that all the crew are alright, that no-one is trapped, particularly on trapeze boats. It is often best to stay near the masthead of capsized boats – you are safely away from sailors but can lift the mast a little if required. Check whether the sailors require assistance, but take initiative if required, as per Rule 2. If a crew needs help, ask them what they want you to do, and do it slowly, gently, gently! Ask the crew regularly if they want to get into the rescue boat. Racing will normally be continuing while you are rescuing someone. Except in urgent circumstances you are responsible for keeping out of the way of competitors. *TOWING TIPS* When using the towing rope be very careful not to get it caught in the propeller. Always be alert to where the rope is in the water. A boat may be towed astern or alongside the rescue boat. Alongside is frequently better but the rescue boat will be less manoeuvrable. If towing astern, someone should be in the towed boat to steer, sitting well back with the centreboard up. Avoid tying knots or cleating ropes. A boat towed astern should have a turn of the towing rope around the forestay (if it has one) and two turns around the mast with the loose end held by the crew. Alternatively the towing rope can be looped around the forestay and back to the rescue boat. Pulling boats off lee shores is best done by approaching bows on and going slowly astern once the towing rope is in place. Pull the dinghy or board far enough out until there is space to turn the rescue boat and tow normally. REMEMBER – PEOPLE FIRST, THINGS SECOND *PATROL BOAT* OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS Part 2: *Getting ready* SAFETY NOTE 2006 Putting the patrol boat in the water requires at least 3 people – do not try it with less than this. Ask the Race Officer to arrange help if helpers are not immediately available nearby. *GETTING GOING* A: Preparation The engine and trolley-manoeuvring wheel are in the men’s lower changing rooms. The petrol and control gear is in the outside petrol store to the rear of the clubhouse. The keys for the outside door of the changing rooms and for the petrol locker are available from the Race Officer. Make sure the red petrol tank is at least half full. If it needs filling, take ready mixed fuel from the Jerry can, using the funnel. Choose a safe place, outside the clubhouse, to do this. Use the trolley to transport the engine to the rescue boat. Agree with the Race Officer if radio communication is required. If it is, get a radio and test it. B: Assembly Clamp the control lever firmly to the obvious place at the driver’s right elbow. Lower the bow of the boat by taking away the bench on which the launching trolley is resting and mount the engine on the transom. If you feel the engine is too heavy to lift on your own, ask for assistance from nearby sailors. The lifting is best done as a two person job. Tighten the clamps very firmly. Attach the steering cable to the engine by pushing the toggle shaped bit through the obvious hole in the front of the engine and twist it to hold it in place. Attach the two control cables to the levers on the side of the engine using the smaller toggle type fixings – they are colour coded to help. Forward of each lever there is a support for the cable and clip that comes over to hold it in place. The black cable goes on the bottom lever. Push the emergency stop shoe (on the curly red cord) under the stop button. Release the engine lock lever (on the front of the engine, slightly to the right) and pull the top of the engine forward so that the propeller is raised. Secure it there by the catch on the left side of the engine as viewed from inside the boat. Put the petrol tank, and attached safety knife, in the boat and attach the fuel hose to the engine. Fit the manoeuvring wheel to the trolley and launch the boat. This is a several person job. Take care as the slipway can be slippery. Ensure there is someone on the shore holding the painter when the boat is afloat! When there is enough depth, put the engine into the down position by releasing the catch as in B6. C: Starting the engine Loosen the cap on the top of the petrol can ½ turn. Squeeze the rubber bulb in the petrol hose a few times to get fuel to the engine. Pull the choke fully out, pull the engine control lever outwards to disconnect the clutch and push the lever forwards to about 45 degrees to give some revs. Pull the starting cord firmly out to its full length. Repeat until the engine starts. When the engine starts, immediately push the choke back in and adjust the control lever until the engine runs at a fast tick over. Leave for 60 seconds, then return the control lever to a central position. The engine should now idle smoothly. D: Driving it Once the engine is running, go for a fast poddle to warm it up. To go forward, push the lever forward. To go back, push the lever back. Do not go backwards fast – it can damage the engine and fill the boat with water. To stop the engine, press the red rubber button near the choke. Always keep the propeller off the bottom and clear of buoy mooring lines. On return to the shore, release the engine lock lever and lift the engine before you get there! (See B6). Don’t run the hull hard on to the shore or the slip – do everything gently please. There are no brakes – use reverse to stop. IT’S NOT AS COMPLICATED AS IT SOUNDS!! IF IN DOUBT, ASK THE RACE OFFICER OR NEARBY EXPERIENCED SAILORS FOR HELP Back to top