Committee Boat Procedures for Race Night and Regattas and Regattas !
 
PreRace Checklist // (Committee Boat is in the Compound)
  • Check for Full Fuel Tank
  • Minimum of 2 Lifejackets on Board (Under Seat). Crew must have their own lifejackets
  • Paddle and Boat Hook (in side compartment)
  • Bailer (under seat)
  • Water proof, floating flash light
  • Heaving line
  • Race Flags
  • Mark Inflator (Under Seat)
  • Mark Numbers 8, 9, 10 and six red caps
  • Three 10lb anchors and three Killick weights (stored in centre of boat)
  • To anchor the committee boat
    • One Danforth (sheet metal) Anchor and
    • One 20lb anchor (stored in bow of boat)
    • Two 100ft. lines (these lines have wide red ends).
  • Towing Bridle and Towing Line
  • Racing Instructions, Clipboard and Pen
  • First Aid Kit and Solar Blanket
  • Laminated sheet with race signals
  • Race Results sheets
  • Ladder
  • Watch / Stopwatch
  • Compass.
Attention
Start Flag (1 Min.)             

‘I’ (Penalty if over line in last min.)

Start Prep Flag (4 Min.)  
‘X’ flag (Individual recall)

‘AP’ (Race Postponed)

  

‘M’ (This object replaces missing mark)
‘N’ flag (Race Abandoned)  

‘C’ (Position of next marked changed)

‘S’ flag (Race Shortened)

 

‘H’ (½ white, ½ red)

‘P’ (Boat over line early)   ‘A’ (All races are abandoned)
     

‘1st substitute’ (General recall, all boats)
COMMITTEE BOAT RADIO

Your Handle:...................................MSC Safety Boat
Leave Radio Tuned To...................Channel 16
To Monitor Weather...................... Channel 2
For Emergency Services...............Channel 9

In Water Checklist 1  // (Committee Boat is in the water, at the dock

  1. Check that all lights work
  2. Check that the horn works
  3. Put antenna up and check that the radio works
  4. Leave radio turned on to Channel 16
  5. Turn gas tank air vent on
  6. Prime fuel ball
  7. Make sure Key Tether is connected to Dead Man’s Switch
  8. Start engine (you may have to raise cold choke lever)
  9. Check that bilge pump works
  10. Check weather forecast & advise competitors


In Water Checklist 2 (Review of competitors)
   

The Committee Boat Crew has
authority over competitors!
  1. The Committee Boat can only run a race if there are 2 competent people in the committee boat
  2. Ensure committee boat crew experience and Strength is sufficient for the weather conditions
  3. Committee boat crew must be comfortable that race competitors are experienced enough for the weather conditions

IF IN DOUBT SAY NO!!!
   

After The Start of the Race

It is recommended the Committee Boat locate near the middle of the Race Triangle and PATROL THE FLEET.

Assisting Capsized Boats
  • The purpose of the MSC committee boat is safety and rescue.  IT IS NOT A SALVAGE BOAT!
  • Go immediately to a capsized boat. CHECK ON THE STATUS OF THE CAPSIZED SAILORS.
  • Put Motor into Neutral when approaching capsized sailboat
  • Any boat that has not been brought upright at least once in the first 15 minutes:
    •  Boat does not have enough flotation
    • Abandon rescue attempts – this has become a salvage issue
    • Attach an anchor to the boat
    • Attach a floating mark (possibly a race mark) to the boat
  • Any boat that has been brought upright at least once in the first 15 minutes:
    • Continue to assist in up righting the boat up to a maximum of 30 minutes
    • Try raising the centreboard as soon as boat is upright
    • If boat is not successfully sailing or under tow after 30 minutes:
      • Boat does not have enough flotation
      • Abandon rescue attempts – this has become a salvage issue
      • Attach an anchor to the boat
      • Attach a floating mark (possibly a race mark) to the boat
  • If boat is not successfully sailing or under tow at sunset:
      • Abandon rescue attempts – performing salvage after sunset has become a safety issue
      • Attach an anchor to the boat
      • Attach a floating mark (possibly a race mark) to the boat

If you are in doubt
with the condition of
the people in the water.
Take them back to the
Clubhouse immediately.

This is not a strict procedure.  If individuals in water are showing distress or lack of judgment, immediately abandon salvage attempt and perform rescue.
 

Consider the following chart to determine when to abandon salvage:
 

Expected Cold Water Survival

Temperature Fahrenheit Exhaustion/Unconscious Expected Survival
32.5
32.5 – 40
40 – 50
50 – 60
60 -70
70 -80
Over 80
32.5
32.5 – 40
40 – 50
50 – 60
60 -70
70 -80
Over 80


10 to 45 min.
39 to 90 min.
1 to 3 Hours
1 to 6 Hours
2 to 40 Hours
3 to Indefinitely
Indefinitely

REMEMBER!    The Committee Boat Crew Have The Final Decision!!!
   

Suggestions to right a sailboat

 Suggestions for sailboats under tow
  1. Put a life jacket under the top of the mast to prevent the sailboat from turtling.
  2. Lower the mainsail.
  3. Ensure the sheets are uncleated.
  4. Tow the bow of the capsized boat into the wind.
  5. Use jib sheet from opposite side of boat for leverage.
  6. Stand on centerboard, leading edge is usually thicker.
  7. Raise centerboard after boat is upright to
    prevent another capsize.
  1. Tow rope may be tied to mast if unable to attach to prow.
  2. Lower the mainsail, detach boom, and store in front cubby.
  3. Open bailers.
  4. Raise centreboard.

 

ALL BOATS MUST BE RETURNING TO CLUBHOUSE 15 MINUTES AFTER SUNSET!!!