U Flag – Rule Change Proposal
Rules Change – Submitted Proposals
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From Ricardo Lobato
Summary: Inclusion of “U” Flag in Sailing Instructions
Affects:
Constitution By-Laws Class Rules
Deed of Gift Rules of Conduct NoR or SI Template
Other
Objective:
To include the U flag starting rule as optional in the standard Sailing Instructions
Proposal (include current & proposed changed wording- changes to be shown in
Include:
If flag U has been displayed as the preparatory signal, no part of a boat’s hull, crew, or equipment shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before her starting signal. If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall be disqualified without a hearing but not if the race is re-started or re-sailed or postponed or abandoned before the starting signal. This changes rule 26.
Reasons:
- 1)The U flag proved to be efficient in controlling the fleet without being too severe as the black flag rule.
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3 comments
Patrick Laumans
Excellent ! U-flag works.
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Phil Richmond
While the new “U” flag rule is indeed an improvement over the old “Black Flag” rule, as it is currently crafted it still permits the race committee to literally disqualify a boat for infringing a rule whose only use is to help initiate a fair and orderly start. It is important for all to understand that an “OCS” boat has not infringed any Part 4 fundamental rule which occurs against another boat(s), but only against itself and no other boat. To disqualify a boat that is only “OCS” by not permitting the same sort of remediation attached to other rule infringements when we now already have acceptable and proven Rule 33 techniques is still NOT acceptable. The consequence of the “U” Flag is that it still has the same problem that the “Black Flag” rule has at its core. The use of the “Z” Flag, which was originated, tested and implemented by the Snipe Class back in the late 1980s and early 1990s has proven itself to be a more than adequate response for race committees in dealing with unruly starters by applying a percentage penalty rather than disqualification. And, that percentage penalty become cumulative for additional infractions on the same race start. I have used the “Z” flag for nearly 30 years now in Snipe racing all over the world and have never seen once that it is not a highly effective tool when used by a competent race committee. It has the merit of not disqualifying a boat for a transgression committed only against itself.
Frankly, as officers of the Class and being the guardians and centurions of important Class traditions and legacies it is important that you just ‘get’ this core principal.
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Alma
Could you please clarify something for me? When you are in sequence and there is a General Recall do you finish the countdown then fly the GR flag or do you fly it immediately? Should you finish the countdown? Also can you fly the Individual Recall (thinking you got to see all the boats Over Early but then realized you couldn't .. then can you change and do a General Recall?
This has happened when we are short Committee people for our club races and ends up in much discussion.
Thanks
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