¯ Be prepared to record all data coming in from the mark boats, i.e. wind direction, wind speed, GPS coordinates, etc.
¯ Keep a history of the regatta beginning with time the signal boat leaves the dock until it returns, such as change or shortening of course, unusual events, changes in the weather.
¯ Record the start sequence for each race, including boats that are OCS, DNS, DNF, as well as the number of registered boats.
¯ Include a copy of the NOR and the SIÕs with the materials on your clipboard.
¯ Record the finishes as called by the finish line sighter.
¯ EQUIPMENT - You will need at a minimum a clipboard, pencils, erasers, paper clips,
and what paper work is required for the regatta. Recommended equipment would include a tape recorder and
clean tapes, a VHF radio, and a
highlighter,
¯ PERSONAL NEEDS – Foul weather gear, sunscreen, sunglasses,
(prescription glasses if needed), hat or visor. Food and drinks if not provided by the event.
¯ CHECK IN – Review the SIÕs to see if a check in of racing boats
is required. If so, as boats
approach the stern of the signal boat (or whatever location is stated in the
SIÕs) and hail their bow/sail # mark them off the check-in sheet with pencil or
highlighter. Return their hail
with the words (#### checked in).
This is important especially if the requirement to check in contains the
words Òshall hail her
numberÓ. A boat may be
disqualified from the race if not checked in and this verifies her check
in. The check-in sheet is a record
of who is on the water for safety purposes as well as a way to verify bow/sail
numbers for finishes taken. It
also allows the PRO to know how many boats of each fleet have arrived to race.
¯ SCRIBE - The scribe may be a separate person, or the role of recorder and scribe may be combined as one. The duties of the scribe are to keep a log of all events taking place from the time the signal boat leaves the dock until its return. Both of these events are recorded. The return to dock often initiates the time of the protest period and must be so noted. There may be a form provided to record the docking time. In addition to these times the scribe is expected to record any course changes or courses shortened. This will include the time given for these events, the flags shown and the sounds made. Wind reports will be called in from the mark boats. The scribe will record these reports either in the log or on a wind chart as directed by the PRO. If the course is using GPS to position the marks, the coordinate of each mark should be included in the log as well as the position of the signal boat.
¯ RECORDING THE START - The start procedure must be carefully documented as to the time of each signal, the visual signal given, and the sound signal. This can be recorded in the regular log, or more desirably on a start form. In addition, the course to be sailed and the time it was posted must be noted. At the start the recorder must write down any boats called OCS by the line sighter. The use of a tape recorder is a must. It is also important that the recorder not watch the line as his line of vision is not exactly the same as the line sighter and numbers seen and
numbers heard may cause confusion and delays. After the start the signal crew should count the number of boats sailing to the weather mark and report this number to that boat. It also should be recorded.
¯ RECORDING THE FINISH – Finishes may be taken from the signal boat or from a designated finish boat. In any case the person recording these finishes must stay focused. The bow/sail numbers of boats finishing should be recorded on paper and on tape. It is not necessary to wait until the boat has actually finished to write down its number. The line sighter may call the numbers of two or three boats prior to their crossing the line. Write these numbers down, and draw arrows to correct their position if not the same as originally written. DO NOT attempt to separate boats into classes or divisions during the finish process, just record the number of the boat crossing the line. Classes or divisions can be corrected by the computer when scores are turned in or by hand when time allows after the race. Again, as in the start process, the person writing down the finishes should not observe the actual finish—too much data can cause meltdown. In one design boats the time of each boat finishing is not important. In that case, record the time of the first finish, the last finish, and any other time that the SIÕs refer to in the time limit. In PHRF fleets each boatÕs number and the time of finish needs to be written down. In this case it is very important to have the tape player recording the time of finish as the recorderÕs hand may not be able to keep up. Do not become flustered if you miss a number—just skip a line and fill it in later from the tape or from another observer or spotter. It is common practice for the finish caller to note that a boat is ÒinsideÓ, ÒoutsideÓ or ÒmiddleÓ. This allows the numbers to be recorded as Ò2335 I, 4662 O, and 7812 as M. When a close finish occurs the sighter can quickly say ÒInside, Outside, MiddleÓ. Then you can easily write down the order of finish for these
three as you already have their numbers. When all boats have finished it
is important to reconcile their numbers with the numbers on the check-in
sheet. When this is done they are ready to be given to the scorer.
¯ END OF THE DAY-After racing has concluded for the day, the recorder needs to assemble all the records for that dayÕs races. This will include the start and finish papers, the scribe notes, mark roundings, a docking time sheet if needed as well as a Race Committee Action Sheet if the event requires one. The recorder/scribe should not leave the venue until these papers and recorder tapes have been given to the PRO. It is also possible that the recorder/scribe be requested to appear at any hearing for redress against the race committee.