Officer of the Day Duties
The safety of all those on the water takes priority:
Rescue first, race second
Updated 19 October 2014
Week before:


Check petrol. If empty get $20 from cash box and buy more. Keep receipt. When filling
outboard, only fill ¾ full.
Confirm a 2nd Race Officer to help you
On the Day:
Before leaving home:

Obtain and print out weather report. Recommended sites:

http://www.weatherzone.com.au/nsw/south-coast/merimbula

http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts/bega.shtml

http://www.seabreeze.com.au/graphs/nsw5.asp

http://wind.willyweather.com.au/nsw/south-coast/merimbula-main-beach.html
Before the Race:

Post weather report on table with sign-on sheets (Red folder): 9:30am

If the wind is more than 20knots or less than 3 knots, cancel the race.

Put money tin and skipper details (Blue book) on table

Load rescue boat with buoys, ropes, anchors, check fuel, radio: 10:00am

Launch rescue boat

Use buoys to set a course, before 11:30am
Using a GPS to set a course
Setting a new course:

Motor to position of bottom (downwind) mark.

Add waypoint

Select this waypoint, and then select “Go To”

motor to windwards and read distance from waypoint ("Go to" function continues to point at
bottom mark and display distance to it), Slow at 700m and stop at 800m.

lay top mark

Add waypoint

Use the ‘Go To” function to check distance from top & bottom mark (the 2 waypoints you’ve
saved). At 565m distance from each, lay monohull’s wing-mark.

Add waypoint

Select this waypoint, and then select “Go To”

Motor at right angles to the wind for 516m, then lay catamaran wing mark

The start-line may be set anywhere below or near the windward leg.

Lay buoy for Port end of line

Use flag or streamer to determine wind direction.
Setting a course using preset waypoints

Determine basic wind direction; NE, SE, or NW. Turn on GPS and select corresponding
waypoint. Refer to back of this document for sample courses.

To set bottom mark:

Select waypoint, eg: NEBOT for North-east wind, port course, bottom mark

Select “go to” and proceed to location. The arrow does not work when stationary; you
must be moving for the GPS to determine directions. Set buoy

Repeat procedure for top mark, and wing marks

select that new waypoint (eg NETOP, NE45 monohull wing-mark (45 degree angles
from the top mark), and NECW cat wing-mark), and "go to”.

There are also starboard courses for E, NE, NW, S, SE, SSE and a waypoint for the
Clubhouse (CLUB). If you have feedback on how to improve a preset course, please
contact Tony Hastings
WLBC Officer of the Day Duties
2
Handicaps

Before a Handicap Start race, update each boat’s handicap , by either:

Contacting the Events Coordinator, or

Checking the chalk board, or

Go through handicap race results and write down the number of minutes behind leader
each boat finished in past 5 races.

Average the best 3 of those 5 results, and reduce the boat’s handicap by this number of
minutes.

If a negative number is calculated, then this boat starts on 0 and all other boat’s
handicaps should be increased by the negative number.

Consider reducing the entire fleet so that the first boat starts on 0.
Briefing

Call sailors together at 12:00. Points to discuss:

The proposed course: where are the buoys, taken to Port or Starboard

Start line and starting procedures

Finish Line

Start Time (aim for 12:30pm) or postponement details

Number of divisions; whether there will be 1 or 2 starts, or starting handicaps

Procedure for shortened course

2nd race; back-to-back or after a break. Any alterations to course

Sign on, skipper details, entry fees

Leave blue sailing book on table, take red folder to record finish times
During the Race:
Starting procedure for Handicap Races

Either: Sound horn and call out number of minutes before the 0 boat starts, or

Sound horn and start stopwatch as the 0 boat crosses the start line

Change numbers board every minute, so that the new number is inserted exactly when the
minute begins. The numbers should count upwards until all boats have started.
Starting procedure for Pointscore races:

Use clock / watch in 24 hour time. Begin the start sequence at a 5 or 10 minute interval, eg:
12:25:00.

Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound shall be disregarded.

Fly red or green flag to indicate Port or Starboard course

Fly blue flag when anchored on start or finish line

Warning; 5 Minutes before start: Class flag + 1 sounds (eg; 12:25:00)

Class Flag 1 is numeral pennant 1; white flag with red dot

Preparatory: 4 minutes before start: raise P flag + 1 sound (eg; 12:26:00)

P flag: Blue flag with white square

One minute: Preparatory flag removed + 1 long sound (eg; 12:29:00)

Start: Class Flag removed + 1 sound (eg: 12:30:00)

If second division; raise Class Flag 2.

Class Flag 2 is numeral pennant 2; blue flag with white dot

Start Division 1 is 5 minute warning for Division 2.

Repeat above procedure;
 preparatory, (eg; 12:31:00)
 one minute, (eg: 12:34:00)
 start.
(eg: 12:35:00)
WLBC Officer of the Day Duties
3

Recalls: if boat(s) start too early:

Individual recall: If one or more boats started early:

Raise X flag + 1 sound

X flag is white flag with blue cross

Leave flag up until all recalled boats have sailed crossed back over the start-line
and re-started, or 4 minutes has passed (RRS 29.1)

It can be helpful to yell out who is being recalled

Generall Recall: If too many boats started early or for any reason the start is to be done
again, recall all boats (RRS 29.2):

Raise 1st sub flag + 2 sounds

1st sub flag is blue with yellow triangle

When boats have returned, lower + 1 sound.

1 minute later, raise Class Flag and begin 5 minute sequence again

During the race; operate rescue boat; lower blue flag
Shortened Course Procedure:

If required to shorten course;

Raise S Flag + 2 sounds

S Flag is white with blue square

Anchor boat near buoy which is to be finish mark. The boat should be anchored outside the
course, so that boats sail through the line when sailing the proper course
Finishing procedure:

When in position for finish line, raise blue flag

Wear note-taker, press ‘record’ and read the exact time

As boats approach the line, call their sail number, the say “now” as they cross the line, or
press horn as each boat crosses line. If possible, occasionally state the exact time

Helper(s) records the sail number and time (in 24 hour time) in red book. Record all boats on
the same sheet, in the order they finish

Option to sound horn:

When the first boat finishes

When each boat finished (usually done during shortened course).
After the Race

Check all boats are finished or accounted for.

Calculate elapsed time, by subtracting start time from finish time

Either enter these into “SailWave” or other program, or manually calculate results:

convert seconds to decimal minutes (do not use hours or seconds)

decimal time X 100/yardstick = corrected time

Record corrected time, determine results from these

Collect buoys, return to shore

Present post-race report, put Red Book back on table, chalk results onto board

Flush motor with fresh water:

put “ear muffs” over hole and connect hose,

start motor once water is running

Grease motor pivot

Return boat to shed

Lock up and secure clubhouse

Turn off showers:

Inside rear of shower block, at base of water heater turn dial down to the dot

On roof of shower block, use pole with hook to push lever closed

At east side of clubhouse, turn gas to off
WLBC Officer of the Day Duties
4
Rescue

When more than one boat has capsized, check each one for injured or missing crew before
attempting any rescues.

If leaving a boat unattended, attach red bottle / float to it as an indicator,

Approach from downwind

Instruct crew on righting boat or rescue procedures:
Providing in-water assistance

Rescuer must wear life jacket (wetsuit optional)

Turn Rescue Boat motor off if people in water near propeller, or otherwise in neutral

Rescuer enters water

When rescuer reaches boat in distress, Rescue Boat withdraws a safe distance
Righting a dinghy:

Ensure sail is not cleated and free to move

Swim front of boat into wind, if crew present, have them hold bow

If completely upside down:

Skipper to stand on side of boat, holding centreboard, leaning back

Boat should come ½ way up

If mast horizontal on water:

Stand on centreboard, holding gunwale and leaning back

Wind should blow under mast and sail, to help right boat

Once righted skipper climbs on board while crew continues to hold bow, then assists crew on
board
Righting a catamaran:

Ensure sail is not cleated and free to move

Swim front of boat into wind, if crew present, have them hold bow

If completely upside down:

Skipper to stand on side of boat, holding righting rope, leaning back

Boat should come ½ way up

If this doesn’t work and it doesn’t have centreboards; stand on rear corner to sink
transom and lift bow + mast out of water. Boat should corkscrew up

If mast horizontal on water:

Stand on centreboard / lower hull, holding righting rope and leaning back

Wind should blow under sail and help right boat

Once righted skipper climbs on board while crew continues to hold bow, then assists crew on
board
Towing a boat back to shore

Right boat. If above procedures are not possible:

attach towline to bow and pull boat to windward, to clear mast from mud

attach towline to leeward side, drive to windward and tow boat upright

Sail must be down, lash to boat using mainsheet

Use the rudder to steer if possible

Have centreboard down if possible

Leave to attend others if necessary as crew prepare boat for towing

Tow rope must be passed through towing eye and held by crew, or looped around mast once
and held by crew; if they let go it should run freely and end towing.

Constantly review towing speed. Crew to steer the boat being rescued.

Approach beach from downwind, slowly come to stop as towed boat is near shallows and
beach. Crew to raise centreboard, rudder, disembark and wade boat to shore.

If many boats are down, rescue crews and return to boats later.
WLBC Officer of the Day Duties
Emergency Procedure
1st Aid procedure:
Following based on Australian Red Cross First Aid Handbook:
D
5
Check for Danger; whether of drowning, sun exposure or other
Hazards that could cause injury
Risks to you, others, injured person
Safety of the scene
Consider taking person into rescue boat; you may need to clear space on the floor first.
It may be safer to have them on the deck of their boat, take 1st aid kit and radio on board
their boat with you
R
Check for Response
Look for signs of life (unconscious, unresponsive, not breathing normally, not moving)
S
Send for Help if no signs of life.
Either radio to club, ask for ambulance to be called, or
Use Mobile phone, located in plastic tub with 1st aid kit; dial 000
Arrange to meet Ambulance at boat ramp
A
Clear ( if required) and open Airway
If no signs of blockage, grasp chin with index finger and thumb, lift upwards (chin
lift) or place fingers of each hand along the jaw and lift upwards (jaw thrust) to open airway, then
open mouth to look inside for any foreign body
B
Look, Listen and Feel for evidence of breathing. If there is no breathing and no signs of life,
progress to chest compressions
C
Give 30 Chest Compressions, at a rate of 100 per minute
Followed by 2 breaths (seal the nose and place your open mouth over their open mouth and
blow until chest rises)
Locate the lower half of the sternum
Place the heel of one hand on the centre of the chest
Using the other hand on top for strength, push straight down
Compressing 1/3 of the chest space (repeat at rate of 100 per minute)
Continue CPR until qualified person arrives or signs of life return
Provide 1st aid for exposure, wounds or other injuries as required.
Use the radio or phone to call for help if unsure what to do
Afterwards:
Report incident to Committee
Complete an Incident Report Form, and if appropriate, a Witness Statement
Contact Details:
Police, Ambulance:
000
State Emergency Services [SES]:
132 500
National Parks and Wildlife Service: 1300 361 967
Merimbula Office:
6495 5000, fscr@environment.nsw.gov.au
Surf Life Saving Australia;
(02) 9215 8000 info@slsa.asn.au
Marine Rescue Merimbula
6495 3331, merimbula@marinerescuensw.com.au
Bega Valley Shire Council;
6499 2133
Wildlife Information Rescue Education Service [WIRES] 6495 4150
WLBC Officer of the Day Duties
Yardsticks
Monohull Class Yardstick
Caribou
6
Multihull Class
Yardstick
126
Hobie 14
93.5
Farr 5000
140.8
Impulse
118.5
Hobie 16
Hobie 18
83
77
Laser (standard rig)
113
Paper Tiger
92
Laser Radial
116
Maricat Cat Rig
94
Leader Dinghy
117
Maricat Sloop Rig 2 up
94
Manly Junior
165
Weta 1 up
88
MG 14
106
Weta 2 up
93
Miracle no spin
133
Windrush Sloop 1 up
90
NS14
108
Windrush Super Sloop
87
Pacer (with spin)
127.5
Pacer no spin
130.4
Pacer no spin 1 up
127.9
Sabot
160.5
Sabre
127
Spiral
124
Course dimensions