Lets get Started

Tanya Rabe

Southport Yacht Club

Since 1946

CELEBRATING 75Years

We may be Tweeting, TikToking and Instagraming much of our communication these days, yet some practices remain the old-fashioned way and Race Signals are one of those rare instances. Nautical flags have been used for hundreds of years, evolving into a comprehensive international language for seafarers. By the mid 1800’s an impressive 70,000 signals and 17,000 messages were created using just 18 nautical flags. Thankfully, our racing divisions aren’t required to learn that many combinations but there are a few flags that will make or break your race. Let’s start from the beginning of a race and take a look at the Preparatory Signals. These colourful little flags have the power to control the start of a race. Which flag will be used, is decided upon approximately seven minutes before the start signal of the race. The Race Committee will consider conditions such as wind, weather, tide and fleet behaviour to determine which race signals are necessary for that particular start. The committee’s objective is to have a clean start, keeping enthusiastic crew and boats as safe as possible as they prepare to race.

The P Flag assists with the setup of a race sequence. It flies alongside the Class Flag (refer to your SI’s) four minutes before the start of the race. The P Flag remains hoisted for three minutes, being brought down one minute before the start signal. If the conditions are benign and the fleet are behaving, the P Flag flies entrusting skippers with a clean start. The I, Z, U and Black flags can be used in place of the P Flag if the race committee feel a need to tighten control of the race start (RRS Rule 26).

The I Flag -This flag applies to the last minute before the start of a race. During the flying of this flag, if any part of your boat’s hull, equipment or crew is on the course side of the start line you will need to sail from the course side across an extension, so your boat’s hull is completely on the prestart side before starting. No other penalties apply. (RRS Rule 30.1)

Z Flag Rule - Although it is rarely used in SYC racing events, it is still an important signal. If the Z Flag is displayed, no part of your boat’s hull can be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before the start signal. If a boat breaks this rule, she will receive a 20% scoring penalty without a hearing. Even if the race is restarted or resailed, the penalty will still apply and if they break the rule again, a further 20% scoring penalty will be added. If the race is postponed or abandoned before the start signal, the penalty is dropped. (RRS Rule 30.2)

U Flag Rule - Also known as the “soft” Black Flag because the application of the rule is similar, the penalties under a U Flag are not as harsh. If the U Flag is flying, no part of your boat’s hull can be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before the starting signal. If the rule is breached, the boat will be disqualified without a hearing. This penalty is void if the race is restarted or resailed. The U Flag is generally used when there are some challenges starting the fleet. Its use is normally following a General Recall on the previous Start. Displaying the U Flag encourages sailors to be less aggressive with the heavy penalty deterring early starts. (RRS Rule 30.3)

Black Flag Rule - The Black Flag demands that no part of your boat’s hull can be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before the starting signal. If it is, the boat will be instantly disqualified without a hearing. Even if the race is restarted or resailed, the disqualification still applies, and the boat must leave the sailing area. The only time the penalty is void is if the race is abandoned or postponed before the start signal. (RRS Rule 30.4) There is no doubt about it, starting a race is exciting. Without these Race Signals, the start of sailing races has the potential to be a dangerous and costly event. Reinforcing your knowledge of the flags will not only keep you from copping a penalty but will also promote good sportsmanship on the water.