Forum: The Racing Rules of Sailing
Appendix UF - Umpired Fleet Racing
Randy Smith
Nationality: United States
Certifications:
- National Race Officer
- National Judge
- National Umpire
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In the International Masters Regatta this past weekend, we had an interesting incident, and discovered that more clarity might be needed in the application of UF 3.5 (c) which allows umpires to signal a black flag to disqualify a boat from the race. What seems to be missing from Appendix UF is any specific guidance on what situations, breaches or incidents would merit a black flag. In this event, RRS 14 Level A, B and C damages were defined and penalty points were 0, 6pts or 12 pts added to that race score. We penalized a boat with a standard penalty and with level C damage, they were also assessed 12 pts added to their score. The foul was not intentional and the penalized boat did their turn immediately. The boat not penalized ended up with a shredded spinnaker from the incident. We could not find a way to get to a black flag as this would have resulted in a lesser penalty to the penalized boat. The event is in borrowed boats so the OA is motivated to discourage contact as much as possible with significant penalties.
The only 2 instances we could come up with to black flag in an umpired fleet race would be 1) Failure to do a penalty turn after multiple signals by umpire, or 2) Extreme unsportsmanlike behavior or intentional damage to a boat.
Any thoughts on guidelines for issuing a black flag penalty in an umpired fleet race?
The only 2 instances we could come up with to black flag in an umpired fleet race would be 1) Failure to do a penalty turn after multiple signals by umpire, or 2) Extreme unsportsmanlike behavior or intentional damage to a boat.
Any thoughts on guidelines for issuing a black flag penalty in an umpired fleet race?
Comments
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Rule UF3.4(a) provides the following conditions for a Black Flag DSQ
(a) When a boat
Seemingly none of these applied, so Red Flag turns, and damage penalty assessnment was applicable to the incident.
I don't see why, if a Black Flag condition applies AND the conditions for damage penalty assessment under rule UF1.3 14.3 are met then both can apply. There's nothing I can see that suggests otherwise: it's no different from a Red Flag penalty and damage penalty assessment as you did.
Take bigger Damage Deposits
Why?
That's way above the conditions listed in UF3.4(a) which gives discretion to umpires.
The WS Umpired Fleet Racing Manual says
6.1 Umpire Initiated Penalties includes
Red or black?
There are some situations where depending the exact circumstances, a red or a black flag may be possible options for the umpires. For most infringements, the umpires should first signal a one-turn penalty with a red flag. They might then consider an additional penalty with a red flag if the breach was deliberate or the boat gained an advantage, as discussed above. The umpires may display the Black flag to disqualify the boat if:
• Breaches are clearly deliberate, severe or repeated
• The boat commits a serious breach of sportsmanship
• The boat gains an advantage despite taking a penalty that cannot be corrected with a red flag. e.g. causes damage to another boat that prevents her from being able to continue sailing.
• The incident causes serious damage or injury In general, give a second red flag before giving a black. The exception is that if the breach was a failure to sail the course, then the only option is a black flag to disqualify the boat.
I realise that this refers to Addendum Q, but I don't see why the principles and approaches discussed should be any different for Appendix UF.
If not she has gained an advantage despite taking a penalty.
She should either be continually red flagged till she remains behind the boat, or a black flag may be appropriate.
However, was the penalised boat sailing recklessly or in a manner that does, or is likely to, cause damage or injury. If so Answer 1:5 of case 138 applies and this can be considered a breach of recognised principles of sportsmanship, therefore a breach of rule 2.
Many judges and umpires seem unwilling to implement this part of the rule. I believe that we can trust in the judgement of umpires and judges who witness such an incident to decide if a boat has acted recklessly, putting themselves and other in danger.