at two recent regattas we attended we noticed the same questionable situation. The line was set up as typical with RC boat on Stbd end and a bot mark at the port end. In both regattas there was a non anchored RC boat outside the port end of the line advising the RC on OCS boats. I believe this question has been asked and answered but I cannot find it where it is stated if this is in fact compliant with the RRS. Please advise where I can find appropriate rules. And we were not called OCS in any race. this is just for my own edification.
In your example there are two potential issues: First, that the mark-bot could be unreasonably off station. Second, that an unanchored RC boat who was helping determine OCS boats on the line might not be able to see the line accurately. In both cases, a request for redress could be made if a competitor felt that the RC had made an error. But, having an RC boat not anchored while siting the line probably would not be persuasive. Many RC boats are perfectly capable of maintaining position without anchoring. Therefore, evidence in the redress hearing would have to show that the RC boat was in a place where they were not capable of siting the line accurately and that the out of position RC boat was the one actually making the OCS call and not some other call for the PRO.
Finally, I have used an RC boat to windward of the line stationed mid-line to spot sail numbers for me. This is critical in a large fleet. (EG: ILCA)
WS Race Management Manual
M2.2 The Pin end says
When a buoy is used then the person sighting the line has to anchor his vessel on the extension of the start line, lining the Pin end buoy with the mast on the committee vessel. When anchoring he must leave sufficient room between his vessel ad the buoy so that a boat may pass between the Pin end vessel and the Pin end buoy when flag I has been displayed.
This is not a rule. The RMM indicates good practice.
Case 136 says
So, if you are unhappy about a call, you would have to convince the protest committee that:
Hence the pin is in constant RELATIVE motion to the signal boat and the spotter must be mobile enough to range on the line.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, where the anchor rodes are in hundreds of feet, that is a significant issue.
This is not a new problem and is not limited to Markset Bots. Anchored marks and boats all move around with the wind and current. Indeed, we often see a tide line move across the starting line putting the pin end in one current and the Boat end in another. Generally, this results in an AP being displayed and the RC sorting this out before restarting the sequence if the effect is pronouced. This is a primary reason that when acting as PRO I prefer an un-anchored pin end RC boat, so it can keep itself aligned with the extension of the starting line; or, have the pin end actually be the RC Boat so there is no doubt about sighting the line.
Fortunately, modern technology may solve this problem in the near future with accurate locations for the marks and the boats on the starting line displayed and OCS boats identified electronically. (But that’s an entirely different discussion.)
I agree with Beau that making the pin vessel the starting mark goes a long way to solving the problem.