Recommended On-Water Penalties
Umpire observation procedures and signal flags used during racing.
1. Umpire Observation
Umpires observing racing may make recommended penalty decisions. If an umpire witnesses an incident involving Part II of the RRS or Rule 31, or observes a boat breaking Part II of the RRS or Rule 31, the umpire may display the following signals:
Green-and-White Flag
One sound signal
The umpire has seen the incident and considers no rule breach occurred.
Red Flag
One sound signal
The umpire has seen the incident and considers one or more boats have broken a rule. The umpire shall call out or point out the offending boat(s).
Flag J
One sound signal
The on-water officials do not have sufficient facts to render a ruling.
2. Interpretation & Effect
Signals displayed by umpires are for guidance only. When a red flag is shown, the identified boat is not required to take a penalty. However, if the boat fails to take a penalty, other boats may later lodge protests or requests for redress, and the protest committee may also protest against the boat.
If a green-and-white flag is shown, a boat retains the right to lodge a protest or take a voluntary penalty.
If an umpire has displayed a green-and-white flag for an incident, the protest committee may only protest a boat in respect of that incident under RRS 60.4(c)(1) and (2).
Important Note
This appendix does not alter the principle that a competitor who becomes aware of breaking a rule shall promptly take a penalty in accordance with Rule 44.2.