RAG System for Showing On Water Safety State
Preamble
The State will be decided by the Race Officer (RA) or Officer of the Day (OOD) consulting with informed persons such as Commodore/ Vice Commodore/ Flag Officer/ Safety Boat Manager if necessary. The Race Officer has the final say in these matters.
The state will be determined on the day by such factors as:
- Weather forecast
- Tidal state
- Rate of tidal flow
- Wave height and direction
- Competence of sailors going on the water
- Time spent on the water, length of races
- Ages of sailors/crew
- Air and water temperatures and wind chill
- Wind strength and direction and prediction of change during duration of race
- Ratio of Number of dinghies/safety boats
- Light and visibility
| State | Description | Actions |
| RED | Major emergency due to seriously deteriorating weather Safety boats unable to cope Major injury or fatality | Call help from emergency services – AMBULANCE/COASTGUARD RIB to use ch16 MayDay if appropriate Senior club officer present takes charge of situation from Race Box CONSIDER PEOPLE NOT PROPERTY KEEP CALM AND DO NOTHING TO MAKE ANYTHING WORSE Appoint beachmaster to clear slipways urgently Cas evac casualty to club by RIB, administer First Aid, use stretcher situated above workbench in the boatshed if necessary Deal with casualty as the utmost priority Inform next of kin (using database if necessary) Abandon racing Take names, addresses and contact details of all witnesses and then keep at club Take statements from all witnesses Ensure that ONLY a nominated Club Officer speaks to the press Inform the RYA as soon as possible |
| RED / AMBER | Wind likely to be F6 gusting F7 Dinghies difficult to launch Likely to be heavy cumulonimbus cloud cover Rough conditions Possible thunderstorms Most boats capsize & have difficulty maintaining control Many breakages Most boats give up Heavy squall passes through producing strong gusts most boats knocked down Possible injuries which could be serious | Racing should be abandoned as risk to sailors too great. Any who do go out will go out AT THEIR OWN RISK and safety boats will not be in attendance In the case of thunderstorm, weather forecast should indicate possibility. Boats should consider getting to the nearest safe shore and sailors should abandon the boats for safety |
| AMBER | Wind likely to be F4-5 possibly gusting F6 Cumulonimbus cloud cover Possible moderate to low visibility Many capsizes and some breakages Significant number of retirements Possible injuries due to energy of weather | Ensure that safety boats all have capable drivers and crews Launch 3rd safety boat with capable driver and crew RA/OOD is especially alert in the Race Box and quickly identifies any unidentified capsizes to safety boats RA or OOD should consider a small course/shortened course RA/OOD keeps careful note of changing weather conditions/fitness of crews and considers abandoning race. The multihull fleet should not be set a course which includes 18 or 21 Buoys or any other mark of the course south of Midway. The course should enable the OOD and Race Box team to keep a clear visual check on all boats racing at all times |
| GREEN | Wind up to F4 Cool – warm wind Wave state calm to small Water temperature acceptable Occasional capsizes | No action required 2 safety boats for club racing Race box keeps watch for capsizes & breakages |