Head Of The Charles ® Regatta

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Head Of The Charles ® Regatta Umpire Training 2011 Umpire Responsibilities Rules Review & Penalties Special Focus on Safety Understanding the course Frequently Occurring Situations Written Test Debrief, Q&A and Closing

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Head Of The Charles ® Regatta. Umpire Training 2011. Umpire Responsibilities Rules Review & Penalties Special Focus on Safety Understanding the course Frequently Occurring Situations Written Test Debrief, Q&A and Closing. What Makes the Head Of The Charles ® Special?. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Head Of The Charles ® Regatta

Page 1: Head Of The Charles ®  Regatta

Head Of The Charles® Regatta

Umpire Training 2011

Umpire ResponsibilitiesRules Review & PenaltiesSpecial Focus on Safety Understanding the courseFrequently Occurring Situations Written TestDebrief, Q&A and Closing

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What Makes the Head Of The Charles® Special?

It’s a large (9000 competitor), multi-day Regatta. For the majority of participating crews, it is the only time during

the year that they race on this body of water The distinctive twists and turns of the river, its narrowness in

spots and the requirement to pass through 6 multi-arch bridges, makes this a “coxswain’s race”

It can be very difficult to pass or be passed without getting in another boat’s way.

We minimize the potential of interference and collisions during passing situations by: Seeding boats (limited) Pacing events Categorizing rowers and boats

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What’s Different About the HOCR Rules?

The local HOCR rules have been based on: The USRA Rules of Rowing Head Race Section Penalty statistics through 2010 The quality of the Umpire corps and The diverse quality of participating crews.

Our goals relative to the application of the HOCR Rules: A safe and fair race Zero penalties issued in error and Unofficial (Adjusted) Results 15 minutes after the

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What’s Different About the Officiating Team? HOCR Has Approximately 250 F/T Involved

Course 16 stations – seeing every foot of course Lead Umpires and Umpires at stations- 110 - Safety, fairness

and penalties Umpire Central- 8- collect and apply penalties, determine

winners, contact with Emergency Services Jury – 5- hear appeals and make decisions Timers (Electronic and Backup) – 50 people plus 2 automatic

systems and 3 manual cameras at start and finish Cyclists- 40 to support station needs for food and drink and

collect penalty forms Emergency- 30+ first responders to cover accidents Marshals and dockmasters- 50 at 9 locations on course and in

warm up areas

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Umpire Responsibilities

Key responsibilitiesLogistics Field of viewCommunicationSelf-Care Summary

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Your Key Responsibilities as an Umpire

To ensure fairness and safety

To determine if there are violations of the rules, and assign the appropriate penalties to those crews committing violations

Stop a race, if there is immediate and present danger to life and limb and this is the only possible course of action to correct the situation- Lead Umpires only.

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Safety – The primary goal of all actions and decisions

Officials are concerned with the safety of all competitors and volunteers/officials on the racecourse and in the training & launching areas

Primary responsibility for safety rests with individual crews & athletes Umpire Responsibilities

Look for crews/athletes in distress- in water and in boat Lead Umpire (or delegate) - use Emergency Radio (not the phone)

to notify Umpire Central Give them detail-

(a) station location, (b) problem location (including side of river (Boston or

Cambridge), looking upstream/downstream from . . . (c) boat type, (d) condition of oarsperson(s) - (1) in water/boat, (2)

face up/ down, (3) moving/still, (4) boat moving/stopped Umpires are not first responders- they manage race and traffic- let

Emergency take care of oarsperson- unless absolutely necessary

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Fairness – The second goal of your actions and decisions

The only factors determining the outcome of any race should be the skill and abilities of the athletes and crews

The athletes are depending on you to observe the race, determine the cause of any incidents (interference, buoy violations, traffic pattern violations, etc.) and determine the penalty for infractions and to report them with full documentation

Athletes get the benefit of the doubt

Passing boats in particular get the benefit of the doubt

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Umpire Roles

Assigns responsibilities for all umpires at station

Does station team orientation and “dry runs” of umpire activities

Assigns umpire to emerging situations during event

Final approval of penalty recommendation

Communicates with “Umpire Central” (may be delegated) regarding penalties or help needed (buoys, etc.)

Responsible for making certain station is fully staffed

May stop an event, with authorization from above.

Observe incidents in their field of view and recommend assignment of penalties

Fully document incidents as they occur

All other duties assigned or delegated by the lead umpire

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Note: Umpire at the Start has a special responsibility. . . Calling umpire central after the last boat in an event clears the railroad bridge.

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Station Process

Goal: To get a full view of developing situations to make best determination vs just looking for incidents as they happen. The process is to follow situations from entry into station to exit.

Lead Umpire at the station assigns and manages teams (1 or 2 Umps) who view situations from start of station to end of station or the conclusion of the situation

Lead Umpire scans an “all station view” and assigns teams to a specific situation on rotating /availability basis.

Team follows the situation to completion or abandonment and writes up Incident Report form. This must happen immediately or data is lost. If situations activity demands the Lead will finish filling in the

Form and the team will be reassigned to new situation Clean up at end of race interval

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What’s Expected of Every Umpire – Logistics

Attend training and complete test Register Friday, and/or Sunday, at the required time, to get

your gear Make certain you have all the gear required to do your job

(regatta schedule, copy of rules, materials for recording incidents, telephone, list of important phone numbers, pens/pencils, appropriate clothing for weather conditions, binoculars, megaphone ( Lead Umpires - emergencies only), etc.)

Show up on time at your station- 30 minutes before race time

Return your HOCR gear, parking passes, etc. both Saturday and Sunday at CBC.

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Field of View

Every umpire station has been positioned in a way to afford the best field of view for the part of the course for which that station is responsible

Make certain that you have an unimpeded view of the course Your primary focus should be in the direction of oncoming racing

crews, which is where situations that you will be expected to describe develop (unless explicitly instructed otherwise)

Review the course map to understand your area of coverage, and the areas assigned to the umpires who are both up- and down-course of your position.

Many stations have Umpire Buoys, 18” high, marking their sections of the course- see penalty form for approximate location

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Communication

Prior to the start of your day, work out responsibilities at the umpire station with the lead umpire

Keep clear written records of any incidents that need to be reported

Initiate reports to Umpire Central (by phone) after each event has passed your station.

Keep your telephone on at all times, and be prepared to describe reported incidents when you receive a call from Umpire Central

Do not engage in conversations with anyone other than your partner and Umpire Central regarding incidents during the race

Only LEAD Umps should communicate with competitors (or those in the travel lane) and only when absolutely necessary for safetyR

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Self-Care

Dress properly for a long time outside, with changing conditions Layers Hats! (for temperature and glare) and gloves Raingear Good shoes if you are standing (waterproof and warm)

Be prepared for the conditions Sunglasses (for glare) Suntan lotion, a drink and snack Ballpoint pens (run less in rain) Warm wind proof coverings –Cold and windy

Recording equipment Clipboard, pen and rain covers for paper.

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Rules Review and Penalties

OverviewCourse rules regarding buoysCrossing the race courseTraffic violationsInterference and PassingContact & CollisionsConductMiscellaneous Rules and ViolationsConsideration of Penalties

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Rules Update – Important Considerations

Regarding interference penalties, the failure to yield to a passing crew [Rule 10.5 Non-Yield Interference (IN)] remains the most commonly observed offence. Crews obliged to yield should do so when the overtaking crew is

within 1 boat length. A crew being passed may have to miss a few strokes to stay

safely out of the way, resulting in no penalty for the passing crew.

The HOCR rules committee also revised Rule 10.6 Severe Collision (IS). The rationale for this rule revision was based on a review of history of observed penalties and appeals through 2010. Whenever a blade was observed to contact a hull, or hull-to-hull

contact was observed, it seemed that most Umpires felt obliged to report a Severe Collision.

Many of the Severe Collisions (IS) reported occurred in conjunction with a Non-Yield (IN) situation.

It was unclear as to whether the Severe Collisions reported resulted in actual damage or injury.

Over-application of the Severe Collision penalty was suspected

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Course Rules – Buoys (Racing Crews)

While racing, boats must stay on the course that is between the orange buoys (Boston side) and the green buoys (Cambridge side: where there are no green buoys, the Cambridge shore marks the course boundary).

Oar blades may go over the buoys but the hull must stay on the course. Each buoy violated by the hull will result in a 10-second penalty, and is reported by code (BG – Green, BR – Orange, BW – White). For example, a crew whose hull crosses three orange buoys would be reported to Umpire Central as “Boat X, BR 3.”

A boat being passed may not cut a buoy in the act of yielding without incurring a penalty.

One missed buoy (10 sec penalty) has been known to prevent someone from winning. R

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Course Rules – Buoys (Travel Lane)

Purpose: minimize interference from non racing lanes in tight areas- CBC turn and Weeks Bridge

Single file, no power strokes, no stopping, proceeding firmly When in the travel lane (either on the way to the start, or

returning to a launch site), it is the responsibility of every crew to keep clear of racing crews.

Non-racing crews must keep the hulls of their boats within the white buoys (marking tight and caution areas in the travel lane). Their blades may cross the orange buoy line without penalty unless this action interferes with the passage of a racing boat.

Buoy violations (hull outside the travel lane) will be penalized 10 seconds per buoy unless the violation results in interference with a racing crew (resulting in a greater penalty).

Interference with a racing boat (by hull or blades) may result in an interference penalty or disqualification. R

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Crossing the Race Course

When crossing the racecourse (either on the way to the start, or returning to a launch site), it is the responsibility of every crew to keep clear of racing crews.

Before attempting to cross the course, a crew must: Make certain that there is a safe crossing interval between

racing crews (typically between events) and, Wait for a dock official or other personnel assigned to launch

sites to indicate that safe crossing is permitted Any action by a crossing crew that causes a racing crew to

either slow down to avoid a collision or to alter course is considered interference. The crew so doing will receive a 60 second penalty (PC) for Poor Crossing which may be reported by starters, dock officials, marshals or umpires.

Lead Umpires can intercede in crossing situations if they believe safety is at risk

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Traffic Violations

Traffic violations are considered under Rule 7.1, which states that “any boat showing disregard for safety at any time during the weekend (including practice) will be given a 60 second penalty or may be disqualified.” The penalty for such infractions fall under SV – Severe Disregard for Safety.

“Traffic patterns should be observed during practice as well as during races.”

Practice traffic patterns and race traffic patterns (including a map of the Charles River basin between the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge and the Starting Line) are illustrated in the 2011 Regatta Rules and Regulations.

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Passing & InterferenceWhen Does Passing Begin and End?

Beginning of the Pass (when boat ahead is required to begin their yielding movement): When passer is within 1 length of open water from stern of the crew about to be passed, and is closing the gap.

Completion of the Pass: When there is open water (any length) between stern of the passing boat and the bow of the passed boat.

Instructions to Umpires Regarding Interference: A passing situation

between two boats can change from moment to moment. Umpire stations may see situations that have developed beginning at earlier stations. If you see a situation where a following boat is within ½ length of the boat ahead and closing, and no effort is being made to yield, apply the penalty.

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Passing & Interference

Interference: Violating the Right of Way of another competitor, thereby impeding their ability to row a fair and safe race.

Boats racing have the Right of Way over non-racing boats The passing boat has Right of Way, as long as the pass can

be executed safely The right to be on the course, and safety, have a higher

precedent than the right to a particular part of the course (i.e. the Right of Way does not preclude the higher responsibility of avoiding collisions, or allowing another boat to race on the course)

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Passing & Interference

Responsibilities of the overtaking boat (Passer)

In passing situations, the overtaking boat has right of way (on the side of its choice) if a safe pass can be accomplished.

The Passer must allow sufficient room for both their boat and the boat overtaken to stay safely within the racecourse.

If a pass is attempted, and there is not adequate room and time to perform the pass, the overtaking boat should delay the act of passing until it is safe to do so.

The Passer must allow time for the overtaken boat to yield safely; however, if the passing crew moves in front of an overtaken boat, requiring the overtaken boat to miss a few strokes, no penalty is assessed. R

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What’s Different About the HOCR Rules?

In 2011, we REVISED RULE 10.6. Severe Collision - IS A passing crew (The Passer) has the right to pass on the

side of its choice if and when a safe pass can be accomplished. The Passer must allow sufficient room for both their boat and the boat overtaken to stay safely within the racecourse. If a pass is attempted, the Passer shall not press the right to overtake to the point of severe collision. During a severe collision one or more of the following may occur:

a. damage to a hullb. personal injury or c. the boat being overtaken is forced either off the racecourse or into a bridge .

If a crew causes a severe collision that crew may be assessed a 60 second (IS) Severe Collision time penalty and may face further sanctions under Rule 10.1 – Disregard for Safety..

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Passing & InterferenceInterpreting the Newly Worded Rule 10.6.

If a pass is attempted, the Passer shall not press the right to overtake to the point of Severe Collision. Rule 10.6.

Note that the rule is entitled Severe Collision, not simply Collision. Judgment is involved in distinguishing one from the other.

We expect that there will be collisions of a lesser nature, such as boats coming together and stopping, clashing oars, etc. These may be no fault, and are simply a facet of head racing.

During a Severe Collision one or more of the following may occur:a. damage to a hullb. personal injury or c. the boat being overtaken is forced either off the racecourse or into a bridge.

If you have reason to believe that any of the above has happened, you should award the penalty. This is a judgment call.

If a crew causes a severe collision that crew may be assessed a 60-second (IS) Severe Collision time penalty and may face further sanctions under Rule 10.1 – Disregard for Safety.. R

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Interference and Passing (Continued)

Responsibilities of the boat being passed In passing situations, the boat about to be passed must yield

and give suitable room to the passing boat on the side chosen by the passing boat.

Movement to yield must begin when the passing boat is within 1 length of open water (and closing) of the boat directly ahead.

Failure of the boat ahead to yield the line selected by the passing boat is interference, resulting in a 60 second penalty (IN) for Non-Yield (per infraction witnessed by an Umpire).

NOTE: Experience has shown that (IN) penalties are by far the most common interference violation. R

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Interference and Passing

Penalties – Non Yield by Boat Being (or About to Be) Passed 1st infraction – 60 second penalty 2nd infraction – 120 second penalty 3rd infraction – Disqualification from the regatta

Umpires should only assess the “first infraction” penalty, if warranted. Add-on penalties are calculated after all Umpire stations have reported

The severity of penalties imposed for interference during passing are severe! For this reason, it is imperative that umpires see incidents as they develop, and clearly understand which boat is the passing boat, and which boat or boats are being passed.

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Incidental Contact and Avoidance

Blade-to blade contact is not, in and of itself, grounds for interference.

Crews experiencing blade-to-blade contact should disengage as

soon as possible.

Slowing or disadvantageous maneuvering due to excessive caution by a competitor is their choice, but not one that results in a penalty for other crews nearby. Example: Crews have been observed to cut buoys

(voluntarily leave the racecourse) to avoid any contact with a passing crew. Such buoy cuts are not excused.

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Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Boats or crew members showing a disregard for safety, during a race or practice, will be penalized 60 seconds (SV). If the incident is deemed severe or blatant by the observing official, the boat or crew member may be disqualified.

Use of directed and repeated profanity may result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of 60 seconds (UC).

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Miscellaneous Rules and Violations

Boats without bow number cards when crossing the Starting line will receive a 60 second penalty

Boats starting out of sequence against the orders of the Starter will be disqualified.

Boats must finish the race with their coxswains aboard (regardless of the crew’s feelings)

Going through the right arch of the Lars Andersen Bridge, or going through the leftmost (Boston shore) arch of any bridge while racing will result in a 60 second penalty (AR).

Practicing in the racing lane between the first start and the last finish on a racing day could result in a 60 second penalty.

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Consideration of Penalties

Accuracy When assessing a penalty, are we certain that we saw the

incident from beginning to end (particularly true in passing situations)?

Do we understand the specific rules that apply to the situation that we have witnessed?

Can we accurately identify all crews involved? Was the “victim” clearly and significantly impeded (resulting in

material disadvantage)? Was the incident avoidable?

Bottom Line: The passing boat (Passer) should get the benefit of the doubt when considering the imposition of a penalty.. R

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Special Focus on Safety

Following the 2006 Regatta, there was a detailed review of regatta safety.

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New in 2007 - Safety

Our overall goal – the fastest, most reliable and highest quality response to an incident!

This requires that every umpire, dockmaster, marshal and race official on the course know and follow the HOCR On-Water Safety Infrastructure Guidelines and Emergency Protocol

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Safety Logistics – Umpire Stations

Each umpire station will be equipped with:

One radio, supplied by HOCR, with ability to contact Umpire Central (both with repeaters for full course coverage). These radios can only be used to communicate with Umpire Central and with all stations at once in order to stop a race.

Personal cell phones to contact Umpire Central in case the Radios are not working

At least one megaphone and one air horn (marine style) Two wavable flags (RED to stop race; WHITE to signal all

clear for resumption of racing) NOTE: These flags never appear unless the Lead Umpire authorizes their use.

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Safety Logistics – Emergency Services

Along the course we will have . . .

Eight to ten fully equipped Emergency launches (with capacity to take on crew needing assistance) plus two DCR boats.

Six E.S. locations spaced along the shore (Mag Beach, Riverside, Weld, CBC, Tent, Finish) Each station includes:

First Aiders trained at least in Standard First Aid and CPR. (Many trained to higher levels: e.g., National Ski Patrol Outdoor Emergency Care, EMT, Paramedic, Athletic Trainer, Nurse, MD);

First Aid supplies, blankets, water, etc.; Ham Radio operators; and Ability to meet any swimmer pulled from the water at the

nearest dock or other appropriate location for evaluation for discharge or further treatment.

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Staffing for Safety – New Roles

Critical Safety Roles

Senior Lead Umpires (SLU) - located at at least three ‘hot spots’ (Corner bridges: Weeks, Anderson, Eliot).

Lead Umpires – Responsible for the response at their station

Jury Leader or Umpire Central Lead – They will monitor their radio (on the Umpire Channel) and will stop any activity in which they is engaged to respond immediately to an emergency incident

Note: Only SLUs or Jury Leader will have authority to cancel a race in progress

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The Protocol – Part 1

All Incidents are to be reported to Umpire Central by HOCR Radio, by Lead Umpires.

NOTE: Nearest Lead Umpire to report relevant facts

Give them detail- station location, problem location, boat, condition of oarsperson- in water/boat, face up/ down, moving/still, boat moving/stopped

If not already on scene, Emergency Services will dispatch first responder via radio (Ham or HOCR Radio)

Emergency Services to be in charge of the injured person at the scene, with safety of victims their top priority.

Umpires will direct traffic and manage the race

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The Protocol – Part 2

Lead Umpires are to react in parallel with Part 1

Lead umpires will report the incident to Umpire Central

If a race is currently in progress, then the responsible Lead Umpire will:

Report the incident to Umpire Central via radio; and

Provide directive steering guidance as appropriate to on-coming crews and determine independently whether the incident requires stopping the race or additional help, in accordance with applicable safety standards, then

If, in the sole determination of the observing SLU or Jury Leader, the race can not be safely continued due to an imminent safety threat, cancel the race.

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Stopping Race – Cancellation of Event

If, and only if the Jury Leader or a Senior Lead Umpire instructs Leads at all Stations to stop a race in progress, the following happens:

Lead informs all Umpires at the station that the race is cancelled.

The Lead will immediately begin to: (1) wave the Red flag signaling that the race has

stopped, and (2) will use the megaphone to inform all crews

approaching the station that the race has stopped and that they should cease rowing (“stop - weigh ‘nough - all crews”)

The Lead can delegate one or both of these tasks if necessary

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The Protocol – Part 2 (Continued)

Once a race in progress has been cancelled (as confirmed by your Lead Umpire)

Receive “all clear” condition from station with incident Upon verbal command by Umpires, boats are to continue

upstream at half pressure to FINISH line. Boats may pull off the course to land at Magazine Beach or

Cambridge-side boathouses, but would not be permitted to cross and head downstream prior to reaching the FINISH.

The goal should be to get the boats off the course reasonably quickly, to enable subsequent races to commence, without traffic jams caused by boats stopped on the course waiting to cross. We don’t need to have yet another emergency during clean-up from the first one.

The race is to be re-scheduled after the last event of the day (during predetermined time set aside for this contingency).

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Special Safety Instructions Provided to Crews (in packets)

In the event of an equipment failure (e.g., lost rudder or skeg) a crew should move to the side of the course and stop racing. In this way they avoid being a danger to themselves and to others racing. These crews should paddle when in no danger of causing collision, and follow instructions of regatta officials.

If a boat capsizes or becomes water-logged, the crew should stay with the boat (as a float) until rescued. Swimming away from the boat creates several more water hazards for following crews. A single swimmer is hard to see.

If a rower is ejected (e.g., by a crab) – the boat should stop as soon as safely possible, and remain with the ejected rower until they are rescued and safe.

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Understanding the Course

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The Course: Three Miles of Bridges and Curves

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Umpire Stations

There are 16 umpire stations along the race course, from Start to Finish. (2 have moved this year, based on feedback).

Each station is staffed by a crew of at least two umpires (Note: If during the course of a race an umpire must leave the station, provide Umpire Central with advance notice, if possible. Please do not leave the station until a replacement arrives).

It is important that each umpire station have an unimpeded view of the race course

Each station has a unique set of challenges On the Umpire website there are pictures and descriptions of

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Frequently Occurring Situations

Situations drawn from past Head Of The Charles Regattas. Situations using boat and course replicas Incident report form completion

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Classic Interference Incident #1

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x Out of BoundsTravel Lane Buoy

Racing Lane Buoy Return Arch

To the Finish

AB

C

Unless you know which is passing, you do not know who is penalized!

Which boat gets the penalty?

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Classic Interference Incident #1 (Continued)

x

x Out of BoundsTravel Lane Buoy

Racing Lane Buoy Return Arch

To the Finish

AB

C

Unless you know what happened earlier, you may not know who is penalized!

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Classic Interference Incident #1 (Continued)

x

x Out of BoundsTravel Lane Buoy

Racing Lane Buoy Return Arch

To the Finish

AB

C

What do you think now?

BeforeAfter

C

BA

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Based on what we’ve just seen, you can understand why this sketch is an inadequate explanation. The events leading up to the incident, and the role of each crew involved must be captured on the incident report (shown later).

Reporting Interference – Make a Sketch of the ENTIRE Incident

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Classic Interference Incident #2

x

x Out of BoundsTravel Lane Buoy

Racing Lane Buoy Return Arch

To the Finish

AB

A BC

Three boats at the bridge. What happened here?

BeforeAfter

C

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51

Classic Interference Incident #2

x

x Out of BoundsTravel Lane Buoy

Racing Lane Buoy Return Arch

To the Finish

AB

A BC

BeforeAfter

So what’s the penalty, and who gets it?

C

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Classic Interference Incident #3

x Out of BoundsTravel Lane Buoy

Racing Lane Buoy Return Arch

To the Finish

BeforeAfter

A

B

A

B

B is slowing down. Is this interference?

1 Boat Length

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Classic Interference Incident #3 (Continued)

x Out of BoundsTravel Lane Buoy

Racing Lane Buoy Return Arch

To the Finish

BeforeAfter

A

B

A

B

Yes, A has failed to yield the shorter line chosen by B, and is within ½ length and closing

1 Boat Length

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Classic Interference Incident #3 (Revisited)

x Out of BoundsTravel Lane Buoy

Racing Lane Buoy Return Arch

To the Finish

A

B

BeforeAfter

A

B

In allowing B to pass, the properly yielding boat A had to miss a few strokes. Has B interfered with A?

1 Boat Length

A slows after missing two strokes

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Classic Interference Incident #3 (Revisited)

x Out of BoundsTravel Lane Buoy

Racing Lane Buoy Return Arch

To the Finish

A

B

BeforeAfter

A

B

No. If A has to miss a few strokes to let B complete a safe pass, this is not interference.

1 Boat Length

A slows after missing two strokes

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Classic Interference Incident #4

x Out of BoundsTravel Lane Buoy

Racing Lane Buoy Return Arch

To the Finish

Penalties? To Whom?

1515Stage 1

1 Boat Length

1414

88

88

1414 1515

1414

1515 88

Stage 2Stage 3

x

Why is #14 here?

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Classic Interference Incident #5

x Out of BoundsTravel Lane Buoy

Racing Lane Buoy Return Arch

To the Finish

If you’d only seen Stage 3, who would you have penalized?

15

Stage 1

1 Boat Length

88

15

1515

88

Stage 2Stage 3

x

# 8 rudder shows turn to starboard

Hard, loudimpact at cox seat

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A

B

B A

To the Finish

B chose the starboard side and was given right of way, but now must leave room for A

to row until pass is complete (although A now has shortest line)

A yields the shortest line

(inside of turn) to B

Sometimes, the Shortest Line is Obvious, But This Can Change Over the Course

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Buoy Cut Incidents Which Occur in Light Traffic Are Easy to Capture and Report

In these incidents, there appears to be no interference; therefore, these boats are assessed penalties of their own creation.

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Buoy Cut Incidents Involving Interaction with Other Boats Require More Explanation

This incident is more complex. 34 appears to have veered off course when 33 did not yield. The umpire on the BU Bridge has clearly indicated that 34 is the passing boat. What penalty or penalties should be assessed?

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An Understanding of the Whole Incident is Necessary to Ensure a Proper Ruling

33 is said to be guilty of interference??? If 34 chose to row outside the race course to pass 33, 34 should be assessed penalties for buoys missed. Note report that “34 avoided clash of oars” by leaving the course.

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How to Use the Umpire Incident Report Form

Complete one form for each incident – all sections must be completed (noting Event, Boat Numbers/Crews, Facts, Illustration with annotations, Penalty recommendation(s))

Draw a picture of the incident, illustrating the flow (stages) of the event, accurately positioning and labeling each boat

Write clearly and concisely Make certain that there is no ambiguity about whether a

“penalty” or “no penalty” is recommended

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Station 15: Parking Area Circle: 1X 2X 4X 4+ 8+ Circle: M or W Event #: Head of the Charles® Regatta Please print throughout. Use one form for each boat penalized. Umpire Incident Report

Umpire(s): Lead Umpire: Date: Time: Bow number(s) of other boat(s)

involved in this incident: _________________________

Combined Total of Minutes/Seconds in Penalties for Bow # _______:

__________

A. COURSE VIOLATIONS: Bow #(s) Description(s), if no bow #s sighted:

Include Uniform Color, Blade Color, Color of Boat, Etc. Buoy Violation BG Green + BR Orange + BW White = X 10 sec. = Penalty

No. No. No. Total Sec. AR 60 Sec.-Arch Violation Describe:

B. INTERFERENCE INCIDENTS (Please provide description on course map below): Extent to which either boat impeded the progress of the other: Check ONE. Couldn't tell Negligible Missed a few strokes Clearly forced to slow multiple times Forced to stop or forced off race course

Extent of contact between crews: Check ONE Couldn't tell None Incidental Contact Severe Collision (blade to hull; hull to hull; blade to body; hull to body)

NO PENALTY. Fault cannot be clearly assigned. May contain info. that will be helpful for stations farther up the course.

IS Severe Collision 60 Sec. Bow # _____ caused severe collision with Bow # _____.

IN Non-Yield 60 Sec. Overtakee, Bow # _____, did not yield room for # _____ to pass.

PC Poor Crossing 60 Sec. Bow # _____ impeded race in progress while crossing the course. Impeded Bow # _____ and Bow # _____.

C. DISREGARD FOR SAFETY OR UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT INCIDENTS: SV 60 Sec. Bow # _____ showed a severe disregard for safety. UC 60 Sec. Person(s) in Bow # _____ displayed unsportsmanlike conduct D. Once the event is complete for your station, call Umpire Central. Report Bow Numbers for each infraction. Use the two lett er codes only.

Some parts may be

completed in advance.

Checking off the incident type provides clarity when one looks

at the drawing and narrative. And when reporting use the 2

letter codes!

Make certain that you let Umpire Central know

in which event the incident occurred.

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Completion of the Bottom Section of the Incident Report Form

The blank form (provided for your illustration of incident) allows you to accurately position the incident on the race course.

What you see on the form is your Field of View. This is where

the Umpire is positioned

This is the route of travel

for racing crews

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Good Illustration . . . But Would Be Better With Lines Showing Path of Crews

Incident stages are

clear

Detailed Explanation

and Comments

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Completion and Submission of the Incident Report Form

All completed forms are passed to the Lead Umpire Resolution of differing points of view by umpires at a station

If differing points of view on incident and/or penalty, decision of Lead Umpire is transmitted over phone to “umpire central.”

In the absence of consensus, Incident Reports should document BOTH points of view, and should be submitted to “umpire central” by cyclist

Lead Umpire prepares packet of completed forms for each event (with pictures if appropriate) for cyclist pickup.

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Determination of Unofficial and Official Results

Based on phone-in incident reporting, Unofficial Adjusted Results are prepared and released by “umpire central” 15 minutes after end of the event.

Jury reviews all penalties referencing hardcopy forms and validates Umpire decisions.

Competitors, on reviewing results, have the right of appeal. Jury will process all appeals, make a determination, update

Unofficial Results and provide Official Results.

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In the “Heat of Action” Events Things Happen Quickly! What Can You Do?

Clarify roles at the umpire station When multiple situations are occurring, clearly understand

who is responsible for watching each Anticipate

Identify developing situations Make scratch notes early

Pictures are simple, fast and convey lots of information – Make a scratch sketch immediately following the incident, indicating: Location Orientation Effect

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Exam and Follow Up – A Learning Experience

Operational Details Distributed at beginning of training 30-Minutes to Complete Multiple Choice and Fill-in-the-Blanks Open Book/Individual Effort Questions are welcomed

After the Exam Notification a few days after test (Answer Key Immediately

Available) Evaluation of Training (Continuous Improvement)

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