Why doesn’t the Race Committee throw them out?

The question comes up a lot. If something happens on the race course, why doesn’t the Race Committee just disqualify the boat that did something wrong? Short answer: We’re only the Race Committee - not judge, jury, and executioner.

It’s an interesting question. What if a competitor does something in full view of competitors that is obviously wrong? Let’s say that a boat hits a mark of the course and does not attempt to exonerate herself. Can the RC throw her out for breaking a rule? The answer, according to the Rules of Sailing, is no. The RC is just like any other boat out there on the race course when it comes to witnessing competitors break rules. Only the Protest Committee can throw out a competitor for hitting a mark and not exonerating herself.

So what should be done? If you see a boat breaking the rules, you should protest her. You could say, “Protest. I saw you hit that mark!” This lets the boat attempt to exonerate herself. If she does not, then you should inform the RC at the finish and file a protest (using the protest form) as per the Sailing Instructions.

So why can’t the RC just do this for you? Well, there are several reasons. First, you are the competitors and we are just impartial third parties. Second, you are sailing close to the other boats and are more likely see a rule being broken. Third, you can hail to the competitor that you are protesting – the RC cannot hail to competitors. Fourth, we’re actually working on other things and do not closely monitor the boats for rule violations.

If the RC witnesses a competitor break a rule and no other competitor could have witnessed it, the RC will protest someone. The RC wants the race to be fair for everyone, so the RC will protest if necessary. But remember that the RC can only Protest a competitor just like you. We will protest if necessary, but it is better for you to protest since you are a better witness.

That being said, there a couple times when the RC can make decisions. If you are on the course side of the starting line at the start, the RC can record that without a hearing. The RC can also record that a boat didn’t finish within the time limit without a hearing. Other than that, everyone gets a hearing in front of a Protest Committee. It's kind of like getting your day in court.

Here is a copy of the protest form. Be sure to use it (or one like it) if you want to protest. 

Looking for your Registration

Have you had a chance to register yet? We have several registrations from people who attended the Skippers Meeting and a few more, but no huge ground swell yet.

Remember that you can send your registration and $50 to:
St Michaels Wednesday Night Racing
215 S Hanson St
Easton, MD 21601

Or you can give your registration to us on the Race Committee boat.

You have three weeks to register, or we will stop scoring you. Be sure to get registered in time!

If you need the forms again, here is the Star Registration and here is the PHRF Registration.

2010 Sailing Instructions

The 2010 Sailing Instructions are ready to go! If you're going to the Skipper's Meeting tonight, you can pick up a copy from us. If you can't make it, you can get a copy of the Sailing Instructions by clicking here:

2010 Sailing Instructions

New stuff to note:

We are taking off two Wednesday evenings this year. We will not race on July 7th, or on September 8th. These two days off correspond with federal holidays on the Monday before, so enjoy your time off and plan a vacation!

Also this year, we are starting a new "Cruising" boat subdivision of the PHRF B class. If you race 1/3rd or more series races without a spinnaker, you qualify as cruising and can be scored twice!

As usual, we'll have more info later.

Charts and more

Where am I going? What do those flags mean? What was that horn?

All excellent questions that can be answered by going to the Skipper's Meeting this coming Wednesday, 6 pm, April 21st, at the Miles River Yacht Club. Not only will I answer those questions, but I'll give you a spiffy laminated course sheet and a cheat sheet for what the flags and sounds mean on the Committee Boat!

If you want to print your own, click here to get your copy of the
Reference Sheet

Besides handing out course sheets and registering boats, we'll talk about the Sailing Instructions! There are at least two new things for this year; all very exciting. Will you be eligible for a new award?

And you don't have to be a skipper to attend. Is your skipper too busy to make it? Come to the meeting for your skipper and be the person in the know.

It's a Burgee

We have an official burgee now. Who would have thought that you could show you love of sailing on Wednesday nights by simply flying a burgee, but it's true! Now you can be the talk of your next raft-up by displaying a burgee no one else has seen.

We will be taking orders at the Skipper's meeting on April 21st, but you can order them now for only $20. Here is an order from, or you can pick one up at the meeting. $20 is a good deal for a burgee!

You didn't forget the meeting did you? MRYC at 6pm on April 21st. See you there!