Registration of support boats for 2023 QLD Optimist State Titles.

Click the register button to the left/above.

From the Notice of Race:

11    SUPPORT BOATS

11.1    When ‘support boats’ are referred to, this includes coach boats.

11.2    All support boats are required to register online incl REGO number, colour, owner, mobile number, and confirmed with the Organizing Authority prior to the first race at the Regatta Office.

11.3    All support boats must comply with the following:

11.3.1    Carry a VHF Radio and monitor the fleet channel/s as advised by the Organising Authority;

11.3.2    Hold a current RMDL and valid insurance certficate for $10million third-party insurance or more;

11.3.3    Restrict their speed to 5 knots within 100m of any competitor;

11.4    Registered support boats are required to render safety assistance if requested to do so by the race committee or a competitor.

11.5    Registered coaches will be permitted in the Green Fleet race area. Registration can be obtained by application to the Humpybong representative on the day of registration. Further limitations may be placed on the access of support and coach boats to Green Fleet sailors during on-water sessions. As a standard practice, support and coach boats are not permitted to approach Green Fleet sailors during an on-water session, except in an emergency to render assistance.

11.6    All other support personnel shall keep to leeward of the Starting line prior to the start and more than 100 metres clear of any competitor or mark of the courses while boats are racing except when asked to assist by the Race Committee.

11.7    Support boats shall not signal to competitors by any means during a race.

11.8    The Race Committee may protest any boat whose coach/support boat is in breach of the NOR clause 11. Penalties imposed as a result of a protest under the NOR may result in a penalty being imposed on the boat(s) supported by the support boat.

From the Sailing Instructions:

24 SUPPORT BOATS [NP]

1. 24.1  For the purposes of these Sailing Instructions, spectator boats shall be classified as support boats.
2. 24.2  All support boats and coach boats shall be registered with the Organising Authority.
3. 24.3  Each coach/support boat is required to have $10,000,000 third-party current insurance for their vessel and the support boat driver must have a current RMDL. The boat shall also carry all safety equipment required to comply with local QLD Maritime regulations, be equipped with a working VHF Radio with accessibility to VHF77 an accessible serrated knife and a whistle or horn.
4. 24.4  Team Leaders, Coaches and other support personnel shall stay 100 m outside the course area where boats are racing from the time of the warning signal for a division’s race until all boats in all divisions have finished or the Race Committee signals a postponement, general recall or abandonment. Race Committee vessels may request a support or coach boat to move further from the course area, in which case the mentioned boat shall do so immediately.
5. 24.5  When the wind is less than 10 knots, all team leaders, coaches, and other support vessels shall not exceed 5 knots within 500m of the area where boats are racing. Additionally, coach and support boats shall not exceed 5 knots and shall not create wake at any time when they are within 100m of the starting area. 
6. 24.6  The penalty for failing to comply with SI 24 may result in the disqualification (from the race/s in which the infringement took place) of all boats associated with the infringing boat or other penalty at the discretion of the Protest Committee.