Not only should the RC personnel be assigned specific duties, but the RC boats should be assigned specific functions.
The Committee Boat
The committee boat has all the equipment for starting races - signal flags, horns and recording forms. It will be the starting boat for all races and may be used as finish boat. The personnel manning it should include:
PRC Member. This is the Principal Race Officer and is responsible for the management of the race and safety committees.
1st Officer. Under the supervision of the PRC Member, the 1st Officer is the operational chairman of the race committee and is responsible for the course setup and conduct of the race.
Recorder. Responsible for maintaining all race forms. Helps the spotter in accounting for all boats. Records starters as well as finish order when at the finish line.
Spotter. Identifies all boats before and at the start. Works in concert with the recorder. When at the finish line, will help lineman and recorder identify finishers.
Lineman. Positions himself at the mast marking the end of the starting line and determines if any boats start prematurely. This may be the 1st Officer or PRC Member. When at the finish line, he shall determine the order of finishing boats and their time if handicap scored.
Signaler. Responsible for operation of the starting signals.
Timer. Responsible for timing of the starting sequences. Can be the 1st Officer or PRC Member.
In the event of shortage of manpower, some of these duties may be combined.
Mark Boat. This is usually the larger jon boat and carries the course marks except the starting pin and spare mark. This boat should also carry code flag C and code flag S and a whistle for signaling course changes.
Finish Boat This boat should carry the spare course mark and the starting pin. It should also carry the blue flag for marking the finish line and code flag M and a whistle to serve the function of replacing a missing or drifted mark. It should have the necessary forms to record finishes. At the finish the crew will act as spotter and recorder.
Safety Boat. The Pink Lady is equipped to deal with most on the water emergencies. It is equipped with a gasoline powered pump for dewatering swamped boats, a tow line, a first aid kit and thermal blankets for cool weather. It should be manned by a minimum of two, but preferably three persons.
All RC boats must be have radio communication. Use of cell phones for backup communication is an excellent idea. Exchange phone numbers in advance.
The first priority of the race committee is the safety of the racers as well as all lake users. Any RC boats, including the committee boat, shall take the role of rescue boat in an emergency.