Why is the briefing process modified?
As the PMYC does not operate from a central location or club house, race briefings are conducted via marine VHF radio as described in the Notice of Race.
How is briefing conducted?
Briefings are conducted in the following format by the Officer Of the Day(OOD).
1. Yachts prepare to race and proceed to the race briefing area as specified in the NOR. For Offshore and short river events, this is generally downstream of Settlement Point Ferry and West of Pelican Point, a beach on the northern side of the river entrance.
2. Yachts sign on with the OOD indicating their intention to race and also providing the number of persons on board. The POB number is checked post race against the event registrations and can be subject to protest and disqualification if crew have not registered properly for the event.
3. The OOD provides the latest coastal waters forecast for the Macquarie Waters district and any relevant observations from the bar for Off Shore events.
4. The ODD describes the course to be sailed. These will reference the course maps in the sailing instructions referring to the event type and the course number. Clarification on the course may be sought by individual yachts over VHF as part of the briefing.
5. Yachts are asked to proceed to the starting area. Any marks that are required are generally laid at this time by yachts however yachts that are performing functions for the Race Committee can perform those functions prior to or during the race briefing.
6. Once yachts are in the starting area, the OOD will confirm with any yachts that are approaching the area for their readiness to start. Once all yachts are ready for the start, the OOD will count down to a 5 minute signal that all yachts use to start a count down timer to the start.