Head Of The Charles ® Regatta

1. 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

2. 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 I n t r o d u c t i o n

3. 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 conclusion of each event. I n t r o d u c t i o n

4. 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

5. Umpire Responsibilities Key responsibilities Logistics Field of view Communication Self-Care Summary

6. 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. R e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s

7. 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 R e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s

8. 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 R e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s

9. 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 Lead Umpire (1/Station) Station Umpire : R e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s Note: Umpire at the Start has a special responsibility. . . Calling umpire central after the last boat in an event clears the railroad bridge.

10. 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

11. 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. R e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s

12. 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 R e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s

13. 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 safety R e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s

14. 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. R e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s

15. Rules Review and Penalties Overview Course rules regarding buoys Crossing the race course Traffic violations Interference and Passing Contact & Collisions Conduct Miscellaneous Rules and Violations Consideration of Penalties

16. 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) reportedoccurred 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 R u l e s R e v i e w

17. 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 u l e s R e v i e w

18. 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 u l e s R e v i e w

19. 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 R u l e s R e v i e w

20. 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. R u l e s R e v i e w

21. 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: Apassing 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. R u l e s R e v i e w

22. 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) R u l e s R e v i e w

23. 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 u l e s R e v i e w

24. 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 hull b. 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.. I n t r o d u c t i o n

25. 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 hull b. 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 u l e s R e v i e w

26. 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 u l e s R e v i e w

27. 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. R u l e s R e v i e w

28. 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. R u l e s R e v i e w

29. 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). R u l e s R e v i e w

30. 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. R u l e s R e v i e w

31. 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 u l e s R e v i e w

32. Special Focus on Safety Following the 2006 Regatta, there was a detailed review of regatta safety.

33. 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 On the Water Safety

34. 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. On the Water Safety

35. 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. On the Water Safety

36. 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 theyis engaged to respond immediately to an emergency incident Note: Only SLUs or Jury Leader will have authority to cancel a race in progress On the Water Safety

37. 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 On the Water Safety

38. 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. On the Water Safety

39. 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 On the Water Safety

40. 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). On the Water Safety

41. 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. On the Water Safety

42. Understanding the Course

43. The Course: Three Miles of Bridges and Curves T h e C o u r s e

44. 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 every station. www.hocr-umpires.org T h e C o u r s e

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

46. Classic Interference Incident #1 A B C Unless you know which is passing, you do not know who is penalized! Which boat gets the penalty? x To the Finish Out of Bounds Travel Lane Buoy x Racing Lane Buoy Return Arch

47. Classic Interference Incident #1 (Continued) A B C Unless you know what happened earlier, you may not know who is penalized! x To the Finish Out of Bounds Travel Lane Buoy x Racing Lane Buoy Return Arch

48. Classic Interference Incident #1 (Continued) A B C What do you think now? x A B C Before After To the Finish Out of Bounds Travel Lane Buoy x Racing Lane Buoy Return Arch

49. Reporting Interference – Make a Sketch of the ENTIRE Incident 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).

50. Classic Interference Incident #2 Three boats at the bridge. What happened here? x A A B B C C Before After To the Finish Out of Bounds Travel Lane Buoy x Racing Lane Buoy Return Arch