*Please note: 2011 rule changes highlighted below in red.
SECTION B: REGATTA AND RACING RULES
RULES OF RACING: STARTING
9.1. Latecomers: Because of the nature and size of each event it is impossible to wait for latecomers. Each crew and sculler is responsible for being on time for their event.
9.2. Basin Traffic Pattern: All boats should follow the Basin Traffic Pattern except when otherwise directed by the Marshals. All boats should be in the buoyed Queuing Zone 5 minutes prior to the start of their race. Boats should assemble in the Queuing Zone in numerical order in two rows with the odd numbers on the Boston side and even numbers on the Cambridge side. Boats should merge into single file in numerical order as they enter the Starting Chute, allowing an interval of 2 - 3 lengths as they approach the Start Line (unless otherwise instructed by the Starter). Crews or Scullers that fail to follow the Starter's commands will be penalized.
Note of advice: Passing is permitted prior to the BU Bridge using extreme caution. Overtaking boats must ensure room is available to complete a safe pass and are subject to a safety penalty (Rule 10.1) in the event that the overtaken boat is forced into an abutment. While the railroad trestle bridge's second arch from the right (Cambridge) shore is the preferred route, the right (closest to Cambridge) arch of the railroad trestle bridge may be used (WITH EXTREME CAUTION) when the center arch appears too congested. Use of this arch is permitted but strongly discouraged.
9.3. Late Boats: Late arriving boats should not cross the line of buoys to jump into the starting sequence, but should await instructions from the Marshals or Starter. Boats that arrive late may be allowed to start behind their assigned position, but only at the discretion of the Starter. Any boat that starts out of sequence against the orders of the Starter will be disqualified.
9.4. Re-Start: Once a boat has crossed the starting line, under no circumstances will a re-start be permitted.
9.5. Time Gaps between Event-Divisions: The HOCR Starter will maintain a predetermined variable gap of several minutes between each event-division.
10. RULES OF RACING: RACING
Interference and/or buoy penalties are assigned at the sole discretion of the Jury following their review of the observations and recommendations of the Umpires. Repeated or severe interference may result in disqualification.
10.1. Disregard for Safety: Any boat showing a blatant disregard for safety will be severely penalized (time penalties awarded by the jury) and may be disqualified from the Regatta.
10.2. Coxswain on Board: Fours and eights must have their coxswain on board during the entire race. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
10.3. Buoys During Racing: During racing, boats must stay on the Course that is between the orange buoys (on the left, coxswains view) and the green buoys (on the right). Oar blades may go over the buoys but the hull of the shell must stay inside the buoy line. Each buoy taken on the wrong side of the hull will result in a 10-second penalty.
10.4. Bridges: Going through the right arch (closest to the Cambridge shore) of the Lars Andersen Bridge (by Harvard's Weld Boathouse), or going through any bridge's left (closest to the Boston shore) arch, will result in a 60-second penalty in addition to any buoy violations incurred by doing so.
10.5. Non-Yield Interference (IN): When a passing crew (The Passer) closes to within one length of open water on the boat being overtaken, it is the responsibility of the slower crew to yield the line chosen by the Passer in a timely manner. THe Yield should be completed by the time the overtaking boat has closed within 1/2 boat length. A crew failing to yield to a Passer when there is adequate room and time to yield will incur the following interference penalties; Interference (IN) Failure to Yield:
1st infraction 60 second penalty
2nd infraction 120 second penalty
3rd infraction disqualification from the Regatta
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 hull
(B) personal injury or
(C) the boat being overtaken is forced either off the race course 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.
10.7. Safety of Rowers: If one or more rowers are lost from a boat during the race, the affected crew should first ensure the safety or rescue of the rower(s). If the rower(s) is (are) safe, the crew may continue to the finish line.
10.8. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Incidents of unsportsmanlike conduct by a competitor or crew, including the use of personally abusive language shall be reported to the Jury by the witnessing official. The jury may impose penalties ranging from reprimand to time penalties up to 60 seconds!
11. Appeals
11.1. Appleas vs Protests: Scullers, and institutions represented by sweep-oared entries, may appeal for relief from any ruling of ineligibility or any penalty imposed upon them by the Regatta for alleged infractions, e.g. interverence, course violations, etc., but no protest alleging interference by a competing entry shall be heard.
11.2. Enforcement of Racing Rules: The Regatta covers every section of the course, from start to finish, with fully trained Umpires. Their calls on questions of interference and buoy violations will be considered final. No re-rows or safety time credits to fouled entries will be possible. Offenders WILL BE PENALIZED according to the racing rules. Preliminary results will be released immediately following each race, and Official Results will be released once all Umpires' calls have been reviewed by the Judges.
11.3. Appeals Process (NEW FOR 2011): Appeals seeking changes to the Official Results may be received, in writing, to the Jury Clerk at Cambridge Boat Club until 1
hour after results are posted for the last race on Saturday for Saturday's races and 6:00 PM on Sunday for Sunday's races. Should a crew want to appeal but not be able to make the deadline on Saturday they can call the Jury Leader at (NUMBER TO BE PROVIDED) and leave a message that they intend to appeal. Such appeals must be submitted as above within 1 hour after the last race ends on Sunday. Appeals received after this time will not be considered. The Race Committee reserves the right to extend the deadline due to scheduling changes of the Regatta. Appeals will no longer be accepted on Monday.
All Official Results will be posted on the web site at www.hocr.org.
11.4. Eligibility: Objections to any entry's eligibility may be made to the Jury Clerk at the Cambridge Boat Club and the Rowing & Fitness Expo at any time, but preferably before the race in questions.
11.5. Note:
(A) The Race Committee reserves the right to rule on any situation not covered in these or other printed rules and to penalize or disqualify any competitor or crew that appears to violate the spirit or letter of the Regatta's rules.
(B) Any sculler/crew which has solicited sponsorship or otherwise obtained any kind and wishes to wear company identification, or place company identification ("logo") on rowing equipment during the race or during any sanctioned Head Of The Charles activity, must seek approval from the Executive Director. In the event the approval is given, all identification must conform to the current FISA standards regarding size of corporate logos on all uniforms, shells, oars and related equipment. Failure to conform to this policy may lead to disqualification.
SECTION C: GUIDELINES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
12. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES (GUIDANCE TO CREWS AND SCULLERS)
The Charles River is a narrow course with many tight turns. Good sportsmanship is expected at all times and costly penalties have been assigned in the past in cases of bad sportsmanship. The ability to accomplish effective and safe passing is an important aspect of successful racing. However, there are many situations when passing cannot be accomplished safely due to traffic congestion and physical obstacles.
The following are the basic responsibilities of scullers and crews in these situations:
12.1. Responsibility of Overtaking Boat (Passer): The boat overtaking (Passer) has the right of way to pass (on the side of its choice) if a safe pass can be accomplished. However, crews and scullers must take note of the following:
(A) If a pass is attempted and there is not adequate room and time to perform the pass, the Passer is at risk of incurring interference penalties.
(B) In situations involving three and more boats, there are areas such as bridge arches and narrow, tight turns where passing cannot be accomplished safely. In these situations the Passer must be prudent and delay the act of passing until the pass can be accomplished without incident. The wise sculler or crew knows that more time can be lost by pressing a situation rather than by slowing down and waiting for the right moment to pass.
(C) Communicate effectively during racing. All shells with bow-loaded coxswains are strongly advised to have their bow seat rower notify the coxswain when there is clear water astern after completing the pass. Timely instruction from the bow seat rower may assist the Passer's coxswain in avoiding stern-to-bow collision and/or an interference penalty due to cutting in too soon.
12.2. Responsibility of Overtaken Boat (Overtakee): The boat being overtaken (Overtakee) must yield and give suitable room to the Passer (on the side chosen by the Passer) if a safe pass can be accomplished. Generally this will be the shortest line that gives an advantage. Failure to yield to the Passer is one of the most serious infractions of competitive conduct. Crews and scullers must:
(A) Be alert to possible upcoming passing attempts and promptly yield when there is adequate room and time.
(B) Be prepared to miss a few strokes to allow the Passer to pass safely and without interference.
(C) Communicate effectively during racing. All shells with bow-loaded coxswains are strongly advised to have their bow seat rower notify the coxswain if a following crew is about to make a pass. Timely instruction from the bow seat rower may assist the coxswain in avoiding an interference penalty.
12.3. Safety: Respect for the safety of other competitors and their equipment must be observed at all times. At no time should an oar be used in anger toward another crew or competitor.
12.4. Race Pace: While racing, boats must proceed at a racing pace along the entire course, except where safety considerations dictate otherwise. Any boat whose time is more than 10 minutes slower than that of the fastest time in its event-division may be recorded as "did not finish." |