This is a proposal for Lighted Sequences. It supports both Rolling and Non-Rolling varieties. For simplicity, it only documents RRS26, but can be applied to other sequences quite easily.
The initial concept was to simply replace two flags (Class # and “P”) with lights. Turns out, its more complicated than that. Read our provisional proposal here (it is regularly updated): Lighted Start Sequence (Google Docs)
If you have any suggestions for improvement, please let us know!
Proposed Rule 26 Sequence:
| Minutes before starting signal | Flag Signal | Light Signal | Sound Signal | Means |
| (any) | Class Flags, sequentially ordered. *
P, I, Z, Z with I, U, or black flag |
Defines class order and penalties | ||
| 5 | Top Light On | One | Warning Signal | |
| 4 | Bottom Light On | One | Preparatory Signal | |
| 1 | Top Light Off | One Long | One-Minute | |
| 0 | Class flag removed * | Bottom Light Off | One | Starting Signal |
* Class and penalty flags for started classes shall be removed prior to the Preparatory signal for subsequent classes.
The warning signal for each succeeding class shall be made with or after the starting signal of the preceding class.
Example:
A competing boat would see something like the following image. Light colors are to be decided.
All of these lights mean something in the USCG rules, so we added blinking lights – that way our Race Committee shouldn’t be confused with another type of vessel.