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AlanH
02-05-2009, 12:59 PM
What with the issue of a significant number of racers in the 3BF (who may not have come to the skippers meeting, not that being absent removes responsibility from knowing the race instructions) venturing into restricted areas, maybe we need to change our approach. As Dan suggested, perhaps we could change some marks of the course on some of our races?

For example on the 3BF instead of rounding TI, round another marker in the vicinity that would more-or-less force racers to stay clear of the Coast Guard Pier. We may have problems with this one, because of the proximity to the Estuary entrance.

How to redirect people away from Richmond Long Wharf...not sure on that one. Anyway, how about this thread as a place to discuss ways to change our courses slightly so that we lessen the temptation to violate restricted areas?

AlanH
02-05-2009, 01:11 PM
Why do this at all?

Because no matter how much we talk about restricted areas, no matter how many times we hammer on the point, there will be people who either through ignorance or deliberately ignoring the rules, will venture into restricted areas.

We had 350 boats out there last weekend. How many of those are casual racers who know that the "Three Bridge is laid back"' and so it's one of the few races they enter every year? All we need is for ONE of these boats to break a rule, and give a Coastie officer in a RIB a bunch of guff over it, and then we have big problems.

If education doesn't work, then maybe "redirection" will?

Critter
02-05-2009, 05:17 PM
Thanks Alan, worth talking about. Before the race, Bill Merrick was suggesting the center pier of the west half of the Bay Bridge (C, I think it's marked on the chart) as the mark instead of YB/TI. That was back when we were worried about the eastern span construction. Of course, there's a 25 yard keepaway zone on all bridge piers (IIRC), so it's still a potential problem, but since no CG personnel are stationed on bridge piers it probably gets less attention.

For Richmond Bridge we could use buoy #14 in the main channel (well west of Red Rock) which is just south of the bridge.

It'd be too bad if we have to do this, because both Red Rock and Yerba Buena are picturesque and challenging roundings that have a lot to do with the character of the Three Bridge Fiasco.

Max

Thom
02-12-2009, 11:36 AM
A requirment to transit a gate established between Red Rock and The Richmond Bridge leaving Red Rock to Port would alleviate a LOT of the Richmond Long Wharf issue. It would probably also change the strategy for most racers since the Clockwise direction would be definitely longer than the counter clockwise direction (clock wise and counter clock wise determined by looking down from the sky) :D Thot I'd put that last bit in there in case there are any scuba readers.