Rule M3.1: Check that the protest or request is valid.

Section M — Recommendations For Protest Committees

This appendix is advisory only; in some circumstances changing these procedures may be advisable. It is addressed primarily to the protest committee chair but may also help judges, protest committee secretaries, race committees and others involved in hearings.

In a hearing, the protest committee should weigh all testimony with equal care; should recognize that honest testimony can vary, and even be in conflict, as a result of different observations and recollections; should resolve such differences as best it can; should recognize that no boat or competitor is guilty until a breach of a rule has been established to the satisfaction of the protest committee; and should keep an open mind until all the evidence has been heard as to whether a boat or competitor has broken a rule.

M3.1

Check that the protest or request is valid.

(a) Are the contents adequate (rule 60.3(a), 61.2(a) or 63.7(b))?
(b) Was it delivered in time? If not, is there good reason to extend the time limit (rule 60.3(b), 61.2(b) or 63.7(b))?
(c) When required, was the protestor involved in or a witness to the incident (rule 60.4(a)(2))?
(d) When necessary, was ‘Protest’ hailed and, if required, a red flag displayed correctly (rule 60.2(a)(1))?
(e) When the flag or hail was not necessary, was the protestee informed (rule 60.2(b))?
(f) Decide whether the protest or request for redress is valid (rule 63.4(a)).
(g) Once the validity of the protest or request has been determined, do not let the subject be introduced again unless truly new evidence is available.

Section M — Recommendations For Protest Committees

M3.1

Check that the protest or request is valid.

(a) Are the contents adequate (rule 60.3(a), 61.2(a) or 63.7(b))?
(b) Was it delivered in time? If not, is there good reason to extend the time limit (rule 60.3(b), 61.2(b) or 63.7(b))?
(c) When required, was the protestor involved in or a witness to the incident (rule 60.4(a)(2))?
(d) When necessary, was ‘Protest’ hailed and, if required, a red flag displayed correctly (rule 60.2(a)(1))?
(e) When the flag or hail was not necessary, was the protestee informed (rule 60.2(b))?
(f) Decide whether the protest or request for redress is valid (rule 63.4(a)).
(g) Once the validity of the protest or request has been determined, do not let the subject be introduced again unless truly new evidence is available.