Racing Rules of Sailing

FLAGS O AND R

Rule P5 applies if the class rules permit pumping, rocking and ooching when the wind speed exceeds a specified limit.

(a) The race committee may signal that pumping, rocking and ooching are permitted, as specified in the class rules, by displaying flag O before or with the warning signal.
(b) If the wind speed becomes less than the specified limit after flag O has been displayed, the race committee may postpone the race. Then, before or with a new warning signal, the committee shall display either flag R, to signal that rule 42 as changed by the class rules applies, or flag O, as provided in rule P5.2(a).
(c) If flag O or flag R is displayed before or with the warning signal, it shall be displayed until the starting signal.

After the starting signal,

(a) if the wind speed exceeds the specified limit, the race committee may display flag O with repetitive sounds at a mark to signal that pumping, rocking and ooching are permitted, as specified in the class rules, after passing the mark;
(b) if flag O has been displayed and the wind speed becomes less than the specified limit, the race committee may display flag R with repetitive sounds at a mark to signal that rule 42, as changed by the class rules, applies after passing the mark.

Rule P5 applies if the class rules permit pumping, rocking and ooching when the wind speed exceeds a specified limit.

(a) The race committee may signal that pumping, rocking and ooching are permitted, as specified in the class rules, by displaying flag O before or with the warning signal.
(b) If the wind speed becomes less than the specified limit after flag O has been displayed, the race committee may postpone the race. Then, before or with a new warning signal, the committee shall display either flag R, to signal that rule 42 as changed by the class rules applies, or flag O, as provided in rule P5.2(a).
(c) If flag O or flag R is displayed before or with the warning signal, it shall be displayed until the starting signal.

After the starting signal,

(a) if the wind speed exceeds the specified limit, the race committee may display flag O with repetitive sounds at a mark to signal that pumping, rocking and ooching are permitted, as specified in the class rules, after passing the mark;
(b) if flag O has been displayed and the wind speed becomes less than the specified limit, the race committee may display flag R with repetitive sounds at a mark to signal that rule 42, as changed by the class rules, applies after passing the mark.