How many people does it take to run a race?

We man up with:

At my inland small lake club, depending on conditions, 1 x OOD and 1 in safety boat, adverse conditions 2 in safety boat, most days their  are people milling about doing odd jobs, who are not sailing for various reasons, but obviously we can't rely on spare people, at least a third of members never do their duty, probably less than half are fully competent doing OOD duties, same with safety boat.

It depends on so much... In particular whether you are prepared to abandon the race if needed. You need the right number of double manned safety boats for the conditions, water and size (and age) of fleet. Committee boat crew members can potentially double up as a safety boat crew provided they will abandon the race management if they are required in a safety boat role.

On a windy day I think that means minimum of two safety boats, so one is still patrolling while one is occupied, and a 5th person on the CB doing the race recording. One of the safety crew doubles on CB for starts, maybe finishes too if available. If both safety boats are active during the start sequence then no start.

On a flat calm day with a small fleet *and no children* two people is all you need, because the only need for a safety boat will be a medical emergency, in which case the race will be abandoned.

If the crew is marginal the RC should seek volunteers from the sailors. If no-one volunteers to help out they can hardly complain if the race has to be abandoned because the alternative was not starting the race at all.

If the crew is inadequate: no race. This is important, because unless you are prepared to expel people who won't take their turn this is the key driver to get people to do their part.

Edited by JimC - 29 Apr 18 at 11:14am

My club does not use a committee boat, race run from caravan on quay, start is self policing if RO can't see start line.

Three, one (the youngest and fittest)in the race box two old pensioners out freezing their butts in the rescue boat as i was today..