recalls and VHF

Depends on the SIs for the particular event I'd say. If they modify RRS in the SIs to say they will use VHF to announce vessels OCS then you should have cause for redress if mistakes are made.

We had an incident at our club where a boat was called OCS straight away and about 5 seconds later several more boats (including us) were called OCS. We were understandably miffed as we had that much further to go back than the boat instantly called OCS. However our SIs refer to RRS 29.2 & 29.3 for signalling recalls and, unless indicated by flag V, VHF use is a courtesy so we had little grounds for complaint.

By the by, yachts are identified over VHS by a variety of means - sail numbers, names - I even once heard "Yacht with orange headsail, you are OCS". It helps in club racing of course that all the boats are well know to the RO

I'd be firmly against the use of VHF as an integral part of the recall procedure and opposed to any redress if your boat was not correctly called.

The startline of any race is an incredibly noisy  and busy place to be and I think it's important to have your head "outside the boat". That is, watching for the X flag and listening to the committee boat for that "recall" gun/horn. IMHO, listening in on VHF provides additional distraction.

It also opens up a dialogue for which the RO simply will not have time. Imagine the following,

"Regatta compettitiors this is Regatta Committe boat. Message: Sail numbers 1173, 6345 and 4558. Youi were over the line and are recalled. Out"

"Regatta Committee boat , this is "Celestial Mary". Confirm that Sail number 1174 is over the line. Over". And so on.

Added to this is the mark-laying RIB, two miles to windward who has spotted a dangerous fog bank rolling in but cannot communicate with the Committee Boat because the channel is busy. Oh and becasue all our radios are keeping a dual watch on Ch16 there is no guarantee that the comms won't be cut by a MayDay in any case. This is especially true for Solent sailing where the airwaves are pretty cluttered at the best of times.

Lets be honest, we all know when we are "pushing it a bit" at a start. And when the gun goes you instinctively look over at the Committe boat to see if you have got away with it. If you see the X flag it's a test of your judgement as to whether you restart (take the pain) or not (possible OCS). That's racing.

You are assuming a certain kind of racing here. Try starting on the extended RYS line at the north end, which is a full mile away from the Squadron. You can't see the flags and sometimes you can't hear the guns. VHF is the only communication available. In this case, VHF communication has to be correct and you should have redress if it is wrong.

Starting on a committee boat line two or three hundred metres long is a different story and no help from VHF should be required.