IN
EVERY FORM OF HIGH-SPEED MOTOR RACING, FLAGS ARE USED TO LET RACE
OFFICIALS COMMUNICATE WITH THE COMPETITORS ON THE COURSE. OFFSHORE
RACING IS NO DIFFERENT. EVEN THOUGH THE RACE IS HELD ON THE OPEN
WATER, FLAGS ARE A NECESSARY LINK IN THE LINE OF COMMUNICATIONS.
RED
Stop! The race is halted. Return to milling area.
GREEN
Signals the start of the race- course is clear. On display in time
between five-minute and one-minute signal as well as while race is
underway, except for the last lap.
BLUE
OR WHITE
Signals that there is a problem on the race course. Like the
yellow flag, these flags tell the racers to proceed with caution.
YELLOW-CAUTION
Unlike auto racing, where a yellow flag cautions the drivers about
an accident, debris or some other obstacle, offshore racing uses
the yellow flag as a caution flag during the rarade lap, when the
boats are in the milling area and when the officials bring the
boats to the starting line in a paced start. The flag is located
in the pace boat.
BLACK
Course is closed. Return to pits and do not leave the pits.
ORANGE
This is the offshore flag. All check boats will fly one 3x5-foot
orange pennant with a large black number. Below that flies the
Blue Coral Gables flag, below that the White Fireboy flag. The
start/finish boat flies dual sets of the three flags.
CHECKED
The best known flag of all signifies that the race is over and the
winner is...!
