All you need to know about racing and flags

The 2013-16 Racing Rules of Sailing Flag starting sequence is below (Click here to find essential racing tools):

Race Starting Procedure: Races shall be started by using the following signals. Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded.

Minutes before starting signal:	Visual signal:	Sound signal:	Means:
5*	Class flag	One	Warning Signal
4	P, I, Z, Z with I, or black flag	One	Preparatory Signal
1	Preparatory flag removed	One Long	One Minute
0	Class flag removed	One	Starting signal

*or as stated in the sailing instructions

The warning signal for each succeeding class shall be made with or after the starting signal of the preceding class.

The meanings for commonly used flag signals in sailing racing are given below. It should be noted that although most of the signals are defined in the ISAF Racing Rules these can be changed by the sailing instructions or in some cases must be defined by the sailing instructions to be effective.

When a flag signal is displayed over a class flag, the signal applies only to that class.

POSTPONEMENT SIGNALS
Flag signal	Sound signal when displayed	Sound signal when removed	Meaning
AP			Races not started are postponed.
AP 1			Races not started are postponed one hour
AP 2			Races not started are postponed two hours
AP 3			Races not started are postponed three hours
AP 4			Races not started are postponed four hours
AP 5			Races not started are postponed five hours
AP 6			Races not started are postponed six hours
AP A			Races not started are postponed. No more racing today.
AP H			Races not started are postponed. Further signals ashore.


PREPARATORY FLAGS – STARTING PENALTIES
Flag signal	Sound signal when displayed	Sound signal when removed	Meaning
P			Normal preparatory signal; no starting penalties are in effect. A boat over the line at the start you can return through the line or round an ends. Remember that a boat returning must keep clear of boats not returning.
I			The Round-an-End Rule 30.1 will be in effect. A boat over the line during the minute before the start must sail to the pre-start side of the line around either end before starting.
Z			The 20% Penalty Rule 30.2 will be in effect. A boat within the triangle formed by the ends of the line and the first mark during the minute before the start will receive a 20% scoring penalty as specified in Rule 44.3(c). (20% of the number entered or as dictated by the sailing instructions)
Black			The Black Flag Rule 30.3 will be in effect. A boat within the triangle formed by the ends of the line and the first mark during the minute before the start will be disqualified.
and			Both the Round-an-End Rule and the 20% Penalty Rule will be in effect during the minute before the start.
RECALL SIGNALS
X			Individual recall. (The sound signal is in addition to the start sound signal) The X flag is displayed until the earliest of the following: all boats over the line have returned correctly, 4 minutes from the start or until one minute before the next start.
1st Substitute			General recall. Signalled when there unidentified boats over the line or subject to one of the starting penalties, or there has been an error in the starting procedure. The new warning signal for the recalled class will be made 1 minute after the 1st substitute is removed. (The two sound signals when the first substitute is displayed are in addition to the start sound signal)


ABANDONMENT SIGNALS
Flag signal	Sound signal when displayed	Sound signal when removed	Meaning
N			All races are abandoned. Return to the starting area. The first warning signal will be made 1 minute after N is removed.
N H			All races are abandoned. Further signals will be made ashore.
N A			All races are abandoned. No more racing today.


OTHER SIGNALS
Flag signal	Sound signal when displayed	Sound signal when removed	Meaning
L			When displayed afloat means: Come within hail or follow this boat.When displayed ashore means: A notice to competitors has been posted.
Y			Wear personal buoyancy.
M	:		The object displaying this signal replaces a missing mark
C	:		When displayed at a rounding mark, the position of the next mark has been changed. If the direction to the mark has changed it shall be indicated by displaying the new compass bearing or a green triangular flag (or board) for a change to starboard or a red rectangular flag (or board) for a change to port. If the length of the leg has changed then this shall be signalled by displaying a “-” if the leg will shorter or a “+” if the leg will be longer. Repeated sound signals should be made to draw attention to the signal. (see RR33)
B			When fully hoisted means: Protest time has begun. When half hoisted means less than 30 minutes of protest time left. When removed means protest time has ended. (If the B flag is used it must be specified in the sailing instructions)
Blue			When displayed at the finishing line means: The race committee boat is in position at the finishing line.
S			The course has been shortened.When displayed at a rounding mark the finish is between the nearby mark and the mast displaying the S flag.When displayed at a line that boats are required to cross at the end of each lap the finish is that line.When displayed at a gate the finish is between the gate marks.


SIGNALS DISPLAYED BY COMPETING BOATS
Flag signal	Sound signal when displayed	Sound signal when removed	Meaning
Red Flag	hail “Protest”		I intend to protest. (Boats under 6 meters in length need not display this flag)
Yellow Flag			Boat is taking a Scoring Penalty. (Scoring penalties must be specified in the sailing instructions if used)