- H.1 A Referee
- H.2 A Race Controller
- H.3 A Swim Secretary
- H.4 A Event Safety Officer
- H.5 A Starter
- H.6 Placing Judges if necessary
- H.7 Turning Judges if necessary
- H.8 Chief Time-Keeper
- H.9 Time-Keepers
In addition to the above officials someone is required to be responsible for Child & Vulnerable Adult Protection. The roles of some of the above officials may be combined. The Referee, Race Controller and Swim Secretary must not be combined.
H.1 The Referee shall:
H1.1 Have overall control and be responsible for the observance of BLDSA Rules as appropriate and conditions of the competition. Particularly to ensure that where appropriate, flag alpha and other identifying markers are displayed and visible at all times.
H.1.2 Have the power to appoint substitutes for officials who are absent, incapable of acting or found to be inefficient, and if necessary, to appoint additional officials.
H.1.3 Approve the starting, turning and finishing lines and ensure that the swimmers are notified at the briefing meeting accordingly.
H.1.4 Give a decision where there is a difference of opinion between the appropriate officials.
H.1.5 Disqualify any competitor for any violation of the rules that he or she personally observes or which are reported to him or her by other authorised officials and inform the placing judges, after consultation with the official concerned.
H.1.6 To monitor the competency of crews during the event and to withdraw or replace crew members if necessary on the grounds of safety.
H.1.7 Have the power to delegate his or her power and duties and those of any other officials to ensure that the applicable laws and conduct of the swim are observed.
H.1.8 Have the power, after consultation where practicable with the Race Controller, Rescue Boat Coordinator, Event Safety Officer and Swim Secretary, to decide on postponement or abandonment of the event.
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H.2 The Race Controller:
H.2.1 To execute the Swim Secretary’s plan to co-ordinate the event at all times when swimmers or crews are on the water.
H.2.2 To manage communications systems between officials and safety craft.
H.2.3 To co-ordinate the work of all other officials such as timekeepers, starters, judges and other helpers.
H.2.4 To at all times be aware of the identities and approximate locations of all persons on the water and to maintain a record of starters, finishers and retirements.
H.2.5 To be made aware of and to manage the response to all incidents or potential incidents on or around the water.
H.2.6 Shall be responsible for determining the location of all the race officials in the event of an abandonment.
H.2.7 Have the power with agreement from Referee, Rescue Boat Coordinator, Event Safety Officer and Swim Secretary to alter the course of the swim, provided a risk assessment for the proposed new course has been presented to the BLDSA Safety Officer one month prior to the start of the Championship.
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H.3 The Swim Secretary is:
H.3.1 To ensure that the championship safety audit is completed and returned one month before the event, in conjunction with the Event Safety Officer.
H.3.2 To plan the swim in its entirety in conjunction with their committee.
H.3.3 On the day of the swim, to ensure that the briefing for officials takes place before the championship briefing to discuss the safe running of the event.
H.3.4 To ensure that swimmer and crew registration procedures are in place, and that all swimmers are clearly numbered.
H.3.5 To ensure that a swim briefing takes place.
H.3.6 To undertake and organise the efficient running of the event, including the organisation of the Presentation.
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H.4 The Event Safety Officer:
H.4.1 In advance of the championship, to liaise with the Swim Secretary that the safety audit is carried out.
H.4.2 To liaise with other senior officials regarding the continuation of the event in case of changing conditions.
H.4.3 To check that all accompanying boats are suitable for the championship course and prevailing conditions.
H.4.4 To ensure that all boats and crews are properly equipped.
H.4.5 To ensure that all accompanying craft and their crews are briefed and in place prior to swimmers entering the water.
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H.5 The Starter shall:
H.5.1 Only start the event on permission of the Referee.
H.5.2 Where necessary, ascertain that competitors are in the correct position.
H.5.3 Have authority to recall or caution competitors at the start of the event.
H.5.4 After caution, have power with the concurrence of the Referee, to disqualify competitors for delaying the start or for wilfully disobeying an order or for any other misconduct taking place at the start.
H.5.5 Have absolute power to decide whether the start is a valid or a false one.
H.5.6 Ensure that the swimmers receive adequate warnings of the start of the event.
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H.6 The Placing Judges shall:
H.6.1 Be positioned where they have a clear view of, and be in line with, the finish while it is taking place.
H.6.2 Report any incidents of fouling to the Referee.
H.6.3 Judge and report the order of finishing to the Chief Time – keeper.
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H.7 The Turning Judges shall:
H.7.1 Record the number of each competitor at the turns.
H.7.2 At the end of the event, liaise with the placing judges to confirm that each finishing competitor has completed the required number of turns.
H.7.3 Report to the Referee any competitor who fails to comply with BLDSA Rules
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H.8 The Chief Time-Keeper shall:
H.8.1 Arrange for an accuracy check on the three watches to be used.
H.8.2 Allocate the duties of the time-keepers.
H.8.3 Ensure that all watches have been started simultaneously with the starting signal.
H.8.4 At his discretion, discount any watch which is inaccurate.
H.8.5 Ensure that no watch is stopped or interfered with during the event.
H.8.6 Record the official time for each competitor.
H.8.7 Ensure that an official record of all times is available for the Swim Secretary.
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H.9 The Time-Keepers shall:
H.9.1 Ensure that their watches are not stopped or interfered with during the event.
H.9.2 Take the time of the competitors assigned to them.
H.9.3 Notify such times to the Chief Time-keeper.
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