Traffic Patterns All crews will use the staging area on North Park Drive and Cuthbert Road to launch approximately 200 meters downstream of the finish line. Crews arriving on Friday are allowed to launch and practice from the staging area. If you need a truck permit contact Andy Salisbury. There are three different traffic patterns on the river: one for time trials, practice and racing. It is your responsibility to know and adhere to the traffic pattern that is in effect when you launch. Safety of the competitors is of paramount importance. Failure to observe the traffic patterns may result in disqualification. Traffic Patterns for Practice Cooper River traffic patterns apply: Crews launching from the staging area: (During practice you are allowed to run the course in lanes 3 & 4 on Friday for practice) (Please be aware that the course may still be in the process of being installed. Stay far enough away from the barge and travel wakes less if you are in a chase launch) Traffic Patterns during Finals Crews launching from the staging area and temporary boat yard: Head up the course using lane 0 (same side as the finish line) remain close to the shore and be aware of races approaching as you head towards the start. Stay in the marshaling area until an official directs you to the starting platforms. Check in with the starting line so they can register your presence. After the race is finished please leave the finish line area and return to the staging area. You must be aware of launching crews, as the area will become very congested. There will be a Marshall on the water to help with the traffic flow. Once you are within the launching area listen for the dock master to call you in from the course. Traffic Patterns during Time Trials Crews launching from the staging area and temporary boat yard: Stay on the South Side of the river (South Park Drive) Remain in there until you reach the 2000-meter starting line. Do not enter the racecourse at any point for any reason! Upon arriving at the 2000-meter start, the Marshals will direct you into the chute for your time trial. Please start your warm-ups after you pass the finish line. Please be aware of other crews to avoid any collisions. After completing your time trial or race, row well beyond the finish line to the Marshal. Once the Dock master calls you proceed back to the docks on the paddle. Time Trials All crews must have their assigned number securely fastened to the bow of their shell. Odd numbered crews row lane 3, even numbered crews row lane 4. 15 seconds between boats, 30 seconds between boats in same lane. Overtaken boats must move to lane 2 or lane 5 and yield to overtaking boat or be disqualified. A boat is deemed to be overtaking if it is within one length of open water. Any crew crossing the course during time trials will be disqualified. The Start Upon arriving at the 2000-meter starting line, a marshal will direct you into the chute for your time-trial. It is your responsibility to be in numerical order, staying behind the numbers lower than yours and ahead of the numbers higher. Every effort will be made by the marshals to send crews down the chute in ascending numerical order, but this can only be accomplished with your cooperation. When directed into the chutes, proceed quickly and safely. As you approach the chute, a marshal will be stationed in the middle of the course, between lanes 3 and 4. Odd numbered boats will keep the marshal to their starboard side, even numbered boats will pass with the marshal to their port side. Crews shall be responsible for maintaining their proper order at the start, for maintaining the proper interval between it and the other crews in the chutes, and for staying within the chutes as they approach the starting line. Crews not maintaining their proper position may be delayed, moved to the end of the starting order, penalized, or excluded (disqualified). The starter will tell you that you are approaching the starting line. You should increase pressure and cross the line at full pressure. Stay in your lane for the entire racecourse except for broken equipment or to yield to an overtaking boat. Broken equipment: Move to lane 2 (if rowing in lane 3) or lane 5 (if rowing in lane 4) time trials only. If the broken equipment occurs before the 200-meter mark. You must notify an official immediately. If the official feels that your equipment was broken with in 200 meters of the start you will be allowed to return to the Staging Area and attempt repairs. If they can be competed in 45 minutes, you will be allowed to restart. If the broken equipment occurs after the 200-meter mark, proceed down the course, if possible, to the finish line without hindering racing crew. You will not be permitted to restart. Passing: A crew is deemed to be overtaking another crew when it has moved to within one length of open water of the crew ahead. A crew being overtaken shall move to lane 2 (if rowing in lane 3) or lane 5 (if rowing in lane 4) to allow the overtaking crew to pass. Any crew failing to yield to an overtaking crew will be disqualified. Course marshals will give instructions as set forth in the US Rowing Rules of Rowing. Should it be necessary to exclude (disqualify) a crew during a race, the marshal will raise a white flag and order the offending crew to "stop". A crew so ordered shall quickly move out of its lane so as not to interfere with any other crew.