What are the Race Umpire's safety duties, including falls into the water and bad weather?

Question

Accepted Answer

The safety of rowers must be the prime concern of the Jury at all times (rule 11.1). The Race Umpire takes every care to ensure competitor safety and tries to prevent damage to boats and equipment (rule 11.16.7). Someone in the water or a capsize: the Race Umpire must be sure the on-water rescue service is aware and attending, or that another Race Umpire's launch can intervene. If not, the Race Umpire takes any necessary safety measures. If only one Race Umpire's boat is following the race and no other is nearby to take over, the Race Umpire must stop the race and attend to the participant (rules 8.5 and 11.16.7). Adverse weather: in squalls or other deterioration, the Race Umpire decides whether the race may be started, continue or be stopped. Competitor safety is more important than any other provision of the Rules of Racing (rule 11.16.8). The Chief Umpire may declare the course closed if conditions are unsafe (rule 8.1). Race Umpires check that boat drivers in their launches attach the engine kill switch, if equipped, to their clothing (rule 8.4).