How are false starts handled?

Only the aligner may rule a start false (Rules 5.7.8 and 12.6.3).

Procedure (Appendix E.6)

1. If the bow of any boat crosses the start line after the aligner raises the white flag and before the umpire drops the red flag, the aligner waves a red flag and calls "FALSE START".
2. The umpire stops the race by sounding a siren, ringing a bell or blowing a whistle and waving the red flag, then calls the crews back to the start.
3. The aligner identifies the crew or crews at fault, and the umpire gives each a yellow card once they are back at the start.

What follows

• A second yellow card in the same race becomes a red card, which means exclusion from that race.
• The restart is always from the original start line.
• If any crew fails to get straight and ready within a reasonable time and is a nuisance to other crews, the umpire may take whatever action they consider appropriate.

A raised hand from a coxswain or rower means "not ready". The umpire may take note of it, but doesn't have to wait for every hand to drop before starting.