Onshore Spectator Information
The start will be near Halfway Rock and head west toward the shore, turning south just off Marblehead Neck before turning again at Tinkers Rock to set a course for Halifax, 363 nautical miles away. Best places for onshore viewing will be Chandler Hovey Park and Castle Rock, marked below on Marblehead neck.
In all, close to 80 yachts will have staggered starts depending on class beginning at 1 pm. The course after the start of the race will be shown by red, yellow orange and green floating buoys. The only thing that would change this viewer friendly configuration would be an unusual wind direction.
Online Tracking
The progress of the race can be tracked through the race tracker which is supported by GPS transponders on all of the yachts. Coverage of the start and other updates will be posted to this site and on Facebook. Video coverage of the start will be posted ASAP afterwards.
On the Water Spectator Information for Boaters
The race committee kindly requests that pleasure boaters be respectful of the starting course and stay behind the floating red marker buoys. There will be approximately 25 Spectator Patrol Boats, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Harbormasters from Salem and Marblehead as well as volunteers from the yacht clubs will patrol the starting area and each of the turn marks. Their boats will be flying yellow flags under the watchful eye of a Coast Guard Cutter assigned to oversee safety of the starting area.
Kindly avoid crossing the race path and avoid the middle zone altogether. Best safe boating practice would be to keep your speed slow and kindly respect the Spectator Patrol Boats with the yellow flags as well as all authorities such as the USCG, and Harbormasters. The Salem Ferry will also be altering its course so keep a watchful eye out for it.
Exclusion Zones
The starting area and each of the orange tetrahedron turning marks will be ringed with round red bouys. These areas are marked in yellow on the map above. All spectator boats should not enter these areas.
Patrol Boats
Each of the exclusion zones will be patrolled by race committee powerboats flying yellow flags. You will also see US Coast Guard Auxiliary on patrol – these are frequently civilian craft with USCG Auxiliary Insignia (see photo below). Please follow their instructions and stay well clear of the race boats.