16TH ANNUAL EMERALD COAST POKER RUN
SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 2008
SAFETY RULES & REGULATIONS
Any references to the "Poker Run" shall mean the event sponsored by the Emerald Coast Foundation, Inc., known as the 16th Annual Emerald Coast Poker Run, starting at 10:00 a.m. (CST) and ending at 5:00 p.m. (CST).
1. Driver's, throttle person's, and navigator's attendance at the Driver's Safety Meeting is mandatory. Failure to attend the Driver's Safety Meeting will result in participating vessel's inability to participate in the Poker Run.
2. Personal flotation devices, a/k/a life jackets are mandatory for everyone on board a participating vessel, and must be worn at all times the participating vessel is in motion. High impact (lifeline style) jackets are recommended for faster vessels. "Fanny Pouch" type jackets / vests are not permitted.
3. Ignition safety tethers must be in working condition and suitably attached at all times during the Poker Run.
4. Drivers, throttle persons, and navigators are prohibited from consuming alcohol during the Poker Run, including, and at least six (6) hours prior to the start of the Poker Run. All drivers, throttle persons, and navigators must wear identification wristbands at all times. Additionally, it is recommended that no alcohol be consumed in, on, or around the participating vessels during the Poker Run. The drivers, throttle persons, and navigators must be capable of passing a 0.08 alcohol breathalyzer test if required during the event.
5. Each participating vessel must visibly display a valid identification sticker during the Poker Run.
6. Each participating vessel should maintain a safety zone of at least a two hundred (200) hundred feet radius when the participating vessel is not in idle speed.
7. When the participating vessel is not in idle speed, pick a lane (or bearing) and remain in said lane (or on such bearing). When changing course, first confirm ability to do so, and then act accordingly. Your participating vessel must not "cut off" other boats, whether participating in the Poker Run or not, or be the cause of emergency reaction on the part of other boats.
8. Prior to coming off plane, first confirm ability to do so, and then make sure at least one person on the participating vessel waives both arms overheard for at least ten (10) seconds prior to coming off plane.
9. The areas around each participating stop, including Specter Island, shall be considered a SAFETY ZONE, meaning all participating vessels shall maintain a speed of no more than twenty (20) knots in said SAFETY ZONE.
10. All other official NO WAKE ZONES are clearly labeled and must be adhered to.
11. The Poker Run is NOT a race. At no time during the Poker Run will racing occur between/among participating vessels.
12. Communications with the telephone network via cellular telephones and with other participating vessels via a VHF radio must be on board and in working condition. Below are a list of contact telephone numbers and VHF channels to be used by the participating vessels during the Poker Run:
VHF CHANNELS
- 72 Use to indicate that a participating vessel has dropped out of the Poker Run for whatever reason or to indicate that assistance is needed.
- 16 Distress or emergency channel.
- 2/3 Current weather conditions.
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
- (850) 651-7400 Dispatch for Okaloosa County Sheriff Department
- (850) 244-7147 United States Coast Guard, Destin, Florida Station
- (850) 830-4662 Larry H. Hipsh, III - Poker Run Safety Chair
- (850) 218-6888 Neil Marshall - Emerald Coast Foundation President
- (850) 368-5255 Cayce Collins - Emerald Coast Foundation Administrator
- 911 Emergencies
13. All participating vessels must obey all federal, state, and local laws, e.g., possessing the required safety equipment on the vessel. It is the responsibility of the participating vessel's driver to familiarize themselves and the occupants of the participating vessels of these laws. In the event law enforcement or the United States Coast Guard tickets a participating vessel for reckless driving, said participating vessel shall be immediately disqualified.
14. Each occupant of a participating vessel, whether passengers or crew, must execute a waiver before the participating vessel will be allowed to participate in the Poker Run.
15. The driver of each participating vessel is responsible for all occupants and their actions.
16. Drivers are to determine in their own discretion if the own vessel is seaworthy for current conditions and potential conditions that arise during the Poker Run.
17. Each participant must have in force valid and sufficient liability insurance for the participating vessel, passengers, and crew.
18. Flag signals on the safety boat(s) and other official event boats must be understood and obeyed at all times.
19. No occupant of a participating vessel may sit and/or lie on top of a seat or sunpad while the boat is on plane.
20. Except as provided above, any violation of the above rules and regulations may result in the immediate disqualification of the entire participating vessel or the forfeiture of poker hands for the violating party(ies). Said disqualification or forfeiture decision will be made by a three (3) person panel to includes: (i) Larry H. Hipsh, III; (ii) Neil Marshall; and (iii) Bill Kleinhelter. This three (3) person panel may also consult with local law enforcement and/or the United States Coast Guard in reaching a conclusion. In the event of forfeiture of poker hands or disqualification of the participating vessel, no refunds will be given, all card hands aboard the participating vessel will be forfeited (in the event of a disqualification), and no occupants on the participating vessel will be allowed to attend the party.
Flags
In every form of high-speed motorsports, flags are used to let officials communicate with the participants on the course. Poker runs are no different. Even though the event is held on the open water, flags are a neccessary link in the line of communications. All colors may not always be used.
RED
Stop! The EVENT is halted. Return to milling area.
GREEN
Signals the start of the course is clear. On display in time between five-minute and one-minute signal as well as while race is underway, except for the last lap.
BLACK
Course is closed. Return to DOCK.
BLUE OR WHITE
Signals that there is a problem on the course. Like the yellow flag, these flags tell the BOATERS to proceed with caution.
GOLD OR ORANGE Indicates a Safety or Marshall boat.
