(a) During all changeovers, the crewperson must maintain contact with the IRB and control it in a safe manner. In changeovers the crewperson/s and/or patient, as detailed under the relative event descriptions, may assist with relaunching the IRB, but must release contact and move safely clear as the engine propels the IRB forward or prior to if safe to do so. For the second and subsequent legs of these events, it is also permitted for the boat to be placed at an angle to assist driver re-entry if it is safe to do so.
Note 1: When completing the changeover the driver, crew and patients must follow the exit procedures detailed in Section 3.3.3.6.
Note 2: The IRB must recommence from a position within the allocated lane but there is no penalty should an IRB move outside the allocated lane when turning the IRB around provided that there is no interference to other teams in the race.
(b) For the changeover in the teams and relay events, the first and second driver must visibly tag (refer Rule 2.21 for definition of a tag). To do this the first driver proceeds to the start/finish/changeover line, rounds their respective beach position marker (see Rule 3.3.2.7) (in either direction (i.e., clockwise, or anticlockwise) at the driver’s discretion) and visibly touches (tags) with the second driver who is positioned with their feet on or behind the start/finish/changeover line. The second driver must be stationary for the tag.
Note 1: For judging purposes, stationary is defined as the feet of the second driver not moving forwards or backwards at the time the tag is effected between the two drivers.