Managing Protests

This guide covers both perspectives: what competitors experience when filing protests, and how administrators manage the protest process from submission through final decision. U

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Part A: For Competitors - Understanding the Submission Process

Access Point: Public Results Page

Navigation Path:
1. Go to regatta public page
2. Select “Submit” tab
3. Locate “File a Protest” button (typically red, prominent placement)

Login Requirement

Authentication Process:
- Click “File a Protest” triggers login prompt
- Must have competitor account
- Email verification required

Form Walkthrough

Protest Submission Modal:

The protest form opens as a modal overlay with clear sections:

1. Race Information:
- Race Number (required)
- Race Date (optional)
- Event/Series Name (optional)
- Hearing Type: Protest / Request for Redress / Request to Reopen

2. Boat Protesting:
- Select the boat filing the protest
- Dropdown shows your registered boats (sail number and boat name)

3. Boat(s) Being Protested:
- Searchable dropdown of all entries
- Add up to 4 boats
- Type sail number or boat name to filter
- Shows class/fleet for clarity

4. Incident Details:
- Provide details about what happened, when/where it occurred, and any rules alleged to have been broken

5. Diagram or Photos (Optional):
- Upload supporting evidence (up to 5 files, 10MB each)

Submission Confirmation

Upon Clicking Submit:

1. Confirmation Modal:
   • “Protest Successfully Filed”
   • Assigned protest number (e.g., “Protest #2024-05”)

   • Time stamp of submission

No Ability to Edit After Filing

Important Limitations:
- Once submitted, protests cannot be edited by competitors
- No withdrawal through system (must be done at hearing)
- Cannot add additional information online
- Changes require communication with protest committee

If Mistakes Made:
- Contact protest committee immediately
- Bring corrections to hearing
- File additional protest if necessary
- Document communication attempts

After Submission - What Competitors See

Confirmation Message

Immediate Display:

Protest submitted successfully! It will be reviewed by race officials.

Public Visibility on Notice Board

What’s Posted Publicly:
- Protest number
- Boats involved
- Hearing schedule
- Decision summary
- Penalties applied

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Part B: For Administrators - Managing Protests

Required Roles and Permissions

Who Can Manage Protests:
- Regatta Admin: Full access to all protest functions
- Protest Committee: Access to manage protests and record outcomes

1. Pending Status (Initial State):
- Newly filed protests
- Awaiting validity check
- Not visible on notice board

2. Accepted Status:
- Visible on notice board

3. Scheduled Status:
- Hearing time/place set
- Formal notices sent
- On hearing docket
- Preparation period

4. Decided Status:
- Hearing completed
- Findings of fact established
- Decision rendered
- Penalties applied

Alternative Paths:

Invalid:
- Filed after time limit
- Lacks required information
- No valid grounds
- Improper party

Withdrawn:
- Protestor withdraws
- Acknowledged rule breach
- Settled between parties
- No longer pursuing

Accessing the Admin Interface

Primary Navigation Path

Step-by-Step Access:

1. Login as Administrator:
   • Navigate to regatta homepage
   • Click “Admin Dashboard” in navigation

   • Authenticate with admin credentials

2. Navigate to Notice Board:

3. Select “Protests” Tab:
   • Within Settings page
   • Click “Communications” tab

   • Page shows Inquiries and Protests sections

Navigation Format: Admin Dashboard → Notice Board Tab → Protests

Understanding the Protest Table

Table Columns

The protest table displays comprehensive information in organized columns:

1. Protest # Column:

2. Race Number Column:

3. Protesting Boat Column:

4. Protested Boat Column:

5. Status Badge Column:
- Color-coded badges:
- Pending (gray): New/unreviewed
- Accepted (yellow): Valid, awaiting hearing
- Scheduled (blue): Hearing time set
- Decided (green): Complete
- Invalid (red): Rejected
- Withdrawn (orange): Cancelled

6. Submitted By Column:

7. Submission Timestamp Column:

8. Action Buttons Column:
- Quick Approve (✓): Accept as valid
- Edit (pencil): Open edit modal
- Delete (trash): Remove protest

Approving Protests (Pending → Accepted)

Quick Approve Button

Button Location and Appearance:
- Green checkmark icon (✓)
- In action column of table
- Tooltip: “Accept as Valid”
- Only visible for pending protests

One-Click Approval Process:

1. Click Green Checkmark

2. Confirmation Dialog:

   Accept Protest #2024-05 as Valid?
   This will:
   - Change status to Accepted
   - Post to notice board
   [Cancel] [Accept Protest]

Edit Protest to Add Hearing Details

Opening the Edit Modal:

1. Click Edit Button:
   • Pencil icon in actions column
   • Or click protest number link

   • Opens full edit modal

2. Navigate to Hearing Section:
   • Scroll to “Hearing Details” section
   • Expands automatically for accepted protests

   • Required fields marked with asterisk

Setting Date/Time/Location

Hearing Details Fields:

Date Selection:
Time Selection:

Decision update

1. Save Decision in System:
   • Click “Save and Publish”
   • Confirms all fields complete

   • Validates penalty if applied
   • Updates status to “Decided”