1. The purpose of this competition is to send accurate messages. Although the time is recorded, it is only to be referred to in the case of a tie breaking situation..
   
   
2. Individual cadets, who send and receive their messages within the requirements of the Navy League of Canada, will earn their semaphore badge. The maximum error of 10% will be tolerated. The badges are to be provided by each corps..
   
   
3. Cadets competing on two year's competition teams may, at the Corps discretion, be given the communicator's badge. The badges are to be provided by each corps.
   
   

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1. Each corps may enter only one team. Each competing team shall consist of four members with two spares allowed at squadron and one spare at Provincial competitions. Nominal Rolls for each team entered MUST be provided
   
   
2. Each member of the team (spare included) is to be trained in all positions of semaphore. At the commencement of the competition, the four members will draw random lots or tags to determine who will send and who will receive as well as who will be the recorder and the reader. These positions must be rotated for the second round (i.e. the SENDER will RECORD, READER will RECEIVE, RECORDER will SEND and RECEIVER will READ.)
   
   
3. Each team shall be allowed a maximum of two senior rates (PO2 AND ABOVE). A penalty of three (3) points per round per cadet actively competing over this entitlement will be assessed (Additional PO's may be spares with no penalty). This may be altered by mutual consent of all Commanding Officers or Corps representatives prior to the start of the competition at Squadron level only.
   
   

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1. Judges are to be appointed by the Area Officer or the host Commanding Officer as follows:
   
   
   1. Chief Judge
      
      
   2. Time Judge(s)
      
      
   3. Sending Judge(s)
      
      
   4. Receiving Judge(s)
      
      
2. Chief Judge: Responsible for the entire competition and will normally be the Area Officer or the host Commanding Officer.
   
   
3. Time Judge(s): Starts the time interval and records each team's completion time..
   
   
4. Sending Judge(s): Supervises the team(s) sending and assists in problem areas.
   
   
5. Receiving Judge(s): Supervises the team(s) receiving and assists in problem areas.
   
   

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1. Message form will be as shown at bottom of page.
   
   
2. The messages are of a prepared standard and as such they will not be published. These messages may be changed at any time without consultation
   
   
3. Each message will have the same number of letters/breaks to a total of 160. Should a break be omitted, no additional penalty is assessed (the omission will automatically result in the loss of a point when overall scoring is done as there is one less space in the message received.) A break may be indicated by; a large letter X (filling the block), a slashed line, a block shaded in, or left blank. Any other character will be assessed a one (1) point penalty for each use.
   
   
4. Should a letter be missed in a word and an empty square be left in place of the missing letter, one point will be deducted. Should an empty space not be left and a letter be omitted no additional penalty is assessed (the omission will automatically result in the loss of a point when overall scoring is done as there is one less space in the message received.)
   
   
5. An additional letter is assessed a penalty of one (1) point. Marking carries on normally with the next position following.
   
   
6. The error signal "E" is allowed. The incorrect letter is to be stroked out by having a single line put through it. The correct letter is then to be printed immediately above the correction. If this is not done as stated, an error will be calculated.
   
   
7. The signal "C" only is be used as confirmation of a received letter. A penalty of two (2) points per round will be assessed for continued non-use of this requirement. If a team so desires, more than one letter may be sent before being acknowledged by the RECEIVER.
   
   
8. As characters may be omitted or added in error, the received message may be longer or shorter than the original. No additional penalty, than those mentioned above, will be assessed.
   
   
9. All teams will use the same message in a round. The message must be changed for round two. Those making up the message(s) should try to use ALL letters of the alphabet frequently.
   
   
10. Characters are NOT to be erased by team members. A penalty of one additional point will be assessed in each instance.
    
    
11. Signal flags must NOT be snapped so as to make a noise. This is distracting and a penalty of 2 points will be assessed for a team that continues after one (1) warning within a round.
    
    

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1. All teams will compete at the same time subject to space limitations..
   
   
2. In the first part of this competition the SENDER sends the message to the RECEIVER. This will be the case for all teams.
   
   
3. The team sending will position themselves in such a manner as to allow the receiving team to be closest to the judges' table.
   
   
4. The teams will be located a minimum of 5 meters apart.
   
   
5. The READER will take the message from those available and go to the sending position. The message will not be shown to the SENDER.
   
   
6. Following a start signal from the Chief Judge, the competition will commence.
   
   
7. On the start signal the Time Judge(s) will start following the time interval. The time duration will be a maximum of 15 minutes.
   
   
8. The READER shall read the message letter by letter, in the phonetic alphabet, to the SENDER who will send the message to the RECEIVER. The letters MUST NOT be audible to the receiving team.
   
   
9. The RECEIVER will state each letter, letter by letter, in the phonetic alphabet as sent, so that the recorder can write down the message on the prescribed form (See Appendix "A"). The assigned judges are to note the use of the appropriate phonetics and record any errors. A penalty of two (2) points per round will be assessed for continued non-use of the correct phonetic alphabet.
   
   
10. The readers and recorders will position themselves so that their backs are towards the opposite teams. They may stand back to back, or shoulder to shoulder with the sender and receiver accordingly.
    
    
11. When the message has been received, the Time Judge will record the elapsed time. The message will then be taken to the Chief Judge. The original message will also be delivered to the Chief Judge..
    
    
12. Following the cessation of the maximum time interval, those teams not finished will have their competition stopped. Time will be recorded
    
    
13. For the second round the routine will be as previously outlined with positions rotated as outlined in above.
    
    
14. Additional rounds will be added as the need requires.
    
    

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1. The total correct letters and breaks will be converted into a percentage based upon the total letters and breaks shown.
   
   
2. The percentage of the two rounds will be averaged to determine the final percentage
   
   
3. The Corps with the highest percentage will be declared the winner
   
   Multiple teams from one corps are not allowed. The winning team from the Squadron will represent that Squadron at Provincials. The team at Squadron is to be the same one at Provincials. Should an illness, accident, etc., occur to a team member, permission for a replacement at Provincial competitions, other than the assigned spares, must be sought from the Commander, Ontario Division, in advance.
   
   
4. In the event of a tie the best time average will determine the winner.
   
   

The following items are required for each team entered:
1. Two pair of semaphore flags.
   
   
2. Two clip boards
   
   
3. Four sharp pencils MINIMUM.
   
   
4. These basics needs are to be provided by each Corps for their own teams.