Time	Signal	Flag	Sound	Action
5 Min.	Warning	Course	1 Sound	Course number flag raised with Hand of Course (Port or Starboard)
4 Min.	Preparatory	Course/ Prep	1 Sound	Preparatory flag raised
1 Min.	One Minute	Course	1 Long sound	Preparatory flag lowered
0 Min.	Start		1 Sound	Course flag lowered, next course flags raised and so on

The first warning signal is the raising of your course (based on yardstick) flag and accompanying sound signal. Watch the flags as the various course starts could be in any order. The Race Controller might give a period of time between starts for whatever reason then begin the five-minute start sequence for your course. If your course flag is not raised when the preceding course flags are lowered wait and watch for your course start sequence to commence. If there is a general recall for your course then your course will start last. There could be other flags raised at the 4-minute signal, which come into effect at the 1-minute signal and can influence your start. Refer to the Yachting Australia rule book ; see rule 26 for full starting procedures.