The new submarine event design combined lessons learned in FAU's original open ocean races with experience from the in-basin event started in California, making this the third evolution in submarine racing. Great consideration was given to keeping operational plans simple, reducing logistics costs, and requiring fewer support personnel. Teams launch and recover their own sub. A sub is moved to a Starting Buoy, then, when the team indicates it is ready, the timing clock starts as the submarine accelerates out following a bottom guideline. The submarine rounds a Turn Buoy 500-ft offshore and returns to the Starting Buoy, where the timing clock is stopped.
Individual times provide a ranking of the subs.
A larger event based on this first event, WSI'99, is in the planning stages for the early summer of 1999. At that time, FAU-OE expects to have taken up new quarters in a stunning research facility in Dania, FL, about 40 minutes south of the main FAU campus in Boca Raton. Despite excellent weather on Friday, mayhem reigned as the fly-by air show was unexpectedly moved up two hours. With submarine crews ready to launch, submarine operations were suspended by Event Director Jennifer Ripple and Associate Director Susan Fish due to significant and uncontrolled boat traffic in the sub op area. National Weather Service and Coast Guard reports posted small craft warnings for the afternoon and evening as a front passed through.