Sailing Club

2008 Races

 

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

 

1        RULES

1.1  The regatta or race will be governed by the “rules” as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing.(RRS)

1.2  The race chair after consultation shall be final authority on all aspects of running the races, including interpreting or application of rules The Racing Rules of Sailing

1.3  Special rules may be used in some major regattas or races when notification is given to all competitors. These special rules can supersede The Racing Rules of Sailing.

2        NOTICES TO COMPETITORS

Notices to competitors will be posted on the official race notice board located by the social board, as well as on the sign out board at the Hamilton Bay Sailing Club. Notice may also be delivered to subscribed racers by E-mail.

3        CHANGES TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Any changes to the sailing instructions will be posted before the Skippers Meeting on the day it will take effect.

4        SIGNALS MADE ASHORE

4.1  Signals made ashore will be displayed at the race committee signal boat at the dock.

5        SCHEDULE OF RACES

      Number of races scheduled is three unless otherwise stated. We may have some race events with 4 races, and the worst 1 will be dropped. This will only occur with very favourable wind conditions. You will be informed of any changes to the 3 race schedule at the Skippers meeting.

6        RACING AREAS

West end of Burlington Bay between (or using) RCYC marks 1,2,3,&4.

7        THE COURSES

7. 1The course shall be Olympic or Triangular + a sausage leg... as defined in the pre race Skippers Meeting.

7.2 Red flag on RC boat means first mark taken on Port side. Green flag means first mark taken on Starboard side. HBSC races usually are counter clockwise.

7.3 Marks taken on "Starboard/Port" flag is shown below the 5-minute warning flag (blue)

8        MARKS

8.1  Marks will be large orange inflatable's or RCYC marks in major regattas. Marks may be orange balls or plastic containers in secondary regattas/races.

8.2  The starting and finishing mark will be an orange balloon.

9        THE START

9.1  Races will be started by using "rule 26" with the warning signal given 5 minutes before the starting signal. Series of short sounds will be given approx.15 seconds before first time flag for each race.

9.1  The starting line will be between the orange mark on the mast of the committee boat and the starting mark.

9.2  The 10 Min. warning signal will be a white flag (raised) and horn 10 minutes before first race. White flag to be lowered at 6 Minutes remaining.

9.3  The 5-minute warning signal will be a Blue flag (class flag) (raised) 5 minutes before the start of any race. Flag to be lowered (and horn) at race start time.

9.4   At 4 min. to start a Blue (with white square) Preparatory flag is Raised with horn. In major Regattas the Preparatory flag could be a Yellow (with a black circle). This flag (I) would indicate that Rule 30.1 (1 minute rule) is in effect.

9.5  Races should start on the hour or any 10-minute interval thereafter. The Clubhouse clock should be the official time clock reference.

9.6  A boat starting later than 10 minutes after the starting signal will be scored DNS (Did Not Start).

 

We will be enforcing start line infractions. If any part of a boat or a competitor is over the start line prior to the start of a race, the infraction will be noted with an additional sound of the horn, and a display of the Individual Recall or General Recall flags. The offending boat or boats will have 4 minutes to circle around the start line (on the course side) and start the race again. Failure to rectify the infraction will be a DNF (Did not Finish).

10    THE FINISH

10.1 The finish line will be between the orange mark on the mast of the committee boat and the starting mark.

11    PENALTY SYSTEM

11.1    Rule 44.2 (720 turn to exonerate) is in effect [contact or rule infringement]

11.2    Rule 31.2 (360 turn to exonerate) is in effect [touching mark]

12    TIME LIMITS

12.1 In major (primary) regattas, if no boat has rounded the first mark within 30 minutes or the last mark within 1 hour, the race committee should abandon the race (Blue & White checkered flag).

12.2 Boats failing to finish within 20 minutes in primary races or 10 minutes in secondary races, of the first boat.

12.3 The Race Committee may shorten the course or change the finish line when deemed necessary. The competitors should note horn (2 Blasts) or S flag (White with Blue square)

13    PROTESTS AND REQUESTS FOR REDRESS

13.1 Major Protest is where a blatant disregard to the Racing Rules causes' damage, injury or an infraction affects four or more boats. The penalty will be disqualification (DSQ).

13.2  Minor Protest is where a violation of Racing Rules is subjective, no exoneration has taken place and boats involved can not agree to the boat at fault. Race Chair (with consolation from Protest Committee) may drop the placing of the guilty boat from 1 to 3 positions depending on the number of boats or infractions.

13.3 Informal Protest is between two competitors over a deemed unfair act that has no witnesses and is subjective. The Protest Committee will only mediate and determine fault or no fault. Since no forms, flag or hailing is required, there is no penalty.

13.4 Protest declaration time limit is 10 minutes after the committee boat docks. Protest forms are available from the race committee. The Race Chair will select the Protest Committee.

13.5 Intent to protest (major or minor) must be declared to the involved boats immediately after the incident and to the race committee boat at the first opportunity.

13.6 Protest Committee must notify all involved including witnesses as to when and where protest meeting is to take place. Protest meeting is open for all to listen but all dialog is through the Race Chair.

13.7 Non attendance by protestee may be deemed as admission of  fault and penalized accordingly. The protest shall be dismissed if a decision can not be made.

14    SCORING

14.2      1st=.75;  2nd=3;  3rd=5.7;  4th=8; 5th=10;  6th=11.7;  7th=13;  placing + 6 thereafter

14.3      DNF=max points +1; DNS=max points+2; DSQ=max points+4

15    SAFETY REGULATIONS

15.1 A boat that retires from a race shall notify the race committee as soon as possible.

16    AWARDS

16.1 Prizes may be awarded for the top 3 finishers.

16.2 A Club Trophy or Plaque will be presented at HBSC banquet to the winners of the major Races.