SAILING INSTRUCTIONS 2010
POLICY NOTE.
The Pembrokeshire Yacht Club is fully committed to the RYA Racing Charter.
It is the policy of the club not to start races in adverse weather conditions. Dinghy races in the frost bite series will not normally be sailed in winds in excess of 20 knots. Cruiser races will be started at the discretion of the race officer.
1.0 RULES
1.1 Racing will be governed by The Racing Rules of Sailing 2009 - 2012 (RRS).
1.2 All events covered by these instructions are designated Category 'C' .
1.3 The IRC2010 Rules Part 1,2 and 3 shall apply.
1.5 CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
General.
(i) A boat is entirely responsible for its own safety, whether afloat or ashore, and nothing, whether in the Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions or elsewhere reduces this responsibility.
(ii) It is for the boat to decide whether it is fit to sail in the conditions in which it will find itself. By launching or going to sea, the boat confirms that it is fit for those conditions and that it crew is competent to sail and compete in them.
(iii) The boat is required to hold adequate insurance and in particular to hold insurance against third party claims in the sum of at least £2m.
(iv) Nothing done by the organisers can reduce the responsibility of the boat nor will it make the organisers responsible for any loss, damage, death or personal injury, however it may have occurred, as a result of the boat taking part in the racing. The organisers encompass everyone helping to run the race and the event, and include the organising authority, the race committee, the race officer, patrol boats and beach masters.
(v) The provision of patrol boats does not relieve the boat of its responsibility.
(vi) The boat is responsible to ensure that it is equipped and seaworthy so as to be able to face extremes of weather; that there is a crew sufficient in number, experience and fitness to withstand such weather; and that the safety equipment is properly maintained, stowed and in date and that the crew know how to use it.
1.6 Measurement or Rating Certificates.
Before a boat is eligible to race, her valid class measurement or rating certificate may, on the request of the race committee, have to be presented to the race office.
1.7 Measurement.
Boats may be measured before or after any race at the discretion of the race committee.
1.8 Identification - Sail Numbers.
A boat shall comply with the requirements of Appendix G governing class insignia, national letters and numbers on sails. The race committee may also allow a boat to race without identifying numbers as described in Appendix G in this case a boat shall make a written request to the race committee for exemption to this rule prior to racing.
1.9 Eligibility.
For all races covered by these instructions competitors must be full, junior or temporary members of the Pembrokeshire Yacht Club, a bona-fide member of a Milford Haven based yacht club or have filled in and returned to the race office an entry form prior to racing.
2.0 NOTICES TO COMPETITORS
Notices to competitors will be displayed on the club notice board located in the main entrance to the club. Individual notices will not be issued.
3.0 CHANGES IN SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
Amends Rule 89.2 (c)
All amendments to these instructions will be displayed on the club notice board at least 7 days prior to the amendment becoming effective. Individual notices will not be issued.
4.0 SIGNALS MADE ASHORE
Signals made ashore will be hoisted on the flagpole adjacent to the race office, or by use of the Pembrokeshire Yacht Club light system which is located on the front of the clubhouse. Signals may also displayed ashore at the starting facilities at Milford Haven Marina.
5.0 SCHEDULE OF RACES AND CLASSES
a Dinghies.
The schedule of races will be as per the programme published in this handbook.
The Division Split ( If Any ) will be announced prior to the first race.
Classes: - Division 1 Warning Signal Evening 1855hrs
Warning Signal Weekend 1355hrs
Division 2 Warning Signal Evening 1900hrs
Warning Signal Weekend 1400hrs
b Cruisers.
The schedule of races will be as per the programme published in this handbook.
Classes:- Class 0 = TBA
Class 1 = TBA
Class 2 = TBA
Warning Signals ( See note 1 ):-
Evening Races One Start all classes: - 1855hrs
Separate Starts - Class 0 1850hrs
Class 1 1855hrs
Class 2 1900hrs
Note 1:- Race starts may be delayed if there is a delay in the exiting the marina.
Postponed signals will not be made if this is the case.
Races will not start early.
Other starting times may be used please check for Notices to Competitors
6.0 CLASS SIGNALS
a Dinghies
Combined Divisions Numeral Pennant One
Division One:- Handicap Numeral Pennant One
Division Two - Handicap Numeral Pennant Two
b Cruisers.
All boats whilst racing must fly identification pennants corresponding to the following list:-
Class 0 Numeral Pennant 0
Class 1 Numeral Pennant 1
Class 2 Numeral Pennant 2
7.0 COURSE AREAS
a Dinghies
The course area is as described in 8.1 along with the course.
b Cruisers.
The course area is the approaches to, and the harbour of, Milford Haven.
8.0 THE COURSE
Dinghies
.a The course and course area will be displayed on a board adjacent to the starting hut at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the race..
Cruisers
.b The course ( or courses in the event of more than one ) to be sailed will be announced on VHF Channel 37 ( M1 ) prior to the first warning signal.
9.0 MARKS
Course marks will be a mixture of club marks and standard navigation marks.
10.0 THE START
10.1 Races will be started as follows. This changes rules 26. Times shall be taken from visual signals; the failure of a sound signal shall be disregarded
Title Time Signal
Warning 5 Minutes to start Light 1 On: 1 Sound
Preparatory 4 Minutes to start Light 2 On: 1 sound
Preparatory Removed 1 Minute to start Light 2 Off: 1 Sound.
Starting Start Light 1 Off: 1 Sound
Recall Signals:-
Individual Recall Light 3 On. 1 Sound
General Recall Light 1 On, Light 2 On, Light 3 On. 2 Sound
Course Change Light 1 On, Light 2 On, Light 3 On. 2 Sound
( See note 1 below)
Note 1: The course change signal will only be made prior to the preparatory signal. Two sound signals will accompany this signal.
In the event of multi race starts the starting signal for any race will be the 5 minute warning signal for any following race. To indicate this at the start of any race, except the last race in the sequence, the Start light (Light 1) will be switched off and back on again immediately.
.
10.2 Starting Lines.
Club House.
Dinghies.
The starting line will be a line formed by two transits ashore and with EITHER the PYC Gellyswick Bay mark OR the Milford Haven Port Authority yellow buoy acting as an outer distance mark.
Cruisers.
a. Clubhouse
The starting line will be formed by the club transits and the club outer distance mark.
b. Milford Haven Marina.
The starting line will be an extension of two transits ashore which will be located as follows. One transit will be on the wall of the Pembrokeshire Yacht Club building at Hakin Point and the second transit will be on the Lamp Post at the end of Hakin Point Pier. There will be an ODM which will be a large White Conical Buoy which will not necessarily be on the starting line and will be located about 300m from shore.
10.3 Shortened course
a Signals.
Light 1 Light 2 Light 3
Shortened Course On Off Off & 2 Sound
(Div 1 Dinghies or Class 0/1 Cruisers)
Shortened Course On On Off & 2 Sound
(Div 2 Dinghies or Class 2 Cruisers)
Shortened Course On On On & 2 Sound
(All Divisions)
b In the event of a light failure rule 26. System 1 Signals will be used.
10.4 Recalls
a. Individual Recalls. Amends rule 29.1.
Individual recalls will be signalled in accordance with 10.1.
Note: Cruisers only: The name or sail number of boats OCS (if identified) will be announced by VHF radio immediately after the start.
b. General Recall. Amends rule 29.2.
A general recall will be signalled in accordance with 10.1. When this has been signalled all lights will remain on for a period of time as determined by the race committee. A new preparatory signal will be made one minute after the switching off of the recall signal. (One sound signal will be made with switching off of the general recall signal).
Multi race starts.
When a general recall signal has been signalled, the start(s) for succeeding Division(s) will be postponed accordingly.
12.0 FINISHING
Dinghies:- All races will finish at the clubhouse.
Cruisers:- All races will finish at the Marina unless separate instructions are given by the race officer..
The finishing line will be the same as the starting line as defined under starting lines 10.2.
13.0 PENALTIES FOR BREAKING RULES OF PART 2
a Dinghies.
Rule 44.1 and 44.2 will apply as written.
b Cruisers.
ALTERNATIVE PENALTIES - The scoring penalty, rule 44.3 of the racing rules will apply. The penalty will be 2 places.
Boats accepting a scoring penalty must inform the race committee of there intention to do so within 2 hours of the finishing time of the last boat in the division of the boat concerned.
14.0 TIME LIMITS
Amends rule 35.
a Dinghies.
The time limit for each race shall be 2 hours except for the Armstrong Cup when the time limit will be 5 hours. When the first boat finishes within the last 1/2 hour of the prescribed time limit, the time limit for all other boats shall be extended to 1/2 hour after the finishing time of the first boat.
b Cruisers.
Evening Races – 2 hours for the first boat plus 45 minutes for all other boats. This will apply
to each class individually.
Weekend series races - The time limit will expire at 2100 hours.
Any boat that fails to complete the course within the time limit for that particular race will be scored as Did Not Finish, which alters Appendix A.
15.0 PROTESTS
15.1 Protests shall be written on forms available at the race office and delivered there accordingly to the following time limits,
The Exoneration Penalty ( and the Advisory Hearing and RYA Arbitration ) of the RYA Rules Disputes Procedure will be available.
a Dinghies.
The race committee shall be informed of the intention to protest within 1/2 hour of the finishing time of the last boat in the division of the protesting boat. The completed protest form should then be returned within 1/2 hour of the time when race committee was informed of the intention to protest.
The time limit for protests by the race committee will be 90minutes after the finish of the last boat in the last race of the day.
b Cruisers.
Protests for midweek races must be lodged with the Race Committee within 2 hours of the finishing time of the last boat in the division of the boat concerned.
The time limit for protests by the race committee will be 90minutes after the the finish of the last boat in the last race of the day.
Protests from weekend races must be lodged with a member of the race committee by 2100hrs on the Monday following the race concerned.
15.2 Notification of Protests. Rule 63.2 is amended as follows:-
a unless told otherwise all protests in races covered by these Sailing Instructions will be heard at 2030hrs on the Tuesday following the race concerned. Protests from races sailed on a Tuesday will be held the following Tuesday. All protests will be heard at the clubhouse.
b Individual notices of hearings will not be sent out and it is the duty of the protester and protestee to ensure that they or their representative comply with 15.2a.
15.3 Failure to attend.
In accordance with rule 63.3 (b) failure on the part of any party to the protest, or a representative, to make an effort to attend may justify the protest committee in deciding the protest as it thinks fit without a full hearing.
16.0 SCORING SYSTEM
Points System and Races to Count.
a For all series of 11 or more scheduled races the RYA Appendix A Bonus Points System as described in A4.1 will apply along with the amendment of 16.1g.
b For all series of 10 or less scheduled races the RYA Appendix A Low Point System as described in A4.1 will apply along with the amendment of 16.1g.
c In all midweek series the number of races to count will be 60% (Rounded up in all cases to the nearest whole number) of the races finished. In all weekend series the number of races to count will be 50% (Rounded up in all cases to the nearest whole number) of the races finished.
d In the case of a race where there is only one start but the results are given in more than one division the points scored by each boat will be as if there was a separate start for each division.
e Ties will be broken by the use of RYA appendix A rule A8
f To qualify for any trophy a boat must finish in the qualifying number of races for any series.
g In all series a boat that retires shall score points equal to the number of entries for that race plus one. A boat that is disqualified shall score points equal to the number of entries for that race plus one. A boat that is within the starting area defined by 19.4 but does not start because of insufficient entries in her division shall score points equal to the number of entries for that race plus one. A boat that does not compete shall score points equal to the number of entries for that series plus one.
h In all races a minimum of two boats must start per division for points to be awarded for any series. This will apply for individual or combined division starts.
17.0 Safety Regulations
17.1 Personal Buoyancy.
Dinghies
Adequate personal buoyancy must be worn by all competitors whilst afloat. Neither a wet-suit or a dry-suit constitutes adequate personal buoyancy. This changes Rule 40.
17.2 Declarations.
Dinghies.
All competitors are required to sign the declaration form before the start of the race and again after the completion of the race. After the race the time limit for completing the declaration will be 1/2 hour after the finish time of the last boat in the last race of the day.
NOTE:-If the race in question is a trophy race failure to comply with 17.2a will result in the trophy being awarded to the second placed boat. Rule 60 and Appendix A are amended.
Paragraph removed
19.0 LOCAL VARIATIONS
19.1 Retiring.
All boats retiring must immediately make their intention to do so known to the race committee.
19.2 Commercial Shipping.
All boats must keep clear of commercial shipping. Failure to comply with this rule may lead to disqualification without protest. This amends rule 60.
19.3 Abandoned Races and Races outside of time limit.
In the event of the race being abandoned because of fog, wind dying, expiry of time limit or any other factor considered by the race committee which would prevent the race from being safely completed then the results will be declared on the last recorded completed lap. Should there be no completed laps, the race will be abandoned. Rules 32 and Appendix A are amended.
19.4 Starting Area.
A boat shall be considered to be in the starting area if she is within 100 metres of the starting line.
19.5 Prohibited Areas.
Racing between Thorne Island and the mainland and Skomer Island and the mainland is out of bounds in all races. Any boat seen to be sailing in either of these areas will be scored as DNF. Rule 60 and Appendix A are amended.
19.6 Insurance.
All boats must carry third party insurance to a minimum value of £2.0m
19.7 Ratings.
Cruisers.
IRC 2010 rating will apply or PY / Byron Software based numbers will be used.
19.8 Engines.
Cruisers.
19.8.1
In order to avoid any potentially dangerous situations, yachts may use their engines to motor clear, provided this is done in such a way as not to give unfair advantage. Yachts that do use their engine in this way shall report the circumstances to the race committee within an hour of finishing the race, A protest committee then may or may not apply a penalty
19.8.2
After the preparatory signal rule 42.1 shall not apply to any boat that has not arrived in the starting area, as defined in 19.4. Any boat in this position may motor to be within the starting area, after the starting signal, and before starting, she shall complete a 720 degree turn and then start.
A boat running aground prior to her starting signal may use her engine to assist getting off but must complete a 720 degree turn after her starting signal and before crossing the start line.
19.9 Cruising Chutes.
Rule 50 shall not apply to cruising chutes.
19.10 Trash Disposal
Boats shall not put trash in the water. All trash must be disposed ashore.
Amended 2010