Sailing_instructions

Seafarers Sailing Club Sailing Instructions 2009

All races will be governed by the ISAF `RACING RULES OF SAILING` (2009 - 2012) and sailed and managed as defined hereafter.
The RYA Portsmouth Yardstick Scheme as promulgated on the RYA's web site will be used. The details of the scheme can be found here.
The programme of races is as published in the year's Sailing Programme.
The Officer of the Day will decide the course(s) which will be displayed on the Course Race Board in the wet room.
The start line is a transit from the triangle on the signal tower mast and the yellow arrow on the fence extending outward to the Outer Distance Mark (ODM). All competing boats will cross the line on the club side of the ODM.
The finish line lies between the signal tower mast and the ODM. Finishing boats will cross the line on the shore side of the ODM from the direction of the last buoy of the course.
A Personal Flotation Device will be worn by all competitors, except briefly while changing or adjusting clothing or personal equipment. Rule 40, which requires Flag `Y` to be flown if Personal Flotation Devices are to be worn, shall not apply.
When signing the Race Entry Form the Helm accepts that both they and their Crew have read the 'SEAFARERS SAILING CLUB - NOTICE OF RACE 2008'.
To enter the boat in the race, the Helm must sign the Entry Form for that race. When signing, the Helm agrees to be bound by the ISAF 'Racing Rules of Sailing' and by all other rules that govern that event. When signing the Race Entry Form the Helm accepts that both they and their Crew have read the 'NOTICE OF RACE 2009' which is at the Annex to these Sailing Instructions.
On completion of a race the Helm must again sign the Entry Form, indicating whether he/she completed the course, retired or is making a protest.
A minimum of three starting boats per fleet is required for a valid race. (Note: Ladies, Novices and Cadets counts as one race)
Starting will be in accordance with Rule 26 using flag P for the preparatory flag, not I, Z or a black flag. (Inter alia, Rule 26 concerns 5,4,1,0 minute sequence for starting).
Shortening course. Rule 32.2(b) shall apply except that in Club Series races, when conditions change, the OOD may shorten the course even though one or more boats have started another lap. The recorded time will be that taken on the last lap completed by all finishing boats. Ideally a middle of the fleet boat will sail for approximately one and a half hours. This instruction does not apply to Pursuit Races, which cannot be shortened.
Competitors are reminded that a boat must be afloat at her Preparatory Signal - Rule 45.
The 'zone' at all marks shall be three hull lengths in accordance with Rule 86.1(b).
The Scoring System is as defined in the ISAF 'Racing Rules of Sailing' (2009 - 2012), Appendix A and described hereafter:
1. The number of races to count shall be as follows:
  - 9 races sailed - 6 to count (Summer series only - 5 to count)
  - 8 races sailed - 5 to count (Summer series only - 4 to count)
  - 7 races sailed - 5 to count (Summer series only - 4 to count)
  - 6 races sailed - 4 to count (Summer series only - 3 to count)
  - 5 races sailed - 4 to count (Summer series only - 3 to count)
  - 4 races sailed - 3 to count (Summer series only - 3 to count)
  If three races or fewer are sailed they will all count.
2. Finishing points will be awarded as laid down in ISAF A4.1 Low Points System . The following scoring system shall replace ISAF A4.2.
  
  A boat that did not finish or retired after finishing shall be scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of boats entered in the race.
  
  A boat that is disqualified shall be scored points for the finishing place three more than the number of boats entered in the race.
3. Rule A8 shall not apply. When there is a tie on the total points scored, to the nearest whole number, between two or more boats, the tie shall stand irrespective of the results of any discarded races.
4. Duties. Helms attending club duties shall be awarded, for the race missed , the average of the points gained in all other races in that series.
5. To qualify for a "Main Series" prize a boat must have completed the necessary number of races in each of the qualifying series.
Protests are covered in Part 5 of ISAF `Racing Rules of Sailing`. The time limit for a protest to be submitted to the OOD is fifteen minutes after the last boat has finished.
There are two fleets. OODs will set courses where boats in the middle of each fleet can complete the course near the optimum of one and a half hours.

Fast fleet - Boats sailing with a Portsmouth Yardstick Number (PY) of 1136 and below.

Slow fleet - Boats sailing with a PY of 1137 and above.

Annex A to the Sailing Instructions - Notice of Race 2009

All competitors, including crews, must read the following clauses:

By siging in for a race he Helm confirms that he/she has read this notice and takes fill responsibility for his/her boat including its crew. (Hereafter, the 'boat' is taken to mean the Helm and, if appropriate, the crew.)

A boat is enirely responsible for its own safety, whther afloat or ashore, and nothing, whether in this 'Notice of Race' or the 'Sailing Instructions' or anywhere else, reduces this responsibility. It is for the boat to decide whther 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 its crew is competent to sail and compete in them.

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, rescue boats and beachmasters.

The provision of rescue craft does not relieve the boat of its responsibilities.