Sailing Instructions

LYME REGIS SC CLUB RACES SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
1 Rules
Racing will take place under the current ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), the
prescriptions of the RYA, these sailing instructions, and the appropriate class rules.
The rules and Bye-Laws of the LRSC shall apply.
2 Notices to Competitors
2.1 Notices will be posted on the sailing notice board in the clubhouse or club
compound.
2.2 Postponed or abandoned races
Postponed or abandoned race details may be displayed on the sailing notice board.
Postponed Trophy races may be sailed as conditions permit in lieu of subsequent
races or on allocated trophy reserve fixtures. Advance notice of the sailing of such a
postponed trophy race need not be given.( RRS 80 is hereby amended )
3 Changes in Sailing Instructions
Changes will be posted on the sailing notice board for at least thirty minutes before the
advertised start time of the race(s) concerned.
4 Signals made ashore
Signals will be displayed on the clubhouse Flagstaff, or the race cabin Flagstaff.
In the case of dinghies, when flag Y is displayed before or with the warning signal,
competitors shall wear life-jackets or other adequate personal buoyancy. Wet suits or
dry suits shall also be worn.
Flag Y shall be hoisted on the clubhouse Flagstaff.
5 Schedule of races
Races will be conducted in accordance with the current LRSC Fixture List, which
may be amended by the committee from time to time. Intending competitors should
check the Club notice board or Club website.
5.2 (Club series races only) Where 2 or more races are to be run in a day the OOD
may bring forward the start time of the second race (e.g. if there is a bad forecast) The
OOD will make his/her best efforts to inform competitors present if it is necessary to
invoke this instruction.
6 Class Flags
Class flags may be used as required where classes are given separate starts.
The following flags will be used as appropriate:
Class Flag
General Handicap 9
Youth (Helm & Crew Under 18 Yrs) 6
Cruisers T
7 Racing Area
7.1 Course Area
Courses will generally be set using the club marks depicted on the sailing notice board
or on club course card. Middle and Long distance races will race in areas set by the
OOD and race officers on the day of the race.
8 Courses
8.1. Club Line Starts
The course to be sailed will be shown on the sailing notice board or club course card,
and may be repeated on the race cabin Flagstaff. In the event of a discrepancy the
course shall be that shown on the sailing notice board.
8.2 Committee Boat Starts
If no course is shown on the committee boat the provisional course displayed on the
sailing notice board shall be sailed.
8.3 Changes to Course
In club races only the course may be changed prior to the warning signal by the
committee boat displaying the new course on the course boards provided. The OOD
shall attempt to inform all competitors of the change of course.
9 Marks
Description of Course Marks
In club events the normal fixed marks will be used unless the club course board
indicates differently. The OOD may use a temporary mark to replace a missing club
fixed mark.
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10 The Start
10.1 Club Line Starts
The club starting line is the projection of an imaginary line formed by the race hut
Flagstaff and the leading light beacon at the end of the Victoria Pier.
The designated Home Mark shall form the Eastern Limit of the line.
Should the home mark or any other designated limit mark lie to the North of the
starting line, no boat may sail between the starting line and the limit marks if this
results in the boat starting outside the extremities of the line as indicated by the marks.
Club Line Starts will use RRS 26.
10.2 Committee Boat Starts
The Committee Boat Starting Line will be an imaginary line between two designated
marks. These marks will normally either be the signal mast of the committee boat and
an adjacent mark of the course, or between a specially laid temporary mark and an
adjacent mark of the course.
Committee Boat Starts will use RRS 26
10.3 Where a race is delayed beyond its scheduled start time the lack of any start
signal shall be accepted as a postponement signal. In the case of a protracted delay
the OOD shall attempt to inform competitors verbally.
10.4 A signal is made at the time it is purposefully brought into or removed from plain
sight of the competitors, irrespective of actions taken on the committee boat to secure
or prepare to remove signals.
10.4 Individual Recalls
OCS boats shall be notified by means of one sound signal. Flag X will not be flown.
11 (N/A)
12 Finishing
12.1 Club Finishing Line
The Club Finishing Line shall be an imaginary line between the South East corner of
the Race Hut and the Home Mark. When the Race Hut is not in use the Club
Finishing Line shall be an imaginary line between the Victoria Pier Leading Light
Beacon and the Home Mark.
12.2 Committee Boat Finishing Line
The Committee Boat Finishing Line shall be an imaginary line between the mast on
the committee boat and an adjacent mark of the course.
12.3 Average lap finishing
An AVL race can be finished at any point by displaying the S flag when the first boat
finishes.
13 Penalty System
For all races Rules 31.2 and 44.2 shall apply.
14 Time Limits
14.1 Maximum time limits for the first finishers in each fleet will be:
Morning races 1.5 Hours
Afternoon races 1.5 Hours
Middle Distance races 3.0 Hours
Long Distance races 5.0 Hours
Evening races OOD Discretion
14.2 Any boat finishing more than 30 minutes after the first finisher in the same class
will be deemed to have retired.
14.3 If a full or shortened course cannot be completed (e.g. due to lack of wind) the
results may be calculated from the last completed round at the discretion of the OOD.(
club races only)
14.4 If after the first boats have finished the OOD considers that some competitors
may well exceed the time limits as they have fallen behind the fleet, he/she may award
them last place (untimed) without those competitors having to complete the full or
shortened course.( club races only )
15 Protests
15.1 Time Limit
Competitors intending to protest must inform the OOD in person at the first reasonable
opportunity. The protest in writing must be lodged no later than one hour after the last
boat in the race has finished.
15.2 Hearing
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If the hearing cannot be held immediately, the time, date, and place of the hearing
shall be posted on the Sailing Committee notice board within two hours of the finishing
time of the last race of the day.
16 Results and Scoring
16.1 Handicap Race Results
Results of handicap races will be calculated using the current RYA Portsmouth
Yardstick system. The Sailing Committee may revise PY Numbers to suit local
circumstances and conditions.
The Sailing Committee will allocate a trial number to any boat wishing to race not
having a published PY Number. Such a trial number may be revised at any time by
the Sailing Committee following consultation with the owner.
16.2 Results
Results of races will be displayed on the Results Notice Board in the clubroom.
16.3 Series Scoring
Where more than three races are sailed in a series one result shall be discarded.
A further discard shall be awarded for each additional set of 3 races completed in the
series
The Low Point Scoring System RRS App A will apply amended as follows:
DNS Entrants + 3 Points
DNF Entrants + 1 Point
DNC Entrants + 10 Points
DSQ Entrants + 1 Point
16.4 Breaking of Ties
Ties shall be broken by:
1/ Best Discard
2/ Continuing next best Discard
3/ The best result in the last race in which the boats concerned raced and scored
differently, using only the scores for each boat that count for her series score.
16.5 Allocation of Points
In club points series races, points are awarded to a club member helming one boat
throughout the series. A change of boat may be agreed by the sailing committee.
16.6 Where Duties are Performed
Helms performing an allocated duty will be awarded points based on their average
points for the races sailed by them in that series if they so request.
16.7 Retirements
The helmsman of any boat that has retired from a race shall inform the OOD at the
first reasonable opportunity. It is the responsibility of the helm to check that any such
retirement has been duly incorporated in the race results when they are posted.
Failure to do so may result in the boat being awarded a non-discardable
disqualification.
17 Safety Regulations
A boat shall carry adequate life-saving equipment for all persons on board, including
one item ready for immediate use, unless her class rules make some other provision.
Each competitor is individually responsible for wearing personal buoyancy adequate
for the conditions.
(RRS Fundamental Rule 1.2).
Competitors under the age of 18 shall wear adequate personal buoyancy at all times
whilst afloat.
18 N/A Replacement of Crew or equipment
19 N/A Equipment and Measurement checks
20 N/A Official Boats
21 N/A Support boats
22 N/A Haul Out
23 N/A Diving Pool
24 N/A Radio Communications
25 Prizes
26 Disclaimer of Liability
All competitors will by signing the entry form accept the following disclaimer:-
I agree to be bound by the racing Rules of Sailing and by any other rules that govern
this event, I am aware of the onus placed upon competitors by RRS Fundamental
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Rule 4 “A boat is solely responsible for deciding whether or not to start or continue
racing”.
I declare that I hold a valid certificate of insurance, which covers me while racing
(including adequate third party legal liability insurance cover for a minimum amount of
£1,000,000)
I agree that the Lyme Regis Sailing Club shall not be liable for any loss, damage,
death or personal injury howsoever caused to the Helm or Crew as a result of their
taking part in the race or races. Moreover, every owner/competitor warrants the
suitability for his equipment and boat for the race or races to be entered.
I agree that the provision of safety equipment and boats by Lyme Regis sailing club is
neither guarantee that assistance can be rendered to any competitor in need, nor
acceptance of any responsibility for rescue of any competitors. Further, in the event
that assistance is rendered to any competitor, no liability for any loss, damage or injury
to any competitor and/or his and equipment is accepted by either the regatta
organizers, the crew or owners of such safety craft.
Note those under the age of 18 are required to have a parent or guardian sign on
their behalf
27 Insurance
All boats shall have adequate third party insurance cover (minimum £ 1,000,000) for
the duration of the season
28 Eligibility
6.1 Members
Races are open to all current LRSC members
6.2 Visitors
Races may be open to visitors on payment of a predetermined racing fee.
Club Trophies, unless specifically designated otherwise, may only be held by full club
members.
29 Entries
29.1 Minimum entries
For a race to be held a minimum of three boats shall be entered. The OOD may at
his/her discretion allow classes to combine for the start procedure, treating them
subsequently as separate races for purposes of finish procedures and subsequent
allocation of points or awards.
29.2 Entry Procedure
Boats wishing to participate in club races shall enter by completing the required details
on the club signing on sheet, which will be available in the clubhouse. The sheet will
be removed approximately twenty minutes before the start of the race. Late entries
may be made in person or by radio to the OOD or OOD ’s delegate before the
preparatory signal, but acceptance of such late entries shall be at the OOD’s sole
discretion. Such late entries shall be deemed to have signed the disclaimers on the
signing-on sheet.
29.3 Responsibility of Participants
In entering any race, participants accept that they are responsible for themselves, their
crew, and their boats, whether afloat or ashore.
Nothing done by the organisers (i.e. the club, race management team, patrol craft and
anyone helping to run the event) will relieve participants of their responsibilities.
By launching (or putting to sea) participants imply the suitability of their boat and the
competence of the skipper and crew for the expected or forecast conditions.
The provision of patrol craft does not relieve participants of their responsibilities.