LEE ON THE SOLENT SAILING CLUB

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS – 2010.

1. CONDUCT AND SAILING OF RACES

 1.1 All races will be governed by the ‘rules’ as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) 2009-2012,  Class Rules and these Sailing Instructions (SIs). All races are designated category A. Helmsmen need not be members of their Class Association. For Open and Special Events, separate Instructions may be issued in place of or in addition to these Instructions.

 1.2 The RYA Racing Charter applies to all Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club events.

 2. RACE ORGANISATION AND COMPETITORS OBLIGATIONS

  2.1 The functions in the Rules for the Race Committee shall be performed by the Sailing Committee. The decision as to whether racing should be held on any day lies with the duty Sailing Committee member who shall delegate responsibility for the conduct of each race to a ‘Race Officer’.

  2.2 For each race a Race Officer and one other member will be allocated to Bridge duty and two members Patrol Boat duty, under the Club’s duty scheme. If a member does not appear for duty, and a replacement cannot be found, the procedure below shall be followed.

 ·        Postpone the race.

·        Draw lots from those on the race entry list to find a replacement for the duty.

·        If there is no Patrol Boat afloat and manned by at least two crew, racing cannot take place.

 2.3 All Competitors MUST be available to assist with recovering the Patrol Boat when racing has finished.

 2.4 The Notice Boards where notices and results are posted are in the Clubhouse and the Signal Station.

 3. RACE ENTRY AND DECLARATION

 3.1 Helms must enter each race by fully completing the Sign on Sheet posted in the Signal Station before their warning signal.

 3.2 Helms failing to comply with (3.1) above will receive points as DNS, but will be considered to be a starter for the validity of the race.

3.3 Helms who retire must inform the Race Officer or the Patrol Boat Crew at the first opportunity.

 3.4 No member may race and therefore qualify for points or prizes unless:

 a. Their boat has a valid measurement and/or buoyancy certificate where required by Class Rules.

 b. Their boat is insured against Third Party risks for not less than £2,000,000 (two million pounds).

 c. The helmsman and crew (unless properly introduced visitors) have paid all fees due to LOSSC for the current membership year.

 NOTE Checks may be made by the Management or Race Committees or their representatives, however, neither they nor the Club will be responsible for failure to carry out checks.

 3.5 Points for races (see sec 12) will be awarded to the boat. Helmsmen may change boats in a series only with the written consent of a Flag Officer.

4. RACE PROGRAMME

4.1 Dates and times of races are set out on the LOSSC Fixture List but may be changed by the Sailing Committee by posting a notice of change at least seven days before the race affected.  

4.2 Start times for series races are the times of the first start, i.e. the actual start time not the warning or preparatory signal. 

4.3 Class Flags and the Start Sequence are as set out in the Race Officers Guide (a copy of which can be found in the race officer’s brief case at the Signal Station)

4.4 A race can be held with only one boat entered.

5. COURSE AND LINES

 5.1 The course(s) will be displayed on the Club Course Board, with the written description prevailing over the drawn diagram. Courses will be set by the duty Sailing Committee member in agreement with the Race Officer.

5.2 Any change to the course after it has been posted, by displaying on the Signal Station chalk board, shall be signalled by the Race Officer hoisting IC Flag 'L’ together with the appropriate Class Flags and making a sound signal immediately the change has been made.

6. THE START

6.1 The Starting Line

 For all shore starts the starting line will be a transit line formed by a post on the Bridge deck and a post on the dinghy park wall with an outer distance mark (ODM) marking the seaward limit of the line, this ODM need not be on the line. An alternative ODM may be laid to allow the Race Officer to remove or add bias to the starting line. In this case, the ODM in use shall be detailed on the course board by referring to its colour.

 6.2 The option for a Committee boat start and or finish may be considered. If this option is to be used it will be advised to competitors when the course is displayed at 5.1.

 6.3 Races will be started in accordance with the Race Officers Guide, a copy of which is kept in the race officer’s brief case, which will include details of the club starting board system and details of classes included in each handicap group.

 7. THE FINISH

 7.1 Finishing Line

 The finishing line will be between the Outer Distance mark and bridge post unless otherwise declared on the course board.

 8. AVOIDING STARTERS & FINISHERS

 8.1 In order that all classes can enjoy a fair start all non-starting boats MUST keep clear of the starting line and any boats in the process of starting until, at the earliest, their 3 minute, warning signal is displayed.

 8.2 Any boat impeded by another boat that has not yet started may protest that boat under rule 2 (Fair Sailing). Any boat so protested must make its penalty turns after its’ own class start.  

 8.3 Boats who have finished MUST endeavour to keep clear of the finishing line to avoid obstructing other competitors and the Race Officer’s view.

9. RECALLS

 9.1 If a boat or boats start prematurely, a second sound signal will be made and the class flags(s) for that start will be left at half position until all premature starters have returned or until the expiration of two minutes from the time of the start, whichever shall occur first. If sufficient premature starters are unable to be identified a General Recall will be signalled (with the 1st substitute flag raised and two sound signals) The      recalled fleet will move to the end of the starting sequence. The new starting procedure for the recalled fleet/s will commence as soon as the Race Officer deems practical.

10. SHORTEN COURSE

10.1 Courses may be shortened at the finishing line at the end of a round to be completed by the leading boat or elsewhere by a patrol boat. This will be signalled by displaying IC. Flag ‘S’, together with the appropriate class flags.

11. TIME LIMITS

 11.1 Unless otherwise prescribed on the Course Board, time limits for races shall be as follows:  

Daytime Races (starts before 18:00) 2 hrs from the last start time of the sequence.

Evening Races (starts after 18:00) 1.5 hrs from the last start time of the sequence.

Passage Races 4 hrs from the last start time of the sequence.

 This amends RRS 35. Boats failing to finish within 30 minutes after the first boat of her class finishes or within the time limit, whichever is later will not be scored. In handicap races, the period of 30 minutes is taken from the finishing times after correction for handicap.

11.2 EXPIRY OF THE TIME LIMIT OR ABANDONMENT OF RACE

If a race is abandoned and not re-sailed and all boats in a class have completed at least one round, all boats still racing at the expiry of the time limit or at abandonment shall be scored points for their position at the end of the last completed round.

12. SCORINGS & TROPHIES

 12.1 The Low Point System will apply. For Club Series racing clause A9 will apply, for club Regatta events clause A4.2 will apply.

 12.2 Members undertaking Committee, Bridge or Patrol Boat duties may claim average personal points for a race during which they are on duty. Members who are approved instructors within the club’s RYA training school may claim average points for a race during which they are undertaking instructor roles as part of the club’s training programme. Average personal points will be calculated by averaging the points awarded to the individual for all races held within the Series in which the duty occurred. The average points are to be claimed by signing the Results Sheet.

13. PROTESTS

 13.1 A helmsman intending to protest should inform the Race Officer and name the boat(s) protested, as soon as possible after coming ashore.

 13.2 Protests shall be written on forms available from the Signal Station and should be completed as soon as possible and handed to the Race Officer.

 13.3 Once the protester and the protestee have been notified by the Sailing Committee or it’s representatives, of the place, time and date of the hearing, either directly or by means of a notice placed on the Club Notice Board, then should either party fail to attend without having given notice in writing to the Sailing Secretary, the protest will be heard in his absence. The hearing shall be conducted by not less than three suitable members appointed by the Sailing Committee

14. HANDICAPS

 14.1 The Portsmouth Yardstick system shall be used. The Sailing Committee may at their discretion allocate adjusted numbers.

15. SAFETY

 15.1 All competitors start or continue to race at their own risk. (Note R.R.S. fundamental Rule 4).  

15.2 Personal Buoyancy shall be worn at all times. Wet suits and dry suits are not considered to be acceptable personal buoyancy for the purpose of this Instruction. This Changes RRS Rule 1.2, 40 and IC Flag ‘Y’ in the race signals.

 15.3 Attention is drawn to RRS Fundamental Rule 1 ‘Helping Those in Danger’. In the absence of a nearby Patrol Boat, any boat in a race is to stand by a boat, which has capsized or is disabled unless it is clear that no assistance is required. Redress maybe requested. (RRS Rule 62.1)

  15.4 Competitors who for reasons beyond their control, come ashore at places other than the Club, MUST inform the Club as soon as possible as to their whereabouts. This will prevent unnecessary anxiety and possible Coastguard involvement.

 16. CHANGES TO THESE SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

 16.1 The Race Officer may vary or add to these Instructions by setting out the terms in writing on or near the course board and hoisting IC Flag ‘L’ at least 10 minutes before the start of any race affected. The Race Officer may not change SIs 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14.1 and 15.

 21st March 2010