LYMINGTON TOWN SAILING CLUB SAILING INSTRUCTIONS International 505 British National Championship 2008 3 6 July 2008 The organising authority is the Lymington Town Sailing Club (LTSC). All competitors are considered to be honorary members of LTSC for the duration of the event Competitor Briefing in LTSC Solent Room at 1130hrs on Thursday 3 July 2008 Predicted Tides - BST High Water Lymington Low Water Lymington 3 July 1133 (3.2m) 1716 (0.8m) 4 July 1225 (3.3m) 1808 (0.8m) 5 July 1317 (3.4m) 1857 (0.8m) 6 July 1410 (3.4m) 1946 (0.9m) Lymington Town Sailing Club Bath House Bath Road Lymington SO41 3SE Tel: (01590) 674514 Fax: (01590) 610354 Email: barry@ltsc.co.uk Website www.ltsc.co.uk LTSC 505 Nationals 2008 SI v1.3b 1 of 9 1 July 2008
1 Rules 1.1 The event will be governed by the rules as defined in the current ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing (RR) and RYA Prescriptions and these Sailing Instructions. 1.2 Competitors shall comply with the RYA Racing Charter. A copy can be found on the club notice board or at www.rya.org.uk/racing/charter or in the RYA Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008. Competitors who sail under the charter are expected: To show courtesy and respect to other competitors and officials, and to other users of the water to compete in compliance with the rules, and to take a penalty when required by the rules and to use the provided services to resolve any disputes. 1.3 International Regulations for the Prevention of Collision at Sea apply when meeting a vessel not racing. Particular attention is drawn to IRPCAS 9(b) A vessel of less than 20 metres length or a Sailing Vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel, which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway. 1.4 Any boat entering the area of obstruction in front of the ferry may be disqualified. No boat whilst racing, preparing to race or returning from a race shall deliberately impede the passage of the Lymington/Yarmouth Wightlink Ferry. 1.5 Racing rules will be changed as follows: 1.5.1. RR 40.1 (Personal Buoyancy) shall apply at all times while afloat without the need for Flag Y to be displayed. 1.5.2. RR 42 (Propulsion) shall not apply to a boat trying to avoid an area of obstruction created by the Lymington/Yarmouth Wight Link ferry (see SI 3) so long as any advantage gained is surrendered as soon as possible after the ferry has been cleared. 1.5.3 RRS 35 (Time Limits) and A5 are varied to enable Silver Fleet Finishes as set out in SI 15. 1.5.5 RRS 33 (Changing the next leg of the course) is varied as in SI 14.1. 1.5.6 RRS 36, 62.1, 63.1 and Appendix A5 are modified so that a boat infringing the gate start procedures in SI 12.3.13 may be disqualified without a Hearing. 1.5.7 RR 44.1 is modified to permit a different penalty. Following a short form protest hearing or when after a race she realises she broke a rule, a boat may take a penalty equal to 20% of the boats ranking as starters to a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 points. 1.5.8 RRS 42.3(c) is replaced by Class Rule B13 as follows: "Except on a beat to windward, when surfing (rapidly accelerating down the face of a wave) or planing is possible, the boat's crew may pull the sheet and guy controlling any sail in order to initiate or maintain surfing or planing, but not more than three repeated pulls and releases of the sail may be made for each wave or gust of wind." 2 Safety 2.1 Personal buoyancy must be worn at all times while afloat. 2.2 Competitors are responsible for ensuring that their boat and crew are prepared for the conditions that they may face whilst afloat and that they comply with the class rules 2.3 The following equipment shall be carried at all times whilst racing: 2.3.1 A tow-line which shall be not less than 10 metres in length and a minimum of 6mm in diameter. 2.3.2 Paddle. 2.4 A Tally on/off system will be in operation competitors shall take their tally before going afloat and return it to the tally board at the earlier of 15 minutes of coming ashore and the protest time limit. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in a penalty. LTSC 505 Nationals 2008 SI v1.3b 2 of 9 1 July 2008
2.5 Wind, tide, weather and sea state can quickly change in the Solent, competitors should be aware of times when tide changes and be prepared for changing conditions. 2.6 Attention is drawn to RRS Fundamental Rule 1 Helping Those in Danger. Boats (racing or otherwise) should stand by a capsized or disabled boat unless it is clear that no assistance is required. Redress may be requested. (RRS Rule 62.1) 3 Area of Obstruction - Ferry 3.1 For the purposes of RR 18 & RR 19 and SI 1.3 & 1.5.2 an area of obstruction shall extend 100 metres in front of a ferry underway in its direction of motion or intended motion with a width equal to the beam of the ferry.. FERRY AREA OF OBSTRUCTION 100m 4 Notices to Competitors 4.1 Notices to competitors will be posted on the Official Notice Board located in the Club Hallway. 5 Changes to Sailing Instructions 5.1 Any change to the Sailing Instructions will be posted on the Official Notice Board before 0900 on the day it will take effect except that any changes to the Schedule of races will be published by 1900hrs on the day before the change takes effect. 6 Signals made Ashore 6.1 Signals made ashore will be displayed on the club flagstaff under the 505 Class Flag 6.2 When Flag AP is displayed ashore, "1 minute" is replaced with "not less than 30 minutes in the race signal AP. 6.3 When IC flag 'L' is displayed ashore it will be flown only for the duration of the first day on which the relevant notice to competitors becomes effective. This changes RRS race signal L. 7 Schedule of Races 7.1 Two races are scheduled for each day as follows and the first warning signal will not be before: Thursday 3 July 2008 Friday 4 July 2008 Saturday 5 July 2008 Sunday 6 July 2008 1255hrs 1055hrs 1225hrs 1055hrs 7.2 The second race each day will be sailed as soon as practical after the previous race. 7.3 No race may be started after 1400hrs on Sunday 6 July. 8 Class Flag 8.1 The class flag will be International Code Flag W". 9 Racing Area 9.1 A diagram showing the Racing Area will be posted on the Official Notice Board at least 2 hours before the start of racing each day. LTSC 505 Nationals 2008 SI v1.3b 3 of 9 1 July 2008
10 The Courses 10.1 Numeral pennant 1, 2 or 3 will be displayed from the Committee Boat prior to the warning signal to indicate which course is to be sailed. 10.2 The diagram in Appendix A shows the start and course options, the order in which marks are to be rounded. Mark 1 will normally be between 1 and 1.5 nautical miles from Mark 3. 10.2 All marks shall be rounded to port unless a Green Flag is flown from the Committee Boat in which case all marks shall be rounded to Starboard. 10.3 Course 1, signalled by numeral pennant 1, includes an approximate isosceles triangle but will be varied to allow for wind and tidal conditions. The position of Mark 2 may also be adjusted to provide closer reaches in light winds or one broad and one close reach in strong winds. Mark 1 will be the windward mark at the start. 10.4 Course 2 is a windward leeward course and will be signalled by Numeral Pennant 2 10.5 Course 3 Race of the Year will be a similar configuration to Course 1 but will include an additional triangular lap and an additional windward leeward lap and will be signalled by Numeral Pennant 3. 10.6 Prior to the warning signal, the Committee Boat will display the approximate compass bearing from the Starting Vessel to Mark 1. 11 Marks 11.1 Marks 1, 2 and 3 will be Orange inflatable marks. Mark 1A will be a smaller pink mark. 11.2 New marks provided for in SI 14 may be an orange dumpy with a black cover 11.3 The port end starting mark for gate starts will be Mark 3 11.4 The port end starting mark for fixed line starts will be an orange dumpy buoy. 11.5 The starboard end starting mark for fixed line starts will be the Committee Boat and any object attached to or streamed from it. 11.6 The finishing mark will be an orange dumpy mark with a blue cover. 11.7 Pennington Post shall be passed on the seaward side 12 The Start 12.1 Races will be started by using rule 26. 12.2 Races will be started using gate or fixed line starts. When flag 'G' is displayed on the Committee Boat a gate start will be used. When flag 'F' is displayed on the Committee Boat a fixed line start will be used. 12.3 Gate Start procedure 12.3.1 Starting marks will be: a) The port end starting mark (Mark 3) laid near to the Committee Boat. b) The pathfinder, until released. c) The gate launch, displaying flag G. 12.3.2 The starting line (except for the pathfinder) will be between the port end starting mark and the centre of the stern of the gate launch. LTSC 505 Nationals 2008 SI v1.3b 4 of 9 1 July 2008
12.3.3 Signals will be displayed from the Committee Boat and may be duplicated on the gate launch. 12.3.4 The pathfinder for the first race will be appointed by the race committee. The pathfinder for subsequent races will be the boat that finished seventh (7 th ) in the preceding race. When this boat is unable to race, or has been pathfinder previously in the event, the pathfinder will be the boat that finished eighth (8 th ) in the preceding race and so on. 12.3.5 The sail number of the pathfinder will be displayed on the Committee Boat. 12.3.6 Prior to the preparatory signal the pathfinder shall report to the gate launch, which will be stationed near the Committee Boat. The pathfinder shall follow the race committee s instructions. 12.3.7 At or before the warning signal the race committee will signal the length of time between the starting signal and when the gate launch will stop at the starboard end of the starting line. This time will be displayed on the starting vessel as a red numeral on a white board. In the absence of any signal the time will be two minutes. 12.3.8 The pathfinder will begin a close-hauled port tack close to the gate launch to port of the port end starting mark, and shall pass close to leeward of the port end starting mark approximately fifteen seconds before the starting signal. The gate launch will keep station close to the starboard quarter of the pathfinder. 12.3.9 The pathfinder shall sail her close-hauled course until released by hail from the gate launch, after which she ceases to be a starting mark and may continue or tack onto starboard tack. 12.3.10 After the release of the pathfinder the gate launch will maintain her course and speed until the time signalled by the race committee has elapsed. She will then stop, lower flag G half way and make a long sound signal. One minute after the gate launch has stopped the race committee will signal the closure of the starting line by lowering flag G on the gate launch and Committee Boat and making a short sound signal. Thereafter no boat shall start. 12.3.11 All boats (except the Pathfinder) shall start on starboard tack. RRS 29.1, 'Individual Recall', will not apply. 12.3.12 A boat not having started correctly and which is on the port side of the extension of the gate launch s course between the starting signal and the closure of the starting line shall not cross the starting line from the course side. 12.3.13 After the preparatory signal any boat that: a) causes the pathfinder or gate launch to alter course or speed, b) touches the pathfinder, or c) passes between or attempts to pass between the pathfinder or the gate launch, or d) infringes RRS 11 while approaching the line to start Shall be disqualified without a hearing and shall be ineligible for any restarts of that race. If the race is restarted on the same day her sail number shall be displayed on the starting vessel for at least three minutes prior to the new warning signal. A boat whose number has been displayed shall leave the starting area before the next warning signal; however, a boat infringing this rule may participate in the restarted race providing she advises the race committee prior to the warning signal that she intends to protest another boat and/or request redress in connection with LTSC 505 Nationals 2008 SI v1.3b 5 of 9 1 July 2008
the incident. If either her protest is dismissed or her request for redress is denied she shall be scored DSQ for the race in question. This changes RRS 36, 62.1, 63.1 and Appendix A5. 14 Changing the Next Leg of the Course 14.1 To change the next leg of the course, the race committee may move a mark or finishing line or if necessary lay a new mark and remove the original mark as soon as practicable. The boat signalling the change of position will also display the approximate bearing to the new mark. When in a subsequent change a new mark is replaced, it will be replaced by an original mark. This changes RRS 33. 14.2 Boats shall pass between the race committee vessel signalling the change of position and the nearby mark. 15 The Finish 15.1 The finishing line will be between a mast or staff displaying a Blue flag on the finishing vessel and the finishing mark. 15.2 After the leading boat(s) round Mark 3 for the penultimate time, the finishing line will be opened for boats that elect to make a Silver Finish. 15.3 At the discretion of the Race Officer, the course may be shortened for boats that are more than ten minutes (Race of the Year fifteen minutes) behind the first boat when rounding Mark 3 for the penultimate time. This will be signalled by the Committee Boat flying International Code Flag V and boats should then proceed from Mark 3 to the finish line and will be recorded as a Silver finisher. A RIB Flying Flag V and making sound signals may also be used to advise competitors that they should make a Silver Finish. 15.4 Any boat that is still racing but in the opinion of the Race Committee is unlikely to finish or be recorded as a Silver finisher within 20 minutes of the leading boat may be given a finishing position based upon her position in the fleet at that time as observed by the Race Committee. When this sailing instruction is to be applied the boats affected will be notified by hail from a race committee vessel and may be towed to the starting area for the next race. This changes RRS 35 and A5. 16 Penalty System 16.1 Any boat that takes a one turn penalty under RR 31.2 (touching a mark) shall record the penalty when signing off and in so doing confirm that no significant advantage was gained in the race or series by so touching the mark. 16.2 Any boat that takes a two turn penalty under RR 41.1 (taking a Penalty) shall record the penalty when signing off and in so doing confirm that no injury nor serious damage was caused and no significant advantage was gained in the race or series by the rule infringement. 16.3 The exoneration penalty for a boat realising that a rule has been broken after finishing but prior to the commencement of a protest hearing is 20% of the number of boats ranking as starters, to a minimum of 2 and a maximum 5 points. If on consulting a rules advisor it is realised that a rule has been broken but no party takes any further action, the penalty is zero. However, if a boat caused injury or serious damage, or gained a significant advantage in the race or series by her breach, her exoneration penalty is to retire. 16.5 A fine penalty will be a contribution to the RNLI, made before the protest time limit, of 10.00 for the first offence, 20.00 for the second, 40.00 for the third, and so on, provided for in RRS 64.1(a). LTSC 505 Nationals 2008 SI v1.3b 6 of 9 1 July 2008
17 Time Limits 17.1 The time limit will be two hours except for the race of the Year for which the time limit shall be three hours. 17.2 Any boat that retires from a race after finishing shall notify the Race Office within the protest time limit. 18 Protests and Requests for Redress 18.1 Protest forms are available at the LTSC Regatta Office. Protests shall be delivered to the office within the protest time limit. 18.2 The protest time limit shall be ninety minutes after the last boat has finished the last race of the day. 18.3 Protest notices will be posted within twenty minutes of the Protest Time Limit to inform competitors of hearings in which they are parties or named as witnesses of the time of the first hearing and of the order in which the hearings will be held. 18.4 Notices of protests by the race committee will be posted on the official notice board before the expiry of the protest time limit to inform boats as required under RRS 61.1(b). 18.5 For the purpose of RRS 64.3 (b) the "authority responsible" shall be the Championship Measurer appointed by the International 505 Class Yacht Racing Association. 19 Scoring 19.1 The Low Point scoring system, RRS Appendix A will apply. 19.2 Any boat that does not complete the final lap of a race which has a Silver finish will be scored as a Silver finisher in the Silver position observed at the start of the final lap. 19.3 Silver finishers in each race shall be given scores after the last boat that finished that race. 19.4 Discarded scores: a) If eight races have been completed, a boat s series score will be the total of her races scores excluding her two worst scores. b) If between four and seven races have been completed, a boat s series score will be the total of her races scores excluding her worst score. c) If three races are completed a boat s series score shall be the total of her races scores. 19.5 Three races are required to constitute the Championship. 19.6 The Overall Silver Fleet results shall only include boats that received a Silver finish in 50% of the races sailed (rounded down). For this purpose, boats that are DNC, DNS, OCS, BFD, DNF, DSQ, DNE, DGM or RAF will not be counted as a Silver Finisher. Boats requesting Redress for a Race should if appropriate request a Silver finish position. The points awarded to each boat for each race shall be the points they scored for that race in the overall results. 20 Replacement of Crew or Equipment 20.1 There shall be no substitution of any registered crew member without prior permission of the Race Committee. Permission to substitute a crew member will only be granted in cases of injury or illness or serious, unforeseen personal circumstances. However pre-arranged crew changes may be approved by the race committee at registration. LTSC 505 Nationals 2008 SI v1.3b 7 of 9 1 July 2008
21 Equipment and Measurement Checks 21.1 The 505 Class Association may carry out equipment and measurement checks during the Event. 22 Official Boats 22.1 Official boats will fly an LTSC Burgee 23 Support Boats 23.1 Team and support boats shall register prior to racing each day. 23.2 Team leaders, coaches and other support personnel shall not communicate or signal in any way with their team during racing and shall keep clear of all competitors who are racing. 23.3 Team boats may be required to assist the race committee with rescue duties and shall monitor a VHF frequency designated by the race committee at all times while afloat. 24 Prizes 24.1 Daily Prizes will be awarded after racing on Thursday 3 July and Friday at 1900hrs in the LTSC Solent Room and at 1830 on Saturday 5 July. 24.2 The main prize giving will be held as soon as possible after racing on Sunday 6 July. 25 Disclaimer of Liability 25.1 Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk; see RR 4 (Decision to Race). 25.2 The LTSC, its members and those assisting in the race organisation will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after any race. 25.3 The provision of patrol boats does not relieve competitors of their responsibilities. 26 Insurance 26.1 Every boat shall have adequate insurance cover (minimum of 2,000,000) for third party liability. LTSC 505 Nationals 2008 SI v1.3b 8 of 9 1 July 2008
Appendix A 505 National Championship 2008 Courses Mark 1A (Pink) First lap only Illustration - Not to Scale Mark 1 (Orange) Course 1 (NP1) Start - 1, 1A, 3, 1, 2, 3,1,3 Finish Course 2 (NP2) Start - 1, 1A, 3, 1, 3, 1, 3 Finish Course 3 (NP3) Start - 1, 1A, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1 3, 1, 2, 3, 1,3 Finish Marks to port unless Green Flag signalling all marks to Starboard and Course will be mirror image of diagram Mark 2 (Orange) 505 Pathfinder Mark 3 (Orange) Start Line (Flag G - Gate Start) Finish line RIB (Flag G) Gate Launch Finish Mark (Blue) Start Line (Flag F Fixed Line Start) Committee Boat LTSC 505 Nationals 2008 SI v1.3b 9 of 9 1 July 2008