32 nd Annual Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship 2009 28 November and 29 November 2009 SHORT OCEAN RACE COURSE AREA SAILING INSTRUCTIONS IRC & PHS Racer Cruiser Classes Event Website ssorc.mhyc.com.au Organising Authority Middle Harbour Yacht Club Lower Parriwi Road, The Spit, Mosman 2088 Sydney, Australia 1
32 nd Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship 2009 SPECIAL REQUEST TO COMPETING YACHTS 1) Competing yachts are asked to report to Committee Vessel MV Sir Lunchalot, a white 50 Flybridge Motor Yacht, prior to the Warning Signal of the first race each day, on starboard tack with mainsail hoisted, to confirm their intention to race. Yachts which cannot be identified prior to the Warning Signal will be scored DNC. 2) Competing yachts are asked NOT to report by VHF radio prior to the start. 3) Competing yachts which retire from racing are asked to advise the Race Committee Vessel at the earliest opportunity on VHF Channel 72 or Mobile phone 0419 331 514 (MV Sir Lunchalot). Should this be impractical competing yachts are asked to contact MHYC Sailing Office in person or by phone on (02) 9969 1244. 4) Competing yachts are advised that the Committee Vessel may relay race information on VHF Channel 72 prior to and during the start sequence for the information of competitors. COMPETITORS NOTE Please Note that the IRC Racer Class will race on the Manly Circle Course Area, separate Sailing Instructions are on issue for this Course Area. 1.0 RULES 1.1 All races will be governed by the 2008 2012 Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) the Prescriptions and Special Regulations of Yachting Australia, the IRC2009 Rules Parts 1, 2 and 3 if applicable and by the Sailing Instructions. 1.2 The ISAF Sailor Classification Code will apply. 1.3 For this Championship all competing yachts shall fly the Event Sponsors Flag from its backstay or starboard rigging. Backstays flags are available in yachts Competitors Packs, which may be collected at MHYC or CYCA from 1600hrs Thursday 26/11/09. 2.0 NOTICES TO COMPETITORS 2.1 Notices to Competitors will be posted on the Official Notice Board located in the Breezeway adjacent to the Main Office of the Middle Harbour Yacht Club. Copies may also be available from the CYCA and Committee Vessel MV Sir Lunchalot. 3.0 CHANGES TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS 3.1 Any change to the Sailing Instructions will be posted before 0800 on the day it will take effect except that any change to the schedule of races will be posted prior to 1800 hours on the day before it will take effect. 2
Competitors are able to communicate with the MHYC Race Office from 0730 hours on Saturday and Sunday mornings to confirm the location of the day s racing and to arrange for the receipt of any amendments. The telephone number is (02) 9969 1244. 4.0 SIGNALS MADE ASHORE 4.1 Signals made ashore will be displayed from the Signal Mast of the MHYC Starters Box located on the North Western perimeter of the Club Premises. 5.0 SCHEDULE OF RACES 5.1 Two (2) Races are scheduled for each of the IRC & PHS Racer / Cruiser Classes. 5.2 A maximum of 2 Races may be sailed on each day of racing. The Race Committee will Signal AP over A at the completion of each days racing. 5.3 On Sunday 29 November, the last day of racing, no Warning Signal shall be made after 1600 hours. 5.4 The first Warning Signal is scheduled at 1155 hours on each of Saturday 28 November and Sunday 29 November 2009. 6.0 RACING AREA 6.1 Racing will be conducted; on the waters of Sydney Harbour, the Tasman Sea between Pittwater and Botany Bay and the waters of Botany Bay. The Start will be located in the vicinity of Shark Island. The Finish will be located in the vicinity of Watsons Bay. 7.0 MARKS 7.1 The Start / Finish Mark will be an Orange Inflatable Mark. 7.2 Course Marks are described in Appendix A attached. 8.0 COURSES 8.1 Courses are described in Appendix A attached. 8.2 Appendix A details the location of the start, the course to be sailed, the order in which marks are to be rounded or passed, the side on which each mark is to be left, the approximate distances and the location of the finish. 8.3 The course will be displayed on a course board from the Committee Vessel prior to or with the Warning Signal. The Course Axis, if applicable, will be displayed on an axis board prior to or with the Warning Signal from the Committee Vessel. 3
8.4 Charts AUS200, AUS197 and AUS198 cover the Course Areas for this Regatta. Yachts shall carry these paper charts onboard. 9.0 SPARE 10.0 SHORTENING COURSE 10.1 Courses may be shortened in accordance with RRS 32. 11.0 THE START Near Shark Island 11.1 The Class Flag is as follows: IRC Racer / Cruiser Class and PHS Racer / Cruiser Class Code Flag T 11.2 Races will be started using RRS 26 with the Warning Signal given Five (5) Minutes before the Starting Signal. 11.3 The Start Line will be between the Committee Vessel Flag Mast flying a Red (with MHYC in black letters) Flag and an Orange Inflatable Mark. 11.4 A yacht shall not start later than ten (10) minutes after her starting signal. 11.5 The Committee Vessel may hold position using engines. This shall not be grounds for redress and amends RRS 60, 61, 62, 63 & 64. 11.6 A Committee Vessel may be positioned at the Port end for the purpose of identifying premature starters. 11.7 After the Warning Signal, yachts shall not obstruct Committee Vessels whilst holding station on the start line. For the purposes of RRS 18 & 19, Committee Vessels holding station using engines shall be deemed obstructions. 12.0 RECALLS 12.1 Individual Recalls will be in accordance with RRS 29.1. The sail numbers of Yachts OCS may be transmitted on VHF Channel 72. 13.0 LINE BOAT 13.1 The Race Committee may position a vessel or vessels, flying the MHYC Burgee, on the start line extensions at the port end and/or the starboard end for the purpose of identifying yachts OCS at the start. Yachts shall not obstruct these vessels, cause it/them to move or collide with them. 4
14.0 THE FINISH 14.1 The Finishing Line in Watsons Bay will be between the Committee Vessel Flag Mast flying a Red(with MHYC Black letters) Flag and an Orange Inflatable Mark, at the Eastern End of the Finish Line. 14.2 The Race Committee Vessel may hold station using engines, this shall not be the subject of Protest, Redress or Appeal. 15.0 PENALTY SYSTEM 15.1 The Two (2) Turns Penalty Rules 44.1 & 44.2 shall apply. 16.0 TIME LIMIT 16.1 The Time Limit shall be Seven (7) hours. Yachts finishing outside the time limit will be scored DNF. This amends RRS 35 and Rule A4. 17.0 PROTESTS 17.1 Protests shall be written on forms available from the MHYC, CYCA or RSYS Race Offices and lodged with or faxed to MHYC (9969 3326) no later than 2 hours after the finishing time of the protesting yacht in the last race of the day. 17.2 The Protest Committee will hear Protests in the approximate order of receipt as soon as possible in the Commodores room at MHYC. 17.3 Protest notices will be posted at MHYC within 30 minutes of the end of protest time limit to inform competitors where and when there is a hearing in which they are parties to a hearing or named as witnesses. This notice fulfills the requirements of the RRS to notify parties to a protest of the hearing time. 18.0 TIME CORRECTION FACTORS & TIME ALLOWANCES 18.1 IRC Racer / Cruiser Class, results shall be decided by the application of Time Correction Factors (TCCs) to elapsed times. Each yacht s corrected time shall be established by multiplying its appropriate TCC by its elapsed time. 18.2 IRC Handicaps will be the Endorsed TCC recorded on each yacht s 2009 IRC Certificate. 18.3 PHS Racer / Cruiser Class results shall be decided by the application of Time Correction Factor (TCF) to elapsed times. PHS Handicaps shall be arbitrarily allocated by the Organising Authority and shall not be the Subject of Protest, Dispute or Redress. 18.4 Final placings for individual races shall be determined after any alterations to provisional placings by the application of Penalties or Redress. 5
18.5 Yachts are reminded that valid Rating/Class Certificates shall be produced by the close of entries at 2300 hours on 23 November 2009. 19.0 SCORING 19.1 The Low Point Scoring System, Rule A4, will apply. Two (2) races are scheduled of which One (1) race shall be completed to constitute a series. There shall be no discards and a yacht s total score will be the sum of her scores for all races completed. 20.0 SCORING CLASSES 20.1 The Race Committee has determined that for the purpose of Pointscoring in the 32nd Annual Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship 2009, yachts will be allocated to the following Classes on the Short Ocean Race Course Area. IRC Racer / Cruiser Class PHS Racer / Cruiser Class (yachts holding a current valid IRC Certificate) (yachts Arbitrarily Rated) 21.0 RE SAILS 21.1 Any Race Abandoned or Postponed may be re sailed as soon as practical after the completion of racing on each day, refer to SI 5.0, schedule of Racing. 22.0 PRESENTATION, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT & RESULTS 22.1 Trophies/Prizes will be awarded to placegetters at a presentation to be held at MHYC at approximately 1800 on Sunday 29 November 2009. Post race live entertainment and beach party will commence from 1600hrs. The presentation may be delayed to accommodate the resolution of any outstanding protests. 22.2 Results will be published on the Event Website: www.sorc.mhyc.com.au 23.0 LIABILITY 23.1 All those taking part in the, do so at their own risk and responsibility. 23.2 The Middle Harbour Yacht Club is not responsible for the seaworthiness of a yacht whose entry is accepted or the sufficiency or adequacy of its equipment. The Middle Harbour Yacht Club reserves the right to refuse an entry. 23.3 Attention is drawn to Fundamental Rule 4 which states: The responsibility for a boats decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone. 6
23.4 By participating in a race under these regulations. Each Member of the crew of a yacht in such races agrees to be governed by these regulations and to accept any penalties assessed thereunder or any other action as may be taken thereunder, subject to the appeal and review procedures as provided in the RRS as a final determination of any matter arising under there regulations and agrees not to resort to a court or tribunal not provided herein with respect to such determination. 24.0 COMMERCIAL SHIPPING 24.1 Yachts shall not interfere with the Commercial or Defence Shipping of the Port. The attention of skippers is drawn to NSW Maritime Authority Special Regulations regarding right of way of vessels entering and leaving port, ferries displaying orange diamonds, and vessels engaged in towing. Attention is drawn to International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Yachts found to have interfered with Commercial or Defence Shipping may be subject to action under RRS 60.2(c). Yachts are responsible for any damage it may cause to Navigation Marks in the Port and shall in the event of such damage report the incident to NSW Maritime. 24.2 The attention of all Competitors is drawn to NSW Maritime Authority Brief and, Ferry Activated Shipping Zone, Appendix B attached, in respect of Competitors interaction with Commercial Shipping and Ferries on Sydney Harbour. Compliance with this requirement is mandatory. 24.3 Competing yachts and crew are deemed by these Sailing Instructions to be advised of NSW Maritime Requirements issued in these Sailing Instructions. The Organising Authority advises that yachts breeching these requirements will be subject to action under RRS Part 5, Section A. 25.0 CARDINAL MARKS 25.1 Yachts shall pass on the safe water side of the following Cardinal marks: Gowlland Bombora (Dobroyd) South and East Marks Sow & Pigs Reef All Marks Shark Island South and West Marks 25.2 Yachts shall not sail in the following prohibited areas: The area bounded by imaginary lines joining the West, South and East Cardinal Marks surrounding Gowlland Bombora. The area bounded by imaginary lines joining the North, East, South and West Cardinal marks surrounding Sow & Pigs Reef. The Area between YA Mark Shark Island and Shark Island is a continuing obstruction and no yacht shall pass between them. 25.3 For the purpose of RRS 18 all Cardinal Marks surrounding the Gowlland Bombora and the Sow & Pigs Reef and all imaginary straight lines projected between such marks, shall be deemed obstructions. 7
26.0 RADIO SCHEDULES 26.1 Yachts shall maintain a continuous watch on VHF Channel 16 for the duration of the race. 26.2 The Race Committee Vessel will monitor VHF Channel 72 for the duration of the race and race management purposes. 8
APPENDIX A COURSES 1) The Start The Start will be located in the vicinity of Shark Island. Refer to SI 11.0 for Start details. 2) The Finish The Finish will be located in the vicinity of Watsons Bay. Refer to SI 14.0 for Finish details. 3) Courses Course 1 1) Start in vicinity of Shark Island 2) Yellow Inflatable Mark with a Pink Mid Girth Band, East of Long Reef, located approximately, 33.44.5 / 151.20.9 (Port Rounding). 3) Finish in the vicinity of Watsons Bay. 17.0 N.Miles Approximately Course 2 1) Start in the vicinity of Shark Island 2) Yellow Inflatable Mark with a Pink Mid Girth Band, North East of Long Reef, located approximately, 33.44.5 / 151.24.2 (Port Rounding). 3) Finish in the vicinity of Watsons Bay. 18.0 N.Miles Approximately Course 3 1) Start in the vicinity of Shark Island 2) Yellow Inflatable Mark with a Pink Mid Girth Band, East of Coogee Bay, located approximately, 33.55.5 / 151.17.8 (Port Rounding). 3) Finish in the vicinity of Watsons Bay. 19.0 N.Miles Approximately 9
APPENDIX A COURSES continued Course 4 1) Start in the vicinity of Shark Island 2) Botany Bay Mark. Red Port Lateral Mark located approximately 33.59.8 / 151.13.2 (Starboard Rounding), (0.9n.miles West of Henry Head Light inner entrance of Botany Bay). 3) Finish in the vicinity of Watsons Bay. 25.0 N.Miles Approximately Course 5 1) Start in the vicinity of Shark Island 2) Yellow inflatable Mark with a Pink Mid Girth Band, distance 8.0 Nautical Miles from North head, on a bearing displayed by the Committee Vessel (Port Rounding) 3) Finish in the vicinity of Watsons Bay. 19.0 N.Miles Approximately Course 6 4) Start in the vicinity of Shark Island 5) Yellow inflatable Mark with a Pink Mid Girth Band, distance 12.0 Nautical Miles from North head, on a bearing displayed by the Committee Vessel (Port Rounding) 6) Finish in the vicinity of Watsons Bay. 26.0 N.Miles Approximately 10
Course 7 Alternate & Heavy Weather Harbour Course 1) Start in the vicinity of Shark Island 2) Clarke Island (Starboard Rounding) 3) YA Mark Manly West (Starboard Rounding) 4) YA Mark Manly East (Starboard Rounding) 5) Fort Denison (Starboard Rounding) 6) YA Mark Manly West (Starboard Rounding) 7) YA Mark Manly East (Starboard Rounding) 8) YA Mark Shark Island (Starboard Rounding) 9) West Cardinal Mark Shark Island (Starboard Rounding) 10) Finish in the vicinity of Watsons Bay. 19.0 N.Miles Approximately Note: Yachts are reminded of SI 24.0 Commercial Shipping, Appendix B and SI 25.0 Cardinal Marks. 11
APPENDIX B REPORTING MARINE ACCIDENTS AND THE MARINE SAFETY ACT 1998 AND THE MARINE SAFETY (GENERAL) REGULATIONS 2009. The provisions of the Marine Safety Act 1998 (the Act) came into operation on the 30 th March 2009. The Marine Safety (General) Regulations 2009, (The Regulations) also came into force on the 30th March 2009. They may be accessed at www.legislation.nsw.gov.au The Act and Regulations replace the obligation under section 30G of the Maritime Services Act 1935 to report marine accidents involving death or injury or damage exceeding $100. The Act and Regulations also replace the provisions of a Memorandum of Understanding between NSW Maritime and Yachting NSW which related to collisions between racing vessels. The MoU was not widely circulated or understood by Clubs. Under section 99 (1) of the Act a master and owner have an obligation to report a marine accident. Regulation 96 sets out the conditions where a report is not required, and is therefore required in all other circumstances, and substantially changes the reporting requirements. It has particular relevance to racing yachts competing subject to an Aquatic Licence granted to a Club. Three separate situations are referred to in Regulation 96 and these are set out in the following Table and state the conditions where a report IS required. Types of vessels involved Vessels two or more ALL of which are NOT racing. Vessels two or more of which ALL are racing Vessels one of which is racing and one of which is not racing Conditions for reporting Fatality or personal injury or Damage exceeds $5000 Fatality or personal injury or Damage exceeds $5000 Fatality or personal injury or Damage exceeds $5000 NSW Maritime Yacht Person's Brief & Ferry Activated Exclusion Zone 1. Be Safe! 2. Observe NSW Collision regulations and in particular Rule 1 (b) and Rule 2(a)(b) ie: Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply with these Rules or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case. In complying with these Rules due regard shall be had to all dangers if navigation and collision and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved, which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger. What this means is that if you're about to be involved in a collision, having stood on or given way in accordance with the Rule; every party involved is responsible in taking avoiding action to prevent a collision. 12
3. Local Rules require sail craft to keep out of the way of ferries displaying the orange diamond. When necessary give priority to the Ferry. Pass well clear of the ferry. 4. Be mindful of larger ships' bow flare. When closing any vessel, to prevent being overrun ensure you remain within sight of the officer of the watch on the vessel's bridge. Beware of overhanging bows and other parts of ship that might obstruct this line of sight. This means that your vessel may disappear from sight inside 200 400 m from the bows of very large ships. 5. Shipping Sound Signal Meanings: One short blast I am altering course to starboard (right) Two short blasts I am altering course to port (left) Three short blasts I am operating engines astern (stopping) Five (or more) short blasts I'm unsure of your intentions and I doubt whether you are taking enough avoiding action to avoid collision. All competitors must keep 200m from the bow and at least 30m from the sides/stern of any ship or ferry underway. 13