St Clements  Sailing Instructions 2008

RULES - The Races will be sailed in accordance with the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) for 2005-2008, as adopted by USSA (except as modified by specific references in these instructions), and by these Sailing Instructions. All Yachts shall race with sails and equipment allowed by their handicap.

LIABILITY - The Dahlgren Yacht Club (DYC) and all parties involved in the organization and execution of the Races shall not be liable for any accident, injury, damage, or loss, personal, material or otherwise, before, during or after the Race. Each skipper is solely responsible for the safety of his/her crew, his/her vessel and him/her self.

ENTRY ELIGIBILITY - This is a "Cruising" race open to all interested parties. All yachts intending to race must have a valid PHRF (of the Chesapeake Bay) or they will be assigned a "Guest" PHRF rating as best determined by the Dahlgren Yacht Club St. Clements Event Coordinator. All entries must complete a proper DYC Race Entry Form or have completed and an entry for the DYC Monday Night Series. Entries must be received by 3:00 PM Thursday Sept 18. Skippers competing in the Monday Night Series must notify the Event Coordinator of their entry in this race by 3:00 PM Sept. 18 as well.

NOTICES TO COMPETITORS - Changes in the Sailing sent via email by 8:00 PM the day prior to the race. Race changes and announcements may be broadcast on VHF Channel 68, and may include delay notice, premature starter identification, general recall, etc.

COMMITTEE BOAT - The Race Committee (RC) Boat is marked as such by displaying a RC Flag. Race Committee will monitor VHF Channel 68. During the race, all yachts shall monitor Channel 68 for a period of 10 minutes, starting 5 minutes before and ending 5 minutes after each hour for any announcements or safety notification.

USE VHF TO CONTACT RACE COMMITTEE FOR EMERGENCY OR SAFETY REASONS.

ORDER OF STARTS - Individual Yacht starting times will be delayed in accordance with the times as shown in the Appendix 1 starting sequence time table. In the event of a shortened start to Fl G 4s "25" (Saturday) or RW Mo (A) "C" (Sunday), Yachts shall use the shortened course start times in the attached time table. If neither a normal start nor a shortened start at the above locations is possible, then the RC Boat may initiate a normal (IAW RSS Rule 26) sequence (Class Flag is Red) with all yachts starting at the dropping of the class Red flag.

STARTING AND FINISH LINE - The Starting Line is limited by the Orange Flag on the RC Boat (a red/orange float mark, a barging buoy considered an extension of the RC boat, may be used at or near the RC boat) and the designated start mark in the course instructions. The Finish Line is limited by the Orange Flag on the RC Boat and the designated finish mark in the course instructions, or as designated by a shortened course. It is likely that there will not be a RC boat for the finish. In that case the first to finish set up as the port end of the finish line and will take the times of the other finishers.

STARTING METHOD -. Yachts will start in accordance with the sequence attached. The delay flag will be lowered at 09:24, the warning signal up at 09:25, the prep signal up at 09:26 the prep down at 09:29 and the sequence start up at 09:30. Thereafter starting sound signals will be made at the intervals listed in the start sequence list.. The Committee may announce the preparatory, warning, and sequence start on VHF Channel 68. During the final five (5) minutes before any Yacht START, Yachts having more than five (5) minutes before their START signal shall keep clear of the starting area and any competitors who are about to start.

COURSES - The courses shall make use of marks as called out in the course description below. The Latitudes and Longitudes were taken from NOAA chart 12286 (23 Jan 93') and are believed to be accurate. Use at your own discretion. Distances (in parentheses) are from the previous mark.

MARKS & CHANGE OF COURSE AFTER THE START - The course shall not be changed after the start, however the RC may initiate a shortened course (see SHORTENING THE COURSE).

POSTPONEMENT OF THE START - The Answering Pennant displayed by the RC Boat and two (2) sound signals indicates that the race is postponed. The WARNING signal to resume the START will be made one (1) minute after lowering of the Answering Pennant.

• Saturday - the Race Committee may shorten the start to Fl G 4s "25".
• Sunday - the Race Committee may shorten the start to RW Mo (A)"C".

INDIVIDUAL RECALL - International Code Flag " X " displayed by the RC Boat and one (1) sound signal and attempted "Hail" by the RC will indicate one or more premature starting yachts. When all premature starters have returned to the pre-start side of the starting line or when four (4) minutes have passed, International Code Flag " X " will be lowered. The RC may hail, "ALL CLEAR". However, it is the responsibility of each competitor to make a proper start.

GENERAL RECALL- (Only used if a normal start IAW Rule 26 System 2 has been initiated. ) International Code Flag " First Substitute " displayed by the RC Boat and two (2) sound signals will impose a general recall. A new PREPARATORY signal will be made one (1) minute after lowering the " First Substitute " Flag with one (1) sound signal.

SHORTENING THE COURSE - International Code Flag " S " displayed by the RC Boat and two sound signals indicates that a shortened course is in effect. In the event of extraordinary conditions, the course may be shortened. Shortened course finish position will be at one of the course rounding marks. In the event the course is shortened, the finishing line is between that rounding mark and the Orange Flag displayed by the RC Boat.

ABANDONMENT - International Code Flag " N " and Three (3) sound signals indicates an abandoned or cancelled race. The RC has discretion to Abandon a race due to weather, insufficient wind, or for any other reason directly effecting the safety or fairness of the competition. Yachts should remain in the vicinity of (in contact with) the RC boat in preparation for a restart. In the event of a restart, a new WARNING signal will be made one (1) minute after lowering the International Code Flag " N " with one (1) sound signal.

ALTERNATE PENALTY FOR RULE INFRINGEMENT - The alternate penalty for rule infringement is in effect. A yacht may exonerate herself of a minor rule infraction as prescribed in RRS Rule 44.

TIME LIMIT - The time limit for each race shall be 16:30. The Finish of one or more yachts within the time limit constitutes a race.. Yachts not finished by 16:30 will be scored DNF. However the RC has the option of finishing boats in place if near finishing or limited time extensions. If no yacht completes the race within the time limit, the race is ABANDONED. The RC may shorten the course to enable yachts to complete the course within the time limit.

PROTESTS - A protesting boat is obliged to present a written protest to the Race Committee Officer within 1 hour after completion of the race on the day of the incident. Protest forms are available at the Race Committee Boat or at the Notice Board (DYC). Participants in a race are obliged to verify whether they are involved in a protest.

RACE ADMINISTRATION

Handicap Requirements.

a . PHRF Class will use the Handicap from the PHRF of the Chesapeake, if one does not exist, it will be provided by the Race Organizer

b . Cruising Class will have a 15 second per mile addition to the PHRF handicap

The handicapping will be time on distance.

Fleet Composition.

A minimum of three entrants will be required for a separate cruising class

Minimum number of participants

A minimum of 2 boats are required at the start of a race for a valid race.

SCORING - Low Point (RRS Appendix A) Scoring System. First = 1 points; second = 2; third = 3; etc. DNF = number of starters + 1; DNS and DSQ = total number of racing boats for either or both days + 1. The results of both races shall be combined to determine the final position of each yacht. Tie breaker will be the total cumulative race time (corrected) for both races.

ADVERSE CONDITIONS/RESPONSIBILITY - Participants shall compete only at their own risk and responsibility. A decision by the Race Committee to conduct a race does not relieve a skipper of his/her responsibility for deciding whether or not to race. The safety of a yacht and her crew and its entire management, including insurance, shall be the sole and inescapable responsibility of the owner/skipper. All competitors are reminded of the Fundamental Rule A, "Every yacht shall render all possible assistance to any vessel or person in peril, when in a position to do so". Boats not starting or withdrawing before finishing must so notify the RC at the earliest possible time.

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