Under-The-Guns Sailing Instructions 2008  (Revised 14 Aug 08)

1. Introduction
These racing instructions are issued by the Dahlgren Yacht Club (DYC) Race Committee. This race shall be governed by The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) for 2005-2008 as published by the United States Sailing Association (USSA) except as modified by this instruction. By participating in DYC sponsored events, each yacht and crew agree to be governed by these rules.

2. Eligibility and Entry Requirements
A signed entry application & entry fee ($10) must be received prior to start of racing on 12 OCT 2008.  Race application may be found on the DYC website, or from the Race Organizer (540-775-3127), at the DYC Dockhouse, or at Dahlgren Marine Center. 

3. Safety
All yachts participating shall comply with the following safety requirements.  Yachts that do not comply will be disqualified.

     a.  Skipper's Responsibility.  The safety of a yacht and her crew and its entire management, including insurance, shall be the sole responsibility of the skipper/owner.  Neither these racing instructions, nor any action or omission of the Race Officer or Race Committee shall in any way reduce this responsibility of the skipper/owner.  It shall be the sole responsibility of each yacht/ skipper to decide whether or not to start or to continue a race. 

     b.  Check-In.  All competitors are required to sail close by the Race Officer platform before the start and shall hail the Race Officer to inform them of their intent to race. 

     c.  Withdraw/Retire.  Any yacht that withdraws or retires from the race shall inform the Race Officer at the earliest opportunity.  This procedure is an important safety measure so that all yachts can be accounted for.

     d.  Minimum Safety Equipment.  All competitors will satisfy the minimum safety equipment standards of the USCG appropriate to a yacht of their size.  In addition, competitors in the PHRF classes will comply with Category 6P safety requirements as established by PHRF of the Chesapeake.

     e.  Render Assistance.  All competitors are reminded of their responsibility under RRS Rule 1.1 to give all possible help to any person or vessel in danger.

     f. Race Abandonment due to Safety Concerns. The Race Officer may delay or abandon a race due to bad weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances (such as an active firing range). The Race Committee may not override a decision of the Race Officer to abandon a race.

     g. Bow Lookout.  While in the starting area, prior to a yacht's 5 minute warning signal, all yachts with 3 or more crew will post a bow lookout stationed forward of the mast for collision avoidance.

     h. Radio Communication.  All PHRF event participants shall monitor VHF CH68 to aid in safety and communications. The intentions of the Race Officer will be announced over Channel 68, including courses and course changes.

 
5.  Scoring

The Low Point scoring system, RRS Appendix A4. Handicapping will be Time-On-Time as defined in the DYC general race instructions. Trophies will be awarded for the top 3 positions in each class for the series.

 
6.  RACE ADMINISTRATION

6.1.  Handicap Requirements. 

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

b. NonSpinnaker boats will have a 15 second per mile addition to the PHRF handicap, IF all classes are combined into one class.

 
6.2.  Fleet Composition.

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

Classes shall be: Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker.

6.3 Minimum number of participants

A minimum of 3 boats are required at the start of a race for a valid race. 

6.4 RACE COURSES AND STARTS

a.  Course:

Start: Between a drop mark or govt. bouy and the orange flag on the Committee Boat.

---Govt. Aids to navigation and orange drop marks maybe used for the marks of the course.

Finish: Between a drop mark or govt. bouy and the orange flag on the Committee Boat.

 All competitors will be informed of the course(s) and course changes, via hail from the committee boat and announcement over VHF channel 68.

 First start will be not before 12:30

 d.     Time Limit. Time limit is 45 minutes after the first boat of your class finishes.  Yachts may be finished in place.

e.    Starting signals. The starting signals described in RRS Rule 26 shall be used. See Appendix A for the starting sequence flag description. 

f.   Number of races.  The Race Committee may try to sail 3 races.  No races will be started after 17:00.        

 
7.  PROTESTS AND PENALTIES

7.1  Protests. 

Protests shall be made in accordance with RRS 61.  Protests must be declared to the Race Officer at the finish line and the actual protest form must be submitted within 1 hour from the time the Race Officer boat docks.  The Race Governor or event coordinator is responsible for appointing protest committees and ensuring protests are received, heard and decided in accordance with RRS Part 5, Section B.  

 
7.2   Penalties.

            1.  Minor Infraction.  The TWO-TURNS PENALTY, RRS Rule 44, shall apply in the event of a minor infraction of rules RRS Part 2 during a race. 

            2.  Touching A Mark.  Infringement of RRS Rule 31.1, TOUCHING A MARK, by a yacht may be exonerated by the yacht by taking the penalty of RRS Rule 31.2. 

 
8.  CHANGES TO THE RACING INSTRUCTIONS

Changes to the Racing Instructions will be disseminated in the method deemed best by the Event Coordinator.  This may include email, posting notice at DYC and Dahlgren Marine Center and/or announcement over VHF radio. It is the responsibility of the skipper to check for and comply with posted notices.

Appendix A

Starting Sequence

Time	Action	Flags Flying
	Postponement Flag Flying
Begin	Lower Postponement Flag, start the countup clock, record the current time of day, and sound horn 1 time.
Begin + 1	Hoist pure Red (Class) flag, sound horn.  Class Warning Signal
Begin + 2	Raise "P" Flag, sound horn  Class Prep Signal
Begin + 5	Lower "P” flag, long sound horn  Class One-Minute Signal
Begin + 6	Lower Red flag, hoist Blue flag, sound horn  First Start, Second Class Warning
+7	Hoist “P”, 1 horn Class Prep
+10	Lower “P”, 1 Horn Class 1 minute
+11	Lower Blue flag, 1 horn, Start Second Class

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