Sailing Instructions

  1. Rules
    1. The event is governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing.
  2. Changes to Sailing Instructions
    1. Any change to the sailing instructions will be posted before 1200 on the day it will take effect, except that any change to the schedule of races will be posted by 2000 on the day before it will take effect. 
  3. Communications with Competitors
    1. Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board located at www.carrickfergussc.org.
    2. The race office is located at the Starting Battery, email sailing@carrickfergussc.org.  
  4. Code of Conduct
    1. Competitors and support persons shall comply with reasonable requests from race officials.
  5. Signals made ashore
    1. Signals made ashore will be displayed at the Starting Battery.
    2. When flag AP is displayed ashore, ‘1 minute’ is replaced with ‘not less than 30 minutes’ in Race Signals AP.
  6. Schedule of Races
    1. Dates of racing: Sunday 2nd May to 30th May 2021. 
    2. Number of races: 10
    3. The scheduled time of the warning signal for the first race each day is 13:57.
    4. On the last scheduled day of racing no warning signal will be made after 16:00.  
  7. Class flags
    1. The class flags are:
      RS400 –  Flag F
      Other Dinghies – Flag T
  8. Racing Area
    1. The racing area is on Belfast Lough near to Carrickfergus Sailing Club.
  9. Courses
    1. The course will be notified to competitors before going afloat.
  10. Marks
    1. Marks are red spherical unless notified otherwise before going afloat.
  11. The Start
    1. Races will be started using RRS 26 with the warning signal made 3 minutes before the starting signal, and the preparatory signal made 2 minutes before the starting signal. This changes RRS 26.
    2. The starting line is between a red and white staff on the signal vessel at the starboard end and the course side of the port-end starting mark.
    3. Boats whose warning signal has not been made shall avoid the starting area during the starting sequence for other races.
    4. A boat that does not start within 5 minutes after her starting signal will be scored Did Not Start without a hearing. This changes RRS A5.1 and A5.2. 
  12. Change if the Next Leg of the Course
    1. To change the next leg of the course, the race committee will move the original mark or the finishing line to a new position.
  13. The Finish
    1. The finishing line is between a red and white staff on the signal and the course side of the finishing mark.  
    2. If the race committee is absent when a boat finishes, she should report her finishing time, and her position in relation to nearby boats, to the race committee at the first reasonable opportunity. 
  14. Penalty System
    1. The Post-Race Penalty, Advisory Hearing and RYA Arbitration procedures of the RYA Rules Disputes procedures shall apply. The outcome of an RYA Arbitration can be referred to a protest committee, but an arbitration cannot be reopened or appealed. See the Official Notice Board for details.
  15. Time Limits
    1. The Race Time Limit (see RRS 35), and the Finishing Window are shown in the table below.
    2. Race Time Limit  – 60 minutes
    3. Finishing Window – 20 minutes
    4. The Finishing Window is the time for boats to finish after the first boat sails the course and finishes. Boats failing to finish within the Finishing Window, and not subsequently retiring, penalized or given redress, will be scored Time Limit Expired (TLE) without a hearing. A boat scored TLE shall be scored points for the finishing place one more than the points scored by the last boat that finished within the Finishing Window. This changes RRS 35, A5.1, A5.2 and A10.
  16. Hearing Requests
    1. The protest time limit is 90 minutes after the last boat finishes the last race of the day or the race committee signals no more racing today, whichever is later. The time will be posted on the official notice board.
    2. Hearing request forms are available from the race office at www.carrickfergussc.org.  
    3. Notices will be posted no later than 30 minutes after the protest time limit to inform competitors of hearings in which they are parties or named as witnesses. Hearings will be held in the protest room, located as posted, beginning at the time posted. 
    4. RRS 62.2(a) and 66.2(a) do not apply. 
  17. Scoring
    1. Two races are required to be completed to constitute a series. 
    2. (a) When fewer than five races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores.
      (b) When from five to seven races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.
      (c) When eight or more races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her two worst scores.
    3. Rule A5.3 applies.
  18. Safety Regulations
    1. A boat that retires from a race shall notify the race committee at the first reasonable opportunity.
  19. Equipment and Measurement Checks
    1. A boat or equipment may be inspected at any time for compliance with the class rules, notice of race and sailing instructions. 
  20. Trash Disposal
    1. Trash may be placed aboard official [or support person] vessels.
  21. Prizes
    1. Prizes will be given as follows: 1st place for 3 or more average starters, 2nd place for 4 or more average starters, 3rd place for 5 or more average starters. 
  22. Risk Statement
    1. Rule 3 of the Racing Rules of Sailing states: ‘The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone.’
    2. Sailing is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk. By taking part in the event, each competitor agrees and acknowledges that:
      (a) They are aware of the inherent element of risk involved in the sport and accept responsibility for the exposure of themselves, their crew and their boat to such inherent risk whilst taking part in the event.
      (b) They are responsible for the safety of themselves, their crew, their boat and their other property whether afloat or ashore.
      (c) They accept responsibility for any injury, damage or loss to the extent caused by their own actions or omissions.
      (d) Their boat is in good order, equipped to sail in the event and they are fit to participate.
      (e) The provision of a race management team, patrol boats and other officials and volunteers by the event organizer does not relieve them of their own responsibilities.
      (f) The provision of patrol boat cover is limited to such assistance, particularly in extreme weather conditions, as can be practically provided in the circumstances.
      (g) It is their responsibility to familiarise themselves with any risks specific to this venue or this event drawn to their attention in any rules and information produced for the venue or event and to attend any safety briefing held for the event.
      (h) They are responsible for ensuring that their boat is equipped and seaworthy so as to be able to face extremes of weather; that there is a crew sufficient in number, experience and fitness to withstand  such weather; and that the safety equipment is properly maintained, stowed and in date and is familiar to the crew.
      (i) Their boat is adequately insured, with cover of at least £3million against third party claims