Red Book Part 2 Sections 1-4

PART 2 SAILING INSTRUCTIONS AND NOTICE OF RACE

1.0 Rules

1.1. Racing will take place under the Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008 (RRS), the prescriptions of the RYA, these sailing instructions and the appropriate class rules.

1.2. Acceptance of the Rules

By participating in a race conducted under these racing rules, each competitor and boat owner agrees

(a) to be governed by the rules;

(b) to accept the penalties imposed and other action taken under the rules, subject to the appeal and review procedures provided in them, as the final determination of any matter arising under the rules; and

(c) with respect to such determination, not to resort to any court or other tribunal not provided by the rules.

1.3. Advertising - Category C of Appendix G will apply.

1.4. For regattas, separate instructions may be issued by the clubs/associations concerned.

2.0 Conditions of Entry

2.1 General

The safety of a yacht and her entire management including insurance shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/competitor who must ensure that the yacht is fully found, thoroughly seaworthy, and manned by a crew sufficient in number and experience who are physically fit to face bad weather. The owner/competitor must be satisfied as to the soundness of the hull, spars, rigging, sails and all gear. The owner/competitor must ensure that all safety equipment is properly maintained, stowed and in date and that the crew know where it is kept and how it is used.

The crew are nonetheless advised to satisfy themselves as to the experience of the skipper and the adequacy of all safety equipment and insurance arrangements.

The race organisers shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, death or personal injury howsoever caused to the owner / competitor, skipper or crew as a result of their taking part in the race or races.

2.2. Eligibility

Racing is open to boats, whose particulars have been accepted by the Association. In addition the owner, or owner’s representative, on board whilst racing, shall be a member of PYRA

2.3. Race Entries

A boat shall be entered either by:-

a) Making an entry on one of the lists for each race on the notice boards at the member clubs. These entry lists are generally posted one month prior to the day of the race concerned and shall close at 1200 hrs. on the Wednesday prior to the day of the race concerned, or, in the case of a race which starts on a Friday, the Tuesday before the race.

b) Making a line entry. A competitor finding it necessary to make a line entry shall report to the Starting Officer stating their wish to enter the race and this shall be done before the 5 min signal of the class they wishes to enter. Line entries should only be used in exceptional circumstances. Be aware that the Starting Officer may be busy starting other classes and that line entries are not accepted for some races - see the Race Programme.

c) Make an entry via e-mail to PYRA Sec.

Subject of E-mail shall be of the format:- Race Entry-Race No_nn, Boat number_nnnnnn.

Body of message shall be of the format:- Race Title_nnnn, Race Number_nn, Sail Number_nnnnnn, Boat Name_nnnnnnnn, Class_n.

Note: entry lists will close as for a) above.

Note: For regattas individual entries must be made directly to the organising club/association.

2.4. Division & Identification of Classes

Class 1 (Pdt 1) Open to boats having a current I.R.C. rating equal to or exceeding 0.931 and a minimum SSSN 20 for Category 3 races.

Class 2 (Pdt 2) Open to boats having a current I.R.C. rating up to but excluding 0.931 and a minimum SSSN 20 for Category 3 races

PHHS Class 3A Open to boats having a valid PHHS rating for the current year and

(Pdt 3) complying with these Sailing Instructions, qualified as defined in Class 3 notes below :

PHHS Class 3B Open to boats having a valid PHHS rating for the current year and

(Pdt 3+ Pdt A) complying with these Sailing Instructions, qualified as defined in Class 3 notes below :

Class 3 notes 1. Boats on joining must declare their intention to use, or not, loose

luff foresails for the season, such boats will be handicapped accordingly.

2. The handicap will be based on a crew of two adults plus children under 15 on the date of the first Class 3 race in that year. Further adult crew will incur a 1% time penalty per person. Number of crew to be reported with finishing time.

3. Boats in Classes 1 & 2, may also be members of PHHS Class 3 with no increase of fee.

4. A class 3 boat will need to meet a minimum SSSN 20 or ISO 12217 Pt2 Design Category B or a STOPS Numeral of 30+ for the category 3 races in the cross channel series.

2.6. Crew Limits

2.6.1 Crew Limits (Class 1 only)

IRC Rule 27.4.1 is modified as follows: if the number of crew exceeds the crew number printed on a boat’s IRC certificate, the maximum total weight shall not exceed the crew number on the boat’s IRC certificate times 85 kg. Note :- This instruction does not apply to the races to and from Cowes at the time of the ISC Round the Island Race.

2.6.2 All classes. IRC Rule 27.4.2 does not apply.

2.7. Handicapping

The PYRA Membership Form must be signed and returned, together with a valid rating certificate to the Hon. Secretary before a boat is eligible to race. For Classes 1 & 2 no results shall count until an upto date IRC certificate is produced. Class 3 boats shall submit a current PHHS Handicap for results to count. No results shall count retrospectively.

Note: The PYRA Secretary shall maintain on the notice boards of the member clubs, a list of boats in their respective class together with their current rating.

2.8. Identification of Boats

a) Each boat shall fly its Class distinguishing flag in a clearly visible manner from the backstay. If no backstay then a similar position.

b) Boats not complying with SI 2.8 a) may not be recorded as starters or timed as finishers.

3.0 Safety

3.1. Race Categories

a) ORC Category 3: All night races. All Channel Series when life rafts shall also be carried.

b) ORC Category 4: all other races that are scheduled to be completed before sunset.

c) When SI 7.8. applies the race category shall not change.

3.2. Basic Safety Requirements

Yacht racing can be dangerous. Owners and crew are strongly recommended to wear harnesses and lifejackets as a regular practice and in particular when reefed, at night or when alone on deck.

The owner and or skipper of each boat competing shall ensure their boat complies with all safety requirements in the current edition of the ORC Special Regulations Governing Offshore Racing, for the category of race entered.

A personal copy may be obtained from the Offshore Racing Council, 19 St James Place, London SW1A 1NN, http://www.orc.org,

3.3. Safety Inspection

If a boat does not comply with the ORC special regulations her entry may be rejected or she will be liable to disqualification or other such penalty as may be prescribed by PYRA.

Neither the establishment of these conditions, nor their use by the race organisers in any way limits the absolute responsibility of the owner/competitor.

4.0 Communications with Competitors

4.1. Radio Communications

a) All boats shall be equipped with VHF radio capable of receiving Ch.37(M). A listening watch must be maintained until clear of the starting area. Competitors are advised to keep a listening watch for the duration of the race.

b) Radio communications with competitors will normally be by VHF radio Ch 37(M). In the event of this channel being blocked Ch 72 may be used.

4.2. Alterations to Sailing and Race Instructions

a) Notice of any alterations to the Sailing Instructions may be posted on the Notice Boards of the member clubs. It shall be the responsibility of the competitors to acquaint themselves with any such alterations.

b) Changes on the day may be made by Class Captains if conditions dictate. This information will be conveyed to competitors as per S.I.4.1. (see also 7.8 b)

4.3. Postponement and Abandonment

In the event of a race being postponed or abandoned signals shall be made in accordance with the RRS, except that:

a) In the event of abandonment competitors will be notified as per S.I.4.1. at approximately 60 and 30 minutes before the advertised first start time in that starting sequence and at that advertised time.

b) In the event of a race starting other than from Poole, every endeavour will be made to acquaint Members with postponement or abandonment information.