| 1. |
Rules |
| 1.1 |
The race will be governed by the 'rules' as defined in
the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing
2009-2012 (RRS), as modified by the prescriptions of the RYA,
the Notice of Race, the rules of each class concerned, and these Sailing
Instructions (SI). |
| 1.2 |
Unless otherwise specifically mentioned by these instructions,
all duties ascribed to the Race Committee shall be carried out by the OOD.
|
| 2. |
Registration |
| 2.1 |
Competitors must enter by completion of the official entry
form (a fair copy thereof will be acceptable), and payment of the entry fee. |
| 2.2 |
The OOD has the right to refuse or restrict entry without
stating the reason. |
| 2.3 |
All competitors must register with the OOD's representative
in the clubhouse on the morning of the race before their start. |
| 2.4 |
Following registration, competitors must collect and "post" their personal safety
tag in the "I have started" slot of the black tally box prior
to starting (please see SI 15).
|
| 3. |
Notices to competitors |
| |
Notices to competitors will be posted on the official
notice board located adjacent to the registration area in the clubhouse.
|
| 4. |
Changes to the Sailing Instructions
|
| |
Changes will be posted on the official
notice board as above.
|
| 5. |
Signals made ashore |
| 5.1 |
Signals made ashore will be displayed from the club flagstaff. |
| 5.2 |
Flag L  -
a notice to competitors has been posted and will be deemed to have been
notified to all. |
| 5.3 |
Flag L over first substitute 
- changes to the sailing instructions have been posted. |
| 5.4 |
Flag Y 
- personal buoyancy must be worn at all times while afloat (RRS Rule 40).
|
| 6. |
Class flags |
| |
| Numeral 1 |
 |
Monohulls PY 1120 and over / Sailboards |
| Numeral 2 |
 |
Monohulls PY 1031 to PY 1119 inclusive |
| Numeral 3 |
 |
Monohulls PY 1030 and under |
| Numeral 4 |
 |
Multihulls |
|
| 7. |
The course |
| 7.1 |
The race will be sailed in a clockwise direction around
IOS, starting and finishing from IOS Sailing Club, Sheerness. Competitors are advised to aquaint themselves with the
course, as there are several underwater obstructions, shoals and areas
of foul ground. |
| 7.2 |
The Kingsferry Bridge: competitors will be permitted to negotiate the bridge by wading, paddling, or sailing under any of the side spans, but are advised to walk their craft in a capsized position underneath the mainland side of the bridge. No special arrangements will be
made for multihulls. There may be marshals in the immediate vicinity of the bridge who can be
called upon to give assistance. If there is a queue at the bridge, competitors should wait their turn. |
| 7.3 |
Sailing through the centre lifting section of the Kingsferry Bridge is NOT permitted, and may result in disqualification without hearing. However, in exceptional cases, special dispensation may be granted by the OOD in advance, permitting use of the centre span due to the nature and/or restrictions of the specific craft entered (ie. fixed keel). In such cases, the OOD will factor in a disecretionary time penalty taking this into account.
|
| 8. |
The start |
| 8.1 |
There will be four staggered starts as set out below.
The starting sequence for each group will be 5,4,1,0.
Monohulls
PY 1120 and over /
Sailboards |
09.55 |
Warning signal, Numeral 1 |
| 09.56 |
4 Minute Preparatory Signal, Flag P |
| 09.59 |
1 Minute Siginal, P removed |
| 10.00 |
Start |
| Monohulls
PY 1031 to 1119 |
10.25 |
Warning Signal, Numeral 2 |
| 10.26 |
Preparatory Signal, Flag P |
| 10.29 |
1 Minute Signal, P removed |
| 10.30 |
Start |
| Monohulls
PY 1030 and under |
10.55 |
Warning Signal, Numeral 3 |
| 10.56 |
4 Minute Preparatory Signal, Flag P |
| 10.59 |
1 Minute Signal, P removed |
| 11.00 |
Start |
| Multihulls |
11.25 |
Warning Signal, Numeral 4 |
| 11.26 |
4 Minute Preparatory Signal, Flag P |
| 11.29 |
1 Minute Signal, P removed |
| 11.30 |
Start |
|
| 8.2 |
The start line is defined as the line between a mast
bearing flag R 
on the committee boat and an inner distance marker which will be an orange
buoy. The starting area will be offshore, due north of IOSSC. |
| 8.3 |
Boats manoeurvering to the east of the starting line after
their preparatory signal must return to the west side of the start line
across one of its extensions.
|
| 9. |
The finish |
| 9.1 |
The finish line will be the IOSSC line, formed by a
line projected by a black and white vertical line painted on the clubhouse
and a post on the foreshore, limited at the seaward end by an outer distance
mark which will be a black and white painted post or an orange buoy. |
| 9.2 |
Within 30 minutes of finishing competitors must "post"
their safety tag in either the "I have finished" or "I have
retired" slots of the black tally box in the clubhouse. Since these
arrangements are intended also as a safety measure they will be strictly
enforced. Otherwise rescue procedures will be initiated. See SI 14.1
|
| 10. |
Time limit |
| 10.1 |
Any boat not finishing by 20.00 hours will be deemed to
have retired. See SI 14.1 |
| 10.2 |
Competitors not reaching the Kingsferry Bridge by 18.30
will not be allowed to continue and will be directed ashore to the Island
side. |
| 10.3 |
Competitors reaching Queenborough at 19.30 will be escorted
to shore on the Island side.
|
| 11. |
Protests |
| 11.1 |
Protests must be submitted to the OOD within 30 minutes
of finishing the race. |
| 11.2 |
Protests shall be accompanied by a fee of £10 which
will be returned unless the protest committee consider the protest to be
frivolous. |
| 11.3 |
Protests concerning breach of class rules (including measurement)
shall be accompanied by a current issue of the rules. |
| 11.4 |
Whenever possible the protest will be heard at the earliest
opportunity, whether all boats have completed the course or not.
|
| 12. |
Handicapping |
| 12.1 |
All boats will compete using the Portsmouth Yardstick
Scheme as set out by the RYA. |
| 12.2 |
Boats having alternative numbers will be rated at the lowest
number. |
| 12.3 |
Declared differences from full performance potential will
not be incorporated. |
| 12.4 |
Boats without a PY number assigned by the RYA (other than Sailboards),
will have a provisional number allocated by the OOD, but entry from such boats will
only be accepted prior to the day of the event.
|
| 13. |
Classification of craft |
| 13.1 |
For all purposes in connection with the race the following
definitions apply, based on RYA publications. The RYA Portsmouth Yardstick
Scheme:
| Yacht or Boat |
All craft entering |
| Dinghy |
"Centreboard" |
| Catamaran or Multihull |
"Multihull" |
| Sailboard |
"Sailboard" as defined in ISAF Appendix B. |
|
| 13.2 |
Classification of yachts of a class not included in the
listings shall be at the sole discretion of the OOD. |
| 13.3 |
Sailboards must comply with relevant ISAF/UKBSA/BFA class
rules. No sinker boards are allowed.
|
| 14. |
Safety |
| 14.1 |
ALL COMPETITORS NOT RETURNING AND/OR RETIRING MUST TELEPHONE THE CLUBHOUSE on (01795) 663052 before 20.30 hours and ask for the Safety Officer
to post their safety tag in the "I have retired" slot of the
tally box, even if safety boats and RAYNET personnel (amateur radio) have
been informed. |
| 14.2 |
Vessels are to be navigated with care and caution. Competitors' attention
is drawn to the Medway Ports Authority River Bylaws 1991 Clause 22 (1),
reproduced below:
No person shall navigate a vessel without care and caution or at
a speed or in a manner which, having regard to all the circumstances
at the time, including weather conditions and the type, condition and
use of other vessels under way, berthed or moored, or which might reasonably
be expected to be under way, berthed or moored, endangers the safety
of, or causes injury or damage to any person, any other vessel, buoy,
moorings, banks of the Port or the Medway approach area or any other
property.
|
| 14.3 |
Between Grovehurst and Garrison Point competitors may encounter
large commercial vessel movements especially off Sheerness. Competitors must give these vessels a wide berth and not hinder their passage. Ship's Masters or Pilots will give a series of five or more short blasts
on the ship's hooter to craft that they consider to be impeding their passage.
A traffic warning light on the white tower at Garrison Point in the form
of a high powered flashing light will signal a large vessel in the channel
between the Medway Buoy and Garrison Point. |
| 14.4 |
Competitors are reminded that in a race of this nature it
is unlikely that safety craft will be on hand at all times. They should
be able to handle their craft in conditions of high winds and rough seas,
and it is essential that every boats buoyancy arrangements are in thoroughly
efficient order. |
| 14.5 |
Safety boat coxswains
are instructed that if necessary crews are to be picked up and boats left
to be towed in later. The sailing instructions do not take away the sole
responsibility for safety from any helmsman or crew. It is suggested that you carry an anchor. |
| 14.6 |
If advised by a safety boat crew to abandon your boat, you must do so. |
| 14.7 |
Competitors under 16 years of age must wear personal buoyancy
at all times when "racing". |
| |
|
| 15. |
Tally system |
| 15.1 |
The tally board will be located at the registration area
inside the clubhouse. At registration each boat will be assigned a unique
tally number. |
| 15.2 |
Tallies will be small plastic tags. |
| 15.3 |
Competitors must collect and "post" their safety
tag prior to starting in the "I have started" slot of the tally box. |
| 15.4 |
Within 30 minutes of finishing competitors must "post"
their safety tag in the "I have finished" or "I have retired"
slot of the tally box. |
| 15.5 |
All competitors not returning and/or retiring must contact
the clubhouse and ask for the Safety Officer to post their safety tag in
the "I have retired" slot of the black tally box. See SI 14.1
|
| 16. |
Sail numbers |
| 16.1 |
Every boat shall carry a sail number and shall also carry
class insignia as provided for by the relevant class association. Any boat
finishing without a sail number will not be recorded or timed and will be
deemed to have retired.
|
| 17. |
Disclaimer of liability |
| 17.1 |
Competitors participate in this race entirely at their own
risk. See RRS Rule 4, Decision to Race. The organizing authority will not
accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained
in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the race. |
| 17.2 |
IOSSC cannot be held responsible for recovering boats
from the various landing points around the island.
|
| 18. |
Insurance |
| |
Competing boats must have valid third-party
liability insurance (min. £2,000,000). |
