MYC  Cruiser  Class.

 

2007 SAILING INSTRUCTIONS.                      Issued  1st April 2007.

                                                                                    

 

Dates of Racing          All races from 1st May,  2007.

Organising authority    Medway Yacht Club                                                  Tel.:  01634  718399

Location                      Lower Upnor,  Rochester, Kent,  ME2  4XB.        Medwayyc@aol.com

 

1

Rules.

1.1

The races will be governed by the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), the prescriptions of the RYA and rules of the ORC, RORC IRC2000 Parts 1, 2 and 3 and other rating authorities and classes, except as any of these are changed by these Sailing Instructions (see sections 6 & 7 below), and by the Notice of Race and these Sailing Instructions including any Supplementary Sailing Instructions issued at a later date.

1.2

Port Authority Regulations.  Boats shall not contravene any published or verbal regulation, directive or request of Medway Ports or the Port of London Authority.      Boats crossing the shipping lanes and buoyed channels are expected to be especially vigilant and to recognise the priority of commercial traffic.

Boats must not cross the transit between yellow guard buoys surrounding a wreck or working vessel engaged in dredging, piling, cable laying, etc.    Boats must not enter any MPA exclusion zones including the exclusion zone at the new LNG Terminal at Grain.   (for definition refer to Notice to Mariners ).

1.3

All competitors shall comply with ISAF Advertising Code Category C and IRC2000 Part 3 (IRC-C) applies.

 

2

Safety and Responsibility.

2.1

The safety of a boat and her entire management including insurance shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/person in charge who must ensure that the boat and crew are adequate to face the conditions that may arise in the course of the race. Neither these sailing instructions nor any inspection of the boat limits or reduces the absolute responsibility of the owner/person in charge for crew,  the boat,  and her management.

2.2

The race organisers shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, death or personal injury howsoever caused to the owner/person in charge or crew, or for the loss of, or damage to, any vessel or property, as a result of their taking part in the race or races. Moreover, every owner/person in charge warrants the suitability of the boat for the race or races, which are designated as Category 4 in the ORC Special Regulations.

2.3

Cruiser racing may be dangerous. The race committee will make starting signals unless in their opinion it is manifestly unsafe for the boats entered to remain in the vicinity of the starting line. Each boat shall exercise her responsibility under RRS Fundamental Rule 4 and decide whether or not to start or to continue to race.

2.4

Crew members’ attention is drawn to RRS Fundamental Rule 1.2, Life-saving equipment,  “Each competitor is individually responsible for wearing personal buoyancy adequate for the conditions.”

 

3

Entries.

3.1

Eligible boats shall be entered by completing a Cruiser Class entry form for each race or series of races.

3.2

Eligibility requirements for boats are as follows :

Cruiser Class Div 1 is open to mono hull Cruisers having a valid current RORC IRC rating certificate with a minimum TCC rating of 0.750 and a minimum SSS of 10.

Cruiser Class Div 2 is open to mono hull Cruisers having a valid current MYA  PN rating certificate.

 

3.3

Conditions of Entry.

No boat will be accepted as an entry unless the owner/person in charge has before the start of the race signed the declaration on the MYC Cruiser Class Race Entry Form, agreeing to be bound by the rules and accepting responsibilities in the terms set out under Rules and Safety and Responsibility above.

Boats must race in rating trim, carry a copy of their rating certificate on board and be available for inspection.

The race committee reserves the right to refuse any entry.

 

4

Notices to Competitors  will be posted on the official notice board adjacent to the signing on boards,   located at the Medway Yacht Club.

 

5

Changes in Sailing Instructions.

5.1

Any change to the sailing instructions will be posted before  08:00 hours on the day it will take effect, except that any change to the schedule of races will be posted by 14:00 hours on the day before it will take effect.

5.2

In exceptional circumstances, changes to the Sailing Instructions will be given to boats on the water by an announcement on VHF radio,  Channel 37. (Changes RRS rule 88.2).

 

6

Replacement of Rules. Racing after Sunset.   (Replacement of RRS  Part 2)

When racing between sunset and sunrise, The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea will replace the relevant rules of Part 2 of the RRS. The times of sunset and sunrise will be as published in the Macmillan & Silk Cut Nautical Almanac.

 

 

7

Changes to Rules.

7.1

The Start.         Changes RRS rules 26,  29.3 and 30.   See Section 14 below.

7.2

Time Limits.    Changes RRS rule 35.   See Section 17 below.

7.2

Propulsion / Use of Engine.

     i

In emergency.  Changes RRS rule 42.

An engine may be used when appropriate to recover a man overboard, to render assistance,  or in any other grave emergency,  such as avoiding commercial shipping in confined waters and light winds.    Full details must be reported to the race committee on a declaration form. The race committee shall apply a time penalty, except when the boat at a hearing shows that the circumstances which led to her use of the engine were entirely outside her control,  when the penalty may be waived.   However,  the race committee after a hearing shall disqualify the boat when it judges significant advantage was gained while the propeller was engaged.

N.B. : Rule 42.3(d) does apply and any boat using an engine to get clear after grounding (or colliding with another boat or object) shall Retire.  (RRS 44 Penalty turns apply only to infringements of RRS Part 2).

 

An engine or power pump may be used for charging batteries,  pumping bilges, or supplying power for weighing anchor.

     ii

Late at the Start.  Changes RRS rules 45 and 42.1

A yacht need not be off her moorings at her preparatory signal. A yacht which has not previously come to the starting area may arrive late using an engine or tow provided :

(a) she stops her engine or drops her tow and then completes a 360 degree turn before starting,  and

(b) she does not start until at least five minutes after her starting signal,  and

(c) she reports the incident on a declaration form.

    iii

Taking shelter.  Changes RRS rules 45 and 47.

A boat may moor to take shelter.  Crew may temporarily leave a yacht to handle her moorings.

When a boat moors to take shelter she shall report it on a declaration form.

7.3

Use of VHF Radio.  Changes RRS rules 29, 41 and 88.2.

     i

The Principal Race Officer or Race Committee will broadcast information concerning the conduct of the race to the fleet on VHF radio, Channel 37.   The PRO will use Channel 37 to confirm Race Postponement,  Course Numbers,  changes in Start Times, General Recall,  Individual Recall of boats OCS at the Start and Race Abandonment for whatever reason, eg because no boat finished within the prescribed time limit.

All of the above actions will be carried out and communicated to competitors using the appropriate visual signals and procedures as laid down in the RRS and these Sailing Instructions,  see relevant sections below.

The use of VHF Channel 37 by the PRO is only to keep competitors informed on the conduct of the race and will not by used as a substitute for the proper visual signals and RRS procedures.

A boat may,  without infringing RRS rule 41 (Outside Help),  request and receive repetition of information broadcast by the race committee and request confirmation that she is not being recalled or that the race has not been abandoned because no boat has finished within the prescribed time limit.

The MYC Starting Box call sign is “Upnor Line”, on VHF radio Channel 37.

    ii

see also  Changes to Sailing Instructions, section 5.2, and Retirement, section 19.

 

8

Signals made ashore will be displayed at the MYC Starting Box on the club premises.

The sound signals will normally be made by a klaxon or hooter.

If this fails, an alternative sound signal may be made.

 

9

Schedule of Races.

The schedule of races are as specified in the Notice of Race for that race or series of races.

See also the Cruiser Class Race Program summary sheet and the MYC booklet “Sailing & Social Programme”.

 

10

Class Flags and Visual Light Signals.

          Class                            Flag or Class Board           Class Visual Signal    (Yellow Flashing Light)

          Cruiser Class  Div 1            Numeral Pennant   1            ▬ ▬ ▬ ▬       (repeated sequence)

          Cruiser Class  Div 2           Numeral Pennant   2            ▬ ▬ ▬         (repeated sequence)

          Medway Sonata            Code Flag F may be flown instead of No. 2  when racing in Cruiser Class Div 2

Class flags shall be flown from the back stay or equivalent rigging whilst racing.

 

11

Racing Area.

The racing area will be the River Medway and the Thames Estuary.

 

12

Courses.

12.1

The Course, designated by a number, will be selected from the  MYC Cruiser Class 2007 course sheet.

 

The course number for each race will be displayed in front of the MYC Starting Box.

The course number for each Class will also be announced on VHF radio,  Channel 37.

12.2

Fixed Marks and Standing Instructions that apply to ALL Courses:

Folly Beacon and Darnet Beacon:   Courses shall be sailed leaving Folly Beacon to Port and Darnet Beacon to Starboard sailing down river and Darnet Beacon to Port and Folly Beacon to Starboard sailing up river.

Posts off SW corner of Hoo Island: No boat shall pass between any of these posts and the Hoo Island shore.

The above beacons and posts are considered as marks of all courses and can be used for shortening course.

Yellow Sewer Outfall Buoy off Garrisons Point: No boat shall pass between this buoy and the Kent shore.

Yellow Buoys surrounding the wreck of the Montgomery: No boat shall cross the transits of these buoys.

The Race Committee will protest and disqualify any boat not complying with these instructions.

12.3

Navigation Warning:   Any  MYC sketch plans showing marks should not be used for navigational purposes.

Several marks are positioned in or close to shallow water and care should be taken when navigating in the vicinity of such marks at Low Water,  for example : No.23,  No.24,  No.16,  Stangate Spit,  and Leigh buoys.

 

13

Racing Marks.     Marks are charted navigational buoys and beacons, except for the MYC / MYA club racing marks which are orange drum buoys in the approximate positions indicated on the "MYC In River Racing" course sheet.   MYC4 is an orange drum buoy in an approximate position 3 cables north of buoy 17, roughly on the transit of buoys 17 and 18.   Blackstakes b. is a new yellow buoy in approximate position 000  42.8' E   51  25.5' N

Charts covering the racing area include Stanfords No. 8, The North Kent Coast.

 

 

14

Postponement of the Start.

 

In addition to the appropriate visual signals, see section 15 below,  Postponement of the Start will be announced over the radio on VHF Channel 37.

 

 

15

The  Start.        This changes RRS rules 26, 29.3, and 30.

15.1

The MYC Cruiser Class 2007 Start System or an Alternative Flag System will be used.

Start Time Sequence

RRS rule 26 applies,   with the Class warning signal being 5 minutes before the Start.   ( "5,4,1,Go" sequence).

MYC Cruiser Class 2007 Start System refers to the use of the "5,4,1,Go" time sequence using Lights as the visual signals as detailed below.

Visual Signals required will be made using computer generated Light signals replacing the Flag signals normally used.

Alternative Flag System may be used in the event that the MYC Cruiser Class 2004 start system is inoperative, and the I.C. Flag "A" (for Alternative) will be displayed to indicate this.

"Flag" shall mean either the normal fabric flags flown from a halyard or the flag design painted on a display board and displayed in front of the Starting Box.

For both of the above systems,   times shall be taken from the Visual Signals (Lights or Flags) and the failure of a Sound Signal shall be disregarded.

15.2

MYC Cruiser Class 2007 Start system and the Alternative Flag system are as follows :

 

Time to Start

Title of Signal

MYC CC 2007 Start system

Visual Signals, yellow or white lights

Alternative System

Visual Flag Signals

Sound Signals

- 5 minutes

Warning Signal

Class yellow flashing light signal on

Div 1            

Div 2          

Class Flag displayed

Div 1        Pennant  No. 1

Div 2        Pennant  No. 2

one sound

- 4 minutes

Preparatory Signal

Continuous white light on

I.C. Flag "P" displayed

one sound

- 1 minute

One Minute

Continuous white light off

I.C. Flag "P" removed

one sound

  0 minute

Start

Class yellow flashing light signal off

Class Flag removed

one sound

 

Other Signals

 

 

 

Title of Signal

MYC Cruiser Class 2004 Start system

Visual Signals, White Flashing Light

Alternative System

Visual Flag Signals

Sound Signals

Individual Recall

● ●                 (repeated sequence)

I.C. Flag "X" displayed

one sound

General Recall

                     (repeated sequence)

"1st  Substitute" displayed

two sounds

Race Postponed

                             (repeated sequence)

I.C. Flag "AP" displayed

one sound

Race Abandoned

                  (repeated sequence)

I.C. Flag "N" displayed

three sounds

 

15.3

Confirmation of General Recall and Individual Recalls by VHF Radio.  This changes RRS rule 41.

 

 

In addition to the visual signals above, a General Recall will be announced over the radio, VHF Channel 37.

The PRO or line staff will announce the sail numbers and/or names of boats being recalled as OCS at the start on VHF radio, channel 37.

 

15.4

Start following a General Recall or Postponement.    This changes RRS rule 29.3

 

 

One minute after the flashing lights signal is switched off or the appropriate flag is lowered, with one sound signal,    the race will be restarted as described in 14.2 above,   commencing from the Warning Signal.

 

15.5

Start Penalty Rules.  This changes RRS rule 30.      If in operation, the appropriate I.C. Flag signals will be displayed at the Start - 4 minutes signal and removed at the Start -1 minute signal.

 

15.6

Keeping Clear at Start.   Boats whose warning signal has not been made shall keep clear of the starting area and of all boats whose warning signal has been made.

 

 

16

The Start Line will be that line that runs approximately due south through the transit of two white posts with white triangles located on the north shore at the Starting Box on the MYC club premises.

 

 

17

The Finish.

17.1

The Finish Line will be that line that runs approximately due south through the transit of two white posts with white triangles located on the north shore at the Starting Box on the MYC club premises.

17.2

All boats shall take their own finishing time.   This time may be requested by the PRO / Line Staff.

17.3

The PRO / Line Staff may signal that a boat has finished by making a sound signal (a klaxon/hooter or a bell).

18

Shortened Course

18.1

Courses may only be shortened by a committee boat correctly establishing a Finish Line at a mark of the course.  (These include special fixed marks, such as Folly Beacon,  Darnett Beacon or the posts off Hoo Island).

18.2

In addition to the use of the appropriate visual signals,  the Shortening of a Course will be announced over the radio, on VHF Channel 37.  This changes RRS rule 41.

 

 

19

Time Limits  will vary for each race or series of races.     This may change RRS rule 35

See also the Notice Of Race for the race or series of races.

19.1

"Spring Series"

The Time Limit will be 1600 hours for the first boat and RRS rule 35 shall apply.

 

19.2

"Summer Series

The Time Limit will be 1600 hours for the first boat and RRS rule 35 shall apply.

 

19.3

"Maximum Series"

The Time Limit will be 1500 hours.

Boats not finishing by 1700 hrs will be scored as DNF. (changes RRS rule 35).

 

19.4

"Autumn Series"

The Time Limit will be 3 hours.

Boats not finishing in 4 hours will be scored as DNF. (changes RRS rule 35).

 

19.5

Where RRS 35 applies,  boats finishing after 1700 hours must complete a declaration form ( see Para. 18).

 

 

 

 

20

Declarations.

 

20.1

Cruiser Class  race competitors are deemed to have complied with these Sailing Instructions and sailed a proper course by crossing the finish line flying the appropriate Class Flag and a written declaration will not normally be required by the PRO / race committee.

 

20.2

Finishing after 1700 hours.

Boats shall complete a declaration form giving their finishing time, together with an indication of their position relative to other competitors at that time, and confirming that they have complied with these Sailing Instructions and correctly sailed the set course.

 

20.3

Any infringement of the Rules or Sailing Instructions, or any incident resulting in damage or the use of an engine shall be reported in writing on a declaration form and the Principal Race Officer (PRO) shall be informed as soon as possible.

 

 

21

Retirement.

On retirement, the boat shall inform the PRO / Line Staff as soon as possible, by VHF radio, telephone or in person (see contact details below).

 

 

22

Protests shall be submitted in writing using the protest forms available from the MYC Starting Box, at the cost of £10 deposit each and shall be delivered to the PRO within one hour of the last boat in the race finishing.

Should the protest be judged to be frivolous, the deposit may be retained.

 

 

23

Scoring for Race Series.

 

23.1

RRS appendix A will be used.  The Low Point scoring system and paragraph A9 will apply.

 

23.2

The number of races scheduled,  the number which shall be completed to constitute a series and the number of scores to be excluded will be as stated in the Notice of Race for that Series.

 

23.3

The Captains' Cup will be awarded to the Over All Div 1 Champion for the Season.

The Gill Cup will be awarded to the Over All Div 2 Champion for the Season.

To qualify a boat must enter both the Spring and Summer series of her Class and the scoring will be based on the place numbers in both series.  For details of the scoring procedure see Appendix A of these Instructions.

 

 

In the event of a tied series place number aggregate,  the tie shall be broken using the procedures set out in Appendix A of these  Sailing Instructions.

 

 

 

 

24

Trophies and Prizes.

 

24.1

Trophies and prizes will be awarded as stipulated in the Notice of Race for each race or series of races.

 

24.2

The trophies will be presented to the winning boats at the Cruiser Class Annual Prize Giving,  after the Strood Plate Dinner,  normally held in the Club house at the end of October or early in November.

 

 

 

 

CONTACT  INFORMATION :

 

The  Principal Race Officer (PRO) may be contacted by VHF radio :

 

VHF  Radio  Channel 37 (M 1),    call sign “Upnor Line”

 

Other useful numbers :            01634 718169  (MYC Club House)          01634 718399  (MYC office)