Middle Nene Sailing Club
2023
SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
The following instructions supersede all previous instructions issued by the
Club.
1. RULES
All races will be sailed under Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) and Class rules
subject to any modification herein, and where applicable, the International
Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.
2.1. ENTRIES
All boats must be entered on the form provided. All boats must be in possession
of a valid certificate of measurement which must be produced on demand of the
Sailing Committee. The Sailing Committee reserves the right to measure any boat.
All boats must be covered by Third Party Insurance to a minimum value of
£2,000,000.
2.2. NOTICES TO COMPETITORS
Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board located in
front of the clubhouse.
2.3. CHANGES IN SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
In the event of any alterations to these instructions being necessary flag L
will be displayed on the flagstaff in front of the Clubhouse. The new
instructions will be affixed to, or written on, the official notice board, at
least 30 minutes before the race is due to start.
3. BUOYS
(a) Buoy Number 1 will be positioned in the vicinity of the
Club House. Numbers 2 to 9 inclusive will be positioned in a clockwise manner
reading from Number 1.
(b) Buoys 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 are yellow and spherical - Static
marks
(c) Buoys lettered X and Y are movable marks and will be
positioned by the Race Officer according to the needs of the course.
Buoy X is orange and spherical, Y is black and spherical.
(d) Withies and/or red can buoys around the edge of the lake
denote the existence of shallows. Orange can buoys denote navigable channels
between shallows.
(e) All numbered marks and X and Y are rounding marks.
4. STARTING AND FINISHING LINES
(i) CLUB LINE |
|
(a) |
The Club Starting/Finishing Line will be formed by the transit of a red
staff with a red triangular top mark and a yellow staff with a yellow
cross top mark. These staffs are situated in front of the Race Officers
Box. |
(b) |
When the Club Line is to be used for starting a bell will be rung
approximately 15 minutes before the start. |
(ii) |
ALTERNATIVE LINE |
(a) |
This will be formed between a red and white staff either on shore or on
the Committee Boat and an outer limit mark coloured red and white. An
inner limit mark (red and white) may also be used and boats must not
pass between this and the Committee Boat. |
(b) |
When the Alternative Line is to be used for starting, a bell will be
rung approximately 25 minutes before the start and the Flag "W" will be
flown on the front of the Club House. |
5. COURSE
In Thursday, Saturday and Sunday Series Races, boats with a PY more than 1230
sail 1 lap less than indicated.
(i) |
STARTING AND FINISHING AT THE CLUB LINE |
6. STARTING RACES
Races shall be started in accordance with RRS rule 26, except that signals will
be 3, 2, 1 minutes before starting signal and that all sound signals shall be of
a similar length. The sound signal may be a klaxon, horn, or gun. The times and
order of starts shall be as in the Notice of Race [Open Meetings], or Club
Handbook [Club Events].
7. RECALLS
These will be in accordance with RRS rule 29.
8. STARTING PENALTIES
Starting Penalties as prescribed in RRS rule 30 will apply.
9. TIME LIMIT
The time limit for class races will be 1 ½ hours from the time of starting.
Providing the leading boat finishes within the prescribed time limit only those
boats finishing within 30 minutes of the leading boat will qualify for finishing
points. For all-comer handicap events only boats finishing within 55 minutes of
the leading boat will qualify for finishing points. Four sound signals will
denote the expiry of the time limit. Pursuit races, Edgar Cooper Tankards & the
6 & 12 Hour races are not subject to this rule. If yachts are timed out the
appropriate retirement points are awarded.
10. SHORTENING COURSE, ABANDONMENT, AND CHANGE OF COURSE AFTER STARTING
Procedure will be in accordance with RRS 32 and 33, except that when individual
classes are being shortened flag "S" may be flown adjacent to, rather than over,
the class flag(s) applicable.
11. CLASS FLAGS
The following flags will be used to identify individual classes:-
Optimist “O” |
Topper “H” |
Solo “1” |
Laser “L” |
Mirror “6” |
GP14 “A” |
Enterprise “E” |
National 12 “T” |
420 “G” |
Flying 15 “F” |
RS 200 “R” |
Illusion "i" |
12. PENALTIES FOR RULE INFRINGEMENTS
The 360 degree turns penalty system, RRS rules 44.1 and 44.2 will apply.
13. RETIREMENTS, PROTESTS AND RULE INFRINGEMENTS
Signing off is not required, but retirements should be notified to the race
staff as soon as practicable or noted on the race sheet. Protests must be made
on forms provided within 30 minutes of finishing. The Protest Committee may
allow an extension of these times in special circumstances (e.g. after final
boat lands). Protests will be heard as soon as possible after the race.
14. SCORING
OPEN EVENTS – The Low Point system will apply, unless stated otherwise in the
Notice of Race. In a series event, the number of races to count will be
one more than half the number of races sailed, rounded down, unless stated
otherwise in the Notice of Race.
CLUB EVENTS – As defined in “Racing Information” in the MNSC Handbook
15. SAFETY |
|
(a) |
All persons afloat on the Clubs waters shall wear a properly fitting and
fastened buoyancy aid complying as a minimum with European Standard CEN
reference EN 393 (Buoyancy aids – 50N). |
The Sailing Committee – April 2023