Sailing Instructions

Haven Regatta Series 2011

CLUB	DATE	START
HAZELBEACH REGATTA	11-Jun	TBN
PHYC REGATTA	12-Jun	TBN
PYF COUNTY REGATTA	23-Jul	TBN
LAWRENNY REGATTA	24-Jul	TBN
NEYLAND REGATTA	30-Jul	TBN
DALE REGATTA	6TH - 7TH AUG	TBN
ANGLE REGATTA	13TH - 14TH AUG	TBN
PYC REGATTA	21ST AUG	TBN

Series sponsors are the Milford Haven Port Authority.
Please remember to read your tide tables and study an admiralty chart before competing in racing.

1. Rules

1.1 Racing will be governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing (ISAF), the prescriptions of the RYA, class rules where appropriate except as any of these are changed by these Sailing Instructions.

2. Conditions of Entry

2.1 Eligibility

Eligible boats may be entered by completing registration with the organising authority for open series.

2.2 Safety

The safety of a yacht and her entire management including insurance is the sole responsibility of the owner/competitor racing the yacht who must ensure that adequate safety equipment is carried.
The decision whether or not to start or continue in a race is the owner/competitor's and the race organisers accept no liability for loss, injury or damage. The race officer has the authority on duty of care grounds to cancel/postpone/delay any planned race, at any time.
Moreover, every owner/competitor warrants the suitability of his yacht for the races.
All yachts shall carry:
A minimum third party insurance in the sum of £2,000,000
An engine capable of propelling the yacht at 4 knots in calm water and sufficient fuel for 2 hours motoring. Engine and associated equipment must be fully functioning and in a safe working order before the starting procedure commences. Random checks may be carried out by the Race Committee .
A VHF radio capable of transmitting and receiving Channels 16, 12, & 37. Immediately after the start all yachts racing will keep a dual watch on channel 16 and 37. MPHA signal station wishing to communicate directly with a yacht will call on Channel 16 and request yacht(s) to switch to Channel 12. On completion of any such communication the yacht(s) concerned will resume dual watch on Channel 16 and Channel 37. Random radio checks may be carried out at the discretion of the Race Officer.

2.3 Lifejacket Rule

When flag Y is flown from any NYC/ PHYC flag staff, or Committee boat, ALL competitors shall wear lifejackets. Failure to comply with this rule WILL result in a disqualification.

2.4 Classes

4 Classes

Class 1 > Pennant 1 IRC rating system
Classes 2,3,4. Will use the Byron James Handicapping System
Class 2> Pennant 2 PY handicap system up to TBA
Class 3> Pennant 3 PY handicap system above TBA
Class 4> Pennant 4 PY handicap system (White sails only)
Spinnaker poles or whisper poles may used to set head sail, but must be attached to the mast
To make a division valid for a series there must be at least three yachts entered, however only two need to be present to constitute a race. The class rating split between class one and class two and class 3 may be adjusted depending upon yachts entered. Allocated numbers may be adjusted during the series.

2.4 Rating Certificates

Yachts in IRC Class must carry a copy of their IRC rating Certificate on board whilst racing in accordance with rules of IRC. Competitors may be asked by organising club to produce a valid certificate. No points will be awarded for any race for which the certificate was not valid. Yachts awaiting certificates from RORC rating organisation will compete with a nominal rating of 2.000

2.5 Class Pennants

Prior to her preparatory signal, and for the duration of the race, each yacht shall fly her class pennant at least 1 metre above the stern pulpit. The class pennant shall be:
The numeral pennant listed in 3.1. This pennant will be flown at all times when racing. Any yacht failing to fly a class pennant will not be considered a starter or, if having started and sailed the course, will be deemed to have retired.

3. Communications with Competitors

3.1 Class Signals:

Class 1 - Numeral Pennant 1
Class 2 - Numeral Pennant 2
Class 3 - Numeral Pennant 3
Class 4 - Numeral Pennant 4

3.2 Changes to sailing instructions

Changes will to sailing instructions will be notified prior to the race on VHF Channel 37 and by flying flag code L from club signal masts.

4. Schedule of Races ,Courses and Starting Procedure

4.1 Courses

Valid up to date course sheets will be displayed on Club web sites or alternatively available from respective sailing captains. Please note these are often
subject to review

4.2 Starting

PHYC: transit through yellow/red pole on the end of Hobbs Point and Clubhouse balcony flagpole extending to the north shore. There is no ODM.
NYC: Transit through the NYC Flagpole and the ODM Llanion buoy. Starts will be east/west unless otherwise stated.
PYC : The start line will be an extension of two transits ashore which will be located as follows. One transit will be on the wall of the PYC building at Hakin Point and the second transit will be on the lamp post at the end of Hakin Point Pier. There will be an ODM which will be a large White Conical Buoy which will not necessarily be on the starting line and will be located about 300m from shore. 4.3 Starting signals.
DYC: Transit through orange poles on Dale Fort Jetty.

4.3 Staring Signals

Signals will be given in accordance with RRS 26 at the following intervals:

NYC /PHYC/DYC/ ANGLE Venues
*Warning Signal (class pennant plus one sound)*	*Start minus 5 minutes*
*Preparatory Signal (P plus one sound)*	*Start minus 4minutes*
*One minute (prep flag removed plus one sound)*	*Start minus 1 minute*
*Starting signal (Class pennant lowered plus one sound)*	*Start time.*

Times shall be taken from the visual signal, the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded.
A YACHT THAT FAILS TO START WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF HER CLASS START TIME SHALL BE DEEMED NOT TO HAVE STARTED ( DNS).

PYC VENUE

*Warning light 1 on*	*Start minus 5 minutes*
*Warning light 2 on*	*Start minus 4 minutes*
*Warning light 2 off*	*Start minus 1 minute*
*Start light 1 off*	*Start time*
*Individual recall light 3 on*	*+ Sound signal*
*General recall Light 1/2/3 on*	*+Sound signal*

Times shall be taken form the visual signal, the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded.

4.4 Recalls and Starting Penalties except PYC venue see table above.

If any part of a yacht's hull or equipment is on the course side of the starting line when the starting signal is made, a sound signal will be given and the code flag X will be flown until all such yachts have returned to the pre-start side of the line, or for 2 minutes whichever is the earlier. The officer of the day may transmit the sail numbers of premature starters on VHF Channel 37. Failure to do so shall not be grounds for a request for redress. Yachts recalled but failing to return correctly will be disqualified.
If a race is restarted, re-sailed or rescheduled any yacht disqualified under SI 4.6 may compete in it without penalty, the appropriate RRS being amended accordingly, except in the case of SI 4.4.

5. Finishing

5.1 Time limits for Regatta Series

Maximum time limit for all divisions is 4.5 hours

NOTE The Race officer is empowered to adjust any time limit via a radio call on VHF Channel 37

5.2 Shortened course

will be signalled using International Code Flag 'S'. This signal may be made before the leading yacht has rounded the last mark of a lap, i.e. the finishing line may be crossed in the opposite direction to the course instructions if this is the case. 5.3 Retirements:
A yacht retiring from a race must inform the race committee at the earliest opportunity.

6. Alternative Penalties

6.1 A yacht infringing a rule of Part 2 of RRS may exonerate herself in accordance with RRS 44.2 (720 degrees turns penalty)

6.2 A yacht touching a mark may exonerate herself in accordance with RRS 31.(360 degrees penalty)

7. Protests:

7.1 Only International Code Flag 'B' or a red rectangular flag will be accepted as a protest flag.

7.2 Protests must be lodged with the race officer of the organising club within 1 hour of the finishing time of the protesting yacht. Protests are to be accompanied by a £15.00 fee. (Refunded when a protest is upheld).

7.3 The parties to the protest will be notified of the time and place of the hearing.

7.4 Failure on the part of any party to the protest, or a representative, to attend the hearing may justify the protest committee in deciding the protest as it thinks fit without a full hearing.

8. Scoring System

8.1 For any race, there must be two starters in any class or three in a combined division (see 2.3).

8.2 The Low Point System (Appendix A) shall apply, amended as follows:

A yacht that does not finish or, having finished later retires (DNF or RET) will score points equal to the number of starters in the race plus 1.
A yacht that is disqualified (DSQ) will score points equal to the number of starters in the race plus 3.
A yacht that comes to the racing area but fails to start (DNS) will score points equal to the number of starters on that day plus 1. A yacht that does not come to the racing area (DNC) will score points equal to the number of entrants in the series plus 2.

9. Allowances

9.1 Helms may request permission to receive an allowance on their PY number for sailing without spinnakers, gennikers, cruising chutes, square sails and all other purpose made, down wind sails, as set out in RYA document YR 2. IRC division helms may elect to use their non spinnaker numbers on production of a valid certificate. Applies on a series only basis.

9.2 Cruising chute with a boom is an acceptable alternative to a conventional spinnaker, however yachts will not receive the 4% allowance on their PY number (PY division only).

9.3 Propellers are not to be removed.

9.4 Vane or other automatic steering devices are not to be used.

9.5 Use of engines : In order to avoid any potentially dangerous situations, yachts may use their engines to motor clear, provided this is done in a way as not to give unfair advantage . Yachts that do use their engine in this way shall report the circumstances to the race committee within an hour of finishing any race, which may or may not apply a penalty.

10. Bylaws & other rules

10.1 All Yachts shall comply with Milford Haven Port Authority Bylaws and not interfere with, obstruct or inconvenience any commercial shipping. Any yacht that is reported by the Port Authority as having infringed commercial shipping will be disqualified without redress.

10.2 Smoking and the use of naked flame is strictly forbidden when passing Oil / GAS, tankers / installations.

10.3 MHPA will be provided with a list of yachts competing by name, sail number and hull colour.

10.4 Minimum crew; two people required to compete. Advice to all helms; good practice to race with at least 3 people on board.

10.5 To qualify for the series prizes 3 out of 4 races must be sailed.

10.6 Yachts that do not qualify in the series shall have their results discarded from the overall series results, but will awarded their position on the day

Top of Page