Sailing Instructions 19 March 2013 

 

Introduction

Croudace Bay Sailing Club (CBSC) offers socially competitive sailing to its members, who often sail shorthanded and/or with their families. The club welcomes new sailors to the sport and our emphasis is on friendly sailing/racing rather than on all out competition.

Hence aggressive tactics especially at the start should be avoided.

Take note that some members may not be as well versed in or as skilled as you in racing procedures.
We therefore advise that even if you have right of way on starboard tack it may be necessary to
concede to another vessel to avoid collision at times.
New sailors are advised to start the race further along the start line away from the Start Buoy.
The Sailing Committee expects that adhering to these principles will make racing enjoyable for all.

Radio Channel 94 on 27 MHz is used for communication between the clubhouse and fleet vessels. Radios are therefore recommended but are not compulsory as other vessels can communicate messages verbally.

1. Rules

Races will be conducted under the Racing Rules of the ISAF, the Prescriptions & Special Regulations of the current YA Racing Rules of Sailing, including the Sailing Instructions with all modifications and the appropriate Class Rules.

NSW Maritime requirements 
Vessels must comply with the Water Traffic Regulations and Navigation Collision Regulations when involved with other vessels.
A vessel shall sail no closer than 30m from anchored or moored vessels and must not proceed through mooring areas.

2. Safety

All vessels must comply with the present YA Category 7 safety standard. Proof of YA Category 7 must be obtained within 3 consecutive races from the start of the Summer Point Score season or for new members within the first 3 consecutive races of joining the club.

All vessels must comply with all current NSW Maritime Authority regulations.

CBSC must report all incidences involving fatality, serious injury and/or damage where such is considered significant, to NSW Maritime Authority within 48 hours of the occurrence. Hence incidents must be reported to the sailing committee within 1 hour of the race completion. 
Note: 
1. ‘Serious injury’ is defined as requiring hospitalisation other than for treatment of minor injury or for observation only.
2. ‘Significant damage’ is determined having regard to the types of vessels involved and would generally be in excess of a dollar value which is appropriate to the overall value of the vessel (eg $500 quantum could be appropriate for a Sabot or skiff but is insignificant for a ‘Maxi’)

The club is obligated by the aquatic licence to call off an aquatic event if the weather or water/sea conditions become unstable. If conditions are deemed to be unsafe by members of the sailing committee, racing will be cancelled in the interests of safety.

3. Liability

Those taking part in a CBSC race do so at their own risk. Attention is drawn to ISAF Part I Fundamental Rules, Rule 4 “The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or continue racing is hers alone.”

CBSC is not responsible for the seaworthiness of a yacht or the efficiency or adequacy of the equipment. CBSC reserves the right to refuse an entry.

Evidence of third party insurance (minimum $10 million) for vessels and competitors must be shown to the safety officer.

4. Eligibility

Any yacht paying club race fees and having current safety certificate shall be eligible to take part in 3 races in the sailing calendar, but only financial members may be included in the point score.

All places and points advised on race day are provisional (race results are advised verbally with provisional points recorded on the board). Adjustments to places and points may be made by CBSC Sailing Committee after all relevant factors have been assessed.

5. Divisions

The Sailing Committee of CBSC will allocate yachts to the appropriate division.
All yachts have the option of using a spinnaker or not in any race, with the following exception: a yacht that has not used a spinnaker previously in that point score series shall not fly a spinnaker during the last 3 races of that series as the advantage of the spinnaker cannot be readily corrected by the handicap system.

6. Briefing

A briefing will be held before each race for announcement of the course to be sailed.
A minimum of (3) three starters are required for a race to be held in each division. However for the club championship
point score a minimum of (5) five starters are required from the combined divisions.

7. Signing On

All skippers shall sign/log on at least 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time of their division or class. This may be done in person at the club or via radio. Vessels that have not signed/logged on will be deemed not to be racing.

8. Starting Line

Home Start: The starting line shall be between the Home Buoy and the starter window in the clubhouse. Yachts shall start between the Home Buoy and the starter window with the Home Buoy to starboard. 
Other Starts: To be advised prior to the race.

9. Before the Start

After the Division Signal (5 minutes before the start), competitors not about to start shall remain clear of the starting line area.

From the time of the Division Signal (5 minutes before the start), competitors in the division about to start shall not have their engine running.

In the last minute before the start of a race any competitor vessel crossing the start line early, shall round the Home Buoy to starboard before restarting, without interference to other competitors.
Failure to comply with this condition will incur a 5 minute penalty that will be added to the elapsed time of the vessel. 

10. Yachts Not Racing Keeping Clear

Attention is drawn to ISAF Part 2 Rule 23.1
“If reasonably possible, a boat not racing shall not interfere with a boat that is racing.”

11. Retiring Yachts

Any yacht that retires shall notify the Race Officials promptly. Radio the clubhouse on Channel 94 via
27 MHz or notify via another vessel.
Skippers of vessels that have failed to log off will be contacted.

12. After Finishing

Every effort shall be made to clear the finishing line and the finishing area.

13. Recalls

a) No individual recall numbers or letters will be displayed.

b) A single or multiple yacht recall shall be signaled by a single sound signal.

c) A yacht recalled shall return to the pre-start side of the starting line and its extensions around the ends of the starting line.

d) A general recall shall be signaled by two sound signals.

e) When a general recall has been signaled, the starts for all succeeding divisions shall be postponed accordingly.

14. Competitor Identification

Each competing CBSC registered yacht shall fly prominently a CBSC Burgee (a white triangle with a blue surround).

15. Starting Procedure

Single Division

Multiple Divisions

Start signal for the first division shall be 30 minutes after the second division start.
The count down shall be the same as for the second division.

Late Starters

A boat may be up to 5 minutes late for its start and still be included in the race results. A boat that is any later than 5
minutes for the start may be included in the race at the discretion of the committee. Any late starter will carry the same
handicap or higher for its next start as the race it was late for.

16. Finishing

16a. Home Finish

Yachts shall keep the Croudace Bay Buoy to port and then finish between the Home Buoy and the starters window with the Home Buoy to port.

16b. Other Finishes

Yachts shall finish between the mark and the finishing flag, crossing the starting line in the direction indicated in the pre-race briefing instructions.

16c. Shortened Course

Finishing the race will occur at the next rounding of the home buoy and vessels will be contacted by radio. All boats participating in a race should have their 27 MHz radio tuned to channel 94 for the purpose of receiving messages from the starter.

16d. Race Abandoned

If a race is abandoned this will be indicated by an announcement on radio channel 94.

17. Time Limit

Time limits are from the first division start.
a) Point Score 3 hours for the first boat and 4 hours for the rest of the fleet.
b) Pulbah Island 4 hours for the first boat and 5 hours for the rest of the fleet.
c) Other races as specified in the pre-race briefing.

18. Marks

Major course marks:        White CBSC buoy with a blue top.

Green RMYC buoy with a yellow top

Starting mark:                   White CBSC buoy with a blue top.
                                                Other landmark specified by the starter.

19. Protests

At CBSC we expect to receive very few protests however if a member feels aggrieved enough take note of the following information.

All protests are to be heard by members of the CBSC Sailing Committee. Determinations will be made in accordance with ISAF Rules under the CBSC Sailing Committee’s interpretation of such rules. Such determinations are not for the purpose of legal claim.

A protesting yacht shall lodge a protest within 2 hours after the last boat has finished. ISAF Part 5, Rule 61.3. A protest fee of $50 must also be lodged at the same time and this shall be forfeited if the protest is dismissed.

20. Yacht Identification

Each yacht shall carry sail identification acceptable to CBSC Sailing Committee.

21. Point Scoring

Only financial members are eligible to be included in the point score. 
Visitors will be given a placing in the race on the day but will not be included in the ongoing point score.
Points shall be awarded to yachts on the following basis:

First Place                               0.5 points 
Second Place or Greater    1 point equal to a yacht’s place in the race. 
Did Not Finish (DNF)           1 point greater than the number of member yachts starting the race.

Yachts that do not complete the race because they rendered assistance to another vessel may, at the discretion of the Sailing Committee, be awarded a point value of the nearest whole number greater than half of the number of fleet members in a race.

Did Not Start (DNS)             1 point greater than the number of registered CBSC member yachts.

Leave of Absence (LOA)      Points equal to a whole number greater than half of the member yachts in a race.
At the discretion of the Sailing Committee leave of absence (LOA) may be granted for yachts, skippers and crew, who are CBSC members representing the club, competing in recognised offshore, interclub or class championships. LOA may be granted for CBSC yachts that do not start provided the Sailing Committee receives notification before the start of the respective race.

Starter/Timekeeper (ST)    Points equal to a whole number closest to 1/3 of the member yachts in a race.
These points will only accrue if starter/timekeeper vessel does not race.

22. Point Calculations

Two half Summer point score series (8 races each) and a Winter point score series (8 races) shall be run. For calculation purposes one race may be dropped from each series and the lowest score yacht shall win that series. The overall Summer point score shall also be calculated with one additional race being dropped from either half Summer point score series (i.e. a total of 3 races dropped) and the yacht with the lowest total score shall win.

23. Exclusions

No vessel shall use any device, such as a trapeze, whilst racing that places the body of a crewmember outboard other than hiking straps and stiffeners worn under the thighs. This is in accordance with ISAF 2009-12, Part 4, Rule 49.1.

CBSC Sailing Committee 19 March 2013