Sailing Instructions
1 Races will be sailed under the IYRU rules, prescriptions of the RYA, the rules of the class concerned, except where modified by these sailing instructions.
2 The course or courses will be displayed on the course blackboard in the Club House at least 10 minutes before the start gun.
3 Start times for the races are
Tuesday 5 minute 1400; start 1405
Thursday: 5 minute 1855; start 1900
Sunday: 5 minute 1000; start 1005
Pico Start time T.B.A.
Second race will follow as soon as possible after last finisher.
The race officer may start the race up to 15 minutes early if fleet is ready.this can be altered with 7 days notice given on the Club board.
Change of race from fixture card must also give 7 days notice on club board.
4 Handicapping is to the RYA Portsmouth Yardstick or SCHRS where appropriate. Any boat owner who doubts the handicap offered should contact the Committee which has the power to change the handicap rating.
A novice is defined as not having won a cup in the Club for the previous 3 years.
A junior is defined as not being 18 at the start of the membership year, ie, 1st January.
5 The start line is a transit between the triangle and post at the starters hut and a lozenge shape on a pole due east at the beach. The start outer limit is a buoy approximately 100 yards to seaward and an inner mark some 40 yards inside this as close to the transit as possible.
6 The Finish line is drawn between the triangle and post of the starters hut and the start outer limit buoy.
7 The time limit for a race is 2 hours, and all subsequent finishers must cross the line within 30 minutes of this time, if how-ever the leading boat does not get to the first mark within 35 minutes, then the race will be abandoned.
8 The points scoring system is as shown on the back cover of the Yearbook, and will be used for internal club series.
9 Life jacket s and buoyancy aids must be worn by all personnel afloat (in this context a wet suit does not constitute a buoyancy aid).
10 A second sound signal at the start is to inform all helmsmen that one or more boats were over the line at the start. It is the responsibility of all helmsmen to ensure that they start correctly.
11 Should the race officer decide to shorten the course, Int. Code flag `S` will be flown from the Yardarm (blue square central on white ground) and 2 sound signals will be given. Where necessary, the Race Officer Of the Day (ROOD) may implement the Lap Average Rule to enable some boats in the race to be finished after a differing number of laps.
12 Tidal streams in Sandown Bay are generally S ward on the Ebb and N ward on the Flood tide but they change direction approximately 1.5 hours before the high and low water.
13 Penalties at the time of an incident
A boat may take a two- turn or if multihull one-turn penalty after getting well clear of other boats as soon after the incident as possible with one turn in the same direction and include one tack and one gybe.
14 Written protests must be handed to the ROOD within the time limit of 1 hour of the finish, accompanied by a fee of £1which is refunded unless the protest is judged frivolous. The ROOD will advise the Vice Commodore who will select an unbiased officer to chair and for a protest committee, to sit in judgment as soon as practicable. Other Club members not involved in the protest, are encouraged to attend protest meetings, but may not interrupt.
15 A minimum of two boats shall constitute a race.
16 Every attempt will be made to have the results ready within 15 minutes of the last boat home.
17 The patrol boat will be available whenever possible, but all persons are competing at their own risk, which they will accept if they race.
The safety of a yacht and its entire management including insurance shall be the sole inescapable responsibility of the owner/competitor racing the yacht. The establishment of these Sailing Instructions in no way limits or reduces the complete and unlimited liability of the owner/competitor.
The Vice Commodore has the right to disqualify any boat from racing if it is thought to be unseaworthy. The owner/helmsman shall be asked to satisfy the Vice Commodore (or other Flag Officer) that the boat conforms to class buoyancy conditions as defined by the General Committee.
18 Attention is drawn to IYRU rule, “Every yacht shall render all possible assistance to any vessel or persons in peril when in a position to do so
Any competitor seen disregarding this rule will be disqualified.
19 Compulsory equipment to be carried on board, -
Personal buoyancy for all persons in the boat.
A Paddle.
20 If any club member is required to be the ROOD or any member is representing the club at an away fixture they will be given average points for that series.
21 These sailing instructions may be altered for any race by a written notice shown on the course blackboard up to 15 minutes before the 5 minute gun of the race for which they are to apply.
22 To qualify for any of the Clubs trophies at the end of the season, the helmsman must have been a paid up member of the club and all boat fees paid in full.
23 The Race Officer is the nominated deputy to the Vice Commodore for the duration of the race; he is therefore the only on-shore person who is protest-able. Any aid given to the ROOD by any other persons (e.g. an Hon. Starter) does not remove the responsibility from the ROOD. Before a race the Vice Commodore or Flag officer may define the weather conditions as unsuitable for racing. Unless rescinded that decision means that no racing under the Burgee of Shanklin Sailing Club may take place that day.
24 Members Responsibility
A member is entirely responsible for his/her own safety, whether afloat or ashore, and nothing whether at the club or in the sailing instructions or any-where else reduces this responsibility.
It is up to each person to decide whether they are fit to sail in the conditions which they will find themselves. By launching or going to sea, the boat confirms that they are fit for those conditions and the crew is competent to sail and compete in them.
Nothing done by the club can reduce the responsibility of the member nor will it make the club responsible for any loss, damage, death or personal injury, however it may have occurred.
The Club encompass everyone helping to run the race and including the race management, Club committee and the petrol boats.
