Morecambe and Heysham

Yacht Club

Sailing Instructions for Handicap
Dinghy Racing Events

1. Rules

Racing takes place under the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) "Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008", Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Prescriptions, these M&HYC Sailing Instructions and appropriate Class Rules.

2. Entrants

Racing in Club Series Events is open only to those catamarans and dinghies (hereafter referred to as dinghies) whose owners are Full Members of M&HYC. Guests may crew and use the facilities of the M&HYC Clubhouse a maximum of 6 times, in any one year. If they wish to take part on more occasions they must apply for Club Membership.

Regattas will be Open Events, not restricted to M&HYC dinghies.

3. Insurance

It is a requirement of Owners that their dinghies must carry insurance cover of not less than £2,000,000 in respect of third party and crew liabilities.

4. Notices to Competitors

When possible Notices to competitors and any change to these Sailing Instructions, will be handed out at the Clubhouse, sent by e-mail or sent by post. Copies of notices and sailing instructions, plus racing results, will be displayed on the Club notice board.

5. Safety
1. Safety shall be paramount.
2. The safety of a dinghy and her entire management, including insurance, shall be the sole responsibility of the person in charge of the vessel, who must ensure the dinghy and her crew are adequate to face the conditions which may arise at sea. It is the sole responsibility of competitors to decide whether to start or continue in any race, bearing in mind the weather forecast and the conditions at the time.
3. The Morecambe and Heysham Yacht Club, its Sponsors, Officers and Agents, shall not be responsible for any loss, death, damage or personal injury, howsoever caused, to the person in charge or the crew of a dinghy, or to another competitor, or to safety or spectator boat crews, as a result of their taking part in sailing and racing in Club events. Moreover, every person in charge of a dinghy warrants the suitability of the vessel for racing.
4. Competitors are required to wear appropriate Safety Equipment (in particular Life Jackets or Buoyancy Jackets) at all times on the water or slipway.
5. Dinghies may be subject to a safety inspection and may be refused entry to the race at the OD’s discretion.
6. All boats are required to sign-on and sign-off before and after going afloat each day
7. All boats must have a suitable tow rope of at least 6mm in diameter.
   
6. Scoring

            Win ¾ point & then 1 point for each place position,  ie 2^nd place 2 points, 3^rd place 3 points. One discard is allowed if four races have been sailed or as per racing instructions.

7. Handicaps & Timing

Handicapping will be based on the RYA Portsmouth Yardstick System.

It is the duty of Skippers to declare to the OOD any changes which may affect their handicap (e.g. uni-rig, single-handed or crew numbers).

8. Courses

The principal method of communicating with skippers and crews will be by a verbal pre-race briefing and the course blackboard. The Officer of the Day will announce the Course to be sailed at least ten minutes before the preparatory signal.

It is up to skippers and crews to ensure they attend the briefing and are in or near the Starting Area in good time.

9. Starting Procedure

When making Light Signals the OD shall also make appropriate Sound Signals.

When the Club Committee Boat is being used by the OD, appropriate Sound Signals will be used. When there is no Committee Boat, then a combination of Light and Sound Signals will be used.

5 Minutes - Warning Signal, Light Signal (Red), plus One Sound Signal.
4 Minutes - Preparatory Signal, Light Signal (Red plus Yellow), plus One Sound Signal.
1 Minute – Light Signal.(Red, Yellow and Blue), plus One Sound Signal
Start – All Light Signals off, plus One Sound Signal.

10. Recalls

Individual to three boat Recalls will be indicated by Light Signal (Blue), plus One Sound Signal.

General Recalls will be indicated by Light Signal (Red, Blue, Green, Yellow), plus Two Sound Signals.

11. Start & Finish Line

The Start and Finish Line will be identified by the OD, during the pre-race briefing and displayed on the course chalk board by the race office. Races will normally start to windward.

12. Finishing Procedure

The OD will indicate the order in which marks are to be taken. Normally the Finish will be to windward in the same direction as the Start.

In the event of a Shortened Course, when the leading boat begins the final leg of the course, the OD will indicate by Light Signal (Green) plus One Sound Signal that the course will end when competitors round the next buoy (or cross the original Finish Line in the case of courses being shorted by a whole lap(s).

If the OD is based on a Committee boat, a Shortened Course will be indicated as above but by One Sound Signal only and, if practicable, by the stationing of the Committee Boat in the vicinity of the final buoy.

When finished please keep clear of the line so as not to impede other dinghies trying to finish.  

13. Time Limits

The R.Y.A .Average Lap Racing Rules will apply.

The time limit will be set by the O.D. at the race briefing.

14. In the case of very light weather with a dropping wind, or worsening weather, the Officer of the Day may, at his own discretion, either Shorten Course or Abandon the Race.
    The OD may also Abandon the Race, at his own discretion, on safety grounds.
15. Race Abandonment Race Abandonment shall be indicated by Light Signal (Green and Yellow) and Two Sound Signals. 

16. Penalties

Penalties for infringements shall be as follows:-

1. For touching any Mark of the Course, the Dinghy must do a 360 degree turn.
2. For infringing the rights of other Competitors, the Dinghy must do a 720 degree turn - i.e. two complete 360 degree circles.

Penalty turns should be taken as soon as possible after the incident and in any case must be made before the end of the race.

When doing penalty turns a dinghy must keep well out of the way of other competitors so as not to risk a further infringement.

17. Protests

Protests shall be made in writing on the appropriate Form in accordance with Rule 61. A Protestor must inform the Protestee promptly after the incident by hailing "Protest!" to the infringing dinghy and must fly a Red Protest Flag until the end of the race. The Protestor must inform the Officer of the Day at the end of the race if he intends to pursue the Protest. The written Protest should be given to the OD within One Hour of boats returning to the shore along with a £10 fee. A copy must be provided for the Protestee. The Protest will be heard as soon as possible after crews return to the Clubhouse. If there is a problem in finding sufficient experienced people to form a Protest Committee, the OD will advise a time, date and place for the Protest to be heard.

18. Retirements

Any dinghy retiring from a race should inform the OD as soon as possible.

19. Sportsmanship & Fair Sailing

The Racing Rules of Sailing are written to encourage sportsmanship and fair competition. (see Part One - Fundamental Rules). It is also the intention of the ISAF that the rules should impose on all Competitors the obligation to avoid collisions and damage to dinghies (see Rule 14). Right of Way dinghies should be aware that they may be penalised if they deliberately cause a collision and make no attempt to avoid contact.

20. Penalties imposed by the Sailing Committee

In the event of a serious dispute, whether arising from a Protest or not, the Sailing Committee may impose whatever penalties it deems fit on a dinghy or owner who it considers has transgressed the rules.

21. Acknowledgement

By taking part in a race all competitors acknowledge that they have read, understand and will abide by these Sailing Instructions in their entirety