Sailing Instructrions

MENINGIE SAILING CLUB INCORPORATED.

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS. (Modified 2022)

1. GENERAL

1.1. These standard sailing instructions will apply to all programmed events and other events organised by the committee. The basic intent of these instructions will not be altered, but minor variations and additions may be made in the interest of safety and fair sailing. Such variations and additions will be displayed with the course diagram on the Official Notice Board.

1.2. All races will be sailed under the current Racing Rules of the Sailing I.S.A.F. and prescriptions of the A.Y.F., except as any of these are varied by these sailing instructions.

1.3. The R.O., (Race Officer) will be nominated by the race committee.

1.4. All those taking part in the Meningie Sailing Club Inc. races, do so at their own risk and responsibility. The Meningie Sailing Club Inc. it’s members or volunteers are not responsible for the seaworthiness of a boat whose entry is accepted or the sufficiency or adequacy of its equipment.

1.5. The Meningie Sailing Club Inc. reserves the right to refuse an entry.

1.6. Attention is drawn to the Fundamental Rule 4 which states: ‘A boat is solely responsible for deciding whether or not to start or to continue racing’.

Furthermore the R.O. will delay the start by intervals of 30 minutes if the wind gusts exceed 25m.p.h./40k.p.h.

1.7. The R.O. will have full control of the event. He/she will have the right to use his/her judgment as to the suitability of the conditions for each class and competitor under his/her control on the day, taking into account expected wind conditions during the race, conditions of the lake, availability and fitness of rescue facilities at his/her disposal and the number of starters under his/her control.

2. NOMINATIONS

All boats will nominate on the designated form prior to the race and pay the required fee. Failure to comply will mean that the boat will be ranked as a non-starter. In the event of any race being abandoned nomination fees will be refunded upon request.

3. CONDITIONS OF RACE

3.1 One starter of any class constitutes a race for fastest time prize.

3.2 Deleted.

3.3 Each boat needs to sail a minimum of 3 races to qualify for a series.

3.4 A competitor will be permitted to accept assistance to be righted during handicap races only, but will incur a penalty score of last place providing they finish the race. If this assistance is given and the competitor does not finish the race their score will be a DNF.

4. PERSONAL BUOYANCY

Each helmsman and crew member will wear in the designated manner whilst racing, an adequate personal flotation device. Personal flotation devices must comply with the Australian Standards A.S. 1512 and be clearly branded to that effect.

5. COURSES

Notification of the courses will be given a minimum of one hour prior to the five minute warning signal of the first class.

6. SIGNALS

Generally all signals are visual. The attention of competitors may be drawn to the visual signals by the use of sound signals. The visual signals are three one minute lights displayed beneath the tower, or as specified with the course.

7. MARKS

Marks will be described on the course diagram. The start and finish line will be buoys carrying orange flags. The start and finish will be between a staff on the observation point (either the club house or an official boat) and the distant mark. A second mark will be set to limit the length of the line when starting or finishing from the club house or official boat and all competitors must pass between the two marks when starting or finishing. Every effort will be made to place the inner mark as close as practical to the actual line, but always on the course side of the finishing line.

8. STARTING

8.1 Times: Starting times will be as laid down in the racing programme and as displayed on the notice board, but may be varied at the discretion of the R.O. for special events.

8.2 Starting Area: A starting area MAY be defined with the course diagram. The area will be bounded by two buoys carrying white flags forming a rectangle with the starting line as one edge. A boat will not enter or be within this area after the 5 minute signal for the first class until the preparatory signal for its class has been shown.

8.3 Deleted

8.4 Starting procedures

8.4.1 The Starting time(s) for Classes shall be displayed on a notice board adjacent to the course diagram not less than one (1) hour prior to the Warning Signal.

8.4.2 Races will be started as follows. This changes RRS 26.1 and 30

8.4.3 For subsequent starts the Warning signal for the next Class will be displayed at the Starting Signal of the previous class.

8.4.4 Any boat starting more than 15 minutes after the starting signal may be scored a DNS.

9. RECALLS

A recall will be indicated by the making of one sound signal after the starting signal and the hoisting of the code flag ‘X’ and/or a red light will be clearly displayed at the tower. Should a boat with any part of her hull, crew, or equipment be over the line at the start, the onus of returning and re-crossing the line is entirely on the helmsman. Boats not returning and starting correctly will be scored OCS. Code flag ‘X; will be lowered when all boats have started correctly, or after 3 minutes.

10. GENERAL RECALL

In the event of there being any number of unidentifiable boats over the starting line at the starting signal, a general recall will be signalled by the hoisting of ‘first substitute’ pendant and the making of 2 sound signals, and/or a red light will be clearly displayed at the tower. The recall class will then accept the start signals for the last scheduled event as its preparatory signal. If more than one class has had a general recall they will restart in the sequence as set out initially.

11. POSTPONEMENT AND ABANDONMENT SIGNALS

These signals will be made as provided in the I.S.A.F. Racing Rules of Sailing.

12. SHORTEN COURSE

The R.O. may shorten the course for any class. This will be done in accordance with the instructions as provided in the I.S.A.F. Racing Rules of Sailing. The course will be shortened at, or near a rounding mark.

13. TIME LIMIT

The time limit for each race will be 3½ hours from the start of the race. If the leading boat has not completed the course within the time limit, the race will be deemed to be abandoned. If the leading boat completes the course within 3 hours all boats that complete the course within 4 hours will be deemed to have finished. Boats that do not complete the course within 4 hours score DNF.

The RO may alter the time limit for a race at his/her discretion. Any alteration to race length will be posted 1 hour before commencement of race.

14. RETIREMENT SHEET

The helmsman must indicate on the nomination sheet by writing the letters RET. and placing a signature next to the RET. letters. This must be done within ½ hour of the finishing time of the last yacht of that class, or notify the R.O. as soon as practical.

15. PROTESTS

Written protests, in accordance with I.S.A.F. Racing Rules of Sailing procedure, are to be in the hands of the R.O. or his/her representatives within 3 hours of the finishing time of the protesting boat. The only acceptable protest flag will be code flag ‘B; or plain rectangular red flag. Minimum size 150mm x 100mm.

16. RESAILS

Resails for all championship events will be sailed in conjunction with the next programmed event suitable for a championship race. Resails for prize events will be announced by the race committee. Every endeavour will be made to avoid total abandonment.

17. SCORING SYSTEM

1. Championship Races: Unless otherwise prescribed the scoring system will be Addendum ‘A.2’ of the I.S.A.F. Racing Rules of Sailing.

Points will be scored and any ties resolved in accordance with Addendum A2 modified to read:- There will be eight races of which the best six for each boat will be counted for her total points. Where it is possible to complete less than six races all will count. In the event of less than three races being completed the series is cancelled with no places awarded.

2. Other Races: Unless otherwise prescribed the scoring system will be Addendum ‘A.2’ of the I.S.A.F. Racing Rules of Sailing. All races except for Club Championship and novelty races will be subject to personal club handicap applied to the skipper.

3. Points will be awarded to a skipper/boat combination and are not transferable for a series, except upon application and approval by the Race Committee. The Meningie Sailing Club Pacer fleet will be exempt from this rule.

18. RESULTS

Results will be displayed within 2½ hours of the finish of the last boat on the Official Notice Board.