Saturday 2nd October
Racing will take place under the current ISAF rules, as adopted by the RYA and known as the Racing Rules of Sailing, these sailing instructions, the appropriate class rules and by-laws of the Broads Authority.
1. Eligibility - Production cruisers (i.e. any cruiser not eligible to compete in Yare Navigation Race), dinghies and day boats of all classes.
2.
2.1 The race organisers shall not be liable for any loss, damage, death or personal injury howsoever caused to the owner/competitor, his skipper or crew, as a result of their taking part in the race or races.
Liability(i) By signing the entry form, participants accept that they are responsible for themselves, their crew, and their boats, whether afloat or ashore. (ii) Nothing done by the organisers (i.e. the club, race management team, patrol, towing or safety craft and anyone helping to run the event) will relieve participants of their responsibilities. (iii) By launching, participants imply the suitability of their boat and the competence of the skipper and crew for the expected or forecast conditions. (iv)The provision of patrol, towing and safety craft does not relieve participants of their responsibilities.
2.2 Measurement or Rating Certificates should be available for inspection if requested by the Race Office. Yachts may be measured before or after the race.(BSC will generally use Portsmouth Yardstick handicaps taken from the RYA website and the 'Green Book', however BSC reserves the right to alter these as it sees fit).
2.3 Yachts may be inspected before or after any leg of the race at the discretion of the Race organisers. Neither the establishment of these conditions, their use by the race organisers, nor the inspection of the yacht under these conditions in any way limits the absolute responsibility of the owner/competitor. The crew are nonetheless advised to satisfy themselves as to the experience of the skipper and the adequacy of all safety equipment and insurance arrangements.
2.4 All yachts will display official recognition marks as supplied by BSC.
2.5 The organisers reserve the right to refuse an entry without giving reasons.
2.6 Helms must give the names of crew before starting. Helm and crew may exchange duties after the start.
2.7 All cruisers must carry engines in working order.
2.8 All yachts must be covered for third party insurance to the sum of £3,000,000.
2.9 All boats must carry a mobile phone.
3. Adequate personal buoyancy.
A personal flotation device, (RRS from 2009), correctly fitted and fastened, must be worn in dinghies at all times. Wet suits and dry suits are not personal flotation devices. Cruisers must carry personal flotation devices for all crew members.
4. Instructions.
4.1 Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board in the clubhouse.
4.2 Starting signals will be in accordance with ISAF rule 26. (10 minute, 5 minute, start).
4.3 Changes to sailing instructions will be posted at least two hours before the advertised starting time.
4.4 All committee boats will display a >>> flag.
5. The Course.
5.1 The course area is on the River Yare & Breydon Water.
5.2 The race is from Buckenham Sailing Club 'down river' start line to No. 5 buoy on Breydon Water and return to Buckenham Sailing Club finishing line.
6. Start Times.
6.1 The first start will be at 08.30 with subsequent flights every ten minutes to 12.00.
6.2 Helms may request a start time up to 30min. before that time by handing in their entry form to the Race Controller. All start nominations will be kept in the strictest confidence. The Race Controller reserves the right to refuse start time requests and to adjust numbers in starting flights.
7. Starting.
7.1 The area between the start line and Buckenham finish line is out of bounds to all yachts except starters.
7.2 Loud hailer will recall any boat over the line at her start.
8. Reedham.
8.1 Entrants may use any form of propulsion between up and down gates at Reedham.
8.2 Entrants will be timed out / in the race as they pass up / down gates on outward and return legs.
8.3 Reedham Bridge must not be passed when closed, no masts lowered, no deliberate capsizing.
8.4 The Railway has complete control over bridge closing times.
8.5 No competing boat shall pass another, unless moored, between up and down gates at Reedham.
9. Finishing.
9.1 The race will finish at Buckenham Sailing Club finish line, or a line between a committee boat and an outer mark.
9.2 The time limit for the race will be 17.00. The race will be valid for all entrants finishing within time.
10. Penalties/Protests.
10.1 A yacht touching no. 5 buoy will be awarded a five-minute penalty.
10.2 Rule 31.2 shall not apply.(One complete turn after hitting mark).
10.3 The Exoneration Penalty (and the Advisory Hearing and RYA Arbitration procedures) of the RYA Rules Disputes Procedures will be available. See the Official Notice Board for details.
10.4 If a yacht in dispute or protesting is unable to finish within the time limit, race observers may relay the message.
10.5 The disputes procedure (advisory hearing/protest etc.) will begin as soon as all involved are present.
11. Signing Off.
11.1 All Helms must sign the race completion form, which will be situated in BSC clubhouse.
11.2 Entrants retiring from The Race must inform the box or a club observer as soon as possible.