SAILING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EAST COAST PIERS RACE; THE COLNE POINT RACE AND SATURDAY RACES ONE AND TWO
The East Coast Piers Race and the Colne Point Race will be held on Sunday 9th July 2023.
Starting time East Coast Piers Race 0900 hrs
Starting time Colne Point Race 0915 hrs.
Saturday Races one and two will be held on Saturday 8th July 2023.
NOTE 1 – Throughout these Sailing Instructions the following applies: –
RACE SUNDAY – means Sunday 9th July 2023
RACE SATURDAY – means Saturday 8th July 2023
NOTE 2: Three laps are prescribed under the ECPR and Colne Point courses to allow the Race Officer flexibility in closing gates if conditions require (thus reducing the area covered by the race).
- RULES
1,1 The event will be governed by the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024.
1.2 The prescriptions of the RYA shall apply.
- The relevant rules of the class associations of competing boats.
- The Organising Authority implements the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Racing Charter. Competitors shall undertake to sail in accordance with the Charter.
- RRS 63.7 is changed so that in the event of a conflict between the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions, the Sailing Instructions shall prevail.
2. ENTRIES.
The East Coast Piers Race is open to small catamarans of classes that have a handicap rating of 1.055 or less in the International Small Catamaran Handicap Rating System (SCHRS).
The Colne Point Race is open to small catamarans of classes that have a handicap rating in the SCHRS system and monohull dinghies with a PY handicap of 980 or less and to such other boats as the race committee may in its absolute discretion accept.
3.CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
3.1 Risk Assesment
Rule 3 of the Racing Rules of Sailing states: ‘The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone.’ Sailing is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk. By taking part in the event, each competitor agrees and acknowledges that:
They are aware of the inherent element of risk involved in the sport and accept responsibility for the exposure of themselves, their crew and their boat to such inherent risk whilst taking part in the event;
They are responsible for the safety of themselves, their crew, their boat and their property whether afloat or ashore;
They accept responsibility for any injury, damage or loss to the extent caused by their own actions or omissions;
Their boat is in good order, equipped to sail in the event and they are fit to participate;
The provision of a race management team, patrol boats and other officials and volunteers by the event organiser does not relieve them of their own responsibilities;
The provision of patrol boat cover is limited to such assistance, particularly in extreme weather conditions, as can be practically provided in the circumstances;
It is their responsibility to familiarise themselves with any risks specific to this venue or this event drawn to their attention in any rules and information produced for the venue or event and to attend any competitors briefing held for the event.
3.2 Insurance
Competitors are entered entirely at their own risk and are advised of the condition of entry that they shall be covered by valid third party insurance to the value of not less than £3,000,000.
3.3 Safety – Personal Buoyancy
RRS 40.1 applies at all times while afloat. Wet suits and dry suits do not constitute adequate personal buoyancy.
4.0 COMMUNICATIONS WITH COMPETITORS
4.1 Signals
The following flags may be flown where appropriate: (see inside back cover for illustrations)
General Recall ………………….. 1st Substitute
Shortened Course ………………. INT code ‘S’
Warning Signal & Race Flag ..…. East Coast Piers Race – Orange ECPR
Colne Point Race – Code Flag “C”
Preparatory ….………………….. INT code ‘P’
Abandonment ….……………….. INT code ‘N’
Change to Sailing Instructions …. INT code ‘L’
Postponement ….……………….. Answering Pennant
Gate Flag ……………………….. Orange East Coast Piers Race
Gate Closed Flag – ECPR Race – INT code “S”
Gate Closed Flag – Colne Pt Race – Code Flag “S”
Committee Boat on station at start INT code ‘V’
The Orange East Coast Piers Race flag is orange and rectangular and may carry the logo of one of the supporting companies. Vessels helping with the management of the event will fly this flag.
4.2 Notices to Competitors
Notices to competitors will be posted on the Race Notice Board located in the club corridor.
4.3 Briefing
Competitor briefings for all races, including the East Coast Piers Race and the Colne Point Race, will be held at the times announced in the Programme of Events or as notified on the Race Notice Board. All competitors for the East Coast Piers Race and the Colne Point Race are strongly recommended to attend the briefing which will take place around the Marconi Sailing Club Clubhouse at approximately 18.00 hrs. on Race Saturday.
4.4 Changes to Sailing Instructions
Any changes to the sailing instructions affecting the Saturday races will be posted before 12.15 hrs on Saturday. Any changes to the sailing instructions affecting the Sunday races will be posted before 07.00 hrs on Sunday. Such changes will be indicated by the International Code flag ‘L’ hoisted on the main club house flagstaff.
4.5 Emergency Phone Number
In the event of a boat and/or crew coming ashore other than at Marconi Sailing Club its crew shall telephone Marconi Sailing Club on 01621 772164. This is important to the effective and safe management of the race. The phone number can be found on the boat sticker given to you to stick onto your boat.
5.0 SIGNING ON AND OFF
5.1 Race Entry notification
Competitors must elect and indicate on registration whether they intend to participate in the East Coast Piers Race or the Colne Point Race.
If a competitor chooses to sail any of the races over the weekend with a different sail number to that registered at Race Reception, they will be scored DSQ.
Any change of the race being entered, boat configuration or sail number must be notified in writing to the Race Committee, prior to going afloat for the respective race, by lodging a notice at Race Reception.
5.2 Signing On and Off
Each boat will be given a competitor number on registration. A member of each crew must obtain the tally band corresponding to this number before going afloat. The tally must be returned to the Race Control as soon as reasonably possible after finishing each race. In the event of retirement the tally should be placed in the box marked ‘retired’. If the tally is returned to the Race Control but not placed in the ‘retired’ box it will be interpreted as a declaration of correct finishing with no outstanding rule infringements.
6.0 SATURDAY RACES ONE AND TWO
6.1 START
Rule 26 will apply.
6.2 RECALLS
6.2.1 Individual Recall
Individual recalls will be signalled by displaying the class warning flag at dip. No individual recall numbers will be given. This changes Racing Rule 29.1.
6.2.2 General Recall
The warning signal for a new start for the recalled class shall be made one minute after the First Substitute is removed (one sound) and the starts for any succeeding class shall follow the new start.
6.2.3 Race Box Start
The start line will be a continuation of the line between the triangle on the race box and the mete (staff) on the foreshore. When starting, boats must sail a course which passes between the mark ‘A’ (inner distance mark) and mark ‘G’ (outer distance mark). When distance marks ‘A’ and ‘G’ are positioned on the pre-start side of the starting line, boats starting must not cross a line at right angles to the start line which passes through the marks ‘A’ or ‘G’ where appropriate (i.e. Corinthian starts are not permitted). Boats failing to conform will be considered to be on the course side of the starting line and must return completely to the pre-start side of the two lines before starting. Boats failing to return and start correctly will be scored OCS.
6.2.4 Committee Boat Start
If a Committee Boat start is used it will be in the vicinity of Marconi Sailing Club or south of Osea Island. The start line is a straight line between the mast of the committee boat at one end and a starting mark at the other end. The committee boat will fly INT Code Flag “V from the masthead. Competitors passing between the Committee Boat and the inner distance mark shall round the Committee Boat before starting or incur a 15 minute time penalty.
6.3. COURSE
The marks used will be large yellow or orange inflatable buoys, local navigation marks, or otherwise. Courses will be notified at the Saturday evening briefing.
6.3.1 Shortened Course
If the relevant class warning flag and the International Code flag ‘S’ are displayed at the Club Race Box or on the Committee Boat, boats shall finish the race at the prescribed finishing line at the end of the lap still to be completed by the leading boat. If the relevant class warning flag and the International Code flag ‘S’ are displayed on a Committee Boat stationed near a rounding mark then boats shall finish the race on the line between the mast displaying the flag and the nearby rounding mark.
6.3.2 Race Box Finish
The finish line will be a line between the triangle on the race-box and the mark “G” passing between mark “A” and mark “G” as inner and outer distance marks respectively. Competitors are required to pass between mark “A” and mark “G” on each lap.
6.3.3 Committee Boat Finish
The finish line will be between the mast of the Committee Boat flying INT code flag “V” and a nearby mark of the course.
6.3.4 Average laps
The Race Officer may decide to calculate the result of the race(s) using an average laps system. Competitors will be informed of this at the Briefing before each Race. If the average lap system is used competitors should continue round the course until they receive a finishing signal.
7.0 EAST COAST PIERS RACE AND COLNE POINT RACE
7.1 START – EAST COAST PIERS RACE AND COLNE POINT RACE
7.1.1 The East Coast Piers Race is scheduled to start at the time specified at the top of these sailing instructions on Sunday.
7.1.2 The Colne Point Race
Is scheduled to start 15 minutes after the East Coast Piers Race on Sunday. Competitors in the Colne Point Race shall keep clear of the start area for at least 10 minutes before the start sound signal for the East Coast Piers Race and remain clear until the East Coast Piers Race competitors have cleared the start line.
7.1.3 Start
Rule 26 will apply. The start area will be in the vicinity of the sailing club or south of Osea Island. The start line will be between the mast of the Committee Boat and an inflatable buoy. The Committee Boat will fly INT Code Flag “V” from the masthead. Boats to start in an easterly direction between the yellow inflatable and an inner distance mark if laid. Competitors passing between the Committee Boat and the inner distance mark shall round the Committee Boat before starting or incur a 15 minute time penalty.
7.2 RECALLS
7.2.1 Individual Recalls
Individual recalls will be signalled by displaying the class warning flag at dip. No individual recall numbers will be given. This changes Racing Rule 29.1. Any boat found to be On Course Side of the start line at her start time, and which fails to subsequently return to the pre-start side of the line as required by rule 29.1 or 30.1, will incur a time penalty of 15 minutes. Any boat found to be On Course Side prior to her 1 minute signal, and which fails to
return to the pre-start side of the line as required by rule 29.1 or 30.1, will be scored Did Not Start (DNS).
7.2.2 General Recall
The warning signal for a new start for the recalled class shall be made one minute after the First Substitute is removed (one sound) and the starts for any succeeding class shall follow the new start.
7.3 COURSES FOR THE EAST COAST PIERS RACE AND THE COLNE POINT RACE
Set out below are the courses for the ECPR and the Colne Point Race which will, conditions permitting, be set by the Race Committee. The Race Committee reserves the right to set courses other than those described at its discretion; such courses will be described on the Race Notice Board near race reception by 0730 hrs.
7.3.1 COURSE – EAST COAST PIERS RACE
To proceed from the start for three laps through the following gates and round the following marks in the given order.
7.3.1.1 Bradwell Gate – Boats shall pass between an inflatable buoy and the adjacent shore leaving the buoy to port.
7.3.1.2 Colne Point Gate – Boats shall pass between an inflatable buoy and the adjacent shore leaving the buoy to starboard.
7.3.1.3 Clacton Gate – Boats shall pass between an inflatable buoy and the adjacent shore leaving the buoy to starboard.
7.3.1.4 Walton Gate – Boats shall round an inflatable buoy off the end of Walton Pier, leaving the buoy to starboard.
7.3.1.5 After passing through Walton Gate, boats shall re-pass through Clacton, Colne Point and Bradwell Gates in that order.
7.3.1.6 Marconi Mark – Boats shall round the Marconi Mark leaving it to starboard. The Marconi Mark is an inflatable buoy positioned approximately 250m north of the club at the end of the start/finish line.
7.3.2 COURSE – COLNE POINT RACE
To proceed from the start for three laps through the following gates and round the following marks in the given order.
7.3.2.1 Bradwell Gate – Boats shall pass between an inflatable buoy and the adjacent shore leaving the buoy to port.
7.3.2.2 Colne Point Gate – Boats shall pass between an inflatable buoy and the adjacent shore rounding the inflatable buoy and leaving it to starboard.
7.3.2.3 After passing through the Colne Point Gate, boats shall re-pass through the Bradwell Gate.
7.3.2.4 Marconi Mark – Boats shall round the Marconi Mark leaving it to starboard. The Marconi Mark is an inflatable buoy positioned approximately 250m north of the club at the end of the start/finish line.
7.3.3 FINISH – EAST COAST PIERS RACE AND COLNE POINT RACE
The finish line will be the line between the mast of the Committee Boat and the Marconi Mark – an inflatable buoy positioned approximately 250m north of the club at the end of the start/finish line. When finishing, boats must sail a course which passes between the inflatable buoy and the Committee Boat.
7.3.4 SHORTENED COURSE AND GATE CLOSURE – EAST COAST PIERS RACE AND COLNE POINT RACE
7.3.4.1 Shortened Course at Marconi Mark
If the INT Code flag ‘S’ is displayed at the Committee Boat (adjacent to Marconi Mark), with the relevant Race Flag(s), boats shall finish the race at the prescribed finishing line at the end of the lap still to be completed by the leading boat when the flag is displayed.
7.3.4.2 Gate Closure – East Coast Piers Race.
If a Gate of the course is closed it will be signalled by INT Code Flag “S” displayed on a boat near the buoy end of the gate, in addition to the Orange ECPR flag. Intermittent sound signals may be made from the shore end of the gate or from the boat flying the ECPR flags. If it is closed boats shall treat the closed Gate as the furthest mark of the course and shall immediately round the inflatable buoy at the closed gate, leaving it to Port in the case of Bradwell Gate and to starboard in the cases of Colne Point and Clacton Gates. Boats shall then continue to sail the course from the corresponding point on the return leg of the course passing through the appropriate return gates. The number of laps is unaffected.
7.3.4.3. Gate Closure – Colne Point Race.
The Bradwell Gate is the only gate that can be closed on this course. If the gate is closed it will be signalled by code flag “S” displayed under the Colne Point Race code flag “C” on the Bradwell Gate boat. Intermittent sound signals may be made from the shore end of the gate or from the boat displaying the Colne Point Race flag. If it is closed boats shall treat the closed gate as the furthest gate of the course and shall immediately round the inflatable buoy at the closed gate, leaving it to port and start to sail the return leg of the course commencing from the closed gate. The number of laps is unaffected.
7.4 TIME LIMIT and ENFORCED RETIREMENT
7.4.1 – TIME LIMIT
Boats not completing the course by 17.00 hrs may, at the discretion of the Race Officer, be instructed to retire. On receiving such instruction that boat shall cease racing immediately and return to the Club by the quickest possible means.
7.4.2 – ENFORCED RETIREMENT
If conditions deteriorate or other factors become apparent that endanger a competitor and/or support boat crews, that competitor may, at the discretion of the Race Officer, be instructed to retire. On receiving such instruction that competitor shall cease racing immediately and return to the Club by the quickest possible means.
7.5 AGE LIMIT
On the day of the race, all competitors in the East Coast Piers Race and the Colne Point Race must be over the age of 16 years. Each boat must carry at least one crew member over the age of 18 years. Any competitor between the ages of 16 and 18 years must provide written parental consent by means of a parent or guardians signature on the Entry Form.
7.6 SAFETY EQUIPMENT
7.6.1 The following safety equipment must be carried on each boat:
– a compass
– one paddle
– at least 10 metres of adequate tow warp
7.6.2 In addition, each member of the crew (including the helm) must carry on his or her person one or more distress flares.
7.6.3 Boats will be checked, at random, as they come ashore for compliance with these requirements. Any boat found failing to comply with the requirements will be disqualified by the Race Committee without right of appeal.
8.0 ALTERNATIVE PENALTIES
The Penalty for catamarans for breaking Rules of Part 2 of the Racing Rules of Sailing shall be one complete 360 degree turn including one tack and one gybe. This changes Racing Rules 44.1 and 44.2.
9.0 PROTESTS
Protests shall be submitted on forms available at Reception and lodged with Reception within 45 minutes of the time of the last boat’s finish.
10.0 HANDICAPS
10.1 Details of adopted handicap numbers will be published on the Race Notice Board near Race Reception.
10.2 Competitors must declare the type and configuration of their boat for Saturday Races One and Two when registering their entry at Reception.
10.3 Any boat whose declared configuration does not include a spinnaker/reacher may not carry a spinnaker/reacher whilst racing. No more than one spinnaker/reacher may be carried in any one of the races.
10.4 Any changes in configuration for racing on Sunday must be declared by notice in writing lodged at Race Reception before going afloat.
11 SCORING
The Small Cat Handicap Rating System will be used for catamarans. The Portsmouth Yardstick Handicap system will be used for monohull dinghies. The East Coast Piers Race and the Colne Point Race will be handicap races. The Low-Point Scoring System of Appendix A of the Racing Rules will apply for Saturday Races One and Two with no discard.
