2025 East Coast Piers Race Sailing Instructions

September 7th, 2025No CommentsUncategorised
EAST COAST PIERS RACE, COLNE POINT RACE & SATURDAY SERIES 13th & 14th September 2025 Sailing Instructions   Notice of Race (NoR)  

The Organising Authority is the Marconi Sailing Club (MSC)

  1. RULES
    1. The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing, except as any of these are changed by the Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions.
    1. Relevant rules of class associations of competing boats shall also apply.
    1. The Organising Authority implements the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Racing Charter.  Competitors shall undertake to sail in accordance with the Charter which can be found at the front of the RYA Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028.
    1. RRS 63.7 is changed so that in the event of a conflict between the Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions, the Sailing Instructions shall prevail.
    1. A boat shall not race with an incorrect sail number unless she has notified the Race Committee at registration.
  • CHANGES TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

2.1       Saturday Series – any change to the sailing instructions will be posted before 12:15 on Saturday 13th September.

2.2       ECPR & Colne Point Race – any changes to sailing instructions will be posted before 07:00 on Sunday 14th September.

2.3       Changes to sailing instructions will be indicated by Code Flag L on the main clubhouse flagstaff.

3          COMMUNUICATIONS WITH COMPETITORS

3.1       Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board located in the club house corridor

3.2.      From the first warning signal until the end of the last race of the day, except in an emergency, a boat shall not make voice or data transmissions and shall not receive voice or data communication that is not available to all boats.

3.3       Competitor briefings for all races will be held at the times set out below.  Competitors for the East Coast Piers Race and Colne Point Race are strongly advised to attend the race briefing.

4          CODE OF CONDUCT

4.1.      [DP] Competitors and support persons shall comply with reasonable requests from race officials.

5          SIGNALS MADE ASHORE

  • Signals made ashore will be displayed at the main mast adjacent of the clubhouse.
    • When flag AP is displayed ashore ‘1 minute’ is replaced with ‘not less than 30 minutes’.
  • SCHEDULE OF RACES
    • Registration will take place in the bar area within the clubhouse at set times on Saturday and Sunday as published on the event noticeboard.
    • Competitors must elect and state at registration whether they intend to participate in the East Coast Piers Race or the Colne Point Race.  Any changes to race being entered, boat configuration or sail number must be notified in writing to the Race Committee prior to going to afloat for the respective race, by lodging a notice at Race Reception.
    • Any competitor who sails any of the races over the weekend with a different sail number to that registered with Race Reception will be scored DSQ.
    • A competitor briefing for the Saturday Series will be held in the marquee by the clubhouse on Saturday 13th September at 12noon.
    • A competitor briefing for the East Coast Piers Race and Colne Point Race will be held in the marquee by the clubhouse on Saturday 13th September at 18:00.
  • Schedule of the event
DateTimeItemFirst Warning SignalHigh Water
Saturday 13th September10:00 to 12:00 14:00 to 16:00Registration open in Marquee 05:09 & 17:30
 12:00Competitors Briefing in marquee  
 13:00Two races scheduled back to back12:55 
 18:00Competitor Briefing for ECPR in marquee  
Sunday 14th08:00Scheduled start of East Coast Piers Race07:5505:56 &
September08:15Scheduled start of Colne Point Race08:1018:24
  • When the Committee Boat is on station for the start of a race, flag V will be flown.
  • CLASS FLAGS
    • Saturday Series – Class Flag will be an Orange Flag.
    • Sunday East Coast Piers Race – Class Flag will be an Orange Flag.
    • Sunday Colne Point Race – Class Flag will be Code Flag C.
    • These flags will also be flown by the matriarch vessels at each gate of the ECPR and Colne Point Course as set out below.
  • RACING AREA
    • Saturday Series – the race area will be within the River Blackwater Estuary, starting in the vicinity of Marconi Sailing Club.
    • East Coast Piers Race and Colne Point Race – the race area will be as set out in the course below, starting in the vicinity of Marconi Sailing Club.
  • THE COURSE
    • Saturday Series – the course(s) will be advised at the Saturday Series competitor briefing on Saturday 13th September in the marquee.  The average laps system may be applied.
    • 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.
  • 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.

Bradwell Gate – Boats shall pass between an inflatable buoy and the adjacent shore leaving the buoy to port.

Colne Point Gate – Boats shall pass between an inflatable buoy and the adjacent shore leaving the buoy to starboard.

Clacton Gate – Boats shall pass between the Mother Boat by Clacton Pier and the adjacent shore leaving the Mother Boat to starboard.

Walton Gate – Boats shall round the Mother Boat near the end of Walton Pier, leaving the Mother Boat to starboard.  An inflatable distance mark will be placed by the Mother Boat – competitors must not pass between the mark and the Mother Boat.

After passing through Walton Gate, boats shall re-pass through Clacton, Colne Point and Bradwell Gates in that order.

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.

  • Colne Point Race:

To proceed from the start for three laps through the following gates and round the following marks in the given order.

Bradwell Gate – Boats shall pass between an inflatable buoy and the adjacent shore leaving the buoy to port.

Colne Point Gate – Boats shall pass between an inflatable buoy and the adjacent shore rounding the inflatable buoy and leaving it to starboard.

After passing through the Colne Point Gate, boats shall re-pass through the Bradwell Gate.

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.

  1. MARKS
    1. Marks will be advised during the relevant Competitor Briefings.

The following areas are designated as obstructions:

11.1     A Safety boat in close attendance to a craft or competitor in difficulty is an obstruction and a prohibited area. Boats must not sail between the safety boat and the craft or competitor in difficulty.

11..2    Competitors are asked to avoid sailing through the moorings at Marconi SC and Stone SC.

11.3     Other potential navigational considerations will be advised at the Competitor Briefings.

  1. THE START
    1. Races will be started by using RRS 26 with the warning signal made five minutes before the starting signal.
    1. Committee Boat Start:  The start line is between the mast on the Committee Boat displaying Code Flag V at the starboard end and the starting mark at the port end.
    1. An inner distance mark will be placed by the Committee Boat.  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.
    1. Race Box Start:  The start line is a continuation of the transit line between the triangle above the race box and the triangle on the post on the foreshore.  When starting, boats must also sail a course which passes between “A” mark (inner distance) and “G” mark (outer distance).
    1. Individual Recall All Races:  will be signalled by displaying the Class Flag at dip.  No individual recall numbers will be given.  This changes RRS 29.1.
    1. Individual Recall ECPR and Colne Point Race – 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).
    1. General Recall – in the event of a General Recall, the warning signal for a new start for the recalled class shall be made one minute after the First Substitute is removed.  The starts for any succeeding class shall follow after the new start.
  1. CHANGE OF THE NEXT LEG OF THE COURSE
    1. To change the next leg of the course, the race committee will move the original mark (or the finishing line) to a new position.
  1. THE FINISH
    1. Committee Boat – The finishing line will be between the mast of the Committee Boat displaying Code Flag V and the finishing mark at the other end of the line.
    1. Race Box – The finishing line is between the triangle above the race box and “G” the Outer Distance mark.  Additionally, competitors are required to sail a course which passes between “A” mark (inner distance) and “G” mark (outer distance).
    1. Competitors are required to pass through the finish line at the end of each lap.
  1. Shortened Course and Gate Closure – East Coast Piers Race and Colne Point Race:Shortened Course at Marconi Mark:

If Code Flag S is displayed at the Committee Boat with the relevant Class 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 Code Flag S is displayed.

  1. Gate Closure – East Coast Piers Race

If a Gate of the course is closed it will be signalled by Code Flag “S” displayed on a Mother Boat at 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 mark 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.

  1. 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.

  1. PENALTY SYSTEM
    1. A penalty shall comprise one turn including one tack and one gybe. This changes RRS 44.1.
    1. Boats observed by the Race Committee which fail to start or finish correctly or to sail the course as set and thus fail to comply with Rule 28 may be disqualified without protest. This changes rule 63.1.
  1. TIME LIMIT & ENFORCED RETIREMENT
    1. 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.
    1. 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.
  1. HEARING REQUESTS
    1. The protest time limit time limit for on water incidents is 45 minutes after the last boat finishes the last race of the day or the race committee signals no more racing today, whichever is later.
    1. Hearing request forms are available from the clubhouse.
    1. Notices will be posted no later than 30 minutes after the protest time limit to inform competitors of hearings in which they are parties or named as witnesses and the location of the hearings. Alternatively hearings may be held remotely and may be after the event, the parties involved will be advised by email of the arrangements.
    1. RYA Arbitration:  The exoneration Penalty and the RYA Arbitration of the RYA Rules Disputes Procedures will be available. Decisions from RYA Arbitration can be referred to a protest committee but cannot be reopened or appealed.
  1. SCORING & HANDICAPS
    1. The Small Cat Handicap Rating System will be used for catamarans.  The Portsmouth Yardstick Handicap system will be used for monohull dinghies. 
    1. The Low Point Scoring system Appendix A will be used.  In addition – RRS A5.3 will apply (scoring of non-starters, non-finishers etc)
    1. Details of adopted handicap numbers will be published on the Race Noticeboard. 
    1. Competitors must declare the type and configuration of their boat for Saturday Races and Sunday Races when registering their entry.  Any change to configuration for racing on either day must be declared in advance in writing with Race Reception before going afloat.
    1. Any boat whose declared configuration does not include a spinnaker/reacher/kite, may not carry a spinnaker/reacher/kite when racing.  No more than one spinnaker/reacher/kite may be carried on board in any one of the races.
  1. SAFETY REGULATIONS

A Compass

One Paddle

At least 10m of adequate tow warp.

19.4     Emergency Phone Number:  In the event of a boat and/or crew coming ashore anywhere other than at Marconi Sailing Club – the crew shall telephone Marconi Sailing Club on 07810 204165.  This number can be found on the boat sticker given to you at registration to attach to your boat.

19.5     All Races – A safety tally system will be in operation.

19.2.1   The tally board will be located at the entrance to the hard.

19.2.2   A tally number will be issued to each boat at Registration.

19.2.3   A member of the crew must collect the relevant numbered tally band before going afloat for each race.                      

19.2.4   A member of the crew must “sign off” immediately on returning to shore by personally going to the tally board and posting their band either in the box marked “Finished” or in the box marked “Retired”.  This must be done no later than 15 minutes after the last boat has come ashore.

19.6     Boats wishing to retire and/or sail ashore before the end of the day’s racing shall make every attempt to inform an official boat before leaving the racing area.

  • REPLACEMENT OF CREW OR EQUIPMENT
    • [DP] Substitution of competitors will not be allowed without prior written approval of the Race Committee. Substitution of Helms is not permitted, and so will constitute a new entry.

[DP] Substitution of damaged or lost equipment will not be allowed unless authorized by the race committee. Requests for substitution shall be made to the committee at the first reasonable opportunity, which may be after the race.

  • EQUIPMENT AND MEASUREMENT CHECKS
    • A boat or equipment may be inspected at any time for compliance with the class rules, notice of race and sailing instructions.
  • SUPPLIED BOATS—Does not apply
  • OFFICIAL BOATS

23.1     All event safety, mark laying, committee boats and mother boats rank as race committee vessels.  They will display orange ECPR flags on the Sunday.

  • SUPPORT TEAMS
    • Support teams are not allowed.

  • TRASH DISPOSAL
    • [DP] Rubbish is not to be thrown in the sea. Sailors are to bring any rubbish ashore and place it in an appropriate bin.
  • BERTHING – Does not apply
  • HAUL OUT RESTRICTIONS—Does not apply
  • DIVING EQUIPMENT AND PLASTIC POOLS—Does not apply
  • PRIZES

29.1      See Notice of Race

  • RISK STATEMENT

Rule 3 of the Racing Rules of Sailing states: “The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or continue racing is hers alone.”  

Sailing is by nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk. By taking part in the event each competitor agrees and acknowledges that:

            (a) They are aware of the inherent element of risk involved in the sport and accept responsibility for the exposure to themselves, their crew, their boat to such inherent risk whilst taking part;

(b) They are responsible for the safety of themselves, their crew, their boat and their property whether afloat or ashore;

(c) They accept responsibility for any injury, damage or loss to the extent caused by their own actions or omissions;

(d) Their boat is in good order, equipped to sail in the event and they are fit to participate

(e) 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;

(f) The provision of a patrol boat cover is limited to such assistance, particularly in extreme weather conditions, as can be practically provided in the circumstances

(g) 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 safety briefing held for the event.

31.       INSURANCE

31.1     Each boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of £3,000,000 per incident or equivalent.

Andrew