2004 OD
Handbook
I.
The Starting Line
for all races shall be between a mast or staff displaying the Race Committee
flag on the Race Committee Boat and the course side of a mark designating the
end of the Starting Line. The Starting
Mark shall be on the port side of the Race Committee Boat.
II.
THE START:
A.
Races will be started in accordance with the 2001
- 2004 Racing Rules of Sailing as adopted by the United States Sailing
Association, Part 3, Rule 26:
Warning Signal (5 minutes prior to start):
Class Flag raised with one sound;
Preparatory Signal (4 minute prior to start):
“P” Flag raised with one sound;
1 Minute Signal (1 minute prior to start):
“P” Flag lowered with long sound;
Starting Signal: Class Flag
lowered with one sound.
B.
Flag signal takes precedent over sound signals.
Failure of a sound or failure to hear a sound shall not be ground for
redress.
C.
Flag and sound signal descriptions are located at
the end of this handbook.
D.
All races shall have one class and one start
unless except the Cracked Pot, which shall be a staggered handicapped start.
E.
Soling races shall not start unless and until an
average wind speed of 3 knots is recorded by the O.D. on station for 15 minutes
prior to the first warning signal. The
O.D. can postpone a race for wind conditions up to one hour before civil sunset
of the day of the race.
F.
The time published in the race schedule is the
expected start time of the race.
G. POSTPONEMENT: Raising of the
Answering Pennant “AP” and two sounds signals postponement.
The Answering Pennant shall be lowered, accompanied by one sound, one
minute before the commencement of the new starting sequence.
H. ABANDONMENT:
Code Flag “N” and three sounds signals that the race is abandoned.
I.
RECALLS AND STARTING PENALTIES are governed by RRS rules 29,
30.1, and 31:
1.
INDIVIDUAL RECALLS shall be signaled by raising the “X” flag
along with one sound and the calling of the yacht's mainsail number in
accordance with RRS 29.1 & 29.2. The
“X” flag shall be lowered immediately after all recalled boats return to the
pre-start side of the starting line or four minutes after it is raised,
whichever is earliest. Each boat is
solely responsible for responding to a recall and not seeing or hearing the
recall or failure of a sound or calling will not be ground for redress under RRS
62.
2.
GENERAL RECALL shall be signaled by raising the First Substitute
along with two sounds in accordance with RRS 29.1 & 29.3.
The First Substitute shall be lowered along with one sound one minute
prior to the warning signal of the new starting sequence for the recalled class. The starts for any succeeding classes shall follow the new
start.
3.
STARTING PENALTY: RRS rules 29.1 and 30.1 apply for all races.
If any part of a yacht’s hull, crew or equipment is on the course side
of the starting line or its extensions during the minute before her starting
signal, she shall sail to the pre-start side of the line by sailing around
either end of the line before starting. The
O.D. need not display Flag I for rule 30.1 to apply.
III.
COURSE DESIGNATIONS & CHANGES:
A. Races start in
Cumberland (Plattsburgh) Bay except the Clinton Community College Regatta, which
will have a separate race instructions.
B.
Soling Tuesday Series race shall consist of one or two races each day
and be course A or B (windward/leeward), two times around the course unless
shortened, no more than ½ mile legs, unless otherwise designated by the Race
Committee prior to the commencement of the starting sequence.
The Race Committee Boat shall display the course number, followed by the
marks to be taken on the first lap in the order to be taken.
All marks will be taken to PORT.
C.
PHRF Wednesday Series Courses shall be selected from course numbers 1 - 4. Course
numbers 1 and 2 shall be three times around the course unless shortened.
The Race Committee Boat shall display the course number, followed by
the marks to be taken on the first lap in the order to be taken.
All marks will be taken to PORT.
D. PHRF Sunday Series Courses shall
be selected from racecourse numbers 5 – 30 except the Eisenger Cup, which
shall have one course selected from racecourse numbers 1 and 2 and one course
selected from racecourse numbers 3 and 4, and the Naked Turtle Cup, whose course
shall be selected from racecourse numbers 1 – 4, 8, 10, 11, 14 –18, 21, 23,
27 - 29 and be located near Plattsburgh Boat Basin.
For racecourse numbers 5 – 30, the Race Committee Boat shall display
the course number. Marks shall be
taken as described in the course descriptions for these courses.
For racecourse numbers 1 – 4, the Race Committee Boat shall display the
course number, followed by the marks to be taken on the first lap in the order
to be taken. Course numbers 1 and 2 shall be three times around the course
unless shortened. All marks
will be taken to PORT.
E. Soling Sunday Series
Courses: each day and be course A or B (windward/leeward), two times around
the course unless shortened, no more than ½ mile legs, unless otherwise
designated by the Race Committee prior to the commencement of the starting
sequence. The Race Committee Boat
shall display the course number, followed by the marks to be taken on the first
lap in the order to be taken. All
marks will be taken to PORT.
F.
Soling Spring Regatta and Soling North American/Lake Champlain
Championship shall
have separate race instructions.
G.
Clinton Community College Regatta racecourse and instructions shall be noticed
separately.
H. Course Changes and
Instructions:
1.
No change shall be made to the racecourse number after the commencement
of the starting sequence, unless a postponement is signaled.
2.
Race
Committee Boat display controls and supersedes verbal instructions.
Failure to follow the display shall result in a disqualification and
shall not be ground for redress.
IV SHORTEN
COURSES: The
O.D. may shorten the course, except Course 2, at any mark designated on the
racecourse, except breakwaters and islands. The O.D. shall signal a shortened
course, once the Committee Boat is anchored near the designated mark, by raising
Code Flag “S” and sounding two signals prior to the lead boat's rounding of
that mark. The distance between the
designated mark and the race Committee boat shall serve as the shortened course
finish line. For Course 2 the O.D.
may shorten the course at the start/finish line only and must signal the shorten
course prior to the lead boat rounding the leeward mark.
The O.D. shall repeat the two-sound signal periodically.
V.
FINISH LINE: The finish
line shall be between the staff or mast displaying the Race Committee flag on
the Race Committee Boat and the finish mark (or the mark closest to the Race
Committee boat in the case of a shortened course). The finishing mark shall be located to the starboard side of
the Race Committee Boat whenever practical except for Course 2.
VI.
TIME LIMITS:
A.
Sunday Series races: the first
boat in a class must finish within 4 hr. actual time from its start; boats
finishing later than 5 hr. shall be scored as DNF.
B. Tuesday
Soling Series Races: First boat
in a class must finish within 2.0 hours actual time from its start. Boats finishing later
than 2.5 hours actual time from its start shall be scored DNF
C.
Wednesday PHRF Series races:
First boat in a class must finish within 2.0 hours actual time from its start.
Boats finishing later than 2.5
hours actual time from its start shall be scored DNF.
D.
The Committee Boat shall remain on station until all yachts have finished
or until the time limit has expired. Should
the Committee Boat fail to remain on station, the finishing boat shall note its
actual finishing time and place it in writing in the drop box located at the
Plattsburgh Boat Basin Marina Store by 12:00 midnight of the day of the race to
which it applies.
VII.
PROTESTS:
A.
Any protest must be in accordance with RRS Part 5, except as modified by
these sailing instructions. If
these rules are not met the protest will not be heard.
B.
A boat intending to protest shall notify the O.D. of its intent to
protest immediately after crossing the finish line.
C.
Protests shall be written on a U.S. Sailing protest form and given to O.D.
not later than one hour after the last boat in the protestor’s class has
finished the race. Alternatively, the protestor can place the completed protest
form in the VSC drop box at the Plattsburgh Boat Basin Marina Store parking lot entrance by 12:00
midnight of the day of the protested race.
D. Protest Forms:
One US Sailing protest form is in the back of this handbook.
Copies of blank forms can be obtained from the O.D., are located on the
Committee Boat, can be downloaded from VSC or U.S. Sailing’s websites and can
be found on page 126 of the RRS.
E.
The Protest Committee Chair will inform all interested parties and
Protest Committee members of the protest and the location of and hold the
protest hearing as soon as practical and reasonable for all interested parties
after the protested race.
VIII. PENALTY FOR
BREAKING RULES OF PART 2 OF RRS: A
boat shall take a 720º penalty turn for breaking any rule of Part 2 of RRS.
A boat may take a 720º turn in satisfaction of a protest.
See RRS Rules 44.1 and 44.2.
IX.
SAFETY:
A.
A boat that retires from a race must notify the Race Committee as soon as
possible.
B.
The ultimate responsibility for the safety of his/her vessel and crew
rests with the skipper of the vessel.
C.
All boats must carry equipment required by the US Coast Guard and any
applicable federal, state and local government law, rule or regulation, and any
additional equipment that is consistent with the conditions and safety of its
crew. Each participant,
including crew and guests, by entry or participation in a VSC event accepts all
risks of that event, certifies that he/she and the applicable participating boat
is in conformance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and agrees
that they will hold harmless and indemnify VSC and its individual officers,
employees, agents or servants for any claim arising out of participation in a
VSC event, injury to personnel, or damage or loss of property, vessels or gear.
Each participant, including crew and guests, are solely responsible for
exercising seaman like judgment in sailing each event under the existing
conditions of wind and sea. The operator and owner of each boat in an event is
solely responsible for the prudent operation of his/her vessel and by entry into
the event certifies that he/she has informed the skipper, crew and guests of the
boat of these rules and agree to hold harmless and indemnify VSC for any claim
by the skipper, crew or guests of the boat arising out of participation in a VSC
event.
X
REMEDIES NOT SPECIFIED: Any
situation or event, for which a specific remedy cannot be found in these Sailing
Instructions or the 2001 - 2004 Racing Rules of Sailing as adopted by the United
States Sailing Association, shall be referred to a committee appointed by the
Commodore and shall consist of three or more VSC members none of which shall be
affected by the outcome of the remedy.
XI.
SPORTSMANSHIP:
All participants, including skipper, crew and guests, are expected to
follow the rules and demonstrate manners and sportsmanship consistent with the
traditions of sailboat racing. Allegations
of gross misconduct will be handled in accordance with the procedures outlined
in the RRS for 2001-2004, Rule 69 and VSC by-laws.
XII
O.D. DUTY, RACE COURSE SELECTION & DESIGNATION:
A.
Definition of O.D.: Officer
of the Day. The O.D. is the referee
for the particular assigned race. The
O.D. is not a member of the Race Committee.
The O.D. is encouraged to consult with members of the Race Committee who
are present at and before the particular race.
B.
O.D. Duties: The O.D.
selects and sets the racecourse consistent with these rules, but may be
overruled by the Race Committee. The
O.D. controls the starting sequence and enforces the rules during the race.
The O.D. documents starting time of the race, actual finish time for each
boat, wind speed at the start of the race and at every thirty-minute interval
thereafter until the last boat finishes the race, protests and other information
as set forth on VSC’s Race Results Scratch Sheet.
The O.D. is responsible for placing the completed scratch sheet and
collected protest forms in VSC’s drop box located on the outside north wall of
the Plattsburgh Boat Basin Marina Store immediately following the race for which
the O.D. is assigned.
C.
O.D. Eligibility and Penalty for Non-Appearance:
All members of VSC, including crew, are eligible for O.D.
duty and are scheduled as set forth on the Race Schedule.
The Race Committee Chair shall telephone or e-mail the scheduled O.D.
between three and seven days prior to that O.D.’s scheduled date.
However, failure of the Race Committee Chair to telephone or e-mail the
scheduled O.D. shall not excuse an O.D.’s absence, alter the scheduled date or
be ground for redress. Failure of
an assigned O.D. to appear at the scheduled race, or make arrangements suitable
with the Race Committee within 24 hours prior to the commencement of the race
for which the member is scheduled to O.D., except in emergency situation, shall
result in discipline
D.
Course Selection Guidelines:
1.
PHRF
SUNDAY SERIES racecourses, except the Eisenger
Cup Regatta and the Naked Turtle Cup, shall be selected from
racecourse numbers 5 – 30. The
Naked Turtle Cup shall be selected from race course numbers 1 – 4, 8, 10, 11,
14-18, 21, 23, 27-29, with the intent that the first boat to cross the finish
line shall do so no earlier than 2.5 hours actual time from the start of the
race, unless weather conditions dictate otherwise.
As a suggestion, the
length of the course should be approximately
8 nm in winds less than six knots; approximately 10 -12 nm in winds of 6 - 10
knots; approximately 12 - 16 nm in winds 10-15 knots; and 16+ nm in winds
greater than 15 knots, weather and water conditions permitting.
2.
PHRF WEDNESDAY SERIES, EISENGER CUP REGATTA racecourses shall be selected from
racecourse numbers 1 - 4. The O.D.
shall shorten the race when it appears that the last boat will not cross the
finish line within the time limit for that particular race.
3.
SOLING TUESDAY RACES racecourses
shall be course number A or B.
The O.D. shall shorten the race when it appears that the last boat will
not cross the finish line within the time limit for that particular race.
4.
SOLING SPRING REGATTA, SOLING NORTH AMERICAN/LAKE CHAMPLAIN CHAMPIONSHIP
and SOLING SUNDAY SERIES racecourses shall be designated
by the Race Committee in consultation with the O.D. on the day of the race and
consistent with these instructions or the race instructions for each regatta.
5.
CLINTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE REGATTA racecourse
shall be designated by the Race Committee in special instructions.
E. COURSE DESIGNATION
DISPLAY shall be displayed on the starboard side of the Race
committee Boat if practical and as follows:
1.
Course Numbers 1 - 4: The
Race Committee Boat shall display the course number, followed by the marks to be
taken on the first lap in the order to be taken. All marks will be taken to PORT.
2. Course Numbers 5 - 30:
The Race Committee Boat shall display the course number.
3. Course Changes: No
change shall be made to the racecourse number after the commencement of the
starting sequence, unless a postponement is signaled.
4. Verbal
Instruction Do Not Apply: Race
Committee Boat display controls and supersedes verbal instructions.
Failure to follow the placard instructions results in a disqualification
and shall not be ground for redress.
22.
VSC
RACING MARKS
A.
VSC permanent marks located within Cumberland Bay are white cylinders
designated by their compass heading with the fulcrum of the compass located at
the center of Bay.
B.
VSC permanent mark located on the Vermont side of Lake Champlain is a
white cylinder designated by “V”.
C.
Islands are designated by the first letter of each word in its name
followed by an “I”.
D.
Navigation buoys are either green cans or red buoys designated by its
designation on the most recent NOAA navigation chart.
E.
The following marks may be specified on a racecourse and/or signaled from
the Race Committee Boat along with the course number to be sailed:
Mark
Description
Location
“BWR”
Breakwater
East of Plattsburgh Boat Basin
“CI”
Crab Island
“CPI”
Carlton’s Prize
“E”
White cylinder
S.E. tip of Cumberland Head
N 44º 41.436’
W 73º 23.894’
“GC1”
Green Can
Cumberland Bay
“GC3”
Green Can
West of Valcour Island
“GI”
Garden Island
South of Valcour Island
“N”
White cylinder Northern
Cumberland Bay
N 44º 42.783’ W 73º
25.567’
“NE”
White cylinder
Northeastern Cumberland Bay
N
44º 42.072’ W 73º 24.470’
“O”
Orange Tetrahedron Drop mark with location depending on
course selected
“PI”
Providence Island
“RC”
Race Committee Boat
“RN2”
Red Nun
Valcour Shoal
“RN4”
Red Nun
North of Ausable Point
“RN24”
Red Nun
North of Crab Island
“RN26”
Red Nun
Spoon Bay, east of Valcour Island
“RN28”
Red Nun
East of Garden Island
“S” White cylinder
Southern Cumberland Bay, North of Crab Island;
N 44º40.250’ W 73º
24.750’
“V”
White cylinder North
of Sawyer Island
N 44º 39.320’ W 73º
21.317’
23.
RACE
COMMITTEE BOAT DISPLAY
A.
For course numbers 1 - 4 the
display shall read the course number followed by mark designations in order of
the first lap of the course. All
marks are taken to PORT.
Examples: 4 NSE reads course number 4, with first lap course marks
of N then S then E.
1 SN reads
course number 1, with first lap course marks of S then N.
B.
For Course Numbers 5 - 30 the display shall read the course
number only.
24.
RACE COURSE SELECTIONS
A. Wednesday PHRF racecourses, and the Naked Turtle Cup
racecourse shall be selected from course numbers 1 – 4 and shortened when
necessary.
B. The Eisenger Cup Regatta racecourses will consist of one
race selected from course numbers 1 and 2 and one race selected from course
number 3 and 4. Each will be
shortened when necessary.
C.
The Naked Turtle Cup
racecourse shall be selected from racecourses 1-4, 1
– 4, 8, 10, 11, 14, - 18, 21, 23, and 27- 29 and set within few of the
Plattsburgh Boat Basin, if possible.
D. Tuesday Soling races
shall be selected from course numbers A or B and shortened when necessary.
E. PHRF Sunday Series
racecourses shall be selected from course numbers 5 – 30 except
for the Eisenger Cup Regatta and the Naked Turtle Cup.
F. Soling Sunday Series racecourses shall be selected
from course numbers A OR B.
G. Soling Spring Regatta and Soling Lake Champlain Championship racecourses
shall be selected from course numbers AOR B.
26.
RACECOURSE
NUMBERS 5 - 30
A.
(s) denotes that the mark is rounded to starboard; otherwise the mark is
rounded to port
B.
Start column shows the designated starting mark.
C.
Description column denotes the marks in the order they are to be taken.
The last denotation is the finishing mark.
D.
Distance column is the sum of the point-to-point distances between
marks.
E.
Wind column is the suggested use for a particular wind strength (kts.)
pre-start of the race. Other
considerations for course selection are weather and water conditions.
F.
No redress or protest will be heard based on course selection.
G.
Course may be shortened at any mark described on the course except
islands.
H.
Chart graphics depicting each course may be viewed on and downloaded
from VSC’s website (www.valcoursailingclub.org).
#
Wind
Start Description
Distance
South to South South West Wind (180º - 202.5º)
5.
10-15+
GC1 CI, RN2(s), GC3, RN4,
RN28,
RN26, RN24, S, N, GC1
15.8
6. 10-15
GC1
CI, RN2(s), GC3, RN4,
GC3(s),
RN2, CI(s), GC1
13.9
7.
6-10
NE
RN24(s), RN26(s), RN28,
RN26, RN24, NE
11.8
8. <6-
10 N
S, N, S, N
10.4
South to South South East Wind (180º - 157.5º)
9.
10-15+
N S(s),
PI, CPI, PI(s), S, N
15.7
10.
6-10
GC1
S, N, GC1, S, GC1
9.4
11.
<6
GC1
S, GC1, S, GC1
7.9
South South East to South East Wind (157.5º - 135º)
12.
<6-15+
GC1 V, GC1, V, GC1
17.2
South East to East South East Wind (135º - 112.5º)
13.
<6-15+
O RN24(s),
B, RN24, O, RN24(s),
V, RN24, O
15.7
14.
<6-10
GC1
E, GC1, E, GC1, E, GC1
9.6
#
Wind
Start Description
Distance
East South East to East Wind (112.5º – 90º)
15.
<6-15+
O E,
O, E, O, E, O, E, O, E, O
18.0
East to East North East Wind (90º-67.5º)
16.
<6-15+
O NE,
O, NE, O, NE, O, NE, O, NE, O
16.7
East North East to North East Wind (67.5º - 45º)
17.
<6-15
O
NE, O, NE, O, NE, O, NE, O
16.5
18.
<6-15+
O N,
O, N, O, N, O
18.4
North North East to North Wind (22.5º - 0º)
19.
10-15+
S N,
CI, RN2(s), GC3, RN4,
GC3(s), RN2, CI(s), GC1
17.2
20.
10-15+
S N,
CI, RN2(s), GC3, RN4,
RN28,
RN26, RN24, S
15.7
21.
<6-15
S
N, S, N, S, N, S
15.6
North to North North West Wind (0º - 337.5º)
22.
10-15
S GC1,
RN24(s), PI, CPI, PI(s), RN24,
S, GC1
16.6
23.
<6-10
S
GC1, S, GC1, S, GC1, S
11.9
North North West to North West Wind (337.5º - 315º)
24.
<6-15+
O GC1,
V, GC1, V, O
17.2
North West to West North West (315º - 292.5º)
25.
<6-15+
S O,
RN24(s), V, RN24, O, RN24(s),
V, S
15.6