Dahlgren Yacht Club - Colonial Beach Festival Invitational Regatta

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Race #1

10:00 Warning Signal - Fleet 1
10:01 Preparatory Signal - Fleet 1
10:05 Sequence Start Signal - Fleet 1

(Number of Fleets and Fleet Splits depend on participation and total boats present)

10:05 Warning Signal - Fleet 2
10:06 Preparatory Signal - Fleet 2
10:10 Sequence Start Signal - Fleet 2

Race #2

12:00 Warning Signal - Fleet 1
12:01 Preparatory Signal - Fleet 1
12:05 Sequence Start Signal - Fleet 1

(Number of Fleets and Fleet Splits depend on participation and total boats present)

12:05 Warning Signal - Fleet 2
12:06 Preparatory Signal - Fleet 2
12:10 Sequence Start Signal - Fleet 2

Dahlgren Yacht Club - Colonial Beach Festival Invitational Regatta

GENERAL SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

1. SANCTIONS

These racing instructions are issued by the Dahlgren Yacht Club (DYC) Race Committee and shall govern all Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) events sponsored by DYC. All races shall be governed by The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) for 2001-2004 as published by the United States Sailing Association (USSA) except as modified by this instruction. By participating in DYC sponsored PHRF events, each yacht and crew agree to be governed by these rules.

2. ELIGIBILITY

This race is open to all interested parties. All yachts intending to race must have a valid PHRF (of the Chesapeake Bay) or they will be assigned a "Guest" PHRF rating as best determined by the Dahlgren Yacht Club Race Committee. All entries must complete a proper Race Data Form with the Dahlgren Yacht Club or be a current member of DYC.

3. SAFETY

All yachts while participating in DYC sponsored PHRF events shall comply with the following safety requirements. Yachts which do not comply will be disqualified. All participants in this DYC sponsored PHRF events shall monitor VHF CH72 to aid in safety and communications.

     a. Skipper's Responsibility. The safety of a yacht and her crew and its entire management, including insurance, shall be the sole and inescapable responsibility of the skipper/owner. Neither these sailing instructions, nor any action or omission of the race officer or race committee shall in any way reduce this responsibility of the skipper/owner. It shall be the sole responsibility of each yacht to decide whether or not to start or to continue a race.

     b. Check-In. All competitors are required to sail close by the race committee boat before the start and shall hail the race officer/committee to inform them of the intent to race.

     c. Withdraw/Retire. Any yacht that withdraws or retires from the race shall inform the race officer at the earliest opportunity. This procedure is an important safety measure so that all boats can be accounted for.

     d. Bow Look-Out. While in the starting area, prior to a yacht's 5 minute warning signal, all yachts with 3 or more crew will post a bow lookout stationed forward of the mast for collision avoidance.

     e. Minimum Safety Equipment. All competitors will satisfy the minimum safety equipment standards of the USCG appropriate to a yacht of their size. In addition, competitors in the PHRF classes will comply with the minimum equipment standards of their PHRF Certificate. Guest yachts, as a minimum, will comply with Category 6P safety requirements as established by PHRF of the Chesapeake.

     f. Life Jacket Rule. DYC recommends life jackets be worn by all participants, especially any single handed competitors. When the Code Flag 'Y' (YELLOW and RED diagonally striped flag) or a life jacket is displayed from the committee boat, life jackets or other USCG approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) shall be worn above deck. Unless the Race Committee requires PFDs, the wearing of PFDs is at the discretion of the yacht's captain.

g. Crew Limitations. All PHRF yachts are required to have at least two (2) persons on board at all times while racing.  The PHRF of the Chesapeake maximum crew limitation will not be enforced.

h. Render Assistance. All competitors are reminded of their responsibility under RRS Rule 1.1 to give all possible help to any person or vessel in danger.

4. SCHEDULE OF RACES

Two races are scheduled starting at 10:00 and 12:00 respectively.

5. REGATTA SPECIFICS

5.1. SCORING

   a. Scoring System. Low Point (RRS Appendix A2) Scoring System. First = 1 points; second = 2; third = 3; etc. DNF = number of starters + 1; DNS and DSQ = number of (in fleet) registered boats + 1. The results of both races shall be combined to determine the final position of each yacht. Tie breaker will be the total cumulative race time (corrected) for both races.

    b. Different Courses. In the event the race course is different for various fleets, corrected sec / mile will be used as the criteria for fleet positions. The Race Officer should pick courses that have similar wind directions for each fleet.

5.2 RACE ADMINISTRATION

     a. Handicap Requirements. To be able to compete in the PHRF Race Series, a yacht must have a valid handicap certificate issued by PHRF of the Chesapeake. Each skipper/owner will provide a copy of his yacht's PHRF certificate to the PHRF representative of the Race Committee. New and guest Yachts without PHRF certificates will be assigned a temporary local handicap by the Race Committee. The temporary handicap will be valid for 5 Monday races, after which a PHRF certificate will be required for continued participation and scoring. The Race Committee reserves the right to make adjustments as necessary to conform with race scoring and fair competition.

     b. Fleet Splits. The Monday Race Series fleet splits are as follows:.

          A Base   PHRF ratings 174 and below - Class Flag
          B Base   PHRF ratings 175 and above - Class Flag

                    1. Any yacht shall be allowed to move up from a "lower" fleet to any "higher" fleet. A yacht may elect to switch from spinnaker to non-spinnaker or vice versa. It is the yacht's responsibility to inform the Race Committee when making this change. Only one spinnaker/non-spinnaker change may be made.

     c. Local Variations.

          1. Yachts may fly both either symmetrical and or asymmetrical spinnakers. Only one spinnaker may be flown at a time, except during a sail change, which must be completed in a seaman like manner. The PHRF certificate will show the largest spinnaker (lowest rated sail).

           2. A yacht may choose to compete as a non-spinnaker yacht for an entire series. All such non-spinnaker yachts will have their PHRF increased by 15 seconds per mile in order to make the yacht more competitive with the spinnaker yachts. When participating as a non-spinnaker yacht, only one (1) headsail may be used at a time while racing, except for cutter rigs flying headsails in the normal configuration. Two (2) headsails may be flown during a sail change, which must be completed in a seaman like manner.

     d. Liability Release Waiver. Each competing yacht MUST complete a liability release waiver form and submit the waiver to the Race Committee prior to participating in the series.

     e. Race Courses. Race courses shall make use of government and other marks in the vicinity of Colonial Beach. The committee boat will be positioned approximately 250 yard from the Colonial Beach Municipal Pier. The race officer shall display a letter to indicate the course selected from the list. If the letter "Z" is displayed, all competitors should sail close by the committee boat to receive details of a special course.

         1. There are two classes of primary courses: Triangle (default class if no designation) designated as "T" and Windward/Leeward designated as "W". Furthermore, each course will assume counter-clockwise as the default direction; the letter "R" appended to the course designator will indicate a clockwise course direction. If the basic course is to be repeated, the number of repeats will be appended to the course designation. Note: all multiple laps will be "thread the needle." In the event of multiple laps, lap times will be recorded in the event the race is later abandoned in which case the last lap time will be the finish time.

          2. For all courses, the preferred starting and finishing pin will be one of the vertices of the course. This will require the Race Officer to weigh anchor and reposition to form a proper finish line. In the event the Race Officer does not want to weigh anchor, the start/finish line can use an intermediate mark as the pin to form a valid start/finish line as defined below. However, a pin that is not in the defined list of marks below will require the Race Officer to provide the location (Latitude and Longitude) of the pin or the course distances on the score sheet prior to pickup by the Chief Scorer.

LIST OF PRIMARY COURSES FOR MONDAY RACE SERIES

Key for Marks:

     f. Start and Finish lines. The start and finish lines will be between the orange flag flown from the committee boat and appropriate starting or finishing mark. Start/finish lines should be perpendicular to the course to/from the next/previous mark. If the committee boat is anchored so that a buoy lies between the committee boat and the starting or finishing mark, the buoy shall be regarded as a distance mark. In this case, no yacht shall pass between the buoy and the committee boat. A yacht not racing shall keep clear of yachts that are racing. If the committee boat is not on station at the finish, each yacht shall take her own finishing time when passing the line from the finishing mark perpendicular to the line from the prior mark. Each yacht should also note the time interval between their finish and those of adjacent finishers.

     g. Start Times. Start times are currently set for 10:00 and 12:00. However, all yachts should check with the Race Committee boat located in the vicinity of the Colonial Beach Municipal Pier to check for any changes to the instruction, courses, or start times and sequence.

     h. Starting signals. The starting signals described in RRS Rule 26 shall be used. The Race Committee boat shall display the Postponement flag until 1 minute prior to the start of the race starting sequence, referred to as BEGIN1, when she shall lower the Postponement flag and sound a single blast of the horn. The starting sequence for a second class (e.g., A Fleet) shall begin whenever convenient and at the discretion of the Race Committee after the end of the starting sequence for the first class (e.g., B Fleet) and is referred to as BEGIN2. The race starting sequence for each class shall be as follows:

Delay for next starting sequence

Note: Portsmouth racers will start with the A Fleet.
A Class Flag:   Flag
B Class Flag:   Flag

     i. Individual recalls. Individual recalls will be indicated in accordance with RRS Rule 29.2 - Flag X (white flag with a blue cross). If any part of any yacht(s) is over the start line when the start signal is made, a second horn will be sounded and flag "X" will be displayed. The race officer may hail the premature starter(s). When all premature starter(s) have returned to behind the start line, or after 4 minutes, flag "X" will be lowered. Yachts returning to restart have no rights over yachts that have started.

     j. Shortened course. When appropriate, the race officer may shorten the course by flying flag "S" (a white flag with a blue square in the center). In this event, the race officer shall make every effort to inform all competitors by using VHF CH68, two sound signal and hailing. The finish line shall be a line from the finishing mark perpendicular to the course from the prior mark. The committee boat shall be placed so that finishing yachts will pass the mark on the original course side of the mark.

     k. Reducing Laps in Multi-Lap Course. When appropriate and prior to any yacht completing the original course, the race officer may reduce the number of laps in a multi-lap course to the last lap completed by the lead yacht by flying the pure green flag. In this event, the race officer shall make every effort to inform all competitors by using VHF CH68, two sound signal and hailing. The finish line shall be a line from the finishing mark perpendicular to the course from the prior mark. The latest lap times will be used as the official finish times. Yachts that have not completed the last lap of the race within one hour after the 1st yacht in their class will be scored "DNF".

     l. Time Limit. Unless otherwise stated, the time limit for each race is 2 hours. The committee boat shall remain on station until all yachts have finished or all yachts have reported in, whichever comes first.

     m. Abandon Race. When appropriate, the race officer may abandon the race by flying flag "N" (a blue and white checkerboard flag). In this event, the race officer shall make every effort to inform all competitors by using VHF CH68, three sound signal and hailing.  When the race is abandoned, there will be no score for any boat regardless of finish.

5.3. RACE OFFICER DUTIES

The Race Committee will be provided and administered by the DYC.

6. SPECIAL EVENTS

This event, the Dahlgren Yacht Club - Colonial Beach Festival Invitational Regatta, is sponsored by the DYC and considered a special event under the DYC racing instructions.

7. PROTESTS AND PENALTIES

     a. Protests. When protesting, a yacht must display the protest flag and immediately inform the offending yacht by hailing "protest". Protests shall be made in accordance with RRS. Protests must be declared to the race officer at the finish line and the actual protest must be submitted within 1 hour from the time the committee boat docks. The PHRF representative or event coordinator is responsible for appointing protest committees and ensuring protests are received, heard and decided in accordance with RRS Appendix C6.

     b. Penalties.

          1. Minor Infraction. The 720 RULE, RRS Rule 44, shall apply in the event of a minor infraction of rules RRS Part 2 during a race. The offending yacht may exonerate itself by immediately getting clear of all other yachts and executing 2 consecutive 360 degree turns (a 720). This rule does not apply in the case of a collision resulting in damage to another yacht.

          2. Touching A Mark. Infringement of RRS Rule 31.1, TOUCHING A MARK, by a yacht may be exonerated by the yacht by taking the penalty of RRS Rule 31.2. The yacht shall sail clear of the mark and other yachts and execute a 360 degree turn before continuing to race. The turn must be made immediately after the yacht is able to get clear after the infraction.

8. CHANGES TO THE RACING INSTRUCTIONS

Any amendment to these instructions will be distributed to all competitors and posted at the DYC boathouse. In addition, a notice will be posted at Dahlgren Marine Works. It is the responsibility of the skipper to check for and comply with posted notices.

The meanings of visual and sound signals are stated below. An arrow pointing up or down (^v) means that a visual signal is displayed or removed. A dot (.) means a sound; dots with dashes (.---.) mean a repetitive sound. When a visual signal is displayed over a class flag, the signal applies only to that class.

(^..v.) Races not started are postponed. Warning or other signal will be made 1 minute after removal. (.---.) The position of the next mark has changed. (^...v.) All races are abandoned. (^..) Race course shortened. (^..) No. of laps in a multi-lap course are reduced. (^.) Individual recall. (^..) General recall. (^.) Wear personal buoyancy.

Protest Flag. Start/Finish Line on RC Boat.

Dahlgren Yacht Club - Colonial Beach Festival Invitational Regatta

2001 Non-Member Race Data Form

YACHT TYPE/CLASS: ___________________________________________

BOAT NAME: ____________________ SAIL #: _______________________

YACHT TYPE (Make/Manufacturer/Year): ____________________________

PHRF RATING: _______

HULL COLOR _________________ SAILING CLUB __________________

SKIPPER NAME: ________________________________________________

STREET ADDRESS: _____________________________________________

CITY _________________________ STATE ___________ ZIP __________

PHONE: _________________________/______________________________

                            (HOME)                                          (WORK)

EMAIL: ____________________________________________________

LIABILITY WAIVER

I understand the risks involved in yacht racing and am participating at my own risk. The Dahlgren Yacht Club and all parties involved in the organization and execution of the Race shall not be liable for any accident, injury, damage, or loss, personal, material or otherwise, before, during or after the Race. It is my sole responsibility for the safety of myself, boat and crew.

Skipper Sign: _________________________________

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