Club Rules for Sailing (at any time)
The safety of a boat and her entire management including insurance shall be the sole
responsibility of the owner/person in charge who must ensure that the boat and crew
are adequate to face the conditions that may arise in the course of sailing. Neither these
sailing instructions nor any inspection of the boat limits or reduces the absolute
responsibility of the owner/person in charge for the crew, the boat and her management.
The club shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, death or personal injury
howsoever caused to the owner/person in charge or crew, as a result of their taking part
in the sailing activities. Moreover, every owner/person in charge warrants the suitability
of the boat for the conditions.
It is a club rule that all persons wear adequate personal buoyancy at all times when on
the water. With the exception of windsurfers, adequate buoyancy is as described in the
EU regulation CE 50 Newton personal buoyancy aid.
Sailors are warned to keep out of the swimming area at all times.
Sailing Instructions (for racing)
1. Rules
1.1 All races will be governed by the ‘rules’ as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing
(RRS)
1.2 The “by-Laws for Swimming Safety in navigation the prevention of danger or
annoyance to persons, bathers or users of foreshore by Brighton and Hove Council
in pursuance of Section 76 of the public health act 1961 and section 10 of the ‘East
Sussex Act 1981’ will apply
1.3 All races are designated Category B.
2. Notices to Competitors
2.1 Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board located on the
rescue boat hut door.
2.2 The Officer of the day will hold a briefing 30 minutes prior to the first race of the
day.
2.3 Entries
Eligible boats may be entered at the race control hut on the day of racing and prior
to the race Signing on shall be considered entry to the race (see declarations
section 16)
2.4 Eligibility requirements for boats are:
Handicap Racing is limited to MONOHULL or CATAMARAN or SAILBOARD sailing
craft with a Portsmouth Yardstick Number, or a number agreed by the sailing
committee.
2.5 Eligibility requirements for competitors are:
All competitors shall be members of Brighton Sailing Club, temporary members will
not be awarded points in club events.
Competitors should be aware of rule 45 which states that they MUST be on the
water by their preparatory signal.
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as soon as practicable. To alert boats that another race or sequence of races will
begin soon, the shortened course flag will be lowered 1 minute before the first
warning signal of the next race.
7. Class Flags
The monohull class flag shall be code Z
The Catamaran class flag shall be the “Hobie” flag
8. Racing Area
8.1 The racing area will take place in the vicinity of the area between the 2 piers in
Brighton with the exception of long distance races, and pursuit races.
8.2 No boat will enter the swimming area, defined by local by-laws, marked by the yellow
buoys which protects the rest of Brighton beach’s swimmers (May -
September).
9. The Course
The course will be decided on by the Officer of the Day and will be displayed on
the course board at least 30 minutes before the published start time.
10. Marks
Marks will be inflatable Day-glo orange cylinders, round pink day glow fenders or
the following charted navigational marks:
Portabello (squat, large, yellow special navigational marker) off Saltdean
Brighton Marina (yellow, thin Special Navigational marker) just outside
the Marina
West Pier (red port hand marker) by the end of West Pier
BMYC racing Mark 2 (yellow thin Special navigational Marker)
approximately 1Nm south of palace pier.
Shoreham Cardinal, (South Cardinal mark) approximately 1NM south of Hove
lagoon.
Unless specified otherwise on the course board.
11 The Start
11.1 Races will be started by using rule 26 with the warning signal given 5 minutes
before the starting signal.
11.2 The warning signal for each succeeding class shall be made with the starting signal
of the preceding class. This Amends rule 26
11.2 Rule 30 (Round the ends, black flag & Z flag rules) shall NOT apply.
11.3 Boats whose warning signal has not been made shall avoid the starting area.
11.4 Start Lines
The Start line will be an extension of a line through the flag pole marked with an
orange triangle and an orange transit triangle set up approximately 20 metres
south of the flag pole. An outer distance mark will form the outer limit of the line. To
start competitors MUST pass inside this distance mark.
OR
The Start line will be a line between the centre of the committee boat and a
Day-glo orange buoy. An inner distance mark may be used.
11.5 A boat starting later than 10 minutes after her starting signal will be scored Did Not
Start. This changes rule A4.1.
2.6 personal buoyancy must be worn by both helm and crew. Wetsuits will not be
accepted as personal buoyancy. Only board sailors are exempt from this
requirement, who may sail without personal buoyancy at their own risk.
Boats and crews not fulfilling these criteria will be treated by the Officer of the Day as
“not racing”
3. Safety and Insurance
The safety of a boat and her entire management including insurance shall be the
sole responsibility of the owner/person in charge who must ensure that the boat
and crew are adequate to face the conditions that may arise in the course of the
race. Neither these sailing instructions nor any inspection of the boat limits or
reduces the absolute responsibility of the owner/person in charge for the crew, the
boat and her management. The race organisers shall not be responsible for any
loss, damage, death or personal injury howsoever caused to the owner/person in
charge or crew, as a result of their taking part in the race or races. Moreover, every
owner/person in charge warrants the suitability of the boat for the race or races.
4. Changes in Sailing Instructions
Any change to the sailing instructions will be posted before 09:00 on the day it will
take effect, except that any change to the schedule of races will be posted by 09:00
on the week before it will take effect.
5. Signals Made Ashore and Afloat
5.1 Signals made ashore will be displayed in the vicinity of the race control hut.
Signals made afloat will be from a committee boat, unless specified otherwise on
the course board, it will be the Rescue Boat.
5.3 rule 40 will not apply, personal buoyancy will be worn at all times whilst afloat
regardless of any signals. This also changes the Part 4 preamble.
6 Schedule of Races
6.1 Racing is scheduled as follows:
Sunday Racing
Class Warning Signal Start
MONOHULLS 1055 1100
CATAMARANS 1100 1105
Wednesday evening Racing
MONOHULLS 1925 1930
CATAMARANS 1930 1935
6.2 The numbers of races scheduled is as follows:
Sunday Morning Races Wednesday Evening Races
Class Number of Races Number of Races
MONOHULLS 2 1
CATAMARANS 2 1
6.3 If races are not completed as scheduled or if the race committee considers it
unlikely that races will be completed as scheduled. Then lost races may be run as
additional races on the following sunday (within the series). In the event of a race
postponed to the following week, this will be publicised in accordance with section 4
6.4 When more than one race (or sequence of races, for two or more classes) will be
held on the same day, the warning signal for each succeeding race will be made
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE OFFICER OF THE DAY (OOD)
NOTE: If you lack experience it is a good idea to help out at the race control hut at a
race shortly before your duty.
1. Duties one Week Before the Race
1.1 Confirm your availability and the availability of the other duty officers (Timekeeper,
Rescue Boat Helm and Crew) and to the Sailing Secretary.
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND/SWAP WITH A SUITABLE REPLACEMENT
IF FOR ANY REASON YOU CANNOT MAKE YOUR DUTY
1.2 Check the radios will be charged
1.3 Check there will be fuel for the Rescue Boat
1.4 Read the sailing instructions so that you know what to expect.
1.5 Familiarise yourself with the flags that will be required
2 General Responsibilities
2.1 As OOD you have the discretion not to accept a race entry from any member not
felt to be suitably qualified/equipped or experienced to sail in the prevailing conditions.
2.2 You have the discretion to curtail or abandon any race in the light of adverse weather
conditions developing or rescue cover seeming inadequate either because of
the conditions, the number taking part, or mechanical or other problems during the
course of the race.
2.3 Make sure that newcomers to sailing at Brighton are briefed as far as possible as
to local conditions and that other sailors are aware of any beginners.
3. Preparation on the Day
3.1 Make sure that you and fellow officers arrive in plenty of time – a minimum of one
and a half hours before the first race of the day. If the first race is due to start at
11.00 it really is a good idea to be at the club by about 9:15 in order to get everything
ready in time.
3.2 Select the course from one of the club’s standard courses. There will be laminated
sheet showing these in the Race Control hut. Decide whether to start from the hut
or the rescue boat and where to finish. The course should be selected to give as
far as possible a windward leg to the first turning mark. The start line should be laid
to give as far as practicable, an equal advantage to each end of the line taking factors
such as wind and tidal current into account. The start line should be of adequate
length to accommodate the number of competitors. Make sure that the
course you choose avoids a “hook round” at the finish, otherwise your timekeeper
won’t be able to read the sail numbers as the craft finish.
3.3 Make sure that the Rescue boat helm has the right number of course marks and is
instructed to lay the course to enable all competitors to complete a reasonable
number of laps in the stated duration of the race.
3.4 Do a radio check with the rescue boat helm. Your call sign is “SUNRIDER”, the rescue
boat is “SEARIDER”.
3.5 MAKE SURE THERE IS ADEQUATE ASSISTANCE FOR THE LAUNCHING OF
THE RESCUE BOAT. The rescue boat should be afloat at least 40 minutes before
the first warning signal.
3.6 Put out the Declaration Forms (signing on sheets) 1 for each race.
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12. Change of the Position of the Next Mark
12.1 No change in the position of marks will be made after the start of the race.
13. PENALTY SYSTEM
13.1 720° Turns Penalty, rule 44.1 & 2 will apply
13.2 The Scoring Penalty, rule 44.3, will not apply.
13.3 Appendix N will apply. - Under rule N1 the Protest committee’s designated
observers are the Rescue Boat Helm and Officer of the day.
14. Time Limit
14.1 Boats failing to finish within 20 minutes after the first boat has completed the
course and finishes will be scored Did Not Finish. This changes rules 35 and A4.1.
14.1 If no boat finishes 1 lap within 45 minutes the race will be abandoned.
15. Protests and Requests for Redress
15.1 Protest forms are available in the club bar. Protests shall be delivered there within
the protest time limit.
15.2 For each class, the protest time limit is 90 minutes after the last boat has finished
the last race of the day. The same protest time limit applies to all protests by the
race committee and to requests for redress. This changes rules 61.3 and 62.2.
15.3 Notices will be posted within 30 minutes of the protest time limit to inform
competitors of hearings in which they are parties or named as witnesses. Hearings
will be held in the Club House beginning at 14:00 on the day of the race or with in
1 hour of the end of protest time.
15.4 Notices of protests by the officer of the day or protest committee will be posted to
inform boats under rule 61.1(b).
15.9Decisions of the jury will be final as provided in rule 70.4.
16. Declarations
At least 15 minutes prior to the programmed start time, helms must sign a declaration
before going afloat indicating that they have adequate insurance, that they
and their boat are suitable for the conditions and that they agree to abide by the
rules. Helms must also sign a declaration after each race to indicate that the course
has been sailed correctly and the sailing instructions obeyed. For races run from a
committee boat the helm must also declare the number of laps completed as
instructed by the Officer of the Day. The time limit for declarations is 1 hour after
finishing the last race of the day. Competitors who do not finish the race or retire
must sign off DNF for that race.
19. Results and Scoring
19.1 Scoring will be by the Brighton Sailing Club scoring system for Olympic points
series.
19.2 Results will be published on the club notice board, in the Gybesheets and on the
club web site.
20. Prizes
20.1 Prizes will be awarded to the crews placing first, second and third in each series.
20.2 Overall prizes will be awarded at the end of the season. A prize will be awarded for
crews coming first second and third overall, and in each class. In addition prizes
will be awarded for “Ladies Trophy” and a “Junior Trophy”.
20.3 Prizes may be issued for special events during the Year.
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4.1 Individual Recall, if one or more boats are over the start line and you can identfy
them at the their class’s start signal then hoist the Individual recall flag (X) with one
sound signal AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Keep X displayed until the offending
boat(s) have started correctly.
4.2 General Recall, if unidentified boats are over the start line at their class’s start signal
then hoist the General Recall Flag(1st Substitute), with 2 sound signals AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE. Abort any following classes starts. Get sorted and set up for
a restart, when you are ready and boats have returned to the starting area. Lower
the General Recall Flag (1st Substitute) 1 MINUTE before you re-run the start
sequence.
4.3 Penalties at the start. any boat still on the beach at its class Preparatory Signal may
be scored did not start (DNS), any boat over the line during an individual recall that
does not return completely to the correct side of the line will be disqualified (DSQ).
Any boat which fails to cross the start line within10 minutes of its Class Start will
be considered DNS. Inter boat incidents or hit marks are not the ood’s direct
responsibility, you should observe and where possible write / draw any incidents
you see, as evidence should a protest be made.
5 During the Race keep a constant lookout over the race area and signal the
Rescue Boat if a craft capsizes or appears in difficulties. If for any reason the radio
is not working, use Flag Q to signal to the rescue boat, keeping the flag hoisted
either until the craft is righted or the rescue boat arrives.
5.1 Time each of the boats every time they complete a lap. You should include DNS
and DSQ boats.
5.2 Check for boats entering the swimming area or sailing an incorrect course, you
may disqualify them without protesting them.
5.2 Decide when you are going to finish the race. The race duration unless otherwise
specified should be 45 minutes, with each boat finishing as they cross the finish
line on their finish lap thereafter. If no boat has finished a lap after 45 minutes, you
should abandon the race.
6 Finishing the Race:
Decide which boat you are going to finish on, taking into account how long each
boat takes to complete a circuit of the course. As that boat is on the final leg to the
finish line hoist the shortened course flag code “S” and make 2 sound signals.
6.1 There after when each boat crosses the line on a completed circuit, record its time
and make 1 sound signal. Watch out for boats that are crossing the line as part of
their circuit but who may still have a segment to complete.
6.2 Stop finishing boats 20 minutes after the first boat finishes. Any boat that has not finished
in that time should be scored did not finish (DNF).
6.3 When the last boat finishes lower the “S” flag.
6.4 Starting the next Race exactly 1 minute after you lower the “S” flag, begin the start
sequence again. If you need more time use the postpone flag. You do not have to
wait for boats that have not finished within the time limit.
7 After Racing
7.1 At the end of racing signal to the rescue boat that they may collect the marks – first
check that there is no race later in the day which may need them.
7.2 Complete the race forms, esspecialy fill names dates etc on the time sheet.
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3.7 Write all the details of the Declaration (signing on) sheet on the scoring sheet.
Include the race number, series number etc.
3.8 Decide whether to run the race: Abandon if you think it’s dangerous: if wind or
waves are too great, or there is a problem with the rescue boat or the weather is
forecast to get bad. Take advice from experienced sailors and sailing officers but
remember that the decisions are yours.
3.9 Decide whether to postpone the race due to lack of wind. (You must postpone for
at least 1 hour, before abandoning due to lack of wind). To postpone: at the warning
signal hoist the AP flag with 2 sound signals. To end a postponement: drop the
AP flag with 1 sound signal one minute before you make the warning signal.
3.10 The Briefing
30 minutes before the start of the first race hold a briefing to all competitors
(notified by multiple sound signals). At the briefing you should outline the course,
introduce any new members and make sure that regular sailors are aware of them.
Make note of any special conditions – strong offshore winds: recommend taking
anchors, light winds, strong tides: launch away and keep away from the piers, big
shore dump: make sure that all sailors are reminded to help each other launch and
land etc. Announce the sequence for second race. Synchronise watches. Make
any other announcements – who is doing lunch!
3.11 Prepare the flags you will need for the start, attach them to the flagstaff halyards
ready to hoist.
Cat class flag (“Hobie”)
- Mono class flag (Z)
-
Preparatory Signal (P)
- Individual Recall (X)
4. Starting the Race.
4.1 All races start in accordance with rule 26 of the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), with
each class separated by 5 minutes. Signals are made in the following sequence at
the time intervals of 5 minutes, 4 minutes, 1 minute and the Start.
Mono Cat Action Total time
Time Time (accompanied by sound signal)
5 Raise Monohull class flag (Z) 0
4 Raise Preparatory flag (P) 1
1 Lower Preparatory flag (P) 4
0 5 Lower Mono class flag (Z) Raise Cat class flag (Hobie) 5
4 Raise Preparatory flag (P) 6
1 Lower Preparatory flag (P) 9
0 Lower Cat class flag (Hobie) 10
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16. Once the race/races are over as communicated by the OOD, (make sure you know
what the flags mean - see Signals (no. 6) in the Sailing instructions) collect the
marks in. Check that the engine is not locked down before beaching.
17. When the boat has been winched up the beach, hose it down with fresh water, and
flush the engine with fresh water.
18. Hang up the warps and anchors and put anything else away, leaving the boat tidy
for the next user. Take any litter out of the boat.
19. Complete the Rescue Boat log book, ensuring that any problems are brought to the
attention of the OOD.
20. Collect your free drink at the bar for doing your duty.
TIMEKEEPER
1. Make sure that you have access to a good digital watch, which will measure in
seconds.
2. Ensure that all helms have made their declaration (signed on) for the race/races
3. Transfer the details of those entering the race onto the timekeeping sheets. It is
best to put the faster boats at the top of the sheet.
4. Assist the Officer of the Day (OOD) in the starting of the race as instructed,
hoisting flags, making sound signals etc.
5. Record the time that each boat passes a transit between the inner distance mark,
the transit pole on the beach and the flag pole. You should record all times of all
laps of a circuit of the race.
6. Record the finish time of each boat.
7. Assist the OOD in the course of their duties
RESCUE BOAT CREW
1. Arrive in plenty of time before the race, preferably one and a half hours before the
scheduled time of the first race.
2. Make sure that you are going to be warm enough. It is always colder on the
rescue boat than sailing. Take a flask of hot drink if it looks chilly.
3. Help the Rescue Boat helm as instructed, both before and after the racing is over.
Remember to leave everything tidy for the next users.
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7.3 Check that all competitors are safely ashore arrange beach parties to help as necessary
7.4 Ensure that people are on hand to help the rescue boat come ashore.
7.5 Receive any protests and applications for redress. and contact the sailing secretary
or sailing committee. Any redress the OOD feels appropriate should be issued
only after consultation with the Sailing Committee.
7.6 Work out the results as following:
Work out the corrected times by converting the total elapsed time into seconds and
dividing by the handicap number and then multiplying by 1000, or use the computerised
system in the club. Remember to take account of the 5 minuites difference
in start times in the elapsed times.
7.7 Return all forms to their proper places, remove any litter from the Race control hut
and ensure that it is secure.
7.8 Report any gear malfunctions to the sailing secretary or committee.
RESCUE BOAT DUTY
1. The crew must include two adults (18 or over) who must be at the club one and a
half hours before the start of the race
2. Check that petrol tank is full and that the oil level in the engine is adequate.
3. Life jackets (not buoyancy aids) MUST be worn whilst afloat.
4. Warm the engine thoroughly prior to launching.
5. Ensure that you are familiar with the controls and the equipment carried in the boat.
6, Make sure that you are familiar with the course set, the number of races and their
expected duration.
7. Check that the radio is working, set to channel 77, the Squelch button is correctly
set and that the power level is set to LOW
8. Check that you have sufficient warps, anchors and buoys for the course and that
there is an additional warp and anchor for the boat and another to anchor any other
boat which may need to be abandoned.
9. The boat should be launched in plenty of time to set the course and then be on
standby whilst the competitors launch, at least 45 minutes before the first Warning
signal.
10. When laying marks check that the anchor has “bit” onto the sea bottom before
releasing the mark.
11. You should not speed unnecessarily - do not speed at all when towing marks.
12. You should avoid the swimming area unless performing a rescue.
13. Ensure that you know how many boats are afloat and keep a lookout over all of
them, particularly those who you know are less experienced. The best place for this
is towards the middle of the race area. Keep out of the way of competitors.
14. Keep checking the race control hut. If for any reason they are unable to contact you
by radio they will use the Flag “Q” to signal that a boat is possibly in need of assistance.
Remember that if you give assistance to a boat during a race then they must
retire, so you must ask if they want assistance first.
15. Be conscious of the wind and current direction and any vessels that may be
blown/drift onto the piers.
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