Portishead Cruising Club
Terms and Conditions of Racing
May 2008
Introduction
The purpose of the club racing is to allow more opportunity for boats to be used
and promote the learning of the rules of the road, good seamanship and sail handling. Although
the races are competitive, PCC is proud of its reputation for friendly and non-
Portishead Cruising Club is an amateur organisation and as such any member should consider this when participating in any race organised by or on behalf of the club. In essence participants should not suppose that the race organiser or the 'officer of the day' (OOD) is qualified or trained in managing such events.
Although the club operates a 'Protest Committee' for racing it's main aims are to enforce part 1 of the ISAF rules regarding 'safety' and 'fair play' and also to arbitrate (where requested by the owners involved) any incident where damage has occurred. Any competitor who uses aggression and intimidation during a race (especially to a boat new to racing) will be liable to a penalty from the 'Protest Committee' or 'Sailing Subcommittee'.
Cancellation of Races
It is the club's policy not to cancel any races due to the weather. Each skipper is responsible for the safety of their own vessel which includes the decision to take part or continue in any race. One of the reasons that people go sailing is for the adventure, the race officer cannot be as familiar with the abilities of any boat and crew as the skipper is and therefore the skipper is more able to decide what level of 'adventure' is acceptable. The race officer may advise participants of the weather forecast and express a personal opinion on the advisability of racing.
General
All boats must be well found and comply with the list of safety apparatus in the club's handbook (available on request)..
The races are to be run using the ISAF international rules, which states that good sportsmanship and safety are fundamental to racing.
The club uses the existing buoyage as well as Islands for race marks, it is up to the skipper to ensure to give a safe distance when rounding marks.
Courses given may include navigational hazards and it is the skipper's responsibility to navigate the course safely.
If any competitor in the opinion of the OOD interferes with shipping they will forfeit the race. Any VHF conversation instigated by a ship or Bristol VTS which raises concerns on the actions of any competing boat is generally regarded as interference. Where the competitor instigates the call and consequently obides by any given request this will not normally be considered as interference. Any vessel which interferes with shipping on more than one occasion will be subject to an enquiry and possible sanctions by the sailing subcommittee.
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Default Notice of Race
The following 'notice of race' applies to all PCC races except where a race has its own 'Notice of Race'.
1.0 THE EVENT
1.1 Usually the course of the race will be determined on the day with regard to the amount of time available for the race and the conditions prevailing
1.2 The organising authority is Portishead Cruising Club Portishead Cruising Club race committee reserve the right to postpone the start at any time before the start.
2.0 RESPONSIBILITY
2.1 Yacht racing can be dangerous. The attention of owners, skippers and crew is drawn to RRS Fundamental Rule 4: "A yacht is solely responsible for deciding whether or not to start or to continue racing". The safety of a yacht and her crew is the sole and inescapable responsibility of the owner or owner's representative who must do their best to ensure that the yacht is fully found, thoroughly seaworthy and manned by an experienced crew who are able to sail in bad weather. They must be satisfied as to the soundness of the hull, spars, rigging, sails and all gear. They must ensure that the safety equipment is properly maintained and stowed and that the crew know where it is kept and how it is to be used. Nothing, whether in the Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions or anywhere else, reduces this responsibility
2.2 Nothing done by the organizers can reduce the responsibility of the boat nor will it make the organizers responsible for any loss, damage, death or personal injury, however it may have occurred, as a result of the boat taking part in the racing. The 'organizers' encompass everyone helping to run the race and the event, and include any appointed organizing authority, race committee, race officers, patrol boats and beachmasters. The provision of patrol boats does not relieve the boat of her responsibilities.
3.0 RULES & REGULATIONS
3.1 The race will be governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) of the ISAF and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
4.0 ELIGIBILITY & CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
4.1 Unless otherwise stated PCC races are only available to members of the club. However some races are open races and are open to all self sufficient cruising yachts who have read and accepted the NoR (unless they declare otherwise, PCC assume that the act of entering a race denotes the skipper's acceptance of the notice of race) and have submitted a completed entry registration form (where one is issued for the race).
4.2 All boats shall carry an operational marine VHF radio telephone equipped with the following channels
12 -
16 -
13 -
37a -
67 -
69 -
77 -
preferably with DSC capability.
4.3 All boats shall, while racing, display: any race flags and/or sponsor’s logo, stickers or flags provided.
4.4 Boats shall carry sufficient suitable anchor & cable to hold the boat in the likely depth of water and weather conditions. Dan buoy flags shall be removed or rolled up so as not to be visible.
4.5 The boat is required to hold adequate insurance and in particular to hold insurance against third party claims in the sum of at least £2,000,000 sterling.
5.0 ENTRIES/CLOSING DATES etc.
5.1 Entries will be generally accepted on the day, however a yacht will only be eligible for a prize if its handicap has already been established by the sailing subcommittee.
5.2 A completed entry form must be submitted for each yacht (where the race requires an entry form).
5.3 Mooring fees (for races which include a stopover) are NOT included in the Entry fee.
5.4 PCC race committee reserves the right to accept or refuse any entries.
6.0 REGISTRATION & SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
6.1 Registration is requested by contacting Portishead Cruising Club either by visiting
the club (open Wednesday evenings from 8pm onwards) or emailing sailing-
www.portisheadcruisingclub.org.uk
Portishead Cruising Club
Pump Square
Pill
North Somerset
BS20 0BG
01275 373988
7.0 TIME KEEPING
7.1 Elapsed time will generally be recorded by PCC race officials. However on some races competitors are required to record their own times where the time given by GPS (corrected for daylight saving) will be used.
8.0 HANDICAP
8.1 The race results will be calculated according to The Portsmouth Yardstick System. Handicaps will be subject to adjustment depending on the actual performance of the boat during its racing with PCC. For boats new to racing either PY published numbers or Byron Handicaps (see their site for further details) will be accepted as a trial number (PY System). For visiting boats either a Byron Handicap number or a signed handicap declaration by the sailing secretary of the boat's home club will be accepted..
8.2 Handicaps may be adjusted (according to the P.Y. scheme) where a yacht is consistently sailing above or below their existing handicap.
9.0 PRIZES & PRIZE GIVING
9.1 Unless otherwise stated prizes will be presented at the club's annual dinner (normally held in February).
10.0. THE START AND FINISH
10.1 Entrants are permitted use of the engine until one minute to the start (for downtide races which start in the main channel), or until five minutes for all other races.
10.2 Unless otherwise declared by the OOD the start sequence will according to the RRS. i.e. 5 minute (this is actually one minute to the preparation), 4 minutes (prepare to start), 1 minute and start. Generally there are no sound or visual signals given and the sequence will be announced on VHF channel 37a (also known as VHF channel M1)
10.3 It is advisory at the finish to call Race Control (VHF CH37/M1) to identify yourself as the boat crossing the finish.
11.0 COMMUNICATIONS
11.1 Between Race Officers and yachts -
11.2 Between Vessels including any safety vessels -
11.3 DSC -
There is currently a £5 per person landing fee at Lundy.
12.0 SAFETY
12.1 The wearing of lifejackets is compulsory on all races, by all members of the crew, even when down below.