OFFSHORE DIVISION
2008 GENERAL SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

1.         RULES

1.1       Fishing Bay YC (Offshore Division) sponsored races involving CBYRA recognized Handicap and Cruising One-Design classes, as well as any Cruising Class events, shall be governed by the 2005-2008 ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) as adopted by the US SAILING ASSOCIATION (US SAILING) including their prescriptions (RRS/US), and the following:

a)   2008 General Sailing Instructions of the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association, except as modified by these General Sailing Instructions.

b)   Class rules (including measurement), except as any of these are altered by these General Sailing Instructions.

c)   These General Sailing Instructions, except as any of these are altered by special rules and conditions set by the Special Sailing Instructions for a sanctioned event.

2.         NOTICES TO COMPETITORS, CHANGES TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS, AND SIGNALS MADE ASHORE.

2.1       The Race Committee will post notices to competitors on the Official Offshore Notice Board which shall be the bulletin board under the back porch of FBYCís Jackson Creek Clubhouse - Fannieís House.

2.2       All skippers should monitor VHF Channel 72.

2.3           Signals made ashore shall be made from Mr. Roberts.

2.4           Flag B fully hoisted with one sound signal means ìProtest time has begun.î  When lowered half way it means ìThere are less than 30 minutes remaining before protest time ends.î  When lowered it means ìProtest time has ended.î

3.         ENTRIES AND QUALIFICATION

3.1       Entries may be accepted from owners or charterers of competing boats who are individual members of a yacht club, class or yacht racing association recognized by the sponsoring club. In order for a yacht to be included in a sub-class of a PHRF class, that yacht must first qualify for that PHRF class. A completed Entry Form or registration on the FBYC website (www.fbyc.net) is required for each event.  If the event is part of a larger series the yacht will be entered and scored for the entire series.  Entry Forms are at the back of this book. A boat may not enter in more than one class in a start sequence. It is the responsibility of the entrant to see that the completed entry form is in the hands of the Race Committee no later than two hours before the first warning signal on the day of the race, or by the deadline specified in the event's Special Sailing Instructions.

a)   Each skipper shall indicate on his entry form in which class and subclass listed in note Paragraph 5 he wants his boat scored, and the boatís rating for that class.

b)   By signing the Entry Form or registering online at the FBYC website, the skipper certifies that the information given is correct.

c)   Paper form entries may be deposited in the race entry box in the cockpit of Mr. Roberts, the FBYC RC boat, or mailed to: Offshore Race Committee, Fishing Bay Yacht Club, P.O. Box 499, Deltaville, VA 23043.  Or you may register online at www.fbyc.net.

d)   The Race Committee, at its discretion, may accept late entries at the Committee Boat prior to the first warning signal of the day. Also, the Race Committee may waive irregularities in an entry form.

3.2       Ratings: A boat entered in a Handicap Division class shall have a valid rating or measurement certificate on file with the appropriate CBYRA organization. PHRF entries shall also conform fully to the requirements described on the Entry Form under Class Information. The Special Sailing Instructions may have additional requirements. The Race Committee may assign ratings to boats not holding valid certificates only for the purpose of club scoring in non-CBYRA sanctioned events (i.e. Leukemia Cup Cruising and Classic Divisions) or non-sanctioned classes.  Such ratings are at the discretion of the committee and not subject to appeal.

3.3       Sail Numbers:  For any sanctioned event, a boat shall display either US SAILING sail numbers or the numbers listed in the CBYRA roster of sail numbers as maintained by her class. It is the responsibility of the entrant to clearly identify the boat and its class.  Display of a sail number listed on that boatís valid PHRF rating certificate shall be deemed compliance with this requirement in FBYC-sponsored events.  It is acceptable for a boat to race under sails which differ from that boatís rating certificate only in sail number, so long as the skipper informs the race committee of the change prior to the first start of the day.

4.         SCHEDULE OF RACES

4.1       The 2008 schedule of FBYC sanctioned and non-sanctioned Offshore Division events is included in this booklet. The 2008 schedules of CBYRA Region IV Handicap events are in this booklet.  Notices of Race and Special Sailing Instructions for FBYC sponsored races are found in the 2008 FBYC Sailing Events Book following these General Sailing Instructions.

4.2       On race days on which more than one race is scheduled, the Race Committee will signal its intention to run additional races by displaying Code Flag “R” at the finish line. If Code Flag “R” is flying at the finish, competitors who have finished should remain in the vicinity of the Committee Boat, but keep clear of the finish line until their new starting sequence has started.  Code Flag “R” will be lowered with a sound signal one minute before the Warning Signal. The starting sequence will be the same as for the first race.  The Race Committee will also attempt to broadcast its intentions over VHF Channel 72.  Sound signals are given as a courtesy to competitors only, and all times shall be taken from visual signals.  The timing of, or failure to give, or manner of giving, sound signals shall not be grounds for a request for redress.

5.         CLASS FLAGS AND CLASSES 

5.1       A boat competing shall clearly display its class flags - one at the bow and one at the stern approximately 5 feet up on the backstay if available and practical.

5.2       For 2008 FBYC Offshore Division events, classes, their class identification code flags and sub-class rating splits are as follows, unless different classes, subclasses, splits and/or flags are specified in the event Special Sailing Instructions:

For a class or subclass not listed above, the flag designated by the Special Sailing Instructions, if any, shall be displayed.

6.         MARKS & COURSES

6.1       Rounding and passing marks are designated in Appendices A, B and D to these Sailing Instructions and may be modified in the appropriate Special Sailing Instructions.

6.2       The course to be sailed will be designated in the Special Sailing Instructions or by letters displayed on a Race Committee boat. See Appendices A and B for designation of government and special marks used in setting courses, and Appendix D for drop mark course descriptions.

6.3       Special rules for certain courses described in Appendix D:

 a)  For courses W, WL, H, HL, and M, a numeral following course designation indicates number of laps.

 b)  Special rules for ëLí courses.  Adding L to course designation W or H indicates that the RC will set two windward marks: the classes designated to sail the ëLí course will round the farther windward mark for all laps, and all other classes will round the nearer windward mark for all laps (see e.g. WL diagram at appendix D).   This course shall be designated by WL [number] or HL [number], and the course board shall indicate the distance to the appropriate mark for each class.

6.4       Course Displays.       

a)   The course designations and approximate magnetic bearing to the first mark from the Committee Boat will be displayed on a course board from the Committee Boat at or before the warning signal for each class. Approximate distance to the first mark from the Committee Boat may also be displayed on the course board.  A red or black course designation letter (other than X) indicates these marks are to be left to Port.  A green course designation letter indicates these marks are to be left to starboard

b)   The course board will be divided into vertical columns for designated classes.  The class designations will be; P = PHRF Spinnaker, all subclasses; A =PHRF Spinnaker A; B = PHRF Spinnaker B; C = PHRF Spinnaker C; N =Non-Spinnaker (and Cruising Class, if applicable).  If the bearing to the first mark or distance to the first mark is unchanged for a later class or classes, there shall be a blank on the course board.

c)   A course using government marks identified in Appendices A and B (See example below) will be represented by displaying an “X” on the course board, and

(1)          The detailed course designation will be displayed, using either board letters or magnetic letters, either on the stern or the side of the Committee Boat; and

2) Marks shall be rounded in the order displayed reading from left to right or from top to bottom. Marks designated in red or black shall be rounded to port; those designated in green shall be rounded to starboard; and

3) The first and last letters indicate the starting line and finishing line marks, X is the first dropped mark (usually the starting pin), Y the second dropped mark (usually a windward mark), and Z the third mark dropped at any point. 

4) If the government mark course uses the same first windward mark as a drop mark course (signaled by designating the first mark after the start ìYî), the course and distance displayed on the course board for drop mark courses will apply also to the government mark course.

Example of how the Course Board might be filled out:

Government mark course displayed on the stern or side of Committee boat: X is the pin end of the starting line as well as the finishing mark; Y is the windward mark and is a drop mark - the course and distance to Y are as displayed on the main course board for the drop mark courses.  After rounding Y, boats are to round marks C, E and M (described and shown in Appendix A and B) as indicated by the color of the letters and finish between X and the Committee boat.

6.5       The Race Committee may attempt to broadcast the courses on VHF Channel 72 prior to the Warning Signal for the first class.

7.         ABANDONMENT OR CANCELLATION

7.1       The final decision to abandon or cancel may be made by the most senior present of the following: Race Committee Chairman, Offshore Division Commander, Fleet Captain, or Vice Commodore.  This changes RRS 27.3 and 32.1.

7.2       If abandonment occurs before the Committee boat leaves the dock, the Race Committee will give notification that the race is postponed or abandoned due to adverse weather by both:

a)   Posting a notice on Official Notice Board, and

b)   Making the appropriate signal on the Committee Boat at the dock.

7.3       In any race, except the last in a series, abandonment is preferred over cancellation.  An attempt will be made to notify skippers, and to post on the FBYC Jackson Creek West Clubhouse (Fannie's House), the date to re-sail any abandoned race.

8.         START

8.1       Each boat shall check in at the Race Committee Boat before the first warning signal of the first race each race day, sailing past the stern of the Race Committee Boat and receiving its acknowledgement.

8.2       The starting line for each event will be as specified in the Special Sailing Instructions. If not otherwise specified, the starting line will be between a yellow or orange flag on the committee boat and either an adjacent government mark or dropped inflatable mark.  The starting area is defined as extending 100 yards beyond each end of the starting line and 150 yards behind the line and its extension. Boats whose preparatory signal has not been made shall keep clear of the starting area and all boats whose preparatory signal has been made.  Boats that fail to abide by these restrictions may be subject to protest and disqualification.

8.3       Unless the Special Sailing Instructions specify otherwise, the Race Committee will determine order of start for all classes competing in each race. One Design classes may be started with other classes, or may be given separate starts by the Race Committee, at the sole discretion of the Race Committee.  Skippers are cautioned to pay close attention to the class flags during each starting sequence. 

8.4       A Committee Boat that is also a starting mark may set a Limit Mark that shall be passed on the same side as the Committee Boat.  A boat shall not touch either the Limit Mark or the Committee Boat or pass between them. For the purposes of RRS/US 31.1 (Touching a Mark) and RRS/US 28.1 (Sailing the Course), the Limit Mark and the Committee Boat shall be considered to be a single Starting Mark. No other requirements of RRS/US 31 or 28 are modified by this paragraph.

9.         RECALLS

9.1       In the event of a general recall, the recalled class will be the next class to start, in accordance with the RRS/US 29.2 (General Recall Signal). The start of all following classes will be delayed accordingly.

9.2       Individual Recalls shall be signaled in accordance with RRS/US 29.1. The Race Committee MAY attempt to hail the boatís sail number verbally or on VHF Channel 72, however, failure to hail any boat, failure to hail all boats, or failure to correctly hail a boat does not relieve any boat from its obligation to start properly and is not grounds to request redress.

10.       COURSE CHANGES AFTER START

10.1     RRS/US 33 is changed by adding:

ìIf during the signaling of a change of course, one or more class flags are flown under the change of course Flag “C”, then the change applies only to those indicated classes. If there are no class flags flown, the change is applicable to all classes.î

10.2  If the Flag “C” is flown over Flag “Q”, then the change applies only to boats beginning their final leg to the finish.

11.       RACING AT NIGHT

11.1     For determining the right of way between contestants, the RRS/US of Part 2 shall govern except that between sunset and sunrise the following shall be substituted for RRS/US 17:

ìWhen one of two boats is about to pass the other and they are on the same tack and within three overall lengths (of the longer boat) of each other, the boat being overtaken shall maintain her course, and the boat clear astern, if she elects to pass to windward, must do so at least three overall lengths (of the longer boat) from the leeward boat. Both boats shall sail their proper courses while they are overlapped.î

11.2     Between sunset and sunrise all boats shall exhibit proper navigation lights.

12.       THE FINISH

12.1     The finishing line will be between a yellow or orange flag on a committee boat and the designated finishing mark or, if none is specifically designated, the pin end of the starting line.

12.2     The finish line shall be crossed from the direction of the last mark preceding the finishing mark, regardless of the position of the Committee Boat.

12.3     A boat approaching the finish at night must show a white light when no less than º mile away from the finish line to call attention to her presence and when crossing the finish line to illuminate her racing or sail numbers. An ordinary flashlight is not acceptable for this purpose.

12.4     A boat finishing after dark, or if the Race Committee is not on station at the finish, shall take its own finishing time and record any boat finishing directly ahead and directly astern and shall give this information to the Race Committee if requested.

12.5     A boat that retires shall notify the Race Committee as soon as possible using VHF Channel 72 or by calling 804-310-7824  (Mr. Robertís cellular phone) if unable to use VHF.  Mr. Robertís cellular phone is to be used only when unable to use VHF or in emergency. 

13.       PENALTIES

RRS/US 44.1 is deleted and replaced by: ìA boat that may have broken a rule of Part 2 while racing may take a penalty at the time of the incident or as soon thereafter as she may safely and properly do so. Her penalty shall be a Two Turns Penalty as specified in RRS/US 44.2. However, if she caused serious damage or gained a significant advantage in the race or series by her breach of the rules, she shall retire.î

14.       PROTESTS

14.1     RRS/US 61.1(a) is modified to require that notice of intent to protest and the number of the protested boat MUST be given to the Race Committee immediately after finishing by hail acknowledged by the Committee.

14.2     The penalty for breaking RRS/US 75.2 (Eligibility) with respect to ISAF Regulation 19 will be a warning.

14.3     Written protests shall be lodged in accordance with filing procedures as follows, unless different procedures are specified in the Special Sailing Instructions.

a)   A written protest must be filed with the Race Committee within one hour after the Committee Boat reaches the FBYC dock. In the event the race does not finish in close proximity to the FBYC dock, the protest must be filed as soon as practical after the conclusion of the race, or as otherwise provided in RRS/US 61.3. The Race Committee may give a sound signal upon its arrival at the dock. (See 2.4 for signals made ashore for protest time)

b)   The hearing of protests at FBYC is to be conducted as follows. The event protest committee:

1) Will consist of the Race Committee or subcommittee and, upon invitation by the Race Committee chairman, other individual(s) with good working knowledge of the racing rules; the Race Com≠mittee chairman, or his designate, will be the event protest committee chairman;

2) Will hold a hearing as soon thereafter as an appropriate protest committee can be convened.

c)   A boat may not protest another boat for an alleged breach of RRS/US 75.2 with respect to ISAF Regulation 21.1(b). This changes rule RRS/US 60.1 (a).

14.4     RRS F1.1 prescribes the appeals of a decision of a Protest Committee shall be sent to

Race Administration Director

U.S. Sailing Association

Box 1260

         Portsmouth, RI 02871

The CBYRA Rules and Appeals Committee is the designated AAC for any protest heard at FBYC.  Appeals forwarded by USSA to the CBYRA Rules and Appeals Committee will be handled in accordance with RRS Appendix F as modified or amplified by the CBYRA Greenbook provisions setting forth CBYRA Appellate Protocol.

14.5     FEES: As specified under RRS F1.1 and RRS F2.1 CBYRA prescribes that its fee shall be $100.  This fee will be reduced to $50 for members of (a) CBYRA, (b) another RSA, (c) USSA, (d) another national authority, or $25 if the appellant is both a member of an RSA and USSA or another National Authority if proof of membership or membership application in one or both of these organizations is submitted with the appeal.

15.       SCORING

15.1     Scoring System:  The ìLow-Point Scoring Systemî described in RRS/US Appendix A will be used except that:

a)   Unless modified in the Special Sailing Instructions, only a single race is required to be completed to constitute a series.

b)   Each boatís total score will be the sum of her scores for all races.

c)   RRS/US Appendix A8 (Series Ties) is modified to specify that if methods A8.1 and A8.2 do not resolve a tie between two or more boats, the final result shall be a tie.

d)   For the Spring, Fall and Long Distance Series, the last sentence in RRS/US A2 is replaced with the following: ìBoats not so scored that came to the starting area will be scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of all boats that came to the starting area. Boats that did not come to the starting area will be scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of boats entered in the series.î

15.2     FBYC Event Scoring:

a)   For a race that is not part of a series of races, a class (i.e. PHRF SPIN, PHRF NON-SPINNAKER, or One Design) must have at least three boats come to the starting area for that race to be valid and to be scored for that class. In a series of races, if the three-boat minimum is met in at least one race, all races in the series will be valid for that class and scored for class overall. In addition, if at least three boats in a sub-class (PHRF A, B, or C, NON-SPIN, 1HS, or 2HS) come to the starting area, that sub-class and all other subclasses of that class will be scored separately for that race and, if the race is part of a series, for all races in the series.

b)   A boat sailing in more than one class over the course of a series shall only be scored for the series in the class designated on the entry form for the first race in the series in which she raced.

c)   For the Spring, Fall, and Long Distance Series, a skipper who has registered for the series and has race committee duty may either (1) have someone else race his boat or (2) be given a score equal to the average of all his scores for the other races in the series, including any race in which he scored DNS or DNC.

d)   In the Spring Series, Distance Series, and Fall Series only, if the Race Committee abandons the race pursuant to RRS Rule 32.1 after one or more boats has finished, finished boats shall be scored according to their finishing places and the boats remaining on the course shall be scored one point more than the number of boats which finished the race prior to abandonment.  This changes RRS 32.1 and 35.

15.3     CBYRA High Point Scoring:  Each class and subclass recognized for CBYRA Region IV North (and with respect to PHRF classes, in accordance with the splits, if any, established by PHRF of the Chesapeake for Region IV North) will be scored as a class in CBYRA sanctioned races in addition to scoring for FBYC event and trophy scoring purposes. For 2008 the recognized classes in Region IV North are PHRF Spinnaker A, B, & C and PHRF Non-Spinnaker.  For eligibility, requirements, and scoring for CBYRA High Point, refer to the CBYRA Year Book.   All FBYC perpetual trophies will count all CBYRA sanctioned races plus any non-sanctioned race identified as being counted in the appropriate NORs.

15.4     RESULTS:  Every attempt will be made to announce and post on the official notice board at least provisional results, following conclusion of each dayís racing.  Visiting boats desiring a copy of the race results should find them at www.fbyc.net/Events or can contact the Division Lt. Commander.

16.       AWARDS

16.1        Awards for each class (i.e. PHRF-SPINNAKER, and NON-SPINNAKER) or subclass scored separately, will be presented for each FBYC event based on the number of starters as follows:

16.2     If any PHRF subclass, or Non-Spinnaker class is scored separately pursuant to Section 15.2, awards will be presented for all sub≠classes, in addition to class overall awards, even though the subclass other than the subclass eligible to be scored separately under Section 15 has less than 3 starters. In a series, a boat shall be eligible for series trophies only in the class she entered and raced in at the beginning of the series.

16.3     Awards will be presented for individual races in all series and regattas unless otherwise indicated in the Special Sailing Instructions or Notice of Race.

17.       RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

17.1     Radios and cell phones shall not be used to obtain navigation or weather information that is not available to the general public. It is suggested that boats racing monitor VHF Channel 16 and make contact with commercial traffic on Channel 13 as required for safety.    

17.2     The Race Committee will monitor VHF Channel 72.  Race Committee broadcasts concerning its intentions (i.e. the course to be sailed, starting times, course changes, recalls, etc.) are a courtesy only.  Failure of the Race Committee to make a broadcast, the timing of a broadcast, or the failure of a boat to hear a broadcast shall not be grounds for redress under RRS/US 62.1(a). 

17.3     In the event a yacht must contact the Race Committee to abandon the race and is unable to make contact on VHF Channel 72, it should attempt to make contact via Mr. Robertís cellular telephone at 804-310-7824.  Mr. Robertís cellular phone is to be used only when a boat is unable to use VHF or in emergency. 

18.       EQUIPMENT

18.1     All equipment and minimum standards required by U.S. Coast Guard, the RRS/US, these General Sailing Instructions, Division/Class Rules, and the Special Sailing Instructions, shall be aboard and be readily available unless changed in the Host Clubís Special Sailing Instructions.

18.2     A boat, or its equipment, may be inspected by an officer of its class at the request of the Race Committee at any time for compliance with the class rules as required by the sailing instructions.  The penalty for violation may range from a warning to disqualification. 

19.       COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC

19.1     A boat may not exercise right of way, cross in proximity to, or interfere with reasonable transit of the race area by commercial freighters, tugs and tows, or other commercial vessels that are unable to respond readily. A boat charged under this rule has the burden of proof that she did not interfere. Boats shall take evasive action well in advance of any potentially dangerous situation. Ship Captains and Bay Pilots have been encouraged to report any incident they observe. Only the Race Committee or the Protest Committee may protest under this rule. This changes RRS/US 60.1. The Race Committee or Protest Committee may protest under this rule based on information received from competitors or interested parties. This changes RRS/US 60.2 and 60.3. The penalty for breaking this rule is at the discretion of the Protest Committee.

19.2     A boat without way in a ship channel that breaks RRS/US 42.1 by using an engine to clear the channel at the approach of commercial traffic, shall either retire, or if the incident was unavoidable, continue racing and request redress. RRS/US 62 is changed to allow the consideration of this request.

19.3     A boat racing at night in the vicinity of vessels with which they might collide shall illuminate their sails by all available means to ensure that they are clearly seen by the other vessel(s). This is in addition to the navigation lights and shapes required by the COLREGS or other applicable government regulations. Such display shall not be grounds for protest.

20.       REFUSE

All refuse must be disposed of in a proper manner upon returning to shore. Discharging refuse overboard by contestants will be grounds for disqualification.

21.       RACE COMMITTEE

The Race Committee shall consist of the Race Chair for the event plus any other persons invited by the chairman.  The Race Committee will, subject to paragraph 7.1, have absolute authority to manage all of the races, to interpret the rules, General Sailing Instructions, and any Special Sailing Instructions, to act as the event Protest Committee in accordance with Paragraph 14 Protests; to inspect any boat either before or after a race for compliance with all applicable rules and instructions; and to reject the entry of any boat that in its opinion is un-seaworthy or does not comply with the letter or spirit of the rules, instructions, or conditions of the races.  The Race Committee will not respond to any requests for information that is covered in these General Sailing Instructions or any Special Sailing Instructions.

22.       CONDUCT OF PARTICIPANTS

22.1     The Skipper/Owner of each boat shall be responsible for all actions of his crew and guests.

22.2     In the event of a serious breach of conduct or sportsmanship, the destruction of property, or the failure to comply with a request of the Club Manager, a Club Officer, or a member of the FBYC Race Committee, the offending owner or crew member may be evicted from the club premises and the Skipper/Owner will be responsible for all damages and the Race Committee may rescind the boatís entry at any time during the regatta.

22.3     THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BY UNDERAGE CREW MEMBERS OR GUESTS WILL LEAD TO THE IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION OF A BOAT FROM THE EVENT.

23.       NOTICE TO VISITING BOATS

Fishing Bay Yacht Club extends club privileges to visiting boats and crews participating in the events listed in the Special Sailing Instructions. Boats desiring to layover, please contact the Operations Manager, Dixon Cole upon arrival. H~ (804) 776-0402 C~ (804) 725-8497.