2010 GENERAL SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

1. RULES

1.1 Fishing Bay Yacht Club (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 2009-2012 ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) as adopted by the US SAILING ASSOCIATION (US SAILING) including their prescriptions (RRS/US), and the following:

a) 2010 General Sailing Instructions of the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association, except as modified by these General Sailing Instructions.

b) Class rules (including measurement).

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 Notices to competitors will be posted on the Official Regatta Notice Board located outside the lower level of the FBYC Clubhouse known as Fannie’s House on the Jackson Creek side.

2.2 Numbered addenda or changes to these sailing instructions shall be in writing and posted by 0830 on the effective day, except that any change in the schedule of races will be posted by 1800 on the preceding day.

3. Signals made ashore shall be displayed on a Race Committee Boat at her berth on Jackson Creek.
4. When a notice or an addendum to these sailing instructions has been posted (see above), display of code flag “L” made ashore.
5. The display of code flag “AP” made ashore accompanied by two sound signals means the start of racing is postponed. The lowering of flag “AP” accompanied by one sound means the Warning Signal for the next race shall be made in not less than 75 minutes. This changes Race Signal “AP”.
6. The display of code flag “B” made ashore means that the Protest Time has begun.

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 boat’s 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, mailed to: Offshore Race Committee, Fishing Bay Yacht Club, P.O. Box 499, Deltaville, VA 23043, or 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 CBYRA sanctioned 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 and shall comply with Category 4P as specified by PHRF of the Chesapeake. 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. FBYC Cruising, 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 boat’s 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 boat’s 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 2010 schedule of FBYC sanctioned and non-sanctioned Offshore Division events is included in this booklet. Notices of Race and Special Sailing Instructions for FBYC sponsored races are found in the 2010 FBYC Sailing Events Book following these General Sailing Instructions.

4.2 If the Race Committee intends to start another race on the same day, it will display the second substitute (with no sound) while boats are finishing.

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 2010 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 Notice of Race or Special Sailing Instructions for a particular event.

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) The race committee may set a leeward mark to windward of the starting line, in which case the leeward mark will not be a mark of the course during the first leg of the course or, in the event of a downwind finish, during the last leg of the course. This alters Appendix D.

c) Special rules for ‘L’ courses. Adding L to course designation W or H indicates that the RC will set two windward marks: the classes designated to sail the ‘L’ 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 to be sailed by each class or subclass will be displayed on a course board from a Race Committee signal boat at or before the warning signal for each class. The course board will be divided into vertical columns for designated classes and subclasses. 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). The order of classes from left to right will correspond to the order of starts.

b) Courses described in Appendix D: The course designation will appear directly below the letter identifying the class or subclass to which it applies. The approximate magnetic bearing to the first mark from the start will be displayed immediately below the course designation, and below that will be displayed the approximate distance to the first mark from the starting line. If the course, the bearing to the first mark or the distance to the first mark is unchanged for later classes or subclasses, there shall be a blank in the appropriate row on the course board in the column for that class or subclass. An Appendix D course designation using red or black course designation letter(s) indicates that all marks are to be left to Port. Green course designation letters indicate all marks are to be left to starboard.

c) Courses using government marks identified in Appendices A and B. If the Race Committee sets a course around government marks identified in Appendix A, that course will be represented by displaying an “X” (any color) on the course board below the letter identifying the class or subclass which will be sailing that course, 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 Race Committee signal 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, but not always, 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 mark as a drop mark course (signaled by designating the first mark after the start “X” or “Y”), 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:

EXPLANATION: PHRF Spinnaker subclasses A & B will sail course WL twice around. Their first mark after the start bears 190° from the start and is 2.5 nautical miles away. PHRF Spinnaker subclass C will sail course W twice around. Its first mark bears 190° from the start and is 1.5 nautical miles away. The PHRF Non-spinnaker class will sail a government mark course described using letter boards posted on at the stern or side of the Committee signal boat. The first mark after the start for this course bears 190° from the Committee boat and is 1.5 nautical miles away.

The government mark course displayed on the stern or side of Committee boat: X is a drop mark which is the pin end of the starting line as well as the finishing mark; Y is the first mark after the start (a drop mark) – the course and distance to Y are as displayed on the main course board. 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 a yellow or orange flag on a Race Committee boat.

d) Courses set in advance in Notice of Race or Special Sailing Instructions: The course designation will be designated using the letter designation in the NOR or SSIs (i.e. A, B, etc) and will appear directly below the letter identifying the class or subclass to which it applies. The approximate magnetic bearing to the first mark from the start, preceded by a mark designation (“X”, “Y”, or government mark from Appendix A), will be displayed immediately below the course designation, and below that will be displayed the approximate distance to the first mark from the start. If the course, the bearing to the first mark, the identity of the first mark, or the distance to the first mark, is unchanged for later classes or subclasses, there shall be a blank in the appropriate row on the course board in the column for that class or subclass.

Example of how the Course Board might be filled out for a distance race:

EXPLANATION: For this race, at least 2 predetermined courses, designated “A” and “B” have been announced in the NOR or SSIs. PHRF spinnaker subclasses A, B & C will all sail course A, but the first mark for subclasses A & B will be government mark G (App A), bearing about 101° and approximately 5 nm from the starting line. For subclass C the first mark will be a drop mark bearing 101° about 2 nm from the starting line. The color of the mark designation determines how it is to be rounded. PHRF non-spinnaker (and Cruising) will sail course B, and their first mark will be drop mark Y, bearing about 101° and about 2 nm from the Committee boat (i.e. the same first mark subclass C will use).

REMINDER: If the R/C elects to use a government mark as the pin end of the starting line, a drop mark used for a first mark would be designated “X” (first drop mark).

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; RESAILING ABANDONED OR POSTPONED RACES

7.1 The most senior present of the following: Race Committee Chairman, Offshore Division Commander, Fleet Captain, or Vice Commodore, shall have the right to direct abandonment of a race to the same extent the Race Committee is empowered under RRS 32.1(b) and (e) to do so and in accordance with the provisions of RRS 27.3 and 32.1. This changes RRS 27.3 and 32.1.

7.2 If a postponed or abandoned race is not restarted on the day it was scheduled and it is to be started on another date, the date the race will be started or re-sailed will be posted on the Official Notice Board at least forty eight (48) hours before it is to be started or re-sailed, and an attempt will be made to notify skippers by announcement on the website (fbyc.net) or in the Log.

8. START

8.1 The starting area is specified in the Notice of Race for the event. 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 between a yellow or orange flag on the committee boat and either an adjacent government mark or dropped inflatable mark, unless otherwise specified in the Notice of Race or Special Sailing Instructions for the event.

8.3 Unless the Special Sailing Instructions specify otherwise, the Race Committee will determine order of start for all classes competing in each race.

8.4 An orange Limit Buoy may be tethered to the stern of the Race Committee signal boat and/or a port pin end Race Committee boat. Boats hitting this Limit Buoy will be considered to have broken RRS 31.

9. RECALLS

9.1 In the event of an individual recall the Race Committee may attempt to notify boats identified as OCS via hail on VHF-72. This changes RRS 29.1.

10. COURSE CHANGES AFTER START

10.1 RRS/US 33 is changed by adding:

“If 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.”

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:

“When 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.”

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 (or staff with code flag “S”, if the course has been shortened) on a Race Committee boat and the designated finishing mark.

12.2 In a race that has not been shortened, the finish line shall be crossed from the direction of the last mark preceding the finishing mark, regardless of the position of the Race Committee boat on station at the finish line.

12.3 A boat approaching the finish at night must show a white light when no less than ¼ 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.

13. PROTESTS

13.1 A boat intending to protest another boat must so notify the Race Committee by hail or radio transmission immediately after finishing or retiring. This notification must include the boat name and/or sail number of the boat being protested and must be acknowledged by the Race Committee. This changes RRS 61.1(a).

13.2 Breaches of instructions 5.1, 16.1, 17.1, 19, 21.1, or specified requirements in the Notice of Race will not be grounds for protest by a boat. This changes rules 60.1(a) and 61.2. Penalties for these breaches may be less than disqualification if the protest committee so decides. The scoring abbreviation for a discretionary penalty imposed under this instruction will be DPI.

13.3 The time limit for filing written protests is one hour after the Race Committee returns to FBYC, unless otherwise stated in the NOR for a specific race. This protest time limit will be posted on the Signal Boat and/or the Official Notice Board, . If the Race Committee posts a list of boats scored OCS, ZFP or BFD, on the Official Notice Board before expiration of the protest time limit, the time for filing a request for redress based on such a score shall be made no later than 30 minutes after the protest time limit. This changes RRS 62.2.

13.4 A notice of protests and requests for redress filed, approximate hearing times and place of hearing will be posted on the Official Notice Board within 30 minutes after the end of protest time.

13.5 It is the responsibility of each skipper to check the Official Notice Board to see if his boat has been cited in a Protest or scored OCS, ZFP, BFD or DPI. Failure to appear for a protest hearing will be considered avoidable absence under RRS 63.3 (b).

14. SCORING

14.1 Scoring System: The “Low-Point Scoring System” 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 boat’s total score will be the sum of her scores for all races sailed unless otherwise specified in the Notice of Race for the event or series. This changes RRS A2.

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, Appendix A9, RRS, will apply.

14.2 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 or subclass. 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 or 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 serves on race committee for one of the series races or race days may either (1) have someone else race his boat or (2) be assigned a score for the race or races for which he or she serves on race committee equal to the average of all his scores for the other races in the series.

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.

14.3 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 2010 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.

14.4 RESULTS: Every attempt will be made to announce and post on the official notice board at least provisional results, following conclusion of each day’s 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.

15. AWARDS

15.1 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:

15.2 If any PHRF subclass, or Non-Spinnaker class is scored separately pursuant to Section 14.2, awards will be presented for all subclasses, in addition to class overall awards, even though the subclass other than the subclass eligible to be scored separately under Section 14 has less than 3 starters

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

16. RADIO AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS

16.1 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.

16.2 The Race Committee will monitor and make any announcements to competitors over VHF Channel 72.

16.3 The Race Committee will not respond to transmissions from competitors except to acknowledge retirements, protests, penalties reported or taken, or requests for emergency assistance. The Race Committee will not respond to any requests for information covered in these General Sailing Instructions or any Special Sailing Instructions.

16.4 Race Committee broadcasts of its intentions (i.e. the course to be sailed, starting times, changes, recalls and attention signals prior to warning and any others) are made as a courtesy only. Neither the Failure of the Race Committee to broadcast, or of a competitor to hear, any such announcements, nor of the timing or content of any broadcasts that are made, shall be grounds for redress under RRS 62.1(a), nor relieve the competitors of responsibility to monitor and respond to Race Committee flags and signals and comply with the Rules (as defined in Section 1).

17. RETIRING

A boat retiring shall notify the Race Committee as soon as possible by radio or cell phone, and receive acknowledgement.

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 Club’s 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. REFUSE

All trash and refuse must be disposed of in a proper manner upon returning to shore.

20. RACE COMMITTEE

The Race Committee shall consist of the Race Chair (who shall be Principal Race Officer) for the event plus any other persons invited by the Race Chair. 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 13 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

21. COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC

21.1 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. 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.

21.2 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.

21.3 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.

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 boat’s 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.