Untitled Document

All races will be sailed under "The Racing Rules of Sailing" updated 1st April 2001, as amended by these instructions.

Races run by the Club and designated "open" may be contested by boats and crews not affiliated to Pin Mill Sailing Club.

Races not designated "open" are restricted to boats owned by a Pin Mill Sailing Club member and skippered by such a member.

CLASS SIGNALS:
Class A: Flag A. Class B: Flag B.

STARTING TIME:
As published on the Club notice board and in Club Circulars.

STARTING and FINISHING LINE:
See Course Card

COURSE:
The number of the course to be sailed will be displayed from a board hung by the Clubhouse mast or in the case of a Committee boat start from the North East side of the Committee boat. The details of each course are given on the Course Card The number will be displayed as soon as possible before the warning signal (5 minutes) for the class concerned but in any case the number displayed at the preparatory signal (4 minutes) is the number for that class.

Yachts racing are to observe the "International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea" and the Harwich Haven Authority Bylaws Nos.18,19,44 and 50 "Yachts cruisers and power boats shall not make use of the deep water channel or approaches to wharves, piers and jetties in such a way as to cause obstructions to large vessels using the harbour." If a boat's engine has to be used while racing to avoid shipping, a declaration must be made at the end of the race; automatic disqualification will not follow.

STARTING SIGNALS:
Warning - 5 minutes before start Class flag displayed and one short SHORT sounded.
Preparatory - 4 minutes before start. Flag P displayed and one SHORT blast sounded.
One Minute - 1 minute before start. Flag P lowered and one LONG blast sounded.
Start - Class flags lowered and one SHORT blast sounded.
Note-Signals to be taken from action of the flags and NOT from the sound signals

RECALLS:
If any yacht or part thereof has crossed the starting line before the start signal a second blast will be sounded immediately after the signal is made and the Class Flag will be kept at "half-mast" or the recall board displayed until the offending yacht has returned and recrossed the line correctly.
Failure to return and recross the line will disqualify the offending yacht. Recall numbers will not be used.

GENERAL RECALLS: If the Officer of the Day decides to restart the race as soon as possible after the starting signal, two further short blasts will be sounded and the general recall board will be displayed or the First Substitute Flag hoisted over the Class Flag. A further warning signal will be sounded 5 minutes later.

POSTPONEMENT:
A postponement of 15 minutes from the advertised time of starting will be signaled by the Answering Pennant over the Class Flag and the sounding of two short blasts. Further postponement will be indicated by dipping and re-hoisting this signal at 15-minute intervals together with the sounding of two short blasts.

CANCELLATION:
Cancellation of a race will be signaled by Flag N over the Class Flag and the sounding of three short blasts.

PROTESTS: Protests arising out of a race must be handed to the Officer of the Day in writing not more than two hours after the finish of the protesting yacht and must be accompanied by a fee of £5. A boat intending to protest shall promptly and conspicuously display a RED FLAG and every effort must be made to hail and inform
the protestee. Protests will be heard in the Clubhouse as soon after the race as possible.

RACING FLAGS:
Starting: Competing yachts MUST wear a racing flag (rectangular flag) at the masthead or backstay. Failure to comply will disqualify the offending yacht. Ensigns AND/OR burgees NOT to be worn when racing.
Retiring: Yachts retiring MUST remove the racing flag, wear the ensign (for easier observation by the race Officer) and pass through the finish line.

GAFF RIGGED YACHTS:
For the purpose of the ISAF racing rules, all gaff rigged vessels are considered to form a separate class and as such are exempt from the restrictions with regard to whisker poles as set out in rule 50.2

TIME LIMIT:
The first yacht home must complete the course within 7 hours unless otherwise advertised.

The Sailing Committee reserves the right to alter or amend these Sailing Instructions as may be deemed necessary.

The race organisers shall not be liable for any loss damage death or person injury howsoever caused to the owner/competitor his skipper or crew as a result of their taking part in the race or races. Moreover every owner/competitor warrants the suitability of his yacht for the race or races.
PERSONAL BUOYANCY EQUIPMENT MUST BE CARRIED FOR ALL THE CREW

REVISED SAILING INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLUB RACES 2007

1	All races will be sailed under "The Racing Rules of Sailing" updated 1st April 2001, as amended by these instructions.
1a	Races run by the Club and designated "open" may be contested by boats and crews not affiliated to Pin Mill Sailing Club.
1b	Races not designated "open" are restricted to boats owned by a Pin Mill Sailing Club member and skippered by such a member.
2	CLASS SIGNALS: Class A: Flag A. Class B: Flag B.
3	STARTING TIME: As published on the Club notice board and in Club Circulars.
4	STARTING and FINISHING LINE: See Course Card
5	COURSE: The number of the course to be sailed will be displayed from a board hung by the Clubhouse mast or in the case of a Committee boat start from the North East side of the Committee boat. The details of each course are given on the Course Card The number will be displayed as soon as possible before the warning signal (5 minutes) for the class concerned but in any case the number displayed at the preparatory signal (4 minutes) is the number for that class.
6	Yachts racing are to observe the "International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea" and the Harwich Haven Authority Bylaws Nos.18,19,44 and 50 "Yachts cruisers and power boats shall not make use of the deep water channel or approaches to wharves, piers and jetties in such a way as to cause obstructions to large vessels using the harbour." If a boat's engine has to be used while racing to avoid shipping, a declaration must be made at the end of the race; automatic disqualification will not follow.
7	STARTING SIGNALS: Warning - 5 minutes before start Class flag displayed and one short SHORT sounded. Preparatory - 4 minutes before start. Flag P displayed and one SHORT blast sounded. One Minute - 1 minute before start. Flag P lowered and one LONG blast sounded. Start - Class flags lowered and one SHORT blast sounded. Note-Signals to be taken from action of the flags and NOT from the sound signals
8	RECALLS: If any yacht or part thereof has crossed the starting line before the start signal a second blast will be sounded immediately after the signal is made and the Class Flag will be kept at "half-mast" or the recall board displayed until the offending yacht has returned and recrossed the line correctly. Failure to return and recross the line will disqualify the offending yacht. Recall numbers will not be used.
9	GENERAL RECALLS: If the Officer of the Day decides to restart the race as soon as possible after the starting signal, two further short blasts will be sounded and the general recall board will be displayed or the First Substitute Flag hoisted over the Class Flag. A further warning signal will be sounded 5 minutes later.
10	POSTPONEMENT: A postponement of 15 minutes from the advertised time of starting will be signaled by the Answering Pennant over the Class Flag and the sounding of two short blasts. Further postponement will be indicated by dipping and re-hoisting this signal at 15-minute intervals together with the sounding of two short blasts.
11	CANCELLATION: Cancellation of a race will be signaled by Flag N over the Class Flag and the sounding of three short blasts.
12	PROTESTS: Protests arising out of a race must be handed to the Officer of the Day in writing not more than two hours after the finish of the protesting yacht and must be accompanied by a fee of £5. A boat intending to protest shall promptly and conspicuously display a RED FLAG and every effort must be made to hail and inform the protestee. Protests will be heard in the Clubhouse as soon after the race as possible.
13	RACING FLAGS: Starting: Competing yachts MUST wear a racing flag (rectangular flag) at the masthead or backstay. Failure to comply will disqualify the offending yacht. Ensigns AND/OR burgees NOT to be worn when racing. Retiring: Yachts retiring MUST remove the racing flag, wear the ensign (for easier observation by the race Officer) and pass through the finish line.
14	GAFF RIGGED YACHTS: For the purpose of the ISAF racing rules, all gaff rigged vessels are considered to form a separate class and as such are exempt from the restrictions with regard to whisker poles as set out in rule 50.2
15	TIME LIMIT: The first yacht home must complete the course within 7 hours unless otherwise advertised.
16	The Sailing Committee reserves the right to alter or amend these Sailing Instructions as may be deemed necessary.
17	The race organisers shall not be liable for any loss damage death or person injury howsoever caused to the owner/competitor his skipper or crew as a result of their taking part in the race or races. Moreover every owner/competitor warrants the suitability of his yacht for the race or races. PERSONAL BUOYANCY EQUIPMENT MUST BE CARRIED FOR ALL THE CREW