NECRA SUNDERLAND TO HARTLEPOOL
24 May 2008
Sailing Instructions
ORGANISED BY SYC and TEES & HARTLEPOOL YACHT CLUB

1. Rules

Racing will be governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) 2005 - 2008, the prescriptions of the RYA, the Rules of the specific classes, the Notice of Race and these sailing instructions. These sailing instructions prevail over the Notice of Race when they conflict.

2. Conditions of Entry

2.1 General

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 a race or races. Moreover, every owner/person in charge warrants the suitability of the boat for the race or races and that the boat contains at least the minimum safety equipment specified by NERR/NECRA.

2.2 Insurance

Each boat shall have a valid third-party insurance of not less than �2,000,000 in force for the duration of all races sailed under these Sailing Instructions, for which she has entered.

2.3 Measurement Certificates

Each boat should hold a valid NERR rating certificate.

2.4 Identification on Sails

Under exceptional rules the race committee may permit a boat to use sails carrying an identifying number other than that required by RRS 77 and appendix G.

2.5 Eligibility

Race is open to any Class 1-4 yacht registered with NECRA.

3. Notices to Competitors

Notices to competitors will be posted on the display board in Sunderland Yacht Club

4. Changes to Sailing Instructions

Any changes to the Sailing Instructions will either be posted on the official notice board at least two hours before the race, or, by communication (which may be orally) with each competitor afloat before the warning signal, or via flags displayed on the committee boat.

5. Signals Made Ashore

Signals made ashore will be display on the flagpole close to Sunderland Race Office and may be issued by VHF via Sunderland race control.

6. Schedule of Races

Start Time 09.30hrs - all classes.

7. Flags

NECRA class 1 - Numeral Pennant 1
NECRA Class 2 - Numeral Pennant 2
NECRA Class 3 - Numeral Pennant 3
NECRA Class 4 - Numeral Pennant 4
All boats should fly the correct flag for the duration of the race.

8. Racing Area and the Course

8.1 Course to be Sailed

The course to be sailed shall be: Sunderland start, Longscar Bell to starboard, Hartlepool No2 to starboard, THYC Outer Distance Mark to port, THYC Mark H to port, THYC Finish.

8.2 Change of Course

Will be displayed on the official notice board at least two hours before the race.
This changes RRS 27.1.

9. Marks

9.1 Definitions

9.1.1 Longscar Bell - Cardinal Mark
9.1.2 Hartlepool No2 - Red Channel Marker
9.1.3 Outer Distance - Red Spherical buoy
9.1.4 Hartlepool H - Yellow Spherical buoy

9.2 Location

Longscar Bell 54.40.85N 01.09.80W
H'pool No2 54.42.00N 01.11.00W
Outer Distance 400m East of Marina Ent
H'pool H mark 100m West of H'pool No4

10. The Start/Finish

As per Rule 26 (5 mins warning, 4 mins warning, 1 min prep, start)

10.1 Starting Line

A line between an outer distance mark and the committee boat.

10.2 Finishing Line

The finish line is a transit line between a white light on the THYC clubhouse situated below the race station windows and the white pole situated towards the end of the South pier carrying the red harbour light and weather instruments. An outer distance mark will be laid. An inner distance mark may also be laid. They are tide and wind borne and may not be on transit.
It is recommended that all boats make a note of their own finish time. This may be used in the event of a Duty Officer not being available at THYC.

10.3 General & Individual Recalls

Flags will be flown accordingly this may be accompanied by a sound signal, competitors may be informed via VHF

11. Time Limit

11.1 RRS 35 will not apply

11.2 Time Limit

Time limit for this race will be 5 hours for class 1 and 5.5 hours for classes 2,3&4.

11.3 After Time Limit

All boats finishing outside of the time limits will score DNF.

12. Protests

Protests shall be on written forms available from THYC and should be given to the race officer or a NECRA representative, within 1 hour of coming ashore.

13. Scoring

The low points scoring system will apply.

14. Alternative Penalties

RRS 44.1 and 44.2 will apply.

16. Other Requirements when Afloat

16.1 Personal Buoyancy

Competitors will comply with regulations adopted by NECRA.

16.2 Safety Equipment

Any yacht found deficient in safety equipment according to the rules of their class during a race or during a spot check will be considered to have infringed rule 1 of these Sailing Instructions and may be disqualified.

16.3 Commercial Shipping

The Tees and Hartlepool shipping channels are designated as continuous obstructions and must not be entered for any reason when racing. Competitors should observe Port Authority Byelaws where appropriate. It is emphasized that right of way should be given to commercial craft at all times.

17. Declarations and Retiring

Declarations are not required

From the moment a race starts, it is the responsibility of the owner/person in charge who retires to inform the Race Officer at the first available opportunity. Boats retiring from the race will be scored DNF.

PLEASE NOTE THE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF NAVIGATION AND RACE MARKS ARE FOR GUIDANCE ONLY.
COMPETITORS SHOULD RELY ON THEIR OWN NAVIGATION AND CHART DATUM.