2012 IOCA (UK) VOLVO GILL
NATIONAL OPTIMIST INLAND CHAMPIONSHIP
REGATTA FLEET
SUPPLEMENTARY SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
(Using numbering as contained in the MEIs 2009 -12)
1.
Rules and Advertising
1.1
The current IOCA(UK) Major Event Instructions 2009-012 (MEI) shall be incorporated into these Sailing
Instructions. If there is a conflict between the MEIs and these Supplementary Sailing Instructions, then the
Supplementary Sailing Instructions shall prevail.
1.2
Boats are required to display stickers advertising VOLVO and GILL, which shall be attached, as supplied,
to the forward 40% of each side of the hull. Failure to comply with this SSI will not be grounds for protest by
another competitor.
2.
Entries
2.2a
Checks may be made during the weekend to ensure any boat and its equipment complies with the spirit of
the Class Rules with no major infringements and continues to be in a safe condition. Evidence of a
buoyancy test carried out within the last twelve months must be presented at registration. Any boat found
during the event to be in an unsafe or un-seaworthy condition or not complying with the spirit of the Class
Rules will not be allowed to go afloat (MEI 6.3 applies).
2.4
MEI 2.4 is reproduced below so that all competitors and their parents are aware of their responsibility.
“By signing the entry form, competitors and their parents or guardians confirm they are entirely responsible
throughout the event for themselves and their boats on land and at sea, and nothing done or not done by
the organisers will relieve the participants of their responsibilities for any harm to a competitor or boat
however caused, and by launching it is implied that the boat is suitable and its helm is competent for any
likely conditions, and in this instruction organisers include the Organising Authority, the Race Committee,
the race management team, patrol craft crew and anyone helping to run the event”.
3.
Notices to Competitors
Details of local regulations, notices to competitors and event information will be posted on the official notice
board which will be located in the Marquee.
5.
5.1
Signals made Ashore
Signals made ashore will be displayed on a flagpole located on the Flagstaff on the reservoir side of the
clubhouse. Competitors should note that signals may be displayed over a class flag signifying that they
only apply to that class or classes, e.g. Main (Flag ‘O’) or Regatta Fleet (Flag ‘R’). Competitors’ attention is
drawn to instruction 27.2 re local regulations.
Inlands 2012 Regatta Fleet Sailing Instructions
6.
Safety
6.1
Launching
Regatta fleet boats may launch only when the launch flag is displayed ashore. The launch flag will be Flag
D. Trolleys should be removed from the slipways or stacked as instructed to use the minimum amount of
space to allow safe slipway access for others.
7.
Tallies
7.1
A separate tally board will be used for the Regatta Fleet. This will be located at the top of the berthing area
for Regatta Fleet.
7.2
Tally bands will be used. Each competitor will remove his/her tally band from the tally board and place it on
their wrist before launching. The Regatta Fleet will use Blue bands.
7.3
After competitors have complied with SSI 7.2 above, they shall go afloat when instructed to do so by the
Beachmaster - they shall not leave their boats unattended except in emergency.
7.4
At the first reasonable opportunity after coming ashore each competitor shall remove his or her tally band
and place it back on the tally board.
7.5
Competitors failing to tally will be subject to a fine of £10 payable to the John Merricks Sailing Trust. They
may also be liable to disqualification from one or more races held that day. Anyone failing to tally prior to
going afloat must report to the committee boat or a safety boat as soon as they realise. Anyone failing to
return a tally after coming ashore must report to the Beachmaster or the Race Office as soon as they realise.
8.
8.1
Division of Fleet into Groups
The fleet will race together as one fleet for all races.
9.
Schedule of Races
9.1
The intent is to sail as many races as possible. However, competitors should be aware that the aim of the
Regatta Fleet is to provide an introduction to large fleet racing and circumstances/conditions may limit the
number of races held. On the Sunday no warning signal will be made after 1600. Competitors should note
that races may be held back to back.
9.2
Flag ‘F’ displayed from the committee boat shall mean the Race Committee is planning another race back
to back from the previous race.
10
Class Signals
10.1
The Class Flag for the Regatta Fleet will be Flag R.
Flag R is a
Yellow cross on
Red background
10.2
In addition when Flag ‘F’ is displayed from the committee boat it will mean the Race Committee is planning
the next race as soon as possible. The warning signal for the next race will be made one minute after Flag
‘F’ is removed, accompanied by one sound signal.
Flag F is a Red
diamond on a
White background
11
Race Area
The Race Area for the day for the Regatta Fleet will be given at the daily briefing.
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12
The Course
12.1
The Course to be sailed will be given at the daily briefing and may be different from those shown in the
MEIs.
13
Description of Marks
The marks to be used for the weekend will be described or shown to competitors at the first Regatta Fleet
briefing.
.
14
The Start
14.1
The start will be as detailed in MEI 14.0 unless modified at the daily briefing.
16
The Finish
As MEI 16.
19
Protests
19.1
There will be no “on the water” jury for the Regatta Fleet. However, all Regatta Fleet competitors will be
expected to comply with the Racing Rules of Sailing. Competitors are advised NOT to lodge a formal
protest unless there has been serious personal injury or damage to a boat. Rather competitors are required
to follow the RYA advisory hearing process (a copy of the advisory hearing process details can be provided
on request at the Race Office during the event). Advisory hearings will not result in a penalty for a first
offence but subsequent hearings for a similar offence may result in a 20% placing penalty.
20
Scoring System
20.1
Three races shall constitute a series.
20.2
The total score for each boat will be the sum of her scores as follows:
8 or more valid races
4 or more, but less than 8 valid races
Fewer than 4 valid races
All scores except her two worst.
All scores except her worst
All scores
24.
Local Information – Grafham Water Sailing Club
24.1
Entrants and authorised guests are temporary members of Grafham Water Sailing Club during the period
of the event and shall comply with Club Rules and Bylaws. Failure to observe these rules may result in the
imposition of penalties, including disqualification from the event.
24.2.
Signals made ashore
Signals made ashore will be displayed either on the flagstaff on the foreshore in front of the Race Office,
near the jetty, or on the jetty.
A GREEN FLAG means ‘sailing is unrestricted, except that sailing in the creeks at the West end of the
water is PROHIBITED at all times. Wear adequate personal buoyancy at all times when afloat.’
A RED FLAG or RED MAROON means ‘If ashore, do not go afloat. If afloat, come ashore immediately.
A RED & WHITE flag (Flag U) will be displayed in strong wind conditions. This signifies that only
experienced sailors who can cope with these conditions should launch.
A YELLOW FLAG flying from one or more of the waterfront flag poles means sailing is restricted to Area 1
as defined on maps situated around the Club.
A BLACK FLAG flying from the jetty in front of the Clubhouse means wet or dry suits must be worn whilst
sailing during the period 1st November to 31st March and outside this period when the water temperature
is less than 5 degrees C.
A BLUE AND WHITE flag indicates that conditions are such that dinghy sailing is not allowed but
experienced windsurfers are permitted to sail.
A BLUE AND GREEN flag indicates the presence of BLUE GREEN ALGAE in the reservoir and care
should be taken whilst afloat and during launching and recovery of boats.
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24.3.
Obstructions
The club moorings are an obstruction, whose boundary is a line joining the northern extremities of boats on
moorings. Whilst racing, boats shall pass to the North of the obstruction.
The prohibited area at the West end of the water is an obstruction. Its boundary is a line of buoys forming
its eastern boundary.
Each fishing boat, and an area extending 20 metres in any direction from the fishing boat is an obstruction.
A safety boat in close attendance to a craft or competitor in difficulty is an obstruction.
Notes
1. Regatta Fleet will commence with a welcome and briefing at approximately 1000 on Saturday 19th of May
when competitors should have completed registration and have their boats rigged and themselves dressed
ready to sail immediately following the briefing. A short briefing will be held at approximately 1000 on
Sunday 20th May when competitors should have their boats rigged and be dressed ready to sail.
2. It is the intention of the Race Committee to provide comfort and refreshment breaks between races as
circumstances permit in the knowledge that there is no Mothership provision during the event. However,
sailors should be prepared to race more than one race back to back if necessary.
3. Parents/guardians are reminded that competitors in the regatta fleet may be sent ashore at any time during
the day if conditions, gear breakages or illness so dictate. Please ensure that you or another designated
person known to the Race Office is available ashore at all times.
4. Coaching of the back of the fleet during the racing by allocated Safety Ribs at the discretion of the Race
Officer will be permitted.
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