BWSC Sailing Instructions

  1. Context - All races will be sailed under the current rules of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), amended by any local rules of the BWSC or adjustments made by the race officials.
     

  2. Disclaimer - The Club accepts no liability for any damage or loss to persons or property incurred as a result of sailing.
     

  3. Safety - Personal buoyancy must be worn at all times.
     

  4. Insurance - All boats must have 3rd party insurance cover to a value of at least £100,000.
     

  5. Starting Sequence (handicap races) -

    • 5 minutes before start - Club flag, 1 sound signal

    • 4 minutes before start - Club flag + Blue Peter, 1 sound signal

    • 1 minute before start - Blue Peter removed, 1 sound signal

    • Start - Club flag removed, 1 sound signal

    • Any boat crossing the start line within the last minute of countdown must sail on and around the start line transit before restarting the race. The Race Officer will hail any offending boat.
       

  6. Starting / finishing line - will be an imaginary line from the floating transit mark (orange buoy with flag) to the land-side club flag pole.
     

  7. Sound signals - will be by a sharp blow of whistle (or klaxon in lieu).
     

  8. Recalls - Any boat over the line will be warned by sound signal but no number will be displayed (she may be hailed). If she fails to round the transit mark she will be disqualified.
     

  9. General recalls - Double sound signal will be made and class flag shown as soon as possible.
     

  10. Course - The course to be sailed will be indicated on a board at the top of the slipway.
     

  11. Time limit - The race officer (at his / her discretion) may abandon or shorten a race if it is considered unlikely that the race will finish within the time. Any boat that does not finish within 45 minutes of the first boat will be deemed to have retired.
     

  12. Retirements - Helms wishing to retire during the race must inform the race officer as soon as possible and within 10 minutes of the end of the race.
     

  13. Protests - These must be handed to the race officer within 30 minutes of finishing. Helms acknowledging a protest during racing may undertake a 720 deg. turn to clear themselves of any infringement. a 360 deg. turn must be undertaken by a boat to clear itself of touching a racing mark.
     

  14. Crews - Helm and crew must both be registered with the race officer when the boat is signed on for the race.
     

  15. Scoring - As per the RYA scoring system - first boat 3/4 point, second boat 2 points, third boat 3 points etc. In a series of three races the points from two to count. In the event of a tie three races will count. In the event of a further tie the position in the last race will break the tie.
     

  16. Rights of Way - Competitors are reminded that the Harbour Master's Notice to Mariners states clearly that all powered craft have right of way over sailing craft. Please pay particular notice to all ferries and the steamship Mayflower.
     

BWSC Race Committee 2004

(Starting sequence revised Aug 04 to conform with ISAF rules)