NOTICE OF RACE

1.                 RULES

 

1.1.                The Event will be governed by World Sailing (Previously ISAF) Racing Rules of Sailing 2021–2024, this Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions. In the event of conflict the Sailing Instructions shall prevail.

 

1.2.                The Organising Authority is the Island Sailing Club. The Organising Committee is comprised of officers of the PSUK Sailing Club.

 

1.3.                Competitors will be expected to comply with any rules/guidance in force at the time of the event.

  

2.                 ELIGIBILITY

 

2.1.                The Regatta is for PSUK and PSUK associated crews.

 

2.2.                The crew’s complement will consist of staff currently employed by or retired from the Agency or Force they represent subject to PSUK eligibility criteria. Each crew, including the skipper, will have a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 8, although this may be lifted at the Committee’s absolute discretion. All crew members must adhere to the rules and regulations of the sailing club/association of the force or agency they represent.

 

2.3.                Mixed crews are permitted providing all crew members comply with eligibility criteria 2.1 &2.2

3.                 ENTRY

 

3.1.                As the number of boats available to charter is limited and to ensure a fair allocation to all participating crews, entries will be allocated by the PSUK Regatta Committee or Fairview. Skippers will be contacted by the PSUK Regatta Committee with confirmation of entry and Fairview will be informed of skipper allocation. Charter of the yacht will be between Fairview and the skipper.

 

3.2.                The entry fee for the 2024 Regatta is £750 per crew. The entry fee will include race fees, berthing at Cowes Shepards Marina, social functions on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, prizes and the PSUK regatta subsidy.

 

3.3.                The entry fee and payment must be received by 1^st May 2024

 

3.4.                The completed entry form should be emailed to the regatta office on ncaregatta@gmail.com

 

3.5.                The PSUK Regatta Committee reserve the right to cancel the entry of any skipper whose entry fee is not received by 1^st May 2024 and reallocate the entry to any skipper on the reserve list regardless of any charter fees that may have been paid to Fairview Sailing.

 

 

4.                 SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

 

4.1          The Sailing Instructions will be sent out by the regatta committee to the skippers of participating crews and will be available on the Island Sailing Club website psuk-regatta-group prior to the event.

5.                 RACING AREA

 

5.1.                Racing will be conducted in the Solent, extending west to the Needles and Christchurch Bay, and to the east to the Nab Tower and Hayling Bay. Competitors will ensure they carry accurate charts or other suitable navigation equipment for this area.

 

5.2.                All yachts shall berth at Cowes Shepards Marina from Monday evening to Friday morning. A group booking has been made and the cost included in the entry fee.

 

 6.         PROGRAMME

 

6.1.                The provisional regatta programme is attached as Annex A. This may be changed via consultation with skippers either before the event or at the skippers briefing with the race officer on Monday 13^th May 2024.

 

6.2.                Registration and yacht allocation will take place at Fairview from 17:00 on Sunday 12^th May 2024.

 

6.3.                All racing will be dependent on weather and tide conditions at the time of the regatta. The organising committee and the Island Sailing Club reserve the right to reschedule, alter or cancel races should conditions dictate this to be appropriate.

 

7.                 CLASS

 

7.1.                This is a one design, single fleet regatta. All crews will compete inBeneteau 37 chartered from Fairview in Port Hamble. A number of yachts have been reserved by the regatta committee for a fixed period at an agreed price of £1999 which includes racing insurance, Cruising Shoot and regatta maintenance support fromFairview. Wet weather gear is also available to hire from Fairview. Once entry has been accepted and confirmed by the PSUK Regatta Committee, skippers are to contact Fairview directly and refer to the PSUK Regatta when chartering their yacht.

 

7.2.                Allocation of Yachts to skippers for the regatta will be by random allocation by Fairview. Specific request for yacht allocation by skippers to Fairview is not permitted.

 

8.                 SCORING AND DISCARDS

 

8.1.                Scoring will use the Low Points System as described in RRS Appendix A

 

8.2.                Maximum of 9 races are scheduled

 

8.3.                3 races are required to be completed to constitute a series.

 

8.4.                When 4 or fewer races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores.

 

8.5.                If 5 or more races are completed, each boat’s series score shall be the total of all its scores less its worst score.

 

9.                 COMMUNICATION

 

9.1.                Prior to the regatta, information will be emailed to competitors via the skipper’s registered email address.

 

9.2.  During the regatta, Notices to Competitors will be displayed on the

online Official Notice Board: www.islandsc.org.uk/racing/onb

 

9.3.                During racing, and for course information, communication with competitors will be made on VHF Channel 37A (M). Prior to the starting signals, course information will be communicated by Whatsapp to a maximum of two mobile phone number per boat, provided at the skippers briefing.

  

10.             PRIZES

 

10.1.            Prizes shall be awarded for first and second placed crews. Further prizes will be awarded at the discretion of the committee.

  

11.             RYA CHARTER

 

11.1.            Competitors should note that the Island Sailing Club has implemented the RYA Racing Charter and that, when entering, competitors will be required to undertake to sail in compliance with the Charter, which can be found at the front of the RYA rule book (Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024) or at www.rya.org.uk/racing/charter

 

12.             ISLAND SAILING CLUB FACILITIES

 

12.1.            The Committee and Members of the Island Sailing Club hope that skippers, crews and families of competing yachts will consider themselves temporary members of the ISC for the duration of the event and make full use of the Club’s facilities.

 

13.             RISK STATEMENT

 

13.1.            Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk, and are reminded of RSS Rule 3: Decision to Race.

 

13.2.            Rule 3 of the Racing Rules of Sailing states: “The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone.” Sailing is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk. By taking part in the event, each competitor agrees and acknowledges that:

 

(a)        They are aware of the inherent element of risk involved in the sport and accept responsibility for the exposure of themselves, their crew and their boat to such inherent risk whilst taking part in the event;

(b)        They are responsible for the safety of themselves, their crew, their boat and their other property whether afloat or ashore;

(c)        They accept responsibility for any injury, damage or loss to the extent caused by their own actions oromissions;

(d)        Their boat is in good order, equipped to sail in the event and they are fit to participate;

(e)        The provision of a race management team, patrol boats and other officials and volunteers by the event organiser does not relieve them of their own responsibilities;

(f)         The provision of patrol boat cover is limited to such assistance, particularly in extreme weather conditions, as can be practically provided in the circumstances;

(g)        It is their responsibility to familiarise themselves with any risks specific to this venue or this event drawn to their attention in any rules and information produced for the venue or event and to attend any safety briefing held for the event; and

(h)        Their boat is adequately insured, with cover of at least £3,000,000 sterling against third party claims. This may be provided under individual charter agreements with Fairview.