Thunder Bay Yacht Club

1. The safety of a boat and her crew is the sole and inescapable responsibility of the owner or the owner’s representative who must assure that the boat is sound, seaworthy and manned by a crew who are fit to face adverse weather. They must assure that all equipment is properly maintained and stowed and that the crew are competent and knowledgeable in its use.

2 Neither the establishment of equipment regulations nor any inspection of a boat shall in any way limit or reduce the complete and unlimited responsibility of the owner or their representative.

3. Each entrant is responsible for full having a full knowledge of The Racing Rules of Sailing 2009-2012 and all applicable regulations.

4. A boat and her owner and crew shall compete in compliance with the Thunder Bay Yacht Club Racing Code of Conduct.

1.1 All races will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules Of Sailing for 2009-2012. Additionally all races will be governed by the prescriptions of the Canadian Yachting Association, the TBYC PHRF rating system, the ISAF Special Regulations Governing Offshore Racing, Regulations Pertaining to Collision at Sea and by these sailing instructions and its amendments.

2 Unless otherwise specified, all prescriptions of the Canadian Yachting Association will apply.

2.1 Notices will be posted on the official notice board on the second floor of the CN Station in the hallway adjacent to the Race Office. Notices may be seen at the TBYC website: tbyc.on.ca, however the race committee is not obligated to post notices on the web site.

2.2 All competitors are required to monitor VHF Channel 72 from one hour before the posted start time until the completion of the race for information about the start line location, postponements, and other announcements from race authorities. In Offshore Series Races, competitors will switch to VHF channel 16 after start has been completed.

2.3 Competitors will not contact the Committee Boat unless specifically requested to do so by the Committee Boat.

2.4 A boat while racing shall not receive radio or telephone communications that are not available to all boats if that information pertains to the race.

3.1 To be eligible to participate in the TBYC racing program, boats must complete and submit to the Fleet Captain: PHRF Rating Form, the prescribed racing fee and proof of insurance. These forms must be completed and submitted annually. Failure to adhere to these requirements will preclude the boat from being scored.

3.2 Any subsequent fundamental change to the boat, including but not limited to the hull, rigging, or sails (including new sails), must be reported to the Ratings Committee, and may require re-measurement.

3.3 A boat that is a member of a recognized yacht club, may race in a single race for a fee of $25.00 (GST included) payable to the Thunder Bay Yacht Club prior to racing. Proof of insurance is required under this clause.

3.4 Boats must be owned by a TBYC member in good standing and a full member or an associate (social) member shall be aboard except for visiting boats racing under regulation 3.3. Regular crew members are encouraged to become associate members of the TBYC.

3.5 No fee shall be charged to boats racing in the Monday and Friday Pursuit Series, the On Deck Regatta and the Mayor’s and Commissioner’s Cup. Proof of Insurance is required.

4.1 Any change to these Sailing Instructions, the Notice of Race or to the Race Schedule will be posted no later than 2000 hrs. EDT on the day before the day upon which the change will come into effect. Changes may also be posted on the TBYC web site as a convenience to participants, but this is not required.

5.1 Signals made ashore will be displayed from the flagstaff at the end of pier one.

5.2 Postponements will be indicated by displaying flag “AP” and sounding two blasts of the horn. This may be followed by a general announcement on VHF channel 72. The “AP” signal shall remain hoisted until one minute prior to the resumption of the starting sequence.

5.2 Boats that are “over early” will be notified by displaying flag “X”, accompanied by one blast of the horn. A general recall will be indicated by displaying the first substitute pennant accompanied by two blasts of the horn. If a general recall is indicated, the fleet being recalled shall start after the other fleets have started.

5.3 Signals will be as prescribed by The Racing Rules Of Sailing 2009-2012.

6.1 Attendance at Skipper’s meetings is mandatory for all competitors except for the Wednesday Evening Series and the Monday and Friday Pursuit Series. Skipper’s meetings will take place one hour before the designated start time on Pier Two unless otherwise indicated in the Notice of Race.

6.2 For Offshore Series races that involve racing at night, each boat must prepare a crew list including the name, address and phone number of each crew member on board and submit it to the Race Committee at the Skipper’s Meeting.

7.1 The Race Schedule and Starting Times will be posted on the TBYC web site and are to be considered part of these sailing instructions.

8.1 Prior to the first race the Race Committee shall assign competing boats to a division based on the boats rating and on the number of boats registered in the fleet.

8.1 Classes are indicated by letter ie: Division A, Division B….etc.

8.2 Divisional flags will be flown during the starting sequence only when multiple starts are being used such as during the Wed Evening Series and Harbour Loops.

9.1 Each boat is required to have on board current nautical charts appropriate to the location of the race.

9.2 Unless otherwise indicated, the Wednesday Evening Races will be run outside the break wall with a course determined by the Principal Racing Officer (PRO). It is the responsibility of each boat to arrive at the starting area by the initial warning signal.

The PRO will not postpone a race unless a majority of boats have been unable to reach the starting area due to extraordinary external conditions.

10. Courses

10.1 Courses are described on the TBYC Web Site. If a course is not described on the web site, it will be described in the Notice of Race or at the Skipper‘s Meeting.

10.2 Courses may be shortened by the PRO by signaling flag “S” accompanied by two horn blasts, and establishing station on the starboard end of the new finish line.

10.3 At any rounding mark the Race Committee may change the direction of the next leg by changing the position of the next mark (or finishing line) and signaling the fleet by displaying flag “C” and announcing the new course on VHF channel 72.

10.4 In the event that one of the marks at the leeward gate is missing, boats shall leave the remaining mark to port.

11.1 Handicaps will be based on the Lake Michigan Performance Handicap Racing Fleet LMPHRF system. Boats are encouraged to acquire a LMPHRF rating. (Go to wwwlmphrf.org for more information.)

11.2 Adjustments to a boat’s rating may be made by the Rating’s Committee based on the following criteria: prevailing weather conditions, and alterations or modifications to boats that are deemed to give a yacht advantage or disadvantage.

11.3 Provisional ratings will be assigned by the Rating’s Committee for boats that do not have a valid PHRF ratings Certificate.

11.4 Boats may appeal their rating by writing to the Chairperson of the Rating’s Committee outlining the basis for the appeal.

11.5 “Time on distance” will be used to calculate results for all races except the Wednesday Evening Series and Harbour Loops which will use “time on time“.

11.6 In the event that a Rating’s Committee has not been appointed, the Fleet Captain shall assume the responsibilities of the Rating’s Committee and may assign a provisional rating to a boat. The only means of appealing such a rating shall be by applying to LMPHRF for a rating.

12. Equipment and Measurement Checks

12.1 While racing all boats will carry safety equipment required by Transport Canada. Additionally all boats will be equipped in compliance with ISAF Offshore Category 4. Races in the Offshore Series require compliance with Offshore Category 3. See the ISAF website.

12.2 While racing, all transom mounted motors will be either stowed aboard or left mounted on the transom of the boat.

12.3 At the start of each race in the Offshore Series, each crewmember on board is required to wear a life preserver or personal floatation device.

12.4 A boat or equipment may be inspected at any time for compliance with the safety requirements outlined in the Sailing Instructions. It may also be inspected for compliance with the requirements of the PHRF Rating System.

13.1 For the Wednesday Evening Series and for Harbour Loops the start will be governed by rule 26 with divisions starting at 5 minute intervals; the starting signal of the preceding fleet being the warning signal for the next division.

13.2 For the Wednesday Evening Series and for Harbour Loops with the Committee Boat on station, the starting line shall be between a flagstaff on the stern of the race committee boat and an outer distance mark (ODM). An Inner Distance Mark (IDM) will be set adjacent to the Committee Boat. The IDM is not the starboard end of the start line (the flagstaff on the Committee Boat is), however boats approaching the starting line shall pass between the ODM and the IDM (leaving the IDM to Starboard). The IDM is a mark on the course, not an obstruction. If a boat hits this mark after the preparatory signal, it must exonerate itself.

13.3 The starting area is defined as a “box” extending 200 feet to windward and 200 feet to leeward of the starting line, and extending 200 feet beyond the ends of the starting line. The “box” is a rectangle 400 feet in one dimension and 400 feet plus the length of the starting line in the other dimension. Boats are not permitted to enter the starting box if the warning signal for another division has been raised unless their division has already started. Boats violating this regulation may be warned to vacate the starting area and will be subject to disqualification if they do not vacate the starting area immediately.

14.1 Individual recalls will be in accordance with racing rule 29.1. The Committee Boat will display flag X and one blast of the horn. The Committee Boat may notify premature starters by hail or by VHF channel 72, but is under no obligation to do so.

14.2 A general recall will be in accordance with racing rule 29.2. The Committee Boat will indicate a general recall by displaying the first substitute pennant accompanied by two horn blasts. The division that has been recalled will immediately vacate the starting area and will restart after the other divisions have started.

14.4 When a Committee Boat is not available at the start competitors will monitor boats that are over early and may protest an offending boat. Exoneration may only be achieved by returning to the pre-start side of the starting line and restarting.

15.1 The finish will be between a flagstaff, displaying a blue flag on the transom of the Committee Boat and a nearby mark.

15.2 If the Committee Boat is not on station at the finish line, boats will take their own finish time using GPS time. In the event that one of the finishing markers is missing, boats shall pass within 50 feet of the existing mark and while sailing their proper course shall leave it to port, and take their time when abeam of the mark. In either circumstance the finish time must be reported to the Race Committee as soon as practical.

16.1 Penalties will be assessed consistent with rules 44.1 and 44.2. A “One Turn Penalty, consisting of a tack and a gybe in the same direction, will exonerate a boat that has touched a mark on the course. All other violations require a “Two Turn” penalty to achieve exoneration.

17.1 For the Wednesday Evening Series only, the first boat must cross the finish line within 2.5 hours of the start of Division “A” . The Primary Racing Officer (PRO) may overrule this time limit at their discretion, if they feel that the race can be completed in a reasonable time.

17.2 For Harbour Loops and the Women’s regatta, no race shall be started after 1500 hours.

18.1 A boat that retires from a race, or elects not to compete in subsequent races scheduled to be run on the same day, shall inform the PRO or a representative of the Race Committee before leaving the race area.

19.1 For a race to be scored, there must be a minimum of three boats competing at the start. When multiple divisions are racing, this rule shall refer to the total number of boats of all divisions combined.

20.1 The low point system outlined in Appendix A4 of The Racing Rules of Sailing will be used.

20.2 The Wednesday Evening Series will be scored using a boats best finishes in 60 percent of the races plus one. (i.e. 21 races are scheduled, a boat’s best 12 finishes shall be scored)

20.3 For the Offshore Series a boat’s best four finishes will be scored.

20.4 In The Offshore Series and in the Spring and Fall Series the number of competitors

for the series shall the greatest number of boats that started in a race in that series.

20.5 The Season Overall will be determined by giving equal weight to The Wednesday Evening Series, The Spring Series, The Fall Series and the Offshore Series. A tie in the Season Overall shall be broken in favour of the winner of the Wednesday Evening Series.

20.6 A boat that does not compete, does not start, starts on the course side of the start line without restarting properly, does not finish, or is disqualified, will be scored one more than number of boats finishing in their division, however such a boat can throw-out such a race if throw-outs are available. A boat which has been disqualified for gross misconduct (rule 69), will be scored one (or more as determined by the Protest Committee) more than the number of boats racing, however this score may not be thrown out.

21.1 Electrical, mechanical and wind-vane devices for automatic steering are prohibited except for the Single-handed and Double-handed Race.

22.1 Protesting boats shall inform the Race Committee of a protest within one hour of finishing their race. This requirement may be waived if there are extraordinary circumstances such as personal injury or damage that reasonably delays reporting the protest. For this purpose, the Race Committee includes the following officers: the Fleet Captain, the Chairperson of the Protest Committee, the PRO, or any member of the Race Committee.

22.2 When the Committee Boat is on station at the finish line, protesting boats will notify the PRO in a manner that will not interfere with the Race Committee’s duties.

22.3 Protests will be written on forms provided on the TBYC website or alternatively on official CYA or ISAF Protest Forms. Each boat is required to carry a supply of these forms.

22.4 Completed protest forms will be delivered to the Race Committee within one hour of the last boats finishing time.

22.5 The Protest Committee will attempt to convene a hearing within 90 minutes of the last boat’s finish.

22.6 Protests will be heard by a Protest Committee consisting of three people.

22.7 Protests will be heard in accordance with the rules and guidelines described in

Part 5 of the ISAF Racing Rules Of Sailing 2005-2012.

23.1 Decisions of the Protest Committee may be appealed to the Canadian Yachting Association or to the Lake Superior Yachting Association.

23.2 Appeals must follow Rule F2 as outlined in Appendix F of the 2009-2012 ISAF Racing Rules Of Sailing.