Royal Dart Yacht Club

Race Officer Manual Version 15.0 April 2015

Royal Dart Yacht Club

Race Officer Manual 2015

Page 1

Contents 1. Contents, Version, Changes 2. Notification Of Race Officers, Help, Preparation, Training, Time, Parking, Safety 3. Duties of a Race Officer 4. Safety, Time Limits 5. Equipment and Access to Sailing Office 6. Classes, Handicapping, Special events, Phone Numbers 7. Choosing the course 8 Starting the Race 9. Starting Flag Sequence 10 Problems at the start 11 Problems during the Race, Time Limits 12 Shortening course, finishing 13 Results, VHF Radio and Mobile phones 14 Appendix 1 Committee Boat Starts. 15 Appendix 2 Flags. 16 Appendix 3 Racing Committee Members. 17 Appendix 4 The Radio Controlled Clocks 18 Appendix 5 HALs 2 (Results) Computer Programme. 19 Index 20 Changes to sailing Instructions See Sailing Programme for: Notice of Race p 10-11 Safety Notice p 11-12 Racing Programme and Race Officers p 15-16 Course Map and Buoys p 20-22 Courses p 23-24 Sailing Instructions p 25-29 Jubilee Regatta Sailing Instructions p 25 Pursuit Races Sailing Instructions p 26 Coastal Races Sailing Instructions p 27-29 Version 15.0 (last version 12.1 June 2012) This is the version of the Race Officer Manual revised for the 2015 season. Changes to RCS and Racing Secy Changes to Coastguard and NCI contact information. Course revisions 4th Buoy Changes to handicapping . For actually running a race always use the version in the Race Officer Bag, which will be the latest one. It should be read in conjunction with the current Sailing Programme and Changes to Sailing Instructions (if any). In the event of any discrepancy the Sailing Programme should be regarded as being correct (eg on courses).

Compiled by: Norman Doidge, Oakyarde, 8 Bunting Close, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 6BU 01 626 364 333 Mob 07 968 375 528 e-Mail norman.doidge.hotmail.com Royal Dart Yacht Club, Priory Street, Kingswear, Dartmouth, TQ6 0AB www.royaldart.co.uk e-mail [email protected]

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Race Officer Manual 2015

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Before the Race. Notification of Race Officers Club members who regularly race are asked to assist the Sailing Committee in acting as Race Officers. The sailing programme includes the list of race officers on Page 15-16. A list of phone numbers is available from the Club Office. It is your responsibility to check the rota and confirm to the Club Secretary (Mrs Melinda Smallwood 01 803 752 496) the previous week that you are able to do the duty. Please make arrangements for an alternative well in advance if you are unable to do your duty. If you are unable to find a replacement, please contact the Racing Secretary Mark Ashton Tel.0180 or e-mail at [email protected] . If your boat is unable to race because of your Race Officer duty ask to be awarded average points for the race (less discards). Enter your boat on the race sheet at “OOD”. If your boat does race with a stand-in skipper they get the points they earn, even if less. Help You will need two helpers and a driver for Bravo. All drivers must hold PB2 and have been approved by the club for using club boats. Approval for each boat (Tango, Bravo, Zulu) is individual. If you are not approved to drive Bravo please contact Melinda to make sure someone is available who can drive Bravo. Les Hurst can usually oblige. She can also arrange PB2 assessment and approval with Colin Bower or Gary Bowers. Make sure you have enough anchor line to anchor in 10m at Ledge, 15-20 at Homestone. Preparation and Training You should read through the manual well before the race and make sure you know how races should be run here. Even experienced race officers may not know how the Royal Dart does things. Do attend the Race Management Evening and before the race it is worth going out on the committee boat to help an OOD run a race. If you need help please ask well in advance. The RYA runs Club Race Officer Courses (usually one day at the club) and two day Regional Race Officer Courses (somewhere in the region). Both are worth doing. Time Allow plenty of time for preparing the gear and taking it to Bravo, checking the weather, discussing changes in the light of adverse weather, finding the flags and choosing the course. I suggest plan to arrive by 17:00 for a 18:30 start and 09:00 for a 10:30 start. Safety The sea is a hostile environment that can change rapidly. You should carefully read Page 4 (based on the club’s risk assessment) regarding safety and note especially the sections relating to Cancellation, Strong winds, Life Jackets and Communications when a boat is in trouble. VHF Radios and Mobile Phones Radios: You should take one of the club radios if you hold a VHF Operator’s Licence. Communicate with boats on Channel M1 (same as Ch 37). It is not usually possible to contact Falmouth Coastguard from a hand held in the river. Mobile Phones: These are useful to contact the club and in an emergency the emergency services including the coastguard (999 and ask for Coastguard). VHF is preferred but see above.

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Duties of Race Officer 1. 2.

Recruit an assistant to help run the race and a driver if not approved to drive the club boats.

3.

Collect the equipment (See page 5) needed to run the race from the Sailing Office at least one hour before the start time on the day of the race. Access to the Sailing Office is as described on page 5.

4.

Communications: you must have a means of communication in the event of an emergency. If you or any of your helpers hold a VHF licence, take a charged up club VHF radio. Most mobile phones will work at both BP and on a Committee Boat. Do not take calls/answer radio during the starting sequence except in an emergency. Safety: The Race Officer represents the Sailing Committee of the RDYC in the running of races. The Race Officer has complete authority to ensure that all sailing activities are carried out in a safe manner and in the best interests of all members and guests wishing to sail. The sailing programme includes a Notice to Competitors making it clear that it is the skipper's responsibility to decide whether to start or continue to race.

5.

Inform the Club Secretary (Mrs Melinda Smallwood 01 803 752 496) the previous week that you are able to do the duty. She will also send a reminder e-mail, which will tell you the current code for the lock and burglar alarm in the Sailing Office.

6.

In circumstances where racing is inadvisable you are empowered to cancel or abandon racing. Advice may be sought from the Racing Secretary, members of the Sailing Committee or experienced skippers. You may decide to cancel racing at the club, or only after you get to out in Bravo and see how bad conditions are. It is often worth going out early to assess conditions. As a general guide Keelboats and small cruisers should not race in winds above Force 5 and no boats should sail in winds above force 7. Early or late in the season and in South-to-South easterly winds conditions in the entrance to the River may preclude safe sailing in lower wind strengths. See Section on safety (RO Manual, Page 4). Sometimes it is possible to run a race in the Range (between CL and Checkstone buoys) or in the river when impossible at sea.

7.

Cancellation. If you need to cancel the race you may do so before the race (fly Flag N at the clubhouse, or ask the Steward to fly it for you). You may cancel from the starting box by flying flag N before or during a race, or after postponing the start. The results sheet should still be completed with date, time, race and series, your name, and as much detail about weather and course as is relevant. This way we know if a race was abandoned, or we’ve just lost the results.

8.

Personal Buoyancy. You should fly Flag Y (Personal Buoyancy must be worn) in Force 5 and above. Even if you do not it is up to skippers to ensure their crew and boat is handled in a safe and seamanlike manner. Keelboat sailors are required to wear personal buoyancy at all times and as are the crew of Bravo.

9.

Select the course from the choice in the current Sailing Programme p21-25. Advice on choice of courses is in this Manual P7.

10. 11. 12.

Start the race using the Starting Sequence explained in the Race Officer Manual P8-9

13.

Return the results sheets to the Sailing Office. Complete and return a result sheet even if the race is abandoned, cancelled or there are no finishers (see 7 above).

14.

Calculate the results on the computer with the help of the Racing Secretary or Results Secretary.(See App.5)

15. 16.

Announce the results in the main bar as soon as possible after the race.

17.

Close the Sailing Office Reset the alarm and lock the sailing office door (coded door lock). The codes are in your reminder letter.

Decide whether to Shorten the race (advice in the Race Officer Manual P11-12) Finish the race and record finishing times (advice in the Race Officer Manual P11-12) on the Recorder Sheet provided. Include date, race officers name, start times, wind speed and direction, course, and for each boat sail number and Class, name if known, finish time. Add notes if over the line at start, sailed wrong course, or anything else that might affect result. But record ALL boats finishing time.

Return the equipment to the Race Box and Sailing Office as appropriate. Replace VHF radios in their chargers. If there are any defects or missing items please leave a note with the results sheet.

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Safety The sea is a hostile environment that can change rapidly. Following a safety review by the club we have introduced some changes to the way we run races to reduce the risk of an accident and to improve our ability to respond to an accident. Safety Notice The safety notice is included in the entry form and in the Notice of Race on page 13 of the Sailing programme. Designation of Race categories All yacht races (Class 1 and Class 2 Classes) on club courses are defined as Category 5 Races and boats must comply with the minimum safety requirements listed in the Sailing Programme. All keelboat and small cruisers must comply with the minimum safety requirements also listed in the Sailing Programme. Coastal Races (ie beyond Start Point or Berry Head) are RORC Category 4 races, Lifejackets Personal Buoyancy must be worn:  At all times by keelboat or dinghy crews and by all junior sailors (under 16)  If the Race Officer flies Signal Flag Y by all crews  At any time if the conditions warrant it.  In club power boats at all times. You are empowered to disqualify a boat for not complying with this rule. Strong Winds The OOD should obtain a local inshore waters forecast, which will be available from the Sailing Office. If the forecast is for force 5 or more fly Flag Y. If force 7 or more is forecast, consult the Racing Secretary or other sailing committee member re abandonment of race. The decision may need to be made on arrival at Blackstone Point if the conditions appear too rough for the ‘weakest yacht’. If you have any doubts at all please contact the Racing Secretary or Rear Commodore Sailing who will make an overall decision. An approximate guide would be:  Force 5 Lifejackets to be worn (Flag Y). Consider abandoning Keelboats and/or small cruisers.  Force 6 Abandon Keelboats and/or small cruisers.  Force 7 Consider abandoning all racing.  Force 8 Abandon all racing.  Use a lower force when the wind is from the South or South East and swell is entering the river, weather is particularly unsettled or deteriorating, or early and late in the season. Poor Visibility and Approaching Weather Cancel keelboats and small cruisers if the boats cannot be seen from the Committee Boat when out on the race course. Cancel all racing if visibility is less than the width of the river at the start line. Take a look to windward to see what is coming before making your decisions. Communication when a boat is in trouble Use the VHF (Ch 37 or 16) to contact the boat if possible or other boats that may be able to assist. Use the VHF (Ch 16 or 67) to alert the coastguard (Pan Pan Pan if urgent, Mayday Relay if life in danger) or mobile phone (dial 999 and ask for Coastguard). You should also ring the club to alert the club to the emergency as they may be able to help (eg towing with the launch) or coordinate reception of any casualty. Time Limits. Time limits have been reintroduced to ensure that the race officer can stay until all boats are on their way into the river. On Wednesday evenings if no boat has finished by 20:15, or no boat is likely to finish by that time, you should abandon the race. If one boat of the Class finishes within the time limit all boats finishing within the next 30 minutes should be counted. If conditions deteriorate you may abandon earlier on safety grounds. If a boat stays out particularly late, well after its time limit has expired, you should:  Assess if they may be in trouble. This may involve calling up on VHF Channel 16.  Ring the club if they appear to be in trouble (light winds, engine not starting etc)  Arrange for someone to go out to tow them in if necessary.  If they appear not to be in trouble return to the club but ensure the boat returns safely. Inform the Racing Secretary who can discuss unnecessary delay with the skipper.

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Equipment The equipment for running a race can be collected from the Sailing Office on the day of the race (tell the Racing Secretary if you want to collect the day before). We do not use guns for club racing any longer. The electric hooter with a back up of an air horn is used. You need the following from the ‘Racing’ cabinet in the Sailing Office (items in bold are essential): 



              

OOD briefcase and Toolbox. Check it contains Desk in Sailing Office Race Officer Handbook, including any Changes to the Sailing Instructions Sailing Programme with courses Binoculars (essential for sail numbers) Course Letters Timer (this is automatically corrected to BST and is more precise than your watch) Racing Rules of Sailing, Results Recording Sheets, Pens Spare Gas Powered Hooter Battery Hooter Charging on Bosun’s Bench in Sailing Office Course Board on top of cupboards. Sailing Office Portable VHF Radio(s) from Charging Rack (ensure works) Sailing Office Committee boat Starting Flags Hung on door of Racing Cupboard Sailing Office Committee Boat Course Board On top of Racing Cupboard Sailing Office Clocks Bosuns Bench near window Sailing Office Bravo Keys on key rack hooks to Right of door Sailing Office

You may need  Cancellation flag or Club Line Starting Flags from Rack of flags

Sailing Office

After the race please return everything to the correct place and report to the Racing Secretary any missing items or breakages. Ensure the VHF radios are returned to their charging racks. Access to Sailing Office The Sailing Office is accessed by using the coded door lock. Enter the five digit door code (beginning with C) to enter the Sailing Office and immediately deactivate the Burglar Alarm by typing in the four digit code (see your reminder letter for the current code). It should be reactivated by entering the same code followed by ‘FULL’ and then immediately leaving and closing the door. Check the door has locked behind you. If you set off the alarm by mistake (we’ve all done it!) enter the four digit security code to silence it. Blackstone Point. The keys for the Blackstone Point Hut are on the Key Rack in the Sailing Office. We rarely use Blackstone Point now but in certain cases may need to based on weather, non-availability of boats or for special events. Flags are no longer stored there. Allow 90m minutes for ferry, walk and setting up. The course board frame is no longer usable so broadcast the course on the radio).

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Classes The following Classes race on Wednesdays and some Sundays, but check the Sailing instructions for Special Event Races. (See Sailing Programme 2012 Notice of Race)

Class

Class Flag

Warning Signal

Shorten Course

Start Time for Wednesday

Class 2

NP4

NP4

S over NP4

18.30

Class 1

NP1

NP1

S over NP1

18.35

SQUIB

Naval Numeral 9

NN9

S over NN9

18.40

Handicapping: The club uses the ‘Byron Handicap’, a measurement derived handicap roughly equivalent yoto ythe old Portsmouth Yardstick. This may be derived from the published list, or more accurately applied for individually by each owner. All boats should already be on the computer. If they are not they may be in the entry list in the sailing office. If not listed at all they are given a provisional handicap of 850 for Class 1 and 1000 for Class 2, which makes it almost impossible to win. Special Events The Sailing Programme includes specific Sailing Instructions for certain races which may specify different courses, different start times and different Class flags. Check the details of these races in the Sailing Programme and modify your start and finish as necessary. Useful Phone Numbers  RDYC Main Office  RDYC Bar  RDYC Sailing Office  Rear Commodore Sailing (John Ellwood)  Racing Secretary (Mark Ashton)  Bosun (Paul Hodge)  Sailing Committee & other useful phone nos

01 803 752 496 01 803 752 272 01 803 752 704 01 803 832 134 / 07 715 900 602 [email protected] Appendix 1

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Courses Choosing the course. The courses are in the Race Booklet. The following are tips to help you choose. The Race booklet gives the ideal wind direction for each course to give a good beat. Wind Direction. Start by identifying the true wind out on the racecourse. Spotting the early Squib practice tacking is the ideal way. Check the marks you plan to use are in position. Tides: If you can, work out which way the tide is going and how strong. The Sailing Programme will give the time of high tide. There is an up-channel tide from 2 hours before HW until 4 hours after HW, and a down channel tide from 4 hours after HW to 2 hours before HW. A high tide between about 4pm and 8pm will be a strong up channel Spring tide, usually giving a very long beat against a SW wind. A neap tide will be down channel for an evening race, less strong and against the usual SW wind so easier to sail, allowing a longer course. Springs are down channel in the morning, up in the evening. Course Groups. The courses are grouped 1-9 with 1 for SW wind, 2 Southerly, £ South Easterly all round the compass (9 are additional courses fror SW winds). With some exceptions: A short, Homestone start B longer, Homestone start C short, Castle Ledge start D longer, Castle Ledge start. There are a few extra E and F courses to add variety. Some courses require a laid buoy (T) and some use the yellow 6 knot buoys on the west side of the river (X,Z). Generally you can set an A course for Squibs and Class 2 with a B course of the same number for Class 2 and avoid conflicts (we think). Most of these courses are ‘Triangle-Sausage’ format and can be shortened after the triangle. The finish needs a careful look especially if shortening as the final legs can be from different directions. You may have to move the CB. For 2015 the sausage is repeated until you fly the S Flag. W courses are multilap Windward-Leeward courses (the number or letter following designates the Windward mark and is rounded to Port. The ODM is the Leeward mark also rounded to port. G courses are similar but allows boats to use ODM or CB as leeward mark.) may be used with any mark in place of A or C courses and for Squib and Pursuit Races. H courses contain typos and marks should be individually displayed. R courses arer in the river and may be used when conditions preclude racing in the range or when no Club buoys are laid. Shorten Course: The part of the course in brackets is repeated until the Shorten Course Flaf (S) is flown Different Courses: Don't be afraid use different courses for Class 1. It should now be the norm to have a longer course for Class 1. You can display the two courses on the board together. A or C courses for Class 2/Squib and B or D courses for Class 1. Windward-Leeward Courses (W and G Courses) are increasingly popular. Alternative Courses: These are courses you make up yourself. Be very careful. It is difficult to write an unambiguous course instruction. Double check Port/Starboard rounding, using red boards for port rounding, green for starboard. VHF Radio: it is good practice to broadcast the course over the radio before the 5 minute signal.

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Clock Time on Wednesdays

Class

Race Timing

18:25

Class 2

5 mins to start

1 sound signal

18:26

Class 2

4 mins to start

1 sound signal

18:29

Class 2

1 min to start

1 long sound signal

18:30

Class 2 Class 1.

Start Class 2 Class 1 5 mins to start

1 sound signal

18:31

Class 1

4 mins to start

1 sound signal

18:34

Class 1

1 min to start

1 long sound signal

18:35

Class 1 Squib

Start Class 1 Squib 5 mins to start

1 sound signal

18:36

Squib

4 mins to start

1 sound signal

18:39

Squib

1 min to start

1 long sound signal

18:40

Squib

Start Squib

1 sound signal

If one or more boats are over the line

1 sound signal Immediately after start gun. Lower after 4 mins or when all boats have correctly started

OCS, Immediately after start gun

At any start.

Flags

Sounds

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Starting the Race. Set up the start line. We usually use the CB at starboard end and a fixed buoy (Homestone or Castle Ledge) as the ODM, but may be reversed. The line is between the mainmast of the committee boat and the adjacent mark. This may involves anchoring in the fairway (be prepared to move if the harbour master requires you to) in about 10 metres of water. Make sure the line is long enough for the biggest class. If in doubt, double it. If not in doubt, still make it half as long again! Rule of thumb is totla length of all boats times 1.5 (eg 10 Class 1 boats, average 35 feet =350x1.5 = 525 feet = 175 yards (150 metres). Longer in heavy weather. Aim to get it at 90 degrees to the wind. Some advocate the Port end should be slightly nearer the wind (Port end bias) and in a cross-tide the downtide end should also nearer the wind. Check it after the boat settles to anchor. On a Wednesday evening it is better to start the race despite a wind shift then delay and have to shorten the race. Prepare Flags: Find and identify them and hank them on to the halyards ready to hoist. To start the race you will need: Club Burgee, P, NP1, NP4, NN9, X (On course side at start) Later you may need S (Blue and White) Shorten Course everyone, N (Abandonment), See Appendix 2 (Flags) Check the electric horn and put it on the foredeck or quarter deck pointing towards the ODM. Choose courses First check whether all the buoys are in position. If one is missing you will have a restricted choice of courses. Courses are in Sailing Instructions 2012 and advice in the Race Officer Manual Page 7. You most likely will choose separate courses for each Class but beware of clashes if boats are rounding marks in different directions. Fit the course boards into their frame well before the 5 minute Preparatory signal, preferably AWAY from the ODM. Prepare results sheet with sail numbers of all boats sailing in the area with a racing pennant flying. If using a prepared listing tick the boats entering. Allocate Jobs 1. Timer and hoooer. 2. Flags. 3. Line sighter for OCS 4. RO and VHF If only three of you combine 3 and 4. Starting Sequence. At least 10-minutes before the start the course must be displayed, flags ready to hoist and guns loaded. Checking Use the time from 10 minutes before the first gun (1820 to 18:24 on a Wednesday Evening) until 6 minutes before the gun to check everything. Flags and Halliards, hooter, OCS flag, course board, boats over line, clock…. Then no chat and no talking to boats. The last minute is to make sure everyone (including you) knows what they are doing, when, how, and what to do if things go wrong. Flag Sequence This is on the previous page. The only double action is the starts (lower the starting Class flag spot on), and the next Class Flag goes up (immediately after, timing not so critical but within a couple of seconds). Strictly speaking the visual signal is the one to time from. Practically speaking everyone uses the sound signal. If a sound signal is not made, fails or is late, then the visual signals count. Over the Line (On Course Side, OCS) If boats are over the line (Individual Recall)  Raise Flag X immediately  1 extra gun  It is good practice to identify them by VHF. Keep it up until all boats have restarted.

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Problems at the start. Mistiming: The clock in the RO bag is precise (corrected by radio signal). Use exactly 4-minute timings from the 4-minute signal to start signals. However, if your 4-minute signal is either late or early, make the Start signal exactly 4 minutes after the 4-minute gun. The 4-minute signal is the one to time from, not the 5 and 1-minute hoots. If there is a problem with the hooter ( i.e. no sound ) signal a postponement and restart the sequence. If you are late with the starting gun you cannot reasonably penalise a boat that is OCS. Strictly speaking, according to RRS, the Visual signal is the one to time from, and a sound signal is just to draw attention to it. Most competitors, however, will rely on the sound signal as you cannot reliably see a flag from the far end of the line. Postponement: If no boats have arrived to start, there is no wind, too much wind, you need to change the course, the QM2 is entering the harbour or some other disaster (but probably not for a wind shift on a Wednesday evening) is occurring you may need to delay the start at any point in the starting sequence. Fly AP (Answering Pennant) above the Class Flag on the same halliard (AP alone means all Classes postponed) and fire Two Guns. Restarting After a postponement: Exactly six minutes before the new start lower the AP and fire one gun. On Course Side (Individual Recall): if a boat (or boats) is over the Start line as the gun goes  Hoist flag X and fire a second gun,  Note sail numbers of all boats On Course Side of the line.  When all boats on the course side of the line (OCS) have returned to the start side of the line, lower flag X  Lower it after two minutes even if not all return.  Boats OCS that do not return, or do so incompletely are timed at the finish but recorded as OCS and not given a gun/hooter or a finishing place.  Boats restarting must pass completely behind the start line before restarting.  Don’t forget the boat 100 yards out to sea that fails to get back for the start, which must get an X flag.

On Course Side (General Recall): In the rare event of so many boats OCS you could fire two guns and fly First Substitute. Six minutes before the restart drop the First Sub and fire one gun. Start the normal starting sequence one minute later. Incidents/Collisions The start is the most likely place for these and the CB is in a good position to witness them. It is worth recording the details at the time for a protest hearing.

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Problems during the Race Abandonment: You may need to abandon the race, usually due to lack of wind (see ‘Time Limits’), or occasionally deteriorating weather or lost marks. Lower all flags, hoist flag N, fire three guns. You can abandon just one Class (N over Class flag) but it is likely to cause confusion for boats too far away to see the flags. You should also broadcast the abandonment on VHF Channel M1 (Ch 37) Do not cancel too early for lack of wind, it may fill in again (but usually doesn’t). Boats Sailing Wrong Course: if a boat sails the wrong course or passes the wrong side of a mark check the Sailing Instructions for the course used, ensure that it is wrong, and make a note (DNF: sailed wrong course) against the finish time. Do record the finish time in case they were right! All Boats Sailing Wrong Course: This happens! Check the course, the sailing instructions, the boards, what the boats are really doing, and if you are sure you are right. Record finish times but without a gun. Make a report to the Racing Secretary and do not calculate any results. Go to the Ship Inn rather than the club for a drink! Disqualification: If you see a boat infringe the sailing instructions mark the result DSQ on the results sheet but do record a finish time. See “Results” for further action. Mark Missing: This should not happen if you check the marks before setting the course. If for some reason the boats cannot find a mark then abandon the race. See ‘Committee Boat’ for procedure if you are using a committee boat. Boats in Trouble: This rarely happens but you are in a position to observe the whole racecourse, so keep an eye out for trouble, especially in heavy weather. Also watch for the straggler in a flat calm who can’t start his engine. The club RIB Zulu (if out) or other boats may be able to help. See section on VHF Radios and Mobile Phones. The coastguard can be contacted on Channel 16, Channel 67 or Phone 999 and ask for Coastguard. See Section on safety, Page 4. Shorten Course and Time Limits: Making the Decision The aim on Wednesday evening is to race for about 90 minutes, so that all Classes are finishing around 8pm. This enables you to get back to the club by about 8:45pm and get the results out by about 9:00pm. However the timing of the race will depend on the last straggler. Time Limits. The time limit for Wednesday Evening Races is 2015hrs (8:15pm) and if no boat has finished by then you should abandon the race. But, if one boat in a Class has finished within the time limit then all other boats in that Class have until 2045 (8:45pm) to finish. (30 minute extension.) . At the beginning and end of the season or if conditions are deteriorating, it may be necessary to abandon the race even earlier if the light is failing. If a boat is just over the time limit we suggest you time it in and leave it to the Racing Secretary to decide. If another competitor were to protest the finish would not be allowed. For Sunday Races the time limit is 2 hours after the start extended by 30 minutes as above. Because of the variable conditions Courses R1, R2 and R3 have no time limit. If there is no prospect of any boat finishing even a shortened course by 8:15 pm you should abandon the race (see above). You do not have to wait until 8:15pm but do not abandon too early if there is a chance the wind will fill in. You may choose to abandon one or both Classes at the same time or separately. The race is then void but please complete a race results form with entrants and DNF against all yachts entering.

Leaving the Race Course. YOU SHOULD NOT LEAVE THE RACE AREA UNTIL ALL BOATS ARE KNOWN TO BE SAFELY ACROSS THE FINISH AND UNDER POWER INTO THE RIVER. If a boat appears to be in trouble contact the Sailing Club so that the launch driver can investigate and stay at sea until the situation is resolved.

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Shortening the Course: How to do it. Decide well in advance of the FIRST boat getting to the mark if there is time for the LAST boat in that Class to get home in a reasonable time. Prepare the flags and hooter. As the leading yacht approaches the shorten course mark (ie Homestone for the A courses, Castle Ledge for the D Courses) hoist the flag and fire two guns. Do it early enough so they do not start to drop their spinnaker for a rounding. Classes are best shortened separately. You may often get away with two laps for the Class 1 Class but need to shorten the keelboats and Class 2 Class. Multilap Courses: All courses are now multilap courses that repeat a lap (forever!) until you fly a shorten course flags. All other courses only require a flag to be flown if you want the boats to omit the marks shown in brackets. The aim on Wednesday evening is to race for about 90 minutes, so that the Keelboats and Class 2 are finishing around 8pm and the Class 1 boats around 8:15. This enables you to get back to the club by about 8:45pm and get the results out by about 9:00pm. However the timing of the race will depend on the last straggler. With the new different courses for Class 1 and Class 2/Squib, shortening the course may be less necessary. However if all Classes are sailing the same course: (a) Assume that the last Class 2 boat will take nearly DOUBLE the time of the first Class 1 boat (actually true sometimes). (b) Assume as a default that Class 2 WILL be shortened as it is unlikely they will be able to sail the same length course. Only let them sail on if getting round very quickly. On a triangle and sausage course this means the first boat has to be approaching Homestone before 19:30 to be allowed to do the sausage. They prefer a short race and a long pint! (c)Squibs are likely to be in a midway position and with a less spread out level rating fleet may be able to sail the second round. Again apply careful judgement, and 19:45 would probably be the limit for starting a second round of an A courses (earlier for a full double triangle course). Moving the Finish: You can shorten course by motoring out to any mark and anchoring (watch depth). Don’t be late for the first boat finishing. Check the direction that the boats will approach from and try and get the line as square on as possible. This could be impossible if one Class are shortened on, for example an A course, and the other are not, so may involve a compromise or a move.

Finishing A boat finishes when any part of it, in normal position, crosses the line. This would include the spinnaker if setting, but not if flying wildly from the masthead! The bowsprit of a J80 only counts if flying a spinnaker. Be prepared! Check your race sheets have all Sail numbers on them. A Dictaphone can help. As the boats sail the last leg get your assistant to call out the Class, Sail No. and moment of finishing. Eg. “Squib 401”, “Coming”, “Ready”, “Now” Use sail number rather than boat name to avoid mis-identification. Hull colour can help (until someone repaints). Close in or Far Out. Watch carefully a boat doesn’t slide in close under your nose while you watch the one finishing out at Castle Ledge, or vice versa. From a CB this rarely a problem. Protests: Note any boats flying a protest flag (“H”, red swallow tail flag) and make a note on the results sheet. The competitor is obliged to complete a protest form (available in the Sailing Office) and complete it and hand it to the Racing Secretary (or in his absence the race Officer) within 2 hours. A protest committee will then be arranged for a hearing. Identifying Boats. If you are unable to identify a boat, neither will anyone back at the club. The hull colour may help to identify keelboats when the sail number is obscured as they finish. Occasionally a boat races without a proper sail number. If you can positively identify it by name include it in the results. If you are unable to do so you should record ‘No number’ and not include it in the calculations.

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Results Results. The results sheet is the final record of the race and is the sole source of information available to the results secretary to work out race and series results. It needs to be readable, complete and available. Ensure the date and time of the race is on each results sheet. Your original records should be left in the ORIGINAL RESULTS FILE on the Sailing Office Desk for future reference. If you are unable to use the computer please leave good quality copies of the results sheet in the Sailing Office for a Sailing committee member to enter on the club computer. Your assistance as caller may be appreciated. Computer: If you know how to use the club computer please enter the results and print out the calculated results. This is best learnt by direct hands on experience with an existing user. Mark Ashton, John Ellwood, Norman Doidge, and hopefully a few more in future will show you if you want to learn. Be careful, but we do keep backups of the results! HALs 2 There are RO Instructions at the end of this manual.

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Appendices. Appendix 1

Racing Committee Members and other useful contacts

Appendix 2

Flags

Appendix 3

Radio Controlled Clocks

Appendix 4

Putting the results on the computer using HALs 2..

Index Changes to Sailing Instructions (Cumulative List, if any)

See Sailing Programme for: List of Courses Race Officers Rota (List of phone numbers may be obtained from Club Office)

Appendix 1: Racing Committee Members and other useful contacts John Ellwood Mark Ashton Peter Johnson Paul Hodge

Rear Commodore Racing Secretary Squib Captain Class 2 Fleet Class 1 Fleet Bosun

Other Useful Phone Numbers RDYC Main Office 01 803 752 496 RDYC Bar 01 803 752 272 RDYC Sailing Office 01 803 752 704 RDYC Sailing Office Fax 01 803 752 704 Coastguard 999 ask for Coastguard

01 626 364 333

07 968 375 528

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Appendix 2: Flags you are likely to need

NP1 is now Class 1 flag (not IRC) NP4 is now Class 2 flag (small cruisers and dayboats)

Flags you may need to use or recognise:

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Appendix 3: The Radio Controlled Clocks There are three radio controlled digital clocks which are accurate to BST to within a fraction of a second and will equate exactly with anyone whose watch is set to exactly BST. They are 12 hour am/pm clocks (NOT 24 hour clocks. The Americans don’t know the UK is in Europe).

Where they are kept: in the sailing office IN THE RESULTS TRAY so that they are near enough to the window to get the radio signal. Do not leave them in the RO case or with the radios as the building shields the time signal. The Blue one gets the signal more easily. Both the above clocks seem to work the same way but have buttons in different places. The instructions are for the GREY clock with differences for the BLUE one in brackets. If the Display Is Blank the batteries are flat and need replacing. Both use two AAA batteries. Check the time is correct against your watch or internet. If the Radio symbol (black tall triangle on the left) has 2 or 3 circular bars it has had a good recent signal. If it is flashing it has had no recent signal and needs to see the sky at the next hour. To Show Seconds (if it is set to the day) PRESS MODE (MODE SET) button 1 to 3 times until seconds show. To Reset If the time is completely out the easiest thing to do is to remove the batteries, wait a few seconds for the display to fade and replace them. Make sure the Radio Symbol At the next hour. If not press and hold the UP ARROW (+ button on top) for three seconds. Sometimes the DOWN ARROW sticks down on the grey clock and must be levered up. ON/OFF relates to the alarms: press it until neither bell symbol shows. The third clock is probably similar but was missing when I wrote these instructions.

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Appendix 4: HALs 2 Computer Programme.

Instructions for the Race Officer to enter Results (assuming program all properly set up) Before the Race If you would like a printed schedule of flag sequences for the start, or a round sheet, follow the instructions to end of Step 1 and use the Output menu to produce what you need. If you need to print start times for a pursuit race, select that race alone. Instructions to the Race Officer for entering results into the computer Step 1 Choose your races. Start HAL's Race Results. Click the Enter Results button at the top left. The screen shows the races scheduled for each day. Use the calendar to find your races and select those for which you want to enter results. If you have several races, it is best to select them all rather than doing them one at a time. The computer will know which race each boat is taking part in, so you can enter the results in the order the boats crossed the finishing line. Step 2 Verify start times. Enter the Race Officer’s name and click the Start button against any races that did not start at the scheduled time. Then click the Input Results button at the bottom of the screen. Step 3 Input results. Start inputting results for each boat, in the order they crossed the finishing line. You can select each boat either by selecting it from the list, or by typing its sail number into the box. If you want to use bow numbers, or boat names, or the names of the helms, rather than sail numbers, choose the option at the bottom of the screen. When you have selected a boat, input its result, either as a finish time, or for level races as a place. If the boat was not a normal finisher, select its status from the options on the right of the screen. When the result is correct, press OK – Input next boat. If you realise after entering the results for a boat that you made a mistake, you can input the same boat again and over-write what you put in. There will also be an opportunity to make corrections during Step 4. Repeat Step 3 until all the boats have been put in, and then click the Close button to go back to the first screen.

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Step 4 Review. Click Review and print against each race in turn. The screen shows the results you input. If there is a problem with a result, then click the Edit button and alter it, or the Delete button. If there are boats you forgot to enter, click Close and go back to the previous step. Put in any notes about the race, such as protests received, and record the wind data. When you are happy with the results, print them from the Output menu. Step 5 (optional) Internet. Upload the results to HAL's Club Results Service so that they are available on your club’s web site. Click HAL’s Club Results Service near the bottom left of the screen. Log in using your club’s login name and password. Then click Upload to the appropriate result set on the server. If you wish to send emails of the results to any of the competitors, select the appropriate option in the drop-down list for each series. Then click Update Server Step 6 Finish. Close all the screens until you get back to the original one. Then close the program from the File menu.

You have finished. Have a well-earned drink.

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Index A abandon ...................................................... 3, 11 assistant ............................................................ 3 authority ............................................................ 3 B Binoculars ......................................................... 5 Boats Sailing Wrong Course ........................... 11 Burglar Alarm .................................................... 5 C cancel ................................................................ 3 Choosing the course ......................................... 7 Classes ................................................... 4, 6, 12 Club Secretary .............................................. 2, 3 Committee Boat Starts ................................ 1, 14 Computer ........................................................ 13 course ................................. 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 D Dart TCF ......................................................... 12 Different Courses .............................................. 7 Disqualification ................................................ 11 Duties of Race Officer ....................................... 3 E equipment ..................................................... 3, 5 Equipment ......................................................... 5 F Flags ............................................. 1, 5, 9, 14, 15 G General Recall ................................................ 10 Guns ............................................................... 10 H HAL2 ............................................................... 17 Hooter ............................................................... 5 I Identifying Boats .............................................. 12 Individual Recall .............................................. 10 IRC .................................................................. 12 K Keelboats .......................................................... 3 key..................................................................... 3

L launch..............................................................11 Lifejackets .........................................................4 M Mistiming .........................................................10 Mobile Phones ............................................2, 11 N Notice to Competitors .......................................3 Notification of Race Officers .............................2 O On Course Side...............................................10 P Phone ................................................................6 postponement .................................................10 Preparation........................................................2 Problems during the Race...............................11 Protests ...........................................................12 PY ...................................................................12 R Race Officer Handbook.....................................5 Racing Rules of Sailing .....................................5 Recall ..........................................................9, 10 results..........................................3, 9, 11, 12, 13 Results ..............................................5, 6, 13, 15 S Safety ............................................................2, 4 Sailing Programme ...........................................1 Sailing Secretary ...............................2, 5, 11, 12 Shorten........................................................3, 11 Start.............................................................3, 10 Starting Sequence.............................................9 Starting the Race ..............................................9 Strong Winds ....................................................4 T Tides .................................................................7 Time Limits..................................................4, 11 V Version ..............................................................1 VHF .............................................................2, 11 W Wind Direction...................................................7

NOTICE TO COMPETITORS None to 1 June 2015