These sailing instructions have been agreed by the committee of PSSC in accordance with the rules of the club and may be varied at any time by that committee. These SI's apply to all series races organised by the club and to such other events, with amendments if necessary, as shall be announced.
1.0 Rules
Racing will take place under the current International Yacht Racing Rules (IYRR), the prescriptions of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), these sailing instructions (SI's) and the appropriate class rules.
2.0 Conditions of Entry
2.1 General - THe safety of the yacht and her entire management including insurance shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/competitor racing the yacht who must ensure that the yacht and the crew are adequate to face the conditions that may arise in the course of the race. Neither the establishment of these SI's nor the inspection of the yacht under these conditions in any way limits or reduces the absolute responsibility of the owner/competitor for their crew, their yacht and the management thereof. THe race organisers shall not be responsible for the damage, death or personal injury however so caused to the owner/competitor, their skipper or crew, as a result of their taking part in the race or races. Moreover, every owner/competitor warrants the suitability of their yacht for the race or races.
2.1.1 A yacht shall have insurance cover with a minimum of £3'000'000 third party indemnity for the competitor racing the yacht.
2.2 distinguishing Numbers - THe race committee may permit a yacht to use sails carrying a distinguishing number other than that required by IYRR 25.1, or no distinguishing numbers.
2.3 Handicaps - Where class racing is not provided racing will be in the Portsmouth Yardstick Scheme (PY), as set out in the RYA's current YR2. If catamarans only are racing the small Catamaran Handicap System( SCHS) will be adopted.
2.3.1 Yachts without PY ratings will be allocated numbers by the method described in para 4.3a of the current YR2
3.0 Safety
3.1 Personal buoyancy - Adequate personal buoyancy for all crew members must be worn at all times during racing. Wet suits and dry suits do not constitute adequate personal buoyancy.
4.0 Communications With Competitors
4.1 Class signals will be in accordance with the RYA's prescription except that flag D shall be used for the catamaran handicap fleet. IC flag m will be used for the monohull fleet.
4.2 Notices to competitor's shall be posted on the official notice board located outside the race office. Signals made ashore will be posted on the flagpole outside the race office.
4.2.1 Any changes to the SI's will be posted before the advertised starting time of any race or races concerned, or published in the club newsletter/website. Changes in the SI's posted on the notice board will be indicated by displaying IC flag L.
5.0 Course Instruction
5.1 The course shall be in Mevagissey Bay unless otherwise shown on the notice board or amended SI's
5.2 The course configuration and number of rounds shall be shown on the notice board. A red or green flag will be displayed by the committee boat to indicate the direction of mark rounding.
5.3 The course marks shall be orange or red cylinders, spheres or various coloured danbouys or navigational marks as shown on the notice board.
6.0 Starts
6.1 Starting times shall be as published in the sailing program. Classes shall start in the order described on the notice board.
6.2 All starts shall be fixed line starts.
6.2.1 The starting line is defined as the line between the mast on the committee boat and an outer starting mark which shall be one of the rounding marks and will be shown on the notice board.
6.2.2 The starting procedure will be in accordance with IYRR 4.4a System 1ii. The waning signal may be a red or green flag used to indicate port or starboard rounding respectively. If more than one class is to start the warning signal will be lowered for approximately 30 seconds at the start for each class.
6.2.3 A yacht shall not start later than 5 minute after her class start.
6.2.4 Individual recalls will be signaled in accordance with IYRR 8.1 (recalls) using IC flag X.
6.2.5 As soon as possible after a general recall a new warning signal will be displayed.
6.2.6 'Round the Ends Rule' For all starts IYRR 5.1.1 b & c are replaced by this sailing instruction.
'When any part of the yachts hull, crew or equipment is on the course side of the starting line or it extensions during the minute before her starting signal, she shall sail to the pre-set side of the line across one of its extensions and start.'
A whistle will be sounded to signal that the one-minute rule is in force.
7.0 Finishing
7.1 The finishing line will be between the mast at the race office and the nearest mark of the course, or, for a shortened course, between the mast of the committee boat and the nearest rounding mark.
8.0 Alternative Penalties - The 360 degree penalty, Appendix 3.1 of the IYRR will apply.
9.0 Protests must be lodged in writing to the OOD within one hour of the finish of the last race of the day. THe time and date of the hearing will be posted on the notice board.
10.0 The scoring system published in the sailing program will apply. Ties will be broken by the best discard procedure up to 50% (rounded up) or discards. If a tie still exists the most firsts procedure shall be used. (RYA appendices A 7.2.7.3).
11.0 All yachts shall compete in accordance with IYRR 26 and Appendix 14 category B.
Full Racing Rules
