The Keelboat General Sailing Instructions

1.  WHAT RULES APPLY

1. All Russell Boating Club keel boat races except the Tall Ships and Classic Invitation races will be sailed under the Yachting New Zealand Racing Rules of Sailing and Safety Regulations 2005-2008 as further amended and added to by these Sailing Instructions, and by the Notice of Races.
2. Where a specific notice of race or set of sailing instructions is issued for a particular race or series of races, this shall take precedence over these General Sailing Instructions. 
3. These Sailing Instructions do not apply to the Tall Ships or Classic Invitation races.
4. Between sunset and sunrise Part 2, Rules 10 to 19 of the Yachting New Zealand Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008 shall cease to apply and will be replaced with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
5. Competitors in the sport of sailing are governed by a body of rules that they are expected to follow and enforce.  A fundamental principle of sportsmanship is that when competitors break a rule they will promptly take a penalty or retire.
6. Competitors are reminded that if a yacht contravenes any rule in Part 2 of the Racing Rules Of Sailing while racing, it can exonerate itself by getting well clear of other boats as soon after the incident as possible and taking a two turns penalty.  If the boat causes injury or serious damage or gains a significant advantage by her breach, her penalty shall be to retire.  If a yacht touches a mark while racing, a 360 degree turn is required.  If serious damage or a significant advantage results from a rule contravention, the yacht must retire.  For further information see rules 31 and 44 in the Racing Rules Of Sailing.
7. Except as provided for in section 4 of these Sailing Instructions, rules 44.3 and 44.4 of the Racing Rules Of Sailing, which provide for scoring penalties, shall not apply.
8. Notices to competitors will be posted on the Russell Boating Club clubhouse notice board.  Changes or additions to these sailing instructions shall be posted not less than 2 hours before the starting time. 
9. Notwithstanding (h) above, the Officer of the Day may issue additions or amendments to the Sailing Instructions applying to a particular race.  Such changes shall be displayed on the Russell Boating Club noticeboard at least 45 minutes before the start of the race.

2.  SKIPPER’S RESPONSIBILITY

1. All those taking part in Russell Boating Club races do so at their own risk, and it is the sole responsibility of each yacht skipper to decide whether or not to start and to continue to race. 
2. It is the responsibility of all skippers to ensure that their yacht and equipment is, at all times, satisfactory and maintained to a standard to ensure the safety of crew and of other competitors.
3. Competitor’s attention is drawn to the fundamental rules of racing in Part 1 of the Racing Rules Of Sailing.  These cover helping those in danger, life-saving equipment and personal buoyancy, fair sailing, acceptance of the rules, the decision to race and banned substances and methods.

3.  SAFETY STANDARDS

1. All those taking part in Russell Boating races shall meet the following safety standards:
• yachts racing within the area inside a line from Cape Wiwiki to a point 0.5 nautical miles north of Ninepin to a point 0.5 nautical miles north east of Bird Rock to the coast immediately south of this point – Part 1 Yachting New Zealand Safety Regulations 2005-2008 for open keel boats; Category 5 Part 2 Yachting New Zealand Safety Regulations, 2005-2008 for other keel boats and for multihuls, or the equivalent safety standards for sports boats.
• yachts racing in races where any part of the rhumb line course is to seaward of a line from Cape Wiwiki to a point 0.5 nautical miles north of Ninepin to a point 0.6 nautical miles north east of Bird Rock to the coast immediately south of this point shall hold a current Category 3 safety certificate.
2. The Officer of the Day or any member of the Sailing Committee may inspect any yacht for compliance with safety standards or request a declaration from the skipper that the relevant safety standard is met.  Where a declaration is requested it shall be supplied within 48 hours of the request.  Failure to comply with the relevant safety standard may result in disqualification from races. 
3. It is recommended that yachts with vhf radios maintain a listening watch on channel 16 while racing.
   

4.  IDENTIFICATION OF YACHTS

1. All racing yachts should be registered with Yachting New Zealand and display their Yachting New Zealand sail number in accordance with Rule 77, or have some other means of clearly identifying the yacht to the satisfaction of the Officer of the Day.  Failure to comply with this rule may result in the starter/finisher being unable to identify the yacht and a finish time not being taken.
2. Yachts intending to use sails bearing numbers different to their registered number must notify the Officer of the Day or the starter at least 15 minutes before the start of the race.  Failure to do so may result in a 20% scoring penalty calculated in accordance with Rule 44.3 of the Racing Rules Of Sailing.
   

5.  RACES

1. Notice of Races shall be displayed on the Russell Boating Club notice board, and published in the annual Russell Boating Club programme and in club newsletters.  The notice board is located in the club house.
2. The Notice of Races shall identify races that comprise a series, specify the number of races in the series that shall be counted towards the final points, and specify any other eligibility restrictions applying to the series.
3. Where it is specified that a race is a non-spinnaker race, headsails must be hanked onto a permanent stay in the normal manner.  Headsails may be poled to out windward in accordance with rule 50 of the Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008.  Rule 50.4 of the Racing Rules Of Sailing states the difference between a headsail and a spinnaker.
4. Where it is specified that a race is a women’s race, a woman must helm the yacht for the entire duration of the race, from five minutes before the start until the finish.  This does not mean the same woman must helm for the whole race.  If this rule is breached during a race, a full report on the incident must be made to the Officer of the Day within the protest period.  The Officer of the Day may, at his or hers discretion, impose no penalty, may impose a time penalty or may disqualify the boat concerned.
5. Failure to comply with eligibility restrictions applying to any race or series of races may result in disqualification from that race or series at the discretion of the Sailing Committee.
6. Where a race is changed from the day given in the Notice of Races, either the new date and time for the race shall be stated on the Russell Boating Club notice board at least two weeks beforehand or all current racing members shall be individually informed of the new  date and time at least one week beforehand.  The notice board is located within the club house.
   

6.  COURSES

1. Numbered and specified courses for races starting and finishing at Russell are published from time to time. 
2. Where the published courses are being used, the particular course number for a race from the published courses shall be displayed from the start box at least 10 minutes prior to the race.
3. In the event of a conflict between the numbered course in the most recent version of the published courses for a particular course and the same course as shown on any chart, map or diagram, the written instructions specified in the most recent published courses shall prevail.
4. Nothing in these Sailing Instructions shall prevent the Sailing Committee or the Officer of the Day setting a course not found in the published courses.  Any course that is set that is not found in the most recent version of the published courses must be displayed on the club notice board at least 45 minutes prior to the start of the race, together with a statement that the course is not found in the published courses.  In the event of a conflict between the written instructions displayed on the club notice board and the same course as shown on any chart, map or diagram, the written instructions shall prevail.
5. Notwithstanding the above, The Officer of the Day can amend any course identified under 6(b) or (d) above if all competing boats are informed at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start of the race.
   

7.  ENTERING RACES

1. Skippers shall enter their yacht before a race by either notifying the Officer of the Day before the race, or entering their yacht at the Club House before the race or by informing the starter at the wharf or on VHF channel 77 prior to the 10 minute gun.  Failure to enter may result in a yacht’s time not being taken.  Note: VHF channel 77 may not be monitored during a race.
2. A minimum of 3 yachts must start to make a race.
   

8.  STARTING AND RECALLS

1. Unless otherwise specified, the start and finish line shall be:
• If first mark is Brampton buoy – a line between the 5 knot buoy and seaward apex of Russell Wharf building roof
• If first mark is Cater Buoy – a line between the 5 knot buoy and seaward apex of Russell Wharf building roof
• If first mark is Southern Channel markers – a line between the 5 knot buoy and seaward apex of Russell Wharf building roof
• If first mark is Northern Channel markers – a line between the red Russell Boating Club starting buoy and seaward apex of Russell Wharf building roof
• If the first mark is anything else (e.g. straight out to Motuarohia as in course 73) – a line between 5 knot buoy and seaward apex of Russell Wharf building roof
2. No yacht shall be under power or under tow or other propulsion other than sails within five minutes of the start, or, in the case of a multi-division start, within five minutes of the start of the division within which the yacht is racing.
3. The following starting sequence will apply to all races except Mark Foy races, races with divisions, or races where the Officer of the Day specifies otherwise:
• 15 minutes before the start one orange shape will be shown
• 10 minutes before the start a second orange shape will be shown, and a sound signal will be made;
• 5 minutes before the start a third orange shape will be shown, and a sound signal will be made;
• 4 minutes before the start, one orange shape will be obscured (leaving two orange shapes showing), and a sound signal will be made;
• 1 minute before the start, one orange shape will be obscured (leaving one orange shape showing), and a sound signal will be made;
• to start the race, the final shape will be obscured and a sound signal made.
4. The following starting sequence will apply to all Mark Foy races:
• 30 seconds before each yacht’s start time, an brightly coloured shape will be displayed on the Russell Wharf building, at a position visible from the starting line;
• on the each boat’s start time, the shape will be obscured and a sound signal made.
5. These starting instructions modify Rule 26 of the Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008.  Details of other start sequences e.g. division starts or starts from a start boat will be given prior to the particular race.
6. A general recall will be indicated by the sounding of two sound signals.  This modifies Rule 29.2 of the Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008.  A restart will be made as soon as practicable thereafter.
7. An individual recall will be indicated by the sounding of one sound signal,  No recall numbers will be displayed, the offending yacht or yachts must return and restart.  This modifies Rule 29.1 of the Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008.
8. At the starter’s discretion boats subject to an individual recall may be identified on VHF channel 77.
9. Any yacht that starts prematurely and that fails to return and restart when recalled shall either incur a penalty equivalent to ten percent of the yacht’s elapsed time for an evening race and five percent of the yacht’s elapsed time for all other races or disqualification, at the officer of the day’s discretion

9.    FAIRWAY MARKS

• to the west of Kaiaraara (Mill) Island
• to the north and west of Fraser Rock and not between Fraser Rock and Tapeka Point
• to seaward of all Black Rocks (which are to the north and east of Moturoa Island up to but not including Flat Island)
• to the south of Pakatahi Island (southern end of Moturua Island)
• to the south of all rocks off the south eastern end of Motukiekie Island
• to the north of Motutara Islands (northern end of Motukiekie Island, in Army Bay passage)
• to the west of Motukauri Island (northern entrance to Manawaora Bay)
• to the channel side of registered moorings at Opua, Tapu Point and Okiato
  

10.      TIME LIMITS

1. Unless otherwise specified by the Officer of the Day, a race will be abandoned if the first boat does not complete the course and finish :
• within seven hours where the race starts between 9 am and 10 59 am inclusive; or
• within four and a half hours where the race starts between 11 am and 1 pm inclusive; or
• within two hours where the race is an evening race.
2. The Officer of the Day shall specify the time limit for any other race.
   

11.    RETIREMENTS

12.      PROTESTS

1. Protests by racing yachts will be heard provided that the protesting boat informs the protested yachts, flies a red flag for the remainder of the race, informs the Officer of the Day on completion of the race, fills in the appropriate form and delivers that form with a $5 fee to the Officer of the Day within two hours of finishing the race. 
2. The Protest Committee will hear the protest at a time and place to be decided by them.
   

13.      HANDICAPS

1. Any changes to larger sails or spars or to the propeller or to the trim of a yacht or significant changes to crew which may enhance the performance of the yacht should be reported to the Handicapper at least 24 hours before the start of the race.
2. In any races conducted by the Russell Boating Club to the PHRF handicap system or ORC Club handicap system or the IRC rating system, yachts must sail in the trim specified on their PHRF Certificates or ORC Club Certificates or Endorsed IRC Certificates, as the case may be.
3. Where a boat is sailing under IRC, the IRC Rules Parts 1,2 and 3 shall apply except that IRC Rule 27.4.3 (Maximum Crew Number) shall not apply to evening, short handed or women's races.
   

14.      POINTS AND TROPHIES

1. Except as provided for in paragraph 14(b) of these Sailing Instructions, for a yacht to qualify for points or trophies, skippers must be financial members of the Russell Boating Club and the yacht racing fee for season must be paid.
2. Points and trophies will only be awarded to yachts in races held from the day the season’s race fee is paid.
3. For a yacht to qualify for points or trophies in any race or series of races run by the Russell Boating Club that is identified in the Notice of Races as being open to the members of other yacht clubs in the Bay of Islands, the skipper of the yacht must be a current financial member of a recognised yacht club in the Bay of Islands at the time of the start of the race.
4. The low point scoring system shall be used as set out in Appendix A of the Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008. This provides that any DNF boat is scored at the number of yachts in the series that finish the particular race plus one, and that any DNS boat is scored at the number of yachts in the series plus one.