APPENDIX L
SAILING INSTRUCTIONS TEMPLATE
This template provides a set of tested sailing instructions designed primarily for major championship regattas for one or more classes. It therefore will be particularly useful for world, continental and national championships and other events of similar importance. The template can also be useful for other events; however, for such events some of these instructions will be unnecessary or undesirable. Race officers should therefore be careful in making their choices.
A template for an expanded version of Appendix L, called Appendix LE, is available on the ISAF website. It contains provisions applicable to the largest and most complicated multi-class events, as well as variations on several of the sailing instructions recommended in this appendix. It will be revised from time to time, to reflect advances in race management techniques as they develop, and can be downloaded for producing the sailing instructions for any particular event.
The principles on which all sailing instructions should be based are as follows:
1They should include only two types of statement: the intentions of the race committee and protest committeeand the obligations of competitors.
2They should be concerned only with racing. Information about social events, assignment of moorings, etc., should be provided separately.
3They should not change the racing rules except when clearly desirable. (When they do so, they must follow rule 86 by referring specifically to the rule being changed and stating the change.)
4They should not repeat or restate any of the racing rules.
5They should not repeat themselves.
6They should be in chronological order; that is, the order in which the competitor will use them.
7They should, when possible, use words or phrases from the racing rules.
To use this template, first review rule J2 and decide which instructions will be needed. Instructions that are required by rule J2.1 are marked with an asterisk (*). Delete all inapplicable or unnecessary instructions. Select the version preferred where there is a choice. Follow the directions in the comments.. Select the version preferred where there is a choice. Fill in the text where a set of angle brackets ( ) appears and select the preferred wording if a choice or option is shown in brackets ([ ]).
After deleting the asterisks after instruction numbers and any unused instructions, renumber all instructions in sequential order. Be sure that instruction numbers are correct where one instruction refers to another.
Comments and ideas to the IHCA Sailing Instruction Guide are most welcome. Please address them to the IHCA.
Happy sailing!
IHCA
<Regatta Name> [Direction1]
<Dates for the Regatta>
<Organizing Authority's Name>
<Place Where the Regatta Will be Held>
SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
1RULES
1.1*The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing.
1.2[The following prescriptions of the <Insert country> national authority will not apply: <List prescriptions that will not apply>.][The prescriptions that will apply are stated below.<Include full text of prescriptions that will apply>] [Direction2]
(OR)
1.2No national prescriptions will apply. [Direction3]
1.3*<List any 'other documents'> will apply. [Direction4]
1.4Racing rule(s) <List rule numbers> will be changed as follows: <State changes>.. [Direction5]
1.5If there is a conflict between languages the English text will take precedence.
2NOTICES TO COMPETITORS
Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board(s) located at <Insert location(s)>. [Direction6]
3CHANGES TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
Any change to the sailing instructions will be posted before 0900 on the day it will take effect, except that any change to the schedule of races will be posted by 2000 on the day before it will take effect. [Direction7]
4SIGNALS MADE ASHORE
4.1Signals made ashore will be displayed at <Insert location>. [Direction8]
4.2When flag AP is displayed ashore, ‘1 minute’ is replaced with ‘not less than <Insert number of minutes> minutes’ in the race signal AP. [Direction9]
(OR)
4.2Flag D with one sound means ‘The warning signal will be made not less than <Insert number of minutes> minutes after flag D is displayed.’ [Boats are requested not to leave the harbour until this signal is made.]’ [Direction10]
4.3When flag Y is displayed ashore, rule 40 applies at all times while afloat. This changes the Part 4 preamble.
5SCHEDULE OF RACES
5.1*Dates of racing:
Date Class _____ Class _____
_____ racing racing
_____ racing reserve day
_____ reserve day racing
_____ racing racing
_____ racing racing [Direction11]
5.2*Number of races:
Class Number Races per day
______
______[Direction12]
One extra race per day may be sailed, provided that no class becomes more than one race ahead of schedule and the change is made according to instruction 3.
5.3*The scheduled time of the warning signal for the first race each day is <Insert time>. [Direction13]
5.4Toalert boats that a race or sequence of races will begin soon, the orange starting line flag will be displayed with one sound at least five minutes before a warning signal is made.
5.5On the last day of the regatta no warning signal will be made after <Insert time>. [Direction14]
6*CLASS FLAGS
Class flags will be:
ClassFlag
______
______
______[Direction15]
7RACING AREAS
Attachment <Insert number or letter> shows the location of racing areas. [Direction16]
8THE COURSES
8.1*The diagrams in Attachment <Insert number or letter> show the courses, including the approximate angles between legs, the order in which marks are to be passed, and the side on which each mark is to be left. [The approximate course length will be <Insert distance>.] [Direction17]
8.2No later than the warning signal, the race committee signal boat will display the approximate compass bearing of the first leg.
8.3Courses will not be shortened. This changes rule 32.
8.4Legs of the course will not be changed after the preparatory signal. This changes rule 33. [Direction18]
9MARKS
9.1*Marks 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be <Describe marks>.
(OR) [Direction19]
9.1*Marks 1, 2, 3, 4S and 4P will be <Describe marks>.
(OR)
9.1*Marks are described in Attachment <Insert number or letter>. [Direction20]
9.2The following marks are rounding marks: <List rounding marks>. [Direction21]
9.3New marks, as provided in instruction 12.1, will be <Describe new marks>. [Direction22]
9.4*The starting and finishing marks will be <Describe marks>. [Direction23]
9.5A race committee boat signalling a change of a leg of the course is a mark as provided in instruction 12.2. [Direction24]
10AREAS THAT ARE OBSTRUCTIONS
The following areas are designated as obstructions: <Describe obstruction areas>. [Direction25]
11THE START
11.1Races will be started by using rule 26 with the warning signal made<Insert number> minutes before the starting signal. [Direction26]
(OR)
11.1Races will be started as follows: <Describe starting system>. This changes rule 26. [Direction27]
11.2*The starting line will be between staffs displaying orange flags on the starting marks.
(OR)
11.2*The starting line will be between a staff displaying an orange flag on the starting mark at the starboard end and the course side of the port-end starting mark.
(OR)
11.2*The starting line will be <Describe starting line>. [Direction28]
11.3Boats whose warning signal has not been made shall avoid the starting area during the starting sequence for other races.
11.4A boat starting later than <Insert number> minutes after her starting signal will be scored Did Not Start without a hearing. This changes rule A4. [Direction29]
11.5If flag U has been displayed as the preparatory signal, no part of a boat’s hull, crew, or equipment shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first markduring the last minute before her starting signal. If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall be disqualified without a hearing but not if the race is restarted or resailed or postponed or abandoned before the starting signal. This changes rule 26. [Direction30]
11.6If any part of a boat’s hull, crew or equipment is on the course side of the starting line during the two minutes before her starting signal and she is identified, the race committee will attempt to broadcast her sail number on VHF channel <Insert channel number>. Failure to make a broadcast or to time it accurately will not be grounds for a request for redress. This changes rule 62.1(a). [Direction31]
12CHANGE OF THE NEXT LEG OF THE COURSE
12.1To change the next leg of the course, the race committee will move the original mark (or the finishing line) to a new position.
(OR)
12.1To change the next leg of the course, the race committee will lay a new mark (or move the finishing line) and remove the original mark as soon as practicable. When in a subsequent change a new mark is replaced, it will be replaced by an original mark.
12.2Except at a gate, boats shall pass between the race committee boat signalling the change of the next leg and the nearby mark, leaving the mark to port and the race committee boat to starboard. This changes rule 28. [Direction32]
13THE FINISH
13.1*The finishing line will be between staffs displaying orange flags on the finishing marks.
(OR)
13.1*The finishing line will be between a staff displaying an orange flag on the finishing mark at the starboard end and the course side of the port-end finishing mark
(OR)
13.1*The finishing line will be <Describe finishing line>. [Direction33]
13.2If the race committee is absent when a boat finishes, she should report her finishing time, and her position in relation to nearby boats, to the race committee at the first reasonable opportunity.
14PENALTY SYSTEM
14.1The Scoring Penalty, rule 44.3, will apply. The penalty will be <Insert number> places.
(OR) [Direction34]
14.1The penalties are as follows: <Describe penalties>.
14.2For the Hobie Classes class(es) rule 44.1 is changed so that the Two-Turns Penalty is replaced by the One-Turn Penalty. [Direction35]
14.3Appendix P will apply [as changed by instruction(s) [14.2][and][14.4]]. [Direction36]
14.4Rule P2.3 will not apply and rule P2.2 is changed so that it will apply to any penalty after the first one.
14.5Boats penalised under the class rules for boat, crew weight and equipment violations will be scored – DNE – Disqualified Not Excludable.
[Direction37]
15TIME LIMITS AND TARGET TIMES
15.1*Time limits and target times are as follows:
ClassTime limitMark 1Target
time limittime
______
______
______ [Direction38]
If no boat has passed Mark 1 within the Mark 1 time limit the race will be abandoned. Failure to meet the target time will not be grounds for redress. This changes rule 62.1(a).
15.2Boats failing to finish within <Insert time period> after the first boat sails the course and finishes will be scored Did Not Finish without a hearing. This changes rules 35, A4 and A5. [Direction39]
16PROTESTS AND REQUESTS FOR REDRESS
16.1Protest forms are available at the race office[, located at <Insert location>]. Protests and requests for redress or reopening shall be delivered there within the appropriate time limit. [Direction40]
16.2For each class, the protest time limit is 90 minutes after the last boat has finished the last race of the day or the race committee signals no more racing today, whichever is later. [Direction41]
16.3Notices will be posted no later than 30 minutes after the protest time limit to inform competitors of hearings in which they are parties or named as witnesses. Hearings will be held in the protest room, located at <Insert location>, beginning at [the time posted][<Insert time>]. [Direction42]
16.4Notices of protests by the race committee or protest committee will be posted to inform boats under rule 61.1(b).
16.5A list of boats that, under instruction 14.3, have been penalized for breaking rule 42 will be posted.
16.6Breaches of instructions 11.3, 18, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 will not be grounds for a protest by a boat. This changes rule 60.1(a). Penalties for these breaches may be less than disqualification if the protest committee so decides.
16.7On the last scheduled day of racing a request for reopening a hearing shall be delivered
(a)within the protest time limit if the requesting party was informed of the decision on the previous day;
(b)no later than 30 minutes after the requesting party was informed of the decision on that day. [Direction43]
This changes rule 66.
16.8On the last scheduled day of racing a request for redress based on a protest committee decision shall be delivered no later than 30 minutes after the decision was posted. This changes rule 62.2.
16.9Decisions of the [protest committee][international jury] will be final as provided in rule 70.5.
16.10Boats penalised under the class rules for boat, crew weight and equipment violations will be scored – DNE – Disqualified Not Excludable [Direction44]
17SCORING
17.1*The scoring system is as follows: <Describe the scoring system>. [Direction45]
17.2*<Insert number> races are required to be completed to constitute a series. [Direction46]
17.3(a) When fewer than <Insert number> races have been completed, a boat’s series
score will be the total of her race scores. [Direction47]
(b)When from <Insert number> to <Insert number> races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.
(c)When <Insert number> or more races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her two worst scores.
18SAFETY REGULATIONS
18.1Check-Out and Check-In: <Describe any Check-Out or Check-In Procedures>. [Direction48]
18.2A boat that retires from a race shall notify the race committee as soon as possible.
19REPLACEMENT OF CREW OR EQUIPMENT
19.1Substitution of competitors will not be allowed without prior written approval of the [race committee][protest committee].
19.2Substitution of damaged or lost equipment will not be allowed unless authorized by the [race committee][protest committee]. Requests for substitution shall be made to the committee at the first reasonable opportunity.
20EQUIPMENT AND MEASUREMENT CHECKS
A boat or equipment may be inspected at any time for compliance with the class rules and sailing instructions. On the water, a boat can be instructed by a race committee equipment inspector or measurer to proceed immediately to a designated area for inspection.
21EVENT ADVERTISING
Boats shall display event advertising supplied by the organizing authority as follows: <Insert necessary information about supplied advertising material>. [Direction49]
22OFFICIAL BOATS
Official boats will be marked as follows: <Describe markings>. [Direction50]
23SUPPORT BOATS
23.1Team leaders, coaches and other support personnel shall stay outside areas where boats are racing from the time of the preparatory signal for the first class to start until all boats have finished or retiredor the race committee signals a postponement, general recall or abandonment.
23.2Support boats shall be marked with <Describe markings>. [Direction51]
24TRASH DISPOSAL
Trash may be placed aboard support or official boats.
25RADIO COMMUNICATION
Except in an emergency, a boat shall neither make radio transmissions while racing nor receive radio communications not available to all boats. This restriction also applies to mobile telephones.
(OR)
While on the water, a boat shall not carry equipment capable of making radio transmissions or receiving radio communication. This restriction also applies to mobile telephones
(OR)
RADIO COMMUNICATION
25.1Radio communications between boats and the Race Committee during racing will be carried out on VHF Channel XX. Competitors are advised to maintain a listening watch on this channel at all times.
25. 2The following communications may be made by the race committee using the designated VHF Channel in addition to any Race Signals. This changes RRS 29, 32, 33 and 41.
(a) Courses, including the bearing and distance to the first mark.
(b) Postponements and abandonments.
(c) Identification of boats during start sequence.
(d) Boats identified as OCS and general recalls.
(e) Changing courses or marks and identify marks
(f) Shortening the Course
(g) Time limits
(h) Safety
25.3Failure to make or receive such communications shall not be grounds for redress.
25.4A boat shall neither make radio transmissions whilst racing nor receive radio communications not available to all boats except as described in SI XX and XX. This restriction also applies to mobile telephones.
26.5No boat shall instigate radio communication on the official race frequency from 10 minutes before the scheduled time for the first warning signal until 10 minutes after the last start.
25.6A yacht retiring from a race must at the earliest opportunity notify the Race Committee of this by hail, message, VHF on Channel XX
25.7In the event of changes of course, repositioning of marks, changes in description of marks, shortening the course, or abandoning a race, the Race Committee may make an official announcement over the radio on Channel XX. This may substitute or be made in conjunction with traditional methods as provided for in the RRS. This changes rules 32.1, 32.2, 33.
25.8Any radio communications by the Race Committee involving naming or misnaming of boats and/or their numbers, colors, designs, logos, or shapes cannot be used as evidence in any subsequent redress hearing. This changes rule 62.1(a).
26PRIZES
Prizes will be given as follows: <Describe prizes>. [Direction52]
27DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. See rule 4, Decision to Race. The organizing authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the regatta. [Direction53]
28INSURANCE
Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of <Insert currency and amount> per incident or the equivalent. [Direction54]
IHCA SAFETY NOTES TO THE SAILORS:
GENERAL
If wind, wave, or water conditions make you doubtful of your ability to handle the conditions, retire from the race.
TRAPEZE HARNESSES
Sailors are strongly recommended to use trapeze harnesses with a quick release hookless system or a quick release hook, which meets the ISO 10862 standard.
ELECTRICAL POWER LINES – AVOID!!!
Before raising the mast, and always while sailing, check for and avoid low overhead electrical power lines. If you see a power line, AVOID IT! A MAST COMING IN CONTACT OR EVEN NEAR AN ELECTRICAL POWER LINE CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO PEOPLE ON OR TOUCHING THE BOAT!
ADDENDUM A
ILLUSTRATING THE COURSE
IHCA Standard Courses
No.Course FinishOptions
1(S) A C A(F) Downwind 1 G 1 O1 GO
2(S) A C A C A (F) Downwind2 G2 O2 GO
3(S) A C A B C (F) Upwind3 O
4(S) A, C, A, B, C, A(F) Downwind4 O
5(S) A C (F) Upwind5 G5 O5 GO
6(S) A C A C (F) Upwind6 G6 O6 GO
7(S) A C A B C A C (F) Upwind7 O
S = start, A = weather mark, B = reaching mark, C = leeward mark, G = gate, F = finish, O = offset mark is used.