GENERAL REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL RACES

 

1. ELIGIBILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

1.1 Races are open to cruising yachts belonging or chartered to and under the control of members of yacht clubs affiliated to the Royal Yachting Association or other equivalent national authority. Single handed racing is not permitted.

1.2 In races where the Sailing Instructions so state each competing yacht shall be helmed throughout by a member of the Clyde Cruising Club except for short periods for personal needs.

1.3 The Race Committee reserve the right to refuse any entry and accept no responsibility for loss of life or injury to competitors or others or loss of or damage to any vessel. It shall be the sole responsibility of each yacht to decide whether or not to start or to continue to race.

 

2. RULES

2.1  All races will be sailed under the Racing Rules of Sailing 2005–2008 (RRS), the prescriptions of the RYA, these General Regulations
 and the Sailing Instructions.

2.2     Altering RRS 2005 – 2008 Rule 26 & 29.2. Rule 26 the starting sequence and signals, have been altered and will be as defined by the individual Sailing Instructions. Rule 29.2 General recalls has been altered and will be as defined in general regulation 7.2 below. Rule 30. Staring Penalties will remain unchanged and as written in RRS 2005-2008.

2.3     Altering RRS 2005 – 2008 Rule 32.1 (e) by deleting the words after `reason`.

2.4     Altering RRS 2005 – 2008 RRS 52 (MANUAL POWER) and invoking IRC (RORC) Rule 14.1(2005) and subsequent written statements by the CYCA, “STORED POWER” may only be used after a yacht has requested, in writing, and gained dispensation from the CCC Racing secretary. The description of the use of Stored Power can relate to, but may not be limited to, the use of auto helms, powered sail/ sheeting winches and any other apparatus and appendages which can be adjusted and operated by any other means than manual power. This alteration shall apply to all races and all classes unless written out by SI for a specific race. All yachts utilising this alteration to rule are reminded of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, “Rules of the Road at Sea”, Rule 5 regarding keeping a good lookout at all times.

2.5  Yachts shall have a valid CYCA handicap or IRC rating as appropriate (see General Regulation 4).

 

3. MINIMUM EQUIPMENT AND ACCOMMODATION STANDARDS

3.1 Yachts shall comply with ORC/ISAF Special Regulations to the category stated in the Sailing Instructions for each race. In the Offshore races the Sailing Instructions prescribe a minimum IRC Stability and Safety Screening Number. If a yacht has no IRC rating it shall be of a standard type which normally has an equivalent Base SSSN.

3.2 No race entry will be accepted until the yacht has been inspected to confirm compliance with the regulations appropriate to the races entered and a certificate to that effect completed and lodged with the Club. The checklist containing the regulations is contained in this Yearbook and the certificate is incorporated in the Race Entry Form.

3.3 The Race Committee reserve the right to inspect any yacht to verify that the regulations have been complied with.

 

4. CLASSES, HANDICAPS AND IDENTIFICATION

 

4.1   Yachts will race in the following classes:

 

        Class 1            IRC ratings 0.999 and above

        Class 2            IRC ratings 0.998 and below

                                & CYCA    12 – 15.75

        Class 3            CYCA handicaps 16 and over

        Class 4            Restricted Sail Class handicaps 0 – 14.75

        Class 5            Restricted Sail Class handicaps 15 and over

        Sigma 33 Class (Flag Y) (Bute Race Weekend only)

                                 

4.2 Overall trophies for inshore and offshore races will be awarded based on corrected time calculations applying a yacht’s valid IRC or CYCA TCF subject to the class entered by the yacht.

4.3 Classes may be divided or combined at the discretion of the Race Committee. A yacht appearing at the start alone in her race will not be given a race but may start with and be eligible for prizes in any neighbouring or other appropriate race.

4.4 Yachts not having a valid CYCA handicap may obtain an application form from the Clyde Yacht Clubs' Association or from the CCC office. Variations from the standard CYCA handicap for a class will be accepted only on production of a valid CYCA handicap certificate.

4.5 Each yacht shall display on its backstay the numeral pennant of the class in which it is racing. This will also be the class warning signal unless otherwise stated.

 

5. ALTERATIONS TO INSTRUCTIONS   

5.1 If it is necessary to make last minute alterations to the Sailing Instructions, Flag L will be hoisted at the Starting Line. It is then the responsibility of those in charge of yachts to acquaint themselves with the alteration before starting.

 

6. DISTANCE MARK

6.1 A distance mark may be moored approximately on the starting line and no competitor may pass between this distance mark and the Committee Vessel (or, where appropriate, the shore) after the preparatory signal for the first start in that race.

 

7. RECALLS

7.1 Individual Recalls When a yacht starts prematurely, a gun will be fired or a suitable sound signal made as soon as possible after her starting signal, and Flag X will be displayed. Flag X will be lowered when all premature starters have returned to the pre–start side of the line or 4 minutes after the start concerned, whichever is the earlier.

7.2 General Recalls Altering RRS 29.2, after a general recall the First Substitute will be lowered with the preparatory signal for the next scheduled class. No additional sound signal will be given. The normal starting sequence will not be interrupted by a general recall. The warning signal for the class which has had a general recall will normally be displayed at the starting signal of the last class to start correctly. If more than one class is subject to a general recall, the warning signal for the second of these classes will be displayed at the starting signal of the first and so on. If a class subject to a general recall is the last or only class to start it will be restarted in accordance with RRS 29.2.

 

8.LATE STARTING

8.1 A yacht arriving late in the vicinity of the starting area and having broken Rule 42.1 (PROPULSION) by remaining under power or tow after her preparatory signal must, after stopping her engine or casting off her tow, complete the “TWO TURNS” penalty (RRS 44.2) on the pre–start side of the starting line or its extensions. This penalty must be taken after the yacht’s starting signal is made. Such a yacht shall keep clear of all other yachts until she has completed her turns and has started.

 

 

 

9. COURSE AND MARKS

9.1 Marks shall be rounded in the order stated in the Sailing Instructions. (P) Indicates a mark to be rounded to Port, (S) indicates a mark to be rounded to Starboard. Unless otherwise stated in the Sailing Instructions, all marks described as "Racing Marks" will normally be an inflatable or semi rigid buoy laid specifically for the purpose. Committee vessels will display a large flag with CCC thereon.

9.2 When a committee Vessel, or a part of a committee vessel, is defined as a Mark of the course including a Start/Finish Line, all parts of this vessel including any attached appendages such as, but not limited to, dinghies and RIB’S will be taken as being a permanent part of that Mark for the period of it’s use as a Mark.

 

10. NAVIGATION MARKS

10.1 Unless otherwise stated in the Sailing Instructions or when being used as a course mark, navigational and other marks may be left on either hand at the discretion of the Skipper.

 

11. SAILING DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS

11.1 Between the hours of nautical sunset and sunrise, the rules contained in RRS Part 2 will cease to govern the Race which will be continued under the IRCPS.

 

12. FINISHING

12.1 Yachts finishing should identify themselves to the Officials particularly during the hours of darkness and ensure that the Officials have checked them in as having finished and they should also check and record their own time as they cross the finishing line, in case they may not have been seen by the Officials due to darkness, severe weather, or the line being unmanned. Where possible, record the names of yachts which finish immediately ahead and astern. Should a yacht finish when the line is not manned, these details of finishing should be given to the Race Officer or sent to the Club Office within 48 hours of finishing.

 

13. TIME LIMITS

13.1 Altering RRS 2005 – 2008 Rule 35, where a time limit is prescribed and any yachts are considered by the Race Officer still to be racing at the time limit, one gun will be fired or other sound signal made. Where there is provision for racing to be extended, the class flags of the classes entitled to continue racing will then be hoisted at the Finishing Line. If any yachts are considered still to be racing at the end of the extension one further gun will be fired and all signals will be lowered. Any yachts which have not then finished will be treated as having retired.

 

14. PROTESTS AND RULE INFRINGEMENTS

14.1 Protests shall be intimated to the Race Officials at the Finishing Line and shall be made on the proper form and delivered to the Race Officials at the Finish within 2 hours of the time the last yacht in the race finishes. A time and venue of any hearing will thereafter be advised. When the Race Committee sees or hears an infringement by a yacht of the General Regulations or Special Regulations it may disqualify the yacht or impose an alternative penalty without protest or hearing except that the yacht shall be entitled to a hearing if she satisfies the Race Committee that an error may have been made.

 

15. ALTERNATIVE  PENALTIES

15.1 In all Inshore and Offshore Championship Races  “Two Turns” penalty RRS 44.2 will apply.

 

16. DECLARATIONS

16.1 In races where yachts take their own finishing times, a Declaration Form as printed in the year book must be completed and handed to a race official or posted to the Club office as described in the Sailing Instructions for that race.

 

17. SCALE OF PRIZES

17.1 Unless there is a minimum of two starters there will be no race.

 

17.2 The number of prizes presented for each class in each race will be as follows:

No. of starters          2/3           4/5           6 or more

                   Prizes    1              2              3

Where two or more classes are combined, separate prizes will be awarded for each class if there are 6 or more starters in at least one of the classes.

 

18. INSURANCE

18.1 It is a requirement of owners that all yachts racing in Club events carry insurance protection for Third Party and Passenger Liabilities of not less than £1 million.

 

19 and 20. NARROW CHANNELS TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEMES and USE OF MAIN ENGINE

19.1 A yacht breaking RRS 2005 – 2008 RRS 42.1 by using a propulsion engine, when appropriate, to avoid collision or for safety must report the facts to the Race Committee. The Race Committee, after a hearing, may impose a penalty or, when it judges significant advantage was gained disqualify the yacht.

.

20.1 An engine may be used for charging batteries, pumping or supplying power for weighing anchor or hauling off but in all such cases the part of the shaft between the gearbox and the stern tube must be held stationary.

 

21. RADIO TRANSMITTERS AND USE

21.1 The use of radio transmitters is prohibited except for private, business or emergency purposes and for communication with the Race Officer as follows:

21.1.1 START – the Starting Officials will normally listen out on VHF Channel M(37) and may transmit messages on VHF Channel M(37) for the information of competitors. Any yacht receiving such a message is requested to convey it to yachts not having VHF or not listening out.

21.1.2 FINISH – the Finishing Officials will normally listen out on VHF Channel 16 for communication from competitors. In particular any yachts retiring and yachts approaching the finish, especially during the hours of darkness or at the head of the fleet, are requested to advise the officials accordingly.

21.1.3 Where the Committee Vessel cannot otherwise be identified the call sign of the Starting or Finishing Officials will be "CRUISING ONE".

 

22.IRC & CYCA CERTIFICATES           

22.1 Yachts shall submit a copy of their IRC Rating Certificate & or CYCA Handicap Certificate to the Club office before racing. Yachts are  required to submit a certificate which complies with the class requirements as described in 4.1 above for the class or classes in which they intend to race.

 

23. RESTRICTED SAIL CLASSES

23.1 These classes shall be open to all yachts racing under CYCA handicaps. Yachts racing in these classes shall not be permitted to set spinnakers, twin headsails ,cruising chutes or headsails which do not comply as headsails under the RYA PRESCRIPTIONS 2005 50.4, an alteration to RRS 2005 – 2008 RRS 50.4 This rule  was altered since the publication of issue one of the RRS  2005-2008. The PRESCRIPTION  50.4  2005 defines the difference between what constitutes a spinnaker and what therefore constitutes a headsail.

23.2 To qualify for an additional handicap allowance of 0.25 minutes for a roller reefing headsail, the headsail must be: tacked onto the furling drum gear only, which must be fitted above deck level; be capable of being rolled/increased to maximum without the need to detach or attach any fitting, or require any folding of the sail; an overlapping sail which must be at least greater than 1.3 x J. Although other headsails may be carried on board the R/R headsail must be the only headsail used for racing. As an exception a storm jib may be used in the interest of safety and good seamanship. No changing of headsails is allowed during racing with the exception of the storm jib.

 

24. SOUND SIGNALS Because of firearms regulations, sound signals may be made electronically or by foghorn rather than guns.