LMSRF Area III 2009 General Sailing Instructions (GSI's)

1. RULES

As described in the 2009 LMSRF Area III Notice and Conditions of Race - NOR 3. In case of conflict, the Sailing Instructions prevail over the Notice of Race. This changes RRS 63.7

2. ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY

Eligible boats may enter as described in the 2009 LMSRF Area III Notice and Conditions of Race - NOR 4.

3. NOTICES TO COMPETITORS

Notices to competitors, changes in General Sailing Instructions (GSI’s), Special Sailing Instructions (SSI's), the schedule of races, shall be posted on the Official Notice Board of the yacht club which is the Organizing Authority for that race and as a courtesy, placed on the Area III section of the www.lmsrf.org website.

4. CHANGES IN GENERAL SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

4.1 Any change in the GSI’s, SSI’s, and/or Alternate Starting Line shall be posted before 1200 CDT on the Friday before it shall take effect (except the TriState, which will be posted by 1200 CDT the Thursday before the first race). When practicable, written notice of changes shall be delivered to other Area III Organizing Authorities for posting. Such changes may also be shown on the website at www.lmsrf.org and e-mailed to registered boats.

4.2 Attention to a change posted in accordance with 4.1 above may be broadcast by the Race Committee over Channel 78 VHF or an alternate channel as directed by the Race Committee. Such broadcast is intended as a courtesy to the competitors and does not replace Race Signals prescribed by the RRS. Failure to receive such courtesy broadcast shall not be grounds for redress.

4.3 For Port to Port races only, the Race Committee may designate an “Alternate Finish Line” as described in the General and Special Sailing Instructions for that race by broadcasting such changes periodically on Channel 78 VHF or an alternate channel as directed by the Race Committee. This changes RRS 25 and RRS 88.2.

5. SIGNALS MADE ASHORE

5.1 Race signals made ashore may be displayed on the standard maintained for that purpose at the yacht club, which is the Organizing Authority for the race.

5.2 In the event of a postponement, the Warning Signal will be made not less than 60 minutes after the decision to race has been made.

5.3 The Race Committee may broadcast periodically on Channel 78 VHF or an alternate channel, the abandonment or the intended length of the postponement.

6. SCHEDULE OF RACES

The schedule of races is shown in the 2009 LMSRF Area III Notice and Condition of Race – NOR 2. It is the intent of the Race Committee to run 1 longer distance closed course race or 2 or more races for the scheduled closed course races. A longer single distance closed course race shall be recommended to be 15 miles or more.

7. LMPHRF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

7.1 Unless otherwise specified in these GSI’s or an additional GSI, boats shall race in the following classes, as determined by their registration, class, and rating.

8. STARTING SEQUENCE

8.1 Races shall be started by using RRS 26 “STARTING RACES" with the following modifications: Flag F (Attention Signal) will be displayed with one sound 5 minutes before the initial Warning Signal for the first class to start. Flag F will be lowered with one sound one minute before the initial Warning Signal is made.

8.2 The RC will signal its intent to run another race that day by displaying the "R" flag from the Signal Boat at the finish of the previous race. No race will be started after 1500 CDT. After finishing competitors shall stay clear of the Finishing Line and observe the starting area boundaries until their new starting sequence has commenced. The "R" will be lowered with one sound signal one minute before the Attention Signal (Flag F) is signaled for the next race. The RC will also attempt to broadcast its intentions over the designated VHF channel.

8.3 Closed Course Sequence
The warning signal for the first class in the first race of the day is scheduled to be 1100 CDT. The warning signal for each succeeding classes shall be made with or after the starting signals of the preceding classes. During the "Fox Trot" period (Flag F), the Race Committee may announce any changes in the starting sequence.

8.4 Port-to-Port Sequence

9. RACE COMMITTEE CLASS SIGNALS

9.1 Flag signals are International Code Flags. The Race Committee will display the class flag signal and/or the placard signal for purposes of RRS 26 in accordance with the following table:

9.2 All boats racing in the LMPHRF classes shall display their numerical starting class signal on their backstay not less than six feet above the deck.

9.3 Boats racing in One-Design classes do not need to display their class signal on their backstay.

9.4 When RRS signals for abandonment, postponement, change, and/or shortened courses are displayed, they shall apply to all classes. However, when such signals are accompanied by one or more class signals, such signal/s shall only apply to the displayed classes.

10. RACING AREA

The General Buoy Racing Area is shown in Appendix 1 of the LMSRF Area III Race/Year book. This chart should NOT be used for navigational purposes. Use NOAA chart #14927 and/or additional relevant NOAA charts for navigation.

11. MARKS

11.1 Unless otherwise stated in the SIs and SSIs, start and finish marks will be yellow inflatable marks and rounding marks will be orange unless a change of course as prescribed in RRS 33. Special marks may also be prescribed by the Special Sailing Instructions.

11.2 Finish marks may also be white. (See GSI 12.2.8)

12. COURSES

The Race Committee shall signal its intention of a 2 or more race day or a 1 single longer distance closed course race day before the Warning Signal. A longer distance closed course shall attempt to have at least 7 miles of windward sailing.

12.1 COURSE SELECTION

The Race Committee shall select a course from one of the following types:

12.1.1 Windward/Leeward with Inflatable Marks (See Course Diagram “A” and “B”

12.1.2 OTHER METRO COURSES The Organizing Authority for a race may elect to use Starting Area 7 Courses or Custom Courses. These are described in their Special Sailing Instructions.

12.2 DESIGNATING THE COURSE BEFORE THE START

12.2.1 The course to be sailed shall be signaled by flag and/or course board in accordance with RRS 27.1 for the first class to start and shall apply to all subsequent classes unless it is changed in accordance with GSI 12.2.3.

12.2.2 The course selected will be signaled by International Code Flag and/or course board before the warning signal. The magnetic bearing to the first rounding mark (W1 or W2) and the distance between the windward mark (W1 or W2) and the starting line will be displayed from a course board.

12.2.3 The Race Committee may change a course after the first class has started for any classes not yet started in accordance with RRS 27 and RRS 33, by:

a. Raising a "Charlie" flag (C) at the next warning signal and
b. Displaying a new course signal at or before the "Charlie" flag (C) and the next warning signal.

Course A

Course B

The B Course finish line will be approximately 1/4 mile to windward of W2.

12.2.4 For each course there will be two windward marks to be rounded and left to port as follows:

Short course: T-10, BEN 36.7, and PHRF 4 class will sail a shorter course as follows: S, W1, L W1, F.

Long course: J/105, PHRF 3, PHRF 2, PHRF 1, and BEN 40.7classes will sail a longer course as follows: S, W2, L, W2, F.

The Race Committee may add the following designations to the course flag:

12.2.5 Addendum Flag "E" - There is an Extended Starting line mark for the T-10 and/or J/105 fleet starts.

12.2.6 Addendum Flag "O" - There will be an offset mark at the windward marks.

12.2.7 Addendum Flag "G" - There are gate marks instead of a leeward mark at the leeward end of the course.

12.2.8 Addendum White Flag - There will be a white finish mark on the opposite side of the RC boat from the starting line.

12.3 CHANGE OF COURSE AFTER THE START

12.3.1 A change of course will be signaled in accordance with RRS 33 near the mark beginning the leg being changed. A Race Committee boat will display code flag”C”, the magnetic bearing to the new mark, the flag(s) for the classes to which the change of course applies and repetitive sound signals periodically. If no class flag(s) is displayed, the course change will apply for all classes. The change will be signaled before the leading yacht of a class has begun the leg, although the new mark may not yet be in position. The new mark will be yellow, but subsequent course changes will alternate between orange and yellow marks.

12.3.2 The Race Committee may periodically broadcast on Channel 78 VHF (or an alternate channel as directed by the Race Committee) that a course change has been made as well as the nature of said change.

13. THE STARTING LINE & AREA

13.1 Unless otherwise prescribed in the Special Sailing Instructions, the starting line shall be between a staff displaying an orange flag on the Race Committee Signal Boat and a yellow starting mark. The Race Committee may add an additional orange mark beyond the starting line for the T-10 and/or J-105 classes ONLY. See 12.2.5

13.2 A boat whose class signal has not been made shall stay clear of the starting area. The starting area is defined as extending one-half the length of the starting line beyond the ends of and behind and ahead of the starting line. (See below) The Race Committee may set a guard mark near the signal boat. Yachts may not pass between the guard mark and the signal boat.

If the starting line is extended with an additional mark for the T-10 and J/105 classes, the inner mark is not a mark of the course. For all other class starts, the extended line mark is not a mark of the course.

13.3 All boats shall identify themselves by mainsail or sail number board to the Race Committee by passing near the RC boat before the first warning signal of the race or during their class starting sequence.

13.4 Any boat starting more than 10 minutes after the last class start will be scored DNS. This changes RRS A4.1 & A5.

14. RECALLS

14.1 INDIVIDUAL RECALLS
The Race Committee may hail recalled boats by sail number and/or boat name over VHF Channel 78 (or an alternate channel as directed by the Race Committee) and/or by voice. Failure to hear a recall is not grounds for redress. This changes RRS 29.1 and RRS “Race Signals”.

14.2 GENERAL RECALLS
General recalls will be in accordance with RRS 29.2.

15. POSTPONEMENT

A Race Committee (RC) may postpone a race in conformity with RRS 27.3. The RC may broadcast on VHF Channel 78 (or another channel as directed by the RC) that a race has been postponed, when it shall be rescheduled, and any change in the starting sequence or course. After a postponement, a Warning Signal may be given no sooner than one minute after the Answering Pennant is lowered. When a signal for postponement is accompanied by one or more class signals, it shall only apply to the classes so signaled.

16. ABANDONMENT

A Race Committee may abandon a race in conformity with RRS 32. The Race Committee may broadcast on Channel 78 VHF (or an alternate channel as directed by the Race Committee) that a race has been abandoned, when it shall be re-sailed, and any change in the starting sequence or course. When the RRS Signal for “Abandonment” is accompanied by one or more class signals, such signals shall only apply to the classes so signaled.

17. THE FINISH

17.1 CLOSED COURSE BUOY FINISHES:
The finish line shall be between a staff displaying an orange flag on the Race Committee boat and yellow finishing mark, unless Addendum White Flag is flying. Addendum White Flag is per GSI 12.2.8. It is the responsibility of each boat to identify itself at the finish.

17.2 PORT-TO-PORT FINISHES:

17.2.1 Port-to-Port finishes require the use of sail number boards. The sail boards shall be displayed from approximately one quarter of a nautical mile (.25 NM) prior to the finish line and remain displayed for at least two (2) minutes after finishing. Special Sailing Instructions shall state on which side the sail number boards shall be displayed. Sail number boards are to be a sign with numbers ten (10) inches or larger, cut from reflective (SCOTCHLITE or equivalent) material and mounted on a black background. Boats failing to display sail number boards if successfully protested by the Race Committee, shall be penalized in accordance with GSI 20.3.

17.2.2 When applicable, a “Yacht Finish Report” shall be given to the Race Committee at their specified location as stated in their Race SSI’s.

17.2.3 If the Race Committee Boat is absent from the designated finish line, an Alternate Finish Line is described in the SSI . Every attempt will be made by the Race Committee to announce the change at regular intervals during the race on Channel 78 VHF (or an alternate channel as directed by the Race Committee). Upon crossing this alternate finish line, boats shall provide their finish time (according to the GPS time) to the RC on VHF Chanel 78. This changes US SAILING Prescriptions to RRS 34.

18. TIME LIMIT

18.1 For Closed Course races, unless otherwise prescribed in the Special Sailing Instructions, the time limit to finish a race shall be three hours from the last start, excepting when a longer distance Closed Course race has been planned and then it shall be six hours. This changes RRS 35, RRS A 4.2 & RRS A5.

18.2 For Port-to-Port races, the time limit will be 2000 hours except for the race to St. Joe, which is 1300 hours the day following the start.

19. PROTESTS

19.1 REQUIREMENTS

19.1.1 In addition to RRS 61, any boat protesting must notify the Race Committee at the first reasonable opportunity after their finish and receive an acknowledgment.

19.1.2 Protests shall be written on US SAILING protest forms. A copy of the Protest form is in the 2009 LMSRF Year/Racebook and on the website at www.lmsrf.org. The original written protest or electronic version shall be emailed or faxed to the LMSRF office no later than 1500 CDT the day after the completion of the race weekend.

19.2 PROCEDURES

19.2.1 Protests acknowledged by the Race Committee will be noted on the Organizing Authority’s preliminary posted Area III race results. As a courtesy, protests will be indicated on the web site.

19.2.2 The appropriate Organizing Authority Protest Committee Chair will be notified by the Area III office of any protests received so that the participants can be notified.

19.2.3 Area III protests shall be heard at the clubhouse of the Organizing Authority the Thursday night following the race, unless otherwise notified by the Protest Chair. Hearings are scheduled to begin at approximately 1900CDT.

19.2.4 In the event a competitor is a party to protests involving more than one Organizing Authority, and the hearings are scheduled for the same Thursday, the protest from the earlier event shall take precedence. Hearing of the other protests shall be reset to a later date. The party seeking a continuance because of another protest hearing must advise the Protest Committee Chair in sufficient time to allow notification of all parties to the protest and members of the protest committee.

19.2.5 Notwithstanding any other time limit stated in these General Sailing Instructions, the Notice of Race, or RRS 61.3, for any protest relating to the violation of any one-design class rule brought against a boat by the Race Committee on behalf of any One Design Fleet’s measurer as provided for in RRS 78.3 and the last paragraph of RRS 60.2, or any Protest Committee, the time limit for filing such a protest shall be as follows: the later of (1) 3:00 pm (Central Daylight Savings Time) on the fourth business day after the race in question, or (2) 3:00 pm (Central Daylight Savings Time) on 2009 General S ailing Instructions 118 WWW.LMSRF.ORG the seventh business day after the race in question when a measurer informs the race committee of a violation. In the case of a protest by a race committee as set forth in the last paragraph of RRS 60.2, the protested boat shall be informed at the first reasonable opportunity after the protest is filed.

20. PENALTIES

20.1 For closed course racing, RRS 44.2 (Two-Turns penalty) shall apply.

20.2 For Port-to-Port races, RRS 44.3 (Scoring Penalty) shall apply, modified as follows: The corrected finish of a boat that accepts a penalty under RRS 44.3 shall be 20% of the number of yachts started in that class, taken to the higher whole number, but such penalty shall place a yacht no worse than last in her class. Her adjusted place, for determining her placement in her division, shall be one second greater than that of the yacht placing just before her in her division.

20.3 A boat successfully protested by the Race Committee for failing to properly display her class, penalty flag or sail number board as required, shall be penalized one place in her class. Her corrected time shall be the next boat to finish in her class, plus one second. This changes RRS A4.1 and A5.

21. RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

Except as permitted by the GSI’s and the Special Sailing Instructions, a boat shall neither make radio transmissions while racing nor receive private radio, fax, email, or cellular phone communications not available to all boats.

22. RACE COMMITTEE COURTESY BROADCASTS

The Race Committee may attempt to report visual signals displayed and other pertinent information over Channel 78 VHF (or an alternate channel as directed by the Race Committee). This information is provided as a courtesy to competitors and does not in any way alter their responsibility to observe the Race Committee’s visual signals which govern the conduct of the race. Errors or omissions involving such courtesy broadcasts shall not be grounds for redress.

23. POST RACE RAFTS

Each boat must dock or raft in the space reserved for boats in its class if so stated in the SSIs or an addendum there to or as directed by the host club or its dock personnel. It is the responsibility of each skipper to insure that sufficient crew capable of promptly maneuvering the boat is readily available at the harbor at all times. If in a raft, a boat must be prepared to cast off her raft not later than one hour prior to the scheduled warning signal for the first class scheduled to start that day. Reasonable and courteous cooperation with fellow yachtsmen in making, securing, anchoring, and disassembling rafts is expected. A boat that fails to comply with this obligation may be refused entry to future races.

Protest hearings involving rafting shall be the responsibility of the yacht club that was the race Organizing Authority on the day of the incident.

24. ADVERTISING

All Area III races are Category “A” Club events per ISAF Regulation 20.

25. SCORING

25.1 COURSE DISTANCES AND SCORING The course distance for handicapping purposes shall be:

25.1.1 The distance in nautical miles calculated by the Race Committee.

25.1.2 The Handicap Scoring Distance shown in the Special Sailing Instructions for a given port-to-port.

25.2 DNF boats in each Area III race will be scored points for their finishing place one more than the number of boats that came to the Starting Area in their class. A boat that did not come to the Starting Area (DNC) or was disqualified (DSQ) shall be scored two more than the number of boats entered in their class for that race. This changes RRS Appendix A9.

26. ISAF OFFSHORE SPECIAL REGULATION CATEGORIES

All Area III BUOY races are Category 4. All Area III Port-to-Port races are Category 3. (Exception: Waukegan Yacht Club and Great Lakes Yacht Club have designated Category 4 for their races. - See their SSI's)

The following 2008-2009 ISAF Regulations are modified as follows:

3.09.3 For yachts with age date before 1993, bilge pumps and cockpit drains may be connected to a common drainage system provided the system has sufficient capacity to handle maximum combined volume.
3.28.3 (b) The first two sentences are replaced by: “A propulsion engine installation required by 3.28.1 above shall be able to motor at least 35 NM in moderate weather at a minimum speed of 3.5 knots.”
3.29.1 (f) “A GPS is required for all Port-to-Port races.”
4.23.1 Pyrotechnic signals shall conform to SOLAS Regulations, not older than the stamped expiration Date or not older than 4 years. White hand flares are optional.
5.01 The first US Sailing Prescription is modified by adding Type II and III Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices. The third US Sailing Prescription is changed to the following: “All personnel on deck shall wear personal flotation at all times except when the Captain of the boat directs that it may be set aside.”
A.A.1 Life rafts--Recommended but not required.

For complete information on the ISAF safety regulations go to http://www.sailing.org/specialregulations.php

Appendix:





General Sailing Instructions Metro Marks