1. RULES

The event will be governed by the ‘Rules’ as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS). The prescriptions of the RYA will apply. The events will be run by Cushendall Sailing & Boating Club. ‘Competitors should note that Cushendall Sailing & Boating Club implement the RYA Racing Charter and that they will be required to undertake to sail in compliance with the Charter, which can be found at the front of the RYA rule book (Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008) or at www.rya.org.uk/racing/charter’

2. ALTERATIONS TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS OR SCHEDULE
Racing will be governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing, the prescriptions of the RYA except as any of these are changed by these sailing instructions.
Notices to competitors will be posted in the clubhouse. Changes to sailing instructions will be posted for 60 minutes before the advertised start time of any race, which is not sailed back to back.

3. ENTRIES
Eligible boats may be entered by completing registration on the official entry form and shall register their details and sign the entry form before the series begins. All boats must enter their sail number and must display that number on their mainsail throughout the race.
The safety of a yacht and her entire management shall be the sole responsibility of the competitor racing the yacht, who must ensure the yacht and the crew are adequate to face the conditions that may arise in the course of the race. The establishment of these sailing instructions in no way limits or reduces the absolute responsibility of the competitor for his crew, his yacht and the management thereof. It is the sole and exclusive responsibility of each yacht to decide whether or not to start or continue the race.
Each vessel will have valid and current third party insurance. The race organisers shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, death or personal injury howsoever caused to the competitor, his boat or crew, as a result of taking part in the race or races.
Owners / representatives shall acknowledge their responsibility on the official entry form and draw the attention of their crew to this disclaimer before the start of any race.

4. SAFETY
In all races owners must ensure crews are properly prepared and clothed to face bad weather and that boats and also suitably prepared.
In all dinghy races all competitors shall wear lifejackets or other adequate personal buoyancy at all time when afloat. Wetsuits and drysuits are not adequate personal buoyancy.
Owners or owners official representatives must complete and sign the club Race Sheet.

5. MEASUREMENT
The Race Committee may permit a yacht to use sails carrying distinguishing numbers other than required by RRS Appendix G1 only, in exceptional circumstances. Such requests must be made in writing to the Race Officer.
Yardsticks for each boat will be agreed by the club’s officers and will be published on the notice board the morning of the event.

6. SIGNALS MADE ASHORE
Flag signals ashore will be made at the front of the clubhouse

7. SCHEDULE OF RACES
Races will be as posted in the club Events Calendar. Warning Signal time will be as stated.
Where 2 races are scheduled they will be sailed back to back, Race 2 warning signal shortly after the finish of Race 1.

8. RACING AREA
The racing area will be in Red Bay. Unless otherwise stated in the Events Calendar.

9. COURSES
The CSBC marks or Courses Card will be used unless otherwise stated with a number and optional letter denoting the course to be sailed. The course or course number will be communicated in the clubhouse and may be also be communicated on VHF Ch 8.

10. MARKS
The course marks will be CSBC racing marks (green & yellow barrels) and navigational marks.

11. THE START
Races will be started using RRS 26.
The Warning signal will be ICF ‘W’.
Start Line
The starting line will be that formed by the mast of the Clubhouse and a Starting Mark (CSBC racing mark) specified by the CSBC course card.
Starts with no Race Officer (cruiser fleets only)
Starting signals will be made from a designated ‘Race Boat’ on VHF Ch 8. All yachts should keep a record of their elapsed time. The elapsed time should be reported to the ‘Race Boat’ at finishing.

12. THE FINISH
The finishing line will be that formed by a mark of the course and the mast of the Clubhouse.

13. TIME LIMIT
For ‘Cup’ races, in amendment to RRS 35 any boat failing to finish within 60 minutes of the leading boat shall be scored ‘Did Not Finish’. The time limit for the leading boat on the race will be 2 hours.
For ‘Series’ races, in amendment to RRS 35 any boat failing to finish within 40 minutes of the leading boat shall be scored ‘Did Not Finish’. The time limit for the leading boat on the race will be 80 minutes.

14. PROTESTS
Protests shall be written on forms provided by the Race Officer, and lodged with the Race Officer within 1 hour of the finishing time of the last race of the session.
Protests will be held in the order of receipt as soon as possible.

15. SCORING
The Low-Point scoring system, RRS Appendix A will apply.
The number of races to be sailed and disguards will be as stated in the club Event Calendar.

16. CSBC FERRY SERVICE
Sailors are reminded that any crew and passengers in CSBC rescue boats shall wear lifejackets or appropriate buoyancy and must be suitably dressed to meet the conditions at all times.

17. RUBBISH DISPOSAL
Boats shall not throw rubbish into the water. Rubbish may be deposited on support and official boats.

18. PRIZES
Results will be advised ASAP and perpetual trophies will be awarded at the Club Annual Dinner.