Austrian Offshore Championship 2017

Sailing Instructions

1. Rules
1.1.      The regatta will be governed by the rules defined in the RRS (Racing Rules for Sailing) 2017-2020 of World Sailing and the notice of race. In the event of conflict the Sailing Instructions shall prevail, then the notice of race and then the other rules.
1.2.      Sails need not show national letters and sail numbers (this change RRS).
1.3.      For the one-design-class Bavaria Cruiser 41S the one-design-class rules of the Austrian Sailing Federation will apply.

2. Signals ashore
a)         Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board. At the same time flag „L“ will be hosted with a sound signal. A change in the schedule of races will be posted no later than 19:00 hrs or the end of protest time (the later time will be valid). Notice to competitors show a consecutive number and date and time of posting. In case the notices valid for the entire race series, it is to maintain to its completion, otherwise by at least 24 hours; Flag "L" is lowered again earliest after one hour. Under these conditions, notices are binding and apply to all participants as having been received.
b)         Answering Pennant “AP" displayed with two sound signals means: race is postponed. The warning signal will not be given less than 30 minutes after “AP” is lowered (together with a sound signal).
c)         Flag “Y": Life-jackets shall be worn at all times while afloat. Ignoring this rule may result in disqualification (change of RRS 1.2).
d)        The official notice board is near the entrance of the event tent.
e)         Signals ashore will be given on the starting vessel fixed to the peer.

3. Signals made afloat
a)         Flag „L“ on the starting vessel or on a race committee boat means: come within hail or follow this boat. Flag „L“ will be lowered one minute before the warning signal with one sound.
b)          If no postponement is signalled the start to the next race follows after finishing.

4. Courses
The course will be signalled latest with the warning signal on the starting vessel.

Without any cours signals: Up and down Course

Start – 1 – 2 – 3 – 1 – 2 – 3 – Ziel

All marks have to be left on port.
The marks 1, 2 and 3 are big yellow buoys.
The finishing mark is a smaller yellow buoy.

For the navigational course signals as described in the sketch issued on the day of that race will be used.

5. Class Signals
„OeSV“ for the one design class Bavaria Cruiser 41S
„Pitter“ for the ORC class (with and without spinnaker)

6. Start
6.1.      The start will be done according to RRS 26.
6.2.      The starting line is between a mark on the port side and a pole with an orange flag on the starting vessel on the starboard side.
6.3.      A boat starting later than 4 minutes after her starting signal will be scored DNS (this changes RRS A4 and A5).

7. Life west signal
Flag „Y“: Displaying flag „Y“ on the starting vessel means: All skippers and crew members shall wear personal flotation devices; if flag “Y” is displayed not later than the warning signal, non-observance may result in disqualification (amendment to RRS 1.2).

8. Retirement
Boats retiring from a race shall inform the race committee as soon as possible and shall fill a form within the protest time limit. Not doing so may cause in a penalty after a hearing.

9. Time limit
There is no time limit and no minimum of a course length. Planned are (except the navigational race) courses with four to eight miles. The race committee is not obliged to wait for late boats on the finishing line. These boats may be scored DNF or according to their position and analogous application of the rating.
A shortening oft the course is possible at any time.

10. Finishing line
The finishing line is between the finishing mark and the pole with a blue flag on the finishing vessel or – in case of shortened cause – a pole with flag „S“ and the nearby mark.

11. Scoring
There are planned eight scorings with one discard. If less than four scorings are valid, there is no discard. If less than three scorings are valid the titles will not be awarded.
Scoring of the group "ORC (with and without spinnaker)" after ORC-Club Performance Curve windward/leeward (courses round marks) and ORC-Club Performance Curve ocean for PCS (long distance race).
In case a long distance race is sailed this will get two scorings: one scoring will count from start to a half distance mark, the second scoring will count the whole race (change of RRS Appendix A).
Overall results according Low Point System (RRS Appendix A). 

12. Penalties at the time of an incident
RRS 44.1 is changed so that a boat has to perform a one turn penalty instead of a two turn penalty.

13. Protests
Protest time begins with returning of the finishing vessel to the harbour and lasts 60 minutes (addition to RRS 61.3). If several races are sailed on one day without a break of at least 1 hour, the protest time for all races of the day automatically changes to after the last race. Protest forms are available at the race office.
Time and place of the hearings are announced about 30 minutes after end of the protest time on the notice board.

14. Measurement protests
Penalties for breaking a measurement rule may be other than a DSQ. This changes RRS 64.

15. Starting numbers, organizer advertising
The two starting numbers issued at registration (accreditation) have to be fixed on the starboard and on the port lifeline immediately behind the bow pulpit so that they are clearly and easily identifiable (especially at start and finish) for all participants and the race committee. This rule does not apply to boats whose start numbers are adhesive on the hull.
The sticker of “Marinepool” has to be fixed on both sides of the hull.
The flag “Pitter” and in the class Bavaria Cruiser 41S aditionaly the flag “Marinepool” shall be attached on the backstay and shall be shown during the races and in the harbour.
The advertising stickers shall be renewed if lost.

16. Tracking system
Participants shall fix the tracking device at the pushpit.

17. VHF on sea: channel 8
Channel 8 will be used for communication between competitors and race committee.

18. Internet
Use of internet especially collecting weather information as well as watching the competitors on the tracking is permitted.

19. Anchor and Chain in the ORC Class
For safety reasons in the ORC Classes, the anchor shall be stored in the anchor well. If there is no anchor well available or there is not enough space left in it for the anchor, the anchor shall remain on the original fitting. The chain must not be changed to a lighter one or a lead line. Boats having a lead line in the ORC certificate are allowed to compete with it.

20. Language
The official language of the event is German.

21. Pictures and videos
Participants agree that pictures and videos of the participating yachts and people recorded on sea and on land, may be broadcasted and/or printed.

22. Liability
Organizer and their agents are not liable for damage on land and water, to people, yachts and otherwise. Participation in the race is by all stakeholders at their own risk. The organizers are specifically exempt from any liability.
In addition, the signed disclaimer is valid.