Sailing Instructions

1.

Rules

1.1

The race will be governed by the current Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), the prescriptions of the Irish Sailing Association, the RORC General Conditions and the Special Regulations, the Rules of each appropriate Class, the Notice of Race, these Sailing Instructions (SIs) and any amendments thereto.

1.2

The event is designated RORC Category 2.

2.

Registration & Inspection

2.1

Boats shall assemble and register at Wicklow Sailing Club not later than 1200 hours on Thursday, 19^th June 2008.

2.2

Inspection of boats may take place at the discretion of the Race Committee.

3.

Notices to Competitors

3.1

The Official Notice Board is located at Wicklow Sailing Club.

3.2

Signals made ashore shall be displayed from the mast at Wicklow Sailing Club.

4.

Starting Signals – Amendment to RRS26

4.1

Starting Signals will be made from the Committee Boat.

4.2

The Warning Signal will be made at 1550 hours on Saturday 21^st June 2008.  The Preparatory Signal will be at 1555 hours.  A one minute gun will be fired at 1559 hours.  Start at 1600 hours.  There will be no four minute gun.

4.3

All Classes will start together, using Flag E as their Class Flag. (Refer 14. Amendments)

4.4

If possible, times will be broadcast on VHF Channel 72 from 30 minutes before the start.

5.

Starting Line

5.1

The Starting Line will be between the Lighthouse at the end of the East Pier at Wicklow Harbour and the main mast of the Committee Boat, positioned approximately three cables, bearing 045 degrees (magnetic) from the Lighthouse.

5.2

The Committee Boat will be a vessel of the Irish Naval Service or, if such is not available, a boat identified by a Wicklow Sailing Club burgee displayed from its masthead.

5.3

An Inner Limit Mark will be laid approximately 50 metres from the end of the East Pier. This limit buoy shall be passed, leaving it to starboard.

5.4

Boats shall start by crossing the Starting Line from North to South.

6.

Recalls

6.1

If possible, the details of boats infringing RRS 29.2 or 29.3 will be broadcast on VHF Channel 72.

7.

Course

7.1

Around Ireland, leaving all its islands (excluding Rockall) and rocks showing permanently above high water and all the marks listed hereunder, to starboard.

East Pier, Wicklow
Wicklow Head
Tuskar Rock
Barrells Light Buoy
Conningbeg Light Vessel
Old Head of Kinsale
Fastnet Rock
Mizen Head
Gull Rock (Off Bull Island)
Washerwoman Rock (Off Great Skellig)
Great Foze Rock
Position 54° 03.37'N, 10° 21.10'W (Off Black Rock)
Eagle Island
Tory Island
Tor Rocks (Off Inishtrahull)
Rathlin Island
Highway Rock (Highwayman, 54°57.03'N, 05°43.08'W)
Mew Island
Burial Island
South Rock Light Vessel
East Pier, Wicklow

8.

Safety

8.1

At the time of passing each of the following locations, each boat shall report its name and time of passing that point to the Coast Radio Station specified.

8.2

Not withstanding the provisions of SI 8.1, boats may make their reports through other Coast Radio Stations if necessary or reports may be made by telephone to the Race Office (Telephone No. TBA).

8.3

If a boat is unable to make its report at the time of passing a location, it shall make a report as soon as possible thereafter. The circumstances of any delay in excess of one hour, or a failure to make a report shall be detailed on the boat's Declaration Form.

8.4

A boat which fails to make a report in accordance with SIs 8.1, 8.2 or 8.3 at any one or more of the locations shall be disqualified without a hearing. This amends RRS 63.1.

8.5

Additional reports may be made through any Coast Radio Station with a request for the information to be forwarded to the Race Office.

9.

Finishing Line

9.1

Each boat is requested to advise Wicklow Sailing Club of its approach to the Finishing Line, no later than half an hour before estimated finish time.  Wicklow Sailing Club keeps watch on VHF Channels 72 and 37(M).

9.2

The Finishing Line will be between the Lighthouse on the East Pier at Wicklow and a Finishing Mark positioned approximately 100 metres from the Lighthouse on a bearing of 70 degrees (magnetic) from the Lighthouse.

9.3

The Finishing Line shall be crossed from North to South.

9.4

The Finishing Mark will display a quick flashing light during the hours of darkness and should not be confused with an outfall buoy situated approximately 7.5 cables from the Lighthouse and showing four quick flashes, yellow, every 10 seconds.

9.5

A boat, which finishes during the hours of darkness, shall illuminate her sail number using either a powerful light or a white flare.

9.6

Boats should await instructions from Wicklow Sailing Club before berthing after the race.

10.

Retirement

10.1

A boat retiring from the race shall notify the Race Office as soon as possible.

11.

Protests

11.1

Protest shall be lodged with the Race Office within three hours of the finish of the protesting boat, except as provided in SI 11.2.

11.2

Protests from boats, which finish between 1800 hrs and midnight, shall be lodged by 1000 hours the following day. Protests from boats which finish between midnight and 0700 hours shall be lodged by 1000 hours that day.

11.3

RORC Rule 5b (Rule Infringements and Penalties) shall be applicable.

12.

Declarations

12.1

Each boat shall sign their Declaration Form and then lodge it at the Race Office within four hours of finishing.

13.

IRC Race Results

13.1

Corrected times = elapsed time x TCC (The IRC time correction factor).

14.

Amendments

14.1

These Sailing Instructions may be amended in the event of there being sufficient entries in the W60/Maxi Class, where a separate start will be given.

15.

Flags and Bow Stickers

15.1

Class Flags and Sponsors’ Flags shall be flown from the backstay at all times during the race.

15.2

Bow stickers will be provided and every effort shall be made to retain them on the bows.

16.

Satellite Tracking

16.1

Boats will be required to carry satellite tracking devices provided by the Race Organisers.

17.

Class Bands

17.1

Class Bands are as follows:

Class

TCC Range

Class Flag

IRC Super 0

1.300 or greater

Code Flag A

IRC 0

1.299 - 1.105

Pennant 0

IRC 1

1.104 - 1.055

Pennant 1

IRC 2

1.054 – 1.000

Pennant 2

IRC 3

.999 and below

Pennant 3

IRC 4

Cruisers hull factor 7.5 or less

Pennant 4

2 Handed Class

2 Handed

Pennant 8

Information

A.

High Water at Wicklow on 21^st June 2008 is at 1352 hours and Low Water is at 1913 hours approximately.

B.

All times expressed in the Sailing Instructions relate to summer time.

C.

Boats should expect to encounter drift nets, which may be unmarked and extend for considerable distances, especially on the South and North West Coasts.