Beer Can Series Notice of Race
MAKANI KAI YACHT CLUB
2012 BEER CAN SERIES
NOTICE OF RACE AND SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
1. RULES: This series will be governed by the United States Sailing Association (USSA) Racing Rules of Sailing 2009 – 2012, and amended prescriptions as they occur, as well as the Hawaii Yacht Racing Association (HYRA) prescriptions as amended by the Makani Kai Yacht Club (MKYC).
A. MKYC amendments may be written or briefed at the pre-race skipper’s meeting.
B. USSA Racing Rule 42.3 (d) Exceptions is modified as follows:
Delete: the words “… grounding or…” in the first sentence
Add: To get clear after grounding a crew may use engine propulsion as necessary to gain clearance. Once free, further engine propulsion is prohibited. Under no conditions is engine propulsion to be used to advance the grounded vessel toward the next mark before, during, or after clearance has been achieved.
2. ELIGIBILITY:
A. The Series – This series, or any individual race of the series, is open to: (1) All sailing vessels whose skippers are members in good standing of any HYRA member yacht club, (2) Sailing vessels of the monohull or multi-hull design (providing that the multi-hull has an established PHRF by a USSA recognized fleet.
B. Points and Awards – Vessels must have been registered for the season, or each individual race of the season, to be eligible for points and awards.
C. Classes – One class using implied PHRF rating corrected for local performance. One design classes as entered. Three competitors minimum to qualify as a class.
3. REGISTRATION: Eligible vessels may be entered by completing registration with the organizing authority (MKYC). Completed registration is the submission of a registration form and payment of appropriate fees. Paid registration must be received not later than the adjournment of the skipper’s meeting for each individual race. Advanced series registration is encouraged and carries lower per-race fees.
A. Advanced Registration – Eligible vessels may be registered in advance by placing the registration form and fees in the MKYC mailbox located in the Makani Kai Marina clubhouse, or by sending the form and fees to:
Makani Kai Yacht Club
2002 Beer Can Series
45-995 Wailele Rd #81
Kaneohe, HI 96744
B. Fees - Advanced series registration (14 races) $(TBD) for members of USSA; $(TBD) non-member of USSA.
4. SCORING:
A. POINTS. A low point scoring system, in accordance with Appendix A and A4.1 of the racing rules, with HYRA prescriptions, will apply. Series points will be awarded based on a vessel’s best 10 of 14 finishes, or as determined by the organizing authority in the event of race cancellations. The vessel with the lowest point total in the class will be declared the series winner. Ties shall be broken in accordance with Appendix A8 of the racing rules.
B. HANDICAPS. The PHRF classes will use a Performance Handicap Racing Fleet handicapping system as amended by MKYC. The amended system uses an “implied” PHRF rating factor adjusted for individual vessel performance (see attachment). Class boats will use a level handicap system.
C. TIMING. Individual PHRF race results will be scored using the PHRF Time-on-Distance scoring method. Class boats will use scoring prescribed by their fleet rules.
D. RESULTS. Race results will be posted in the MKM clubhouse.
5. SKIPPER’S MEETING: The series skipper’s meeting will be held on Opening Day at 1230 hours in the Makani Kai Marina clubhouse. Individual race meetings will be held at 1230 hrs in the MKM clubhouse the day of the race. Skippers will check in and identify their vessels to the race committee at this meeting.
6. RACE SCHEDULE:
(TBA)
7. STARTS: Each race will start at 1400 hrs. The warning signal will be sounded at 1350. The 5-minute start sequence procedure will be used unless otherwise briefed. Competing vessels are not required to check in with the committee boat prior to start.
A. The race committee boat will mark the start line with a two buoys. Unless otherwise specified, racing mark “G” will mark one end of the start line and an “orange buoy” will mark the other. Unless otherwise specified, starts will be upwind.
B. In the absence of a committee boat, a participating vessel identified at the skipper’s meeting will place the racing marks and accomplish the start signals with flag and sound signals. The first vessel finishing the race will take the times of each boat that finishes thereafter.
C. A minimum of three boats is required to start a race.
D. The responsibility for an “over early” start rests with the skipper of the offending vessel. A vessel which is “over early” must return to the start line, staying well clear of other starting vessels, and restart.
E. The “black flag” or “Z” flag rules do not apply to this series.
8. RACING AREA AND COURSES: The races will be conducted within the Kaneohe Bay. When a Committee Boat is on station, the course will be posted using a “course board” or flag signal prior to the warning signal. The letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H will designate the permanent racing marks. Other navigation aids and/or topographic landmarks used to navigate the race course will be designated by name. The start-finish line will have no significance to the course other than to start or finish a race. In the absence of other guidance, all marks are rounded to port. In the absence of other guidance, navigation aids within the Bay are to be passed on the proper side in reference to the sailing direction. Navigation channels within the Bay have no significance except as to the navigation aids and navigation safety.
9. COURSE IDENTIFICATION: The flag signals in Appendix A of these instructions may identify the course to be sailed in the absence of a skipper’s meeting. The flag signal may be in lieu of a “course board” by the committee boat to officially post the course. In the absence of a committee boat, the course identification signal flag will be flown by a vessel identified at the skipper’s meeting.
10. COLLISIONS AND SAFETY:
A. Safety of the crew is paramount. Each skipper is encouraged to hold a pre-race safety briefing for the crew. As a minimum, the following should be addressed: (1) Man overboard procedures and life-saving, (2) Identification of swimmers and non-swimming crew, (3) Personal flotation and personal safety, (4) Grounding, (5) Right-of-way and collision avoidance, (6) Medical emergencies, (7) Crew responsibilities, (8) General emergencies, (9) On board fire, and (10) Navigation safety. Crewmembers are encouraged to wear personal flotation at all times on the water.
B. Collisions are to be avoided at all costs. USSA racing rules place stiff penalties upon a vessel or vessels that had the last opportunity to stay clear and avoid a collision. This series will be governed by those rules.
C. In the event of a collision, U.S. Coast Guard reporting procedures will be followed.
D. All vessels participating in this series are required to carry appropriate liability and collision insurance. Proof of insurance is required at time of registration.
E. “Good Samaritan” Rule: A competing vessel that renders assistance to a vessel in distress will have it’s finishing time reduced by the time taken in rendering assistance.
11. WITHDRAWING: Vessels withdrawing from the race prior to finishing will notify the committee boat by radio or voice.
12. RADIO COMMUNICATIONS: The race committee and all participating vessels will monitor channel 68 for race information.
13. AWARDS: The series awards presentation will be announced at the end of the season. Individual race awards may be presented following the race.
14. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For additional information contact the RC Sail.
