Props to Nigel Barron of CSR Marine for passing along this letter from SYC’s Brian Ledbetter to competitors in tomorrow’s Blake Island Race. I’m certain Brian won’t mind me getting this reminder out in front of sailish.com readers, especially considering the safety issues:
From: Brian Ledbetter <BrianL@seattleyachtclub.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 1, 2017 11:04:27 AM
To: Brian Ledbetter
Subject: Tri-Island Series – Blake Island Race Info and Safety
Hello Racers,
A couple of reminders for the Blake Island race this Saturday:
1. Stay WELL CLEAR of ALL commercial traffic. Blake Island race crosses shipping lanes and ferry routes.
2. We have had incidents in both previous races of this series, and 2 protests resulting in boats retiring from the race.
3. Please read the entire sailing instructions, (attached), and give special attention to SI 14, copied below.
4. Reminder: You may use your engine to stay clear of a vessel not participating in the race as detailed in SI 14.8. Review SI 14.8.
Awards and Party at Elliott Bay Marina!
Party will be from 3 – 9 pm at the Elliott Bay outstation of Seattle Yacht Club. (Next to Maggie Bluffs)
Steel Drum Band from 5 – 8 pm
Taco Truck 5 – 8 pm on-site, free for competitors!
Complimentary Beer and Wine
Lots of great Series and Overall Trophies to hand out, come cheer on your team and friends!!
Have a great race,
Brian
14 OPERATING AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
14.1 Sailing is an activity that has an inherent risk of damage and injury. Competitors in this event are participating entirely at their own risk. See RRS 4, Decision to Race. The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone. The race organizers (organizing authority, race committee, protest committee, host club, sponsors, or any other organization or official) will not be responsible for damage to any boat or other property or the injury to any competitor, including death, sustained as a result of participation in this event. By participating in this event, each competitor agrees to release the race organizers from all liability associated with such competitor’s participation in this event to the fullest extent permitted by law.
14.2 Boats must check in with the race committee signal boat at the starting area each day before their first warning signal. Boats should check in by hail unless safety requires checking in by VHF 72.
14.3 A boat that retires while racing must orally notify the race committee as soon as possible after retiring by hail or VHF 72.
14.4 A boat racing in a handicap class must comply with one of the two following sets of equipment requirements, (a) or (b):
(a) Pacific International Yachting Association (PIYA) Special Equipment Regulations Governing Minimum Equipment and Accommodation Standards (SER), as changed by the Notice of Race, to the category requirement identified below. The text of these regulations is available from the PIYA web site at www.piyasailing.net
(b) ISAF Offshore Special Regulations (OSR), without US Sailing prescriptions, as changed by the Notice of Race, to the category requirement identified below. The text of these regulations is available from the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) web site at www.sailing.org/documents/special-regs.
Protection Island Race
Long Course: SER Coastal or OSR 3
Short / Sport Boat Course: SER Inshore or OSR 4
Cruiser/Racer Course: SER Inshore or OSR 5
Vashon Island Race
Long Course: SER Coastal or OSR 3
Short / Sport Boat Course: SER Nearshore or OSR 5
Cruiser/Racer Course: SER Nearshore or OSR 5
Blake Island Race
Long Course: SER Nearshore or OSR 5
Short / Sport Boat Course: SER Nearshore or OSR 5
Cruiser/Racer Course: SER Nearshore or OSR 5
14.5 Boats must comply with U.S. Coast Guard regulations.
14.6 Boats must be operated in accordance with the Puget Sound Sailboat Safety Regulations, available in the Seattle Yacht Club Sailboat Race Book available at www.seattleyachtclub.org.
14.7 The race committee may inspect a boat at any time before or after racing for compliance with requirements.
14.8 A boat may use its propulsion engine as described in RRS 42.3(i) for any purpose described in 42.3(h), or to stay clear of a vessel not participating in the race. The use of a propulsion engine shall be reported to the Race Committee with the reason for the use and a description of any benefit to the boat’s position resulting from said use.
Brian Ledbetter
Sailing Director
Seattle Yacht Club
206.926.1011
Tri-Island 2017 Sailing Instructions
Don’t forget to read Bruce’s Brief on the race published earlier today!
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.