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The Ninth Annual Newport Bucket Regatta
August 25- 28, 2011

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
PART I   ADMINISTRATIVE

Sailing Instructions Part 1, 2 and Exhibit 1 (pdf) All Exhibits (pdf)

1     MARTHA’S VINEYARD COMPONENT              
There are separate Sailing Instructions and Program for the Martha’s Vineyard component of the 25th Anniversary Regatta. 

2     BUCKET RACE OFFICE
The Bucket Race Office is located at the Newport Shipyard Marquee. Back Office operations are located on the second floor at the Newport Shipyard next to the Merrill Woods Office. The Race Office telephone number is: 617-378-5005 (effective Wednesday, 24 August, 2011). Calls to 781-639-0203 will be forwarded to this number also.
Back Office    Open Thursday / Aug 25, 0900          617-922-0656
Race Office    Open Friday / Aug 26, 0900               617-378-5005

3     REGISTRATION
Regatta registration begins at 1300 Friday, 26 August at the Newport Shipyard Marquee. To qualify as an entrant the following shall be completed and submitted to the Race Office no later than 1700 on 26 August:
Entry Application duly signed
Signed Disclaimer of Liability / Captain, Crew and Guest List
Entry Fee and any applicable Rating Fee
Contact Information for the Boat Captain, Safety Officer and Racing Tactician

4     DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
4.1 The Disclaimer of Liability Form for the Captain, Crew and Guests is found in Exhibit 3 and will be available at the Race Office. The document must be signed by the Captain, crew and guests and returned to the Race Office prior to Saturday morning’s Pre-Regatta Captain’s Briefing. Boats which do not submit the waivers will not be scored. For any change of crew or guests during the regatta, crew waivers must be updated to reflect new crew members and guests.

4.2 Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. Bucket Regattas LLC, the Organizing Authority, all sponsors, all other affiliated organizations and individuals, will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the regatta.

5     INSURANCE
Each yacht is required to maintain appropriate liability insurance. It is the responsibility of each Boat Captain and Owner to certify that all crew aboard are properly insured against all liabilities and injuries incurred while participating in the regatta.
6     NOTICES TO COMPETITORS
Notices to competitors will be posted on the Official Notice Board located at the Newport Shipyard Marquee and posted on the Newport Bucket Regatta website.

7    SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

A detailed schedule of events for both the Martha’s Vineyard and Newport shore-side and social activities and locations is available in a separate document and is posted at Race Headquarters.

THURSDAY, 25 August
Fleet Rendezvous in Edgartown

FRIDAY, 26 August

SATURDAY, 27 August

SUNDAY, 28 August

The Organizing Authority and Race Committee reserve the right to modify the above schedule depending on weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstance.

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS PART 2

Due to the size, lack of manoeuvrability and other constraints with superyachts, ISAF has allowed changes to the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) that will enhance safe racing at the Newport Bucket Regatta. They come in the form of changes to four definitions and one rule. One of the important safety initiatives presented is maintaining a minimum of 40 meters separation between boats. This 40 meter separation includes all mark roundings as well as meeting, passing, and crossing situations. Due to the dynamics of boats under sail, a precise measurement of 40 meters can be difficult. If questions arise, they should be resolved via VHF bridge to bridge communication. The event organizer expects best efforts with compliance and good sportsmanship in maintaining minimum separation.

1    THE RULES
1.1    The regatta will be governed by:

1. the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS)
2. the Bucket Rating Rule
3. these Sailing Instructions

1.2    In accordance with RRS 86.2, ISAF has approved the changes to the RRS definitions Keep Clear, Mark-Room, Room, and Zone, and RRS 17 as shown herein.

1.3    Changes to the Definitions of the Racing Rules of Sailing
(a) The definition Keep Clear is deleted and replaced with: “One boat keeps clear of another if the other can sail her course with no need to take avoiding action and with no less than forty (40) meters between the boats.”
(b) The definition Mark-Room is deleted and replaced with: “Room for a boat to sail to the mark, and then room to sail her proper course while at the mark, with no less than forty (40) meters between the boats.”
(c) The definition Room is deleted and replaced with: “The space a boat needs in the existing conditions while manoeuvring promptly in a seamanlike way, with no less than forty (40) meters between the boats.”
(d) The definition Zone is deleted and replaced with: “The area around a mark within a distance of ten (10) hull lengths of the boat nearer to it. A boat is in the zonewhen any part of her hull is in the zone.”

1.4    Change to RRS rule 17
(a) Replace rule 17 On the Same Tack; Proper Course with: “17 On same tack; proper course when being overtaken 17.1  A boat being overtaken shall sail her proper course from the time the overtaking boat is within eighty (80) meters of her until the overtaking boat is clear ahead or more than eighty (80) meters from her. This rule does not apply if the boat being overtaken is required by rule 13 to keep clear or if rules 10, 18, 19 or 20 apply. 17.2 An overtaking boat shall not sail within forty (40) meters of the other boat.”

1.5    The prescriptions of US SAILING will not apply except its prescriptions to rules 68 (Damages), 76.1 (Exclusion of Boats or Competitors), and Appendix F (Procedures for Appeals and Requests), and its prescription at rule 76.3 (Exclusion of Boats or Competitors).

1.6    The responsibility for a boat's decision to participate in a race or continue racing is hers alone. Boats must give way to commercial shipping using the port and its approaches.

1.7    In the event of a discrepancy between the Announcement of Regatta and the Sailing Instructions, the Sailing Instructions take precedence. This changes rule 63.7.

 2    EVENT CLASSIFICATION AND ADVERTISING

2.1.   Boats may display advertising in accordance with ISAF Regulation 20, Advertising Code.  Boats shall display Event Advertising in compliance with ISAF Regulation 20 and as detailed in these Sailing Instructions.

2.2   Boats are responsible to inform advertisers that no activities advertising any brand will be permitted ashore within the Newport Shipyard Marina without the consent in writing of the Organizing Authority obtained before the start of the regatta.

3    AMENDMENTS AND NOTICES TO COMPETITORS
3.1    Any amendments to the Sailing Instructions will be posted on the official notice board no later than 0930 on the day it comes into effect except that changes to the program shall be posted by 2000 on the day before the change takes effect.

3.2    Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board.

3.3    Oral changes to the sailing instructions may be given on the water by hail on the race committee VHF Channel in accordance with rule 90.2 (c).  

4    SIGNALS MADE ASHORE
4.1    Signals made ashore shall be displayed on the official flag staff located at the Newport Shipyard Marquee and broadcast on the race committee VHF channel.

4.2    The race committee will broadcast its intent on the race committee VHF channel at 1000.

4.3     Race Signal flag “AP” (Answering Pennant) means “race not started is postponed”. The warning signal will be made 60 minutes after removal unless at that time the race is postponed again or abandoned. This changes RRS Race Signals.

5    SCHEDULE OF RACES / PROGRAM
5.1    Two races are scheduled one for Saturday and one for Sunday, 27 and 28 August, of which one must be completed to constitute a series.

5.2    The scheduled time for the warning signal each day is 1200.

5.3    The event program can be found in Part 1 of these Sailing Instructions.

6    CLASSES AND CLASS FLAGS
6.1    Boats will be separated into three classes, Les Gazelles des Mers, Les Grandes Dames des Mers and Les Elegantes des Mers. A list of boats by class is posted on the event web site and will be posted on the official notice board. At the race committee’s discretion, the classes may sail different courses on any given day. The start times will be adjusted accordingly to compensate for any course differential.

6.2    Class flags shall be displayed on the backstay at least six feet above deck at all times while the boat is racing. If such display is not feasible, class flags shall be displayed from the stern pulpit. The Les Gazelles des Mers class will use Pennant #1, the Les Grandes Dames des Mers class will use Pennant #2 and the Les Elegantes des Mers will use Pennant #3. 

7    SAFETY OFFICER
7.1    Each boat shall designate a Safety Officer and submit his or her name, local mobile telephone number and email address to the Race Office at registration. Additionally, boats shall submit the name, mobile telephone numbers and email addresses for the Boat Captain and Racing Tactician (if applicable).  

7.2    The Safety Officer must be a member of the afterguard whose primary responsibility will be collision avoidance and have no other responsibility above and beyond safety related matters (collision avoidance, safety communication and navigation).

7.3    The Safety Officer will be responsible for communications on the Bridge to Bridge Safety Channel (refer to SI 22.2) and any other communications which enhance the safety of the boat.  

7.4    The Safety Officer must attend all pre race briefings and will be responsible for ensuring the Course Log, Safe Racing and Declaration Forms are properly filled out and returned to the Race Office as soon as practical following racing.

8    BRIEFINGS
8.1    The pre-regatta Captains Briefing will be held, Friday, 26 August (1730) at the Newport Shipyard Marquee. Attendance is mandatory for the Boat Captain, designated Safety Officer and Racing Tactician (if applicable).

8.2    There will also be daily, pre-race briefings each morning at 0930 at the Newport Shipyard Marquee. The race course, weather and any safety issues will be addressed. Starting time options, Course Log, Safe Racing & Penalty Declaration Forms and Kattack GPS units will be distributed.

9            COURSE LOG AND DECLARATION FORM AND KATTACK GPS
9.1    The Course Log, Safe Racing & Declaration Forms and portable Kattack GPS units will be distributed to Safety Officers at the daily pre-race briefings, The form will call for information including mark rounding times, recorded wind speed and direction, any anomalies encountered in navigating the course. The document must specify all safety related incidents involved in on the race course. Completed forms are to be submitted to the Race Office as soon as practical after racing, but no later than 2 hours after each boat finishes racing.

9.2    The Kattack portable GPS unit is to be attached to each boat prior to arriving in the starting area (separate instructions in Exhibit 5). It is the race committee’s intent to distribute the units on the day prior to racing to allow the boat to mount correctly and test. The Kattack GPS unit and completed, signed Declaration Form are to be submitted to the Race Office as soon as practical after racing, but no later than 2 hours after each boat finishes racing.

9.3    The portable GPS unit will track the boat’s course each day. After racing, each boat’s track will be uploaded, providing an accurate record of course sailed and proximity to other boats. The Race Committee will thus, have a comprehensive record of every crossing, rounding or passing situation and be able to monitor the 40 meter minimum separation. Any boat not returning their GPS unit by the deadline each day will not be scored.

10    USE OF ENGINES AND THRUSTERS
10.1    For safety reasons, boats are encouraged to run their engines in neutral at any time during the race. Engines may be put into gear and thrusters may be used at any time during the race for a boat to take such action as will best aid to avoid a collision.

10.2    A boat that puts her engine in gear or uses her thruster at any time after four minutes prior to her individual start, must submit a written declaration of “engine use” to the Race Office as soon as practical after racing, stating the time the engine was in gear or thruster used, the reason for using it, and any potential competitive gain.

10.3    The race committee will review all declarations on engine and thruster use to determine whether use was appropriate and if there was competitive gain. The use of engine or thruster at any time shall not be ground for protest by another boat. This changes RRS 60.1.

11    RACING AREA / START LOCATION
Racing will take place in Rhode Island Sound. The rendezvous location for racing will be just south of Kettlebottom Reef (Gong G “7”). The location of the race committee signal boat will be broadcast on the race committee VHF channel when the signal boat is on station.  

12    TURNING MARKS, BUOYS AND COURSES
12.1    A list of the marks of the course, which includes government buoys and inflatable marks, and their approximate locations can be found in Exhibit 1.
12.2    Inflatable buoys will be large orange or yellow tetrahedrons.
12.3    Courses for each race will be selected by the race committee from those outlined in Exhibit 2. The marks for each course, order to be rounded, and side to be passed are included in the course description.
12.4    If a mark is missing or out of position, the race committee shall, if possible, replace it in its correct position or substitute with a new one. If a replacement mark is not possible, then a latitude and longitude position to sail around will be announced on the Race Committee VHF Channel.
12.5    Course options will be discussed at the pre-race briefings. After the committee boat is on station and has observed the prevailing conditions, the course and starting sequence for the day will be broadcast between 1100–1130 (unless postponed), emailed to all participants, and posted on the Bucketregattas.com web site.

13    THE START
13.1    The Newport Bucket features a Pursuit Start with the slowest rated boat starting first. The starting time for each boat is determined using the Bucket Rule, projected wind conditions and the course configuration. This modifies Rule 26.

13.2    The starting area will extend 200 meters on either side of the starting line and 400 meters on the pre-start side of the line. Boats which are not within 5 minutes of their start shall stay clear of the starting area.

13.3    The starting line will be between an orange flag on the race committee signal boat and a large orange inflatable tetrahedron approximately 0.5nm WNW of Castle Hill. 

13.4    A yellow inflatable tetrahedron ‘keep off buoy’ may be anchored adjacent to, or tethered to the stern of, the race committee boat. This buoy is considered to be part of the committee boat and boats shall not pass between the keep off buoy and the committee boat.

13.5    The start time for the first boat in fleet is scheduled for 1205 each day. Starting time options for all boats will be distributed at the daily pre-race briefing. The start times will be staggered at not less than 1 minute intervals. A sound signal will be made for each start and the Race Committee will attempt to broadcast countdowns for each start. The absence of visual signals shall be disregarded.

13.6    Boats with more than 5 minutes to their start shall stay clear of the “starting area” (as defined in Sailing Instructions 13.2). 

13.7    Rule 26 is changed to:
Races shall be started by using the following signals. The flag utilized as the class flag will be Flag D.    

A boat’s preparatory signal is 4 minutes prior to its scheduled start. Apart from the first starter, there will be no visual or sound signals for the individual preparatory signals. Apart from the first starter, there will be no visual signal for individual starts. The Race Committee will attempt to broadcast countdowns for each start on the Race Committee VHF Channel.

14    RECALLS
There will be no individual recalls. Any boat crossing the starting line early shall not restart and will be awarded a 5 minute penalty. A boat that crosses the starting line more than 3 minutes early will not be scored. This modifies rule 28.1, 29.1, A4.2.

15    CHANGING THE NEXT LEG OF THE COURSE
A course change for any leg of the race will be signalled by a race committee boat in the vicinity of the last rounding mark. It will display flag C. The change will be signalled before the leading boat has begun the leg. The race committee will broadcast any course changes over the race committee VHF channel. This modifies rule 33.

16    THE FINISH
16.1    The finishing line (approximately 0.5nm in length) will be WNW of Castle Hill between a large orange inflatable mark and a yellow inflatable tetrahedron located approximately 50 meters off of Castle Hill, 0.2nm NNE of the Castle Hill lighthouse.

16.2    A sound signal will be made for each finishing boat.

17           THE RACE COMMITTEE BOATS
17.1   The Race Committee boat will be identified by a large Bucket Regattas burgee. The Race Committee boat will normally be the regatta’s signal boat.
17.2    Race Committee mark boats will be marked by a blue RC Flag.

18     PENALTIES
18.1    The Event Organizer will take a proactive stance on enforcing safety and sportsmanship. Safe racing is the responsibility of everyone involved in the Newport Bucket Regatta. The level of sportsmanship in this event has set a standard in sailboat racing and the race committee fully expects the same level of mutual respect between competitors at all Bucket events.

18.2    A boat shall not take a Two-Turns Penalty. This modifies rules 44.1 and 44.2.

18.3   The Scoring Penalty as provided in Rule 44.3 shall apply except that Rule 44.3(c) is deleted and replaced with the following: “44.3 (c). The elapsed time for a boat that takes a Scoring Penalty shall be the elapsed time she would have been allocated without that penalty increased by 3%. If she takes more than one Scoring Penalty in a race, her elapsed time will be increased by 3% for each Scoring Penalty taken.”

18.4    A boat that has broken rule 31 (touching a mark) shall not take a One-Turn Penalty. The boat will be penalized 5 minutes. This modifies rule 44.1.

18.5    The jury may impose a penalty less than disqualification (including no penalty) in the event of a breach of a rule other than a rule of Part 2. This changes Rule 64.1.

18.6    A boat shall declare any penalties on the Course Log, Safe Racing and Penalty Declaration Form.

18.7    If the Event Organizer receives corroborative or substantiated reports of a boat being handled in any unsafe or unsportsmanlike manner, they may excuse the boat from that race, the regatta or future Bucket Regattas. Alternatively, the Safety Officer and/or Racing Tactician may be excused from the regatta or future regattas.

18.8    In the event of a collision, the Event Organizer shall not be compelled by any authority to convene a hearing and/or render a third party opinion as to which boat is at fault. Nor shall they be required to give evidence or disclose any documentation for any civil hearing. Any claim for damages arising from an incident while a boat is bound by the Sailing Instructions shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts, according to applicable Civil and Admiralty laws.

19    PROTESTS
19.1    The Notice of Race and these Sailing Instructions send the implicit message that the focus is on safety and prudent seamanship, not competitive advantage. It reinforces the fact that Bucket Regattas are congenial racing events.

19.2    The boats’ tacticians are expected to meet immediately following the racing to discuss and resolve any minor safety issues, sportsmanship, and issues pertaining to competitive advantage. If a competitor feels grievously wronged and insists on a protest hearing, this course of action may be pursued.

19.3    Protests shall be made in accordance with RRS 60 and 61.

19.4    Protest forms are available at the Race Office and the completed Protest Form shall be lodged there within 90 minutes after the last boat has finished.

19.5    Schedule of hearings will be posted on the official notice board as soon as possible. Protests shall be heard as soon as possible in approximately the order received. All persons involved in the hearings shall remain in the vicinity of the Jury Room.

19.6    It is the boat's representative’s sole responsibility to check the protest notices at the end of the protest filing time to see if she is cited in a protest.

20    SCORING 
20.1     Boats will be scored based on the order of finish.

20.2     The Low Point System RRS Appendix A will apply. There will be no discard.

20.3     Decisions concerning course distance, wind strength and direction are the responsibility of the race committee and are not grounds for request for redress. This amends RRS 62.

21    SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
21.1     The boat’s man-overboard procedure shall be practiced aboard each boat at least once by the crew racing in the regatta prior to the first race of the series.

21.2     A boat that retires from a race shall notify the race committee boat by hailing or on the race committee VHF channel before leaving the race area, or the Race Office as soon as practical.

22            COMMUNICATION (VHF RADIO / MOBILE PHONES / AIS)
22.1     The race committee will use VHF Channel 73 for communication. All competitors must monitor this channel from the time they approach the starting area until departing the finishing area following the race.  

22.2     The Bridge to Bridge Safety Channel is VHF 17. All boats must maintain an active radio watch on VHF 17 from their approach to the starting area until departing the finish area following the race. This channel should be used in close quarters to determine other boat’s intentions, resolve confusion and assist with collision avoidance. If VHF 17 is congested, boats may also use race committee VHF channel 73 for collision avoidance. Boats hailed by another boat must respond.

22.3     Back up to the VHF Channels will be mobile phone communications. All competitors will be provided with a list of mobile phone numbers for each boat’s Boat Captain and Safety Tactician. Telephone communication is strongly encouraged when the VHF safety Channel is in use.

22.4     Boats equipped with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) are required to operate their AIS system from the time they approach the starting area until departing the finishing area following the race. This can assist in maintaining safe separation between boats and collision avoidance.

23    AWARDS
23.1     Awards will be presented on Sunday, 28 August at the Ochre Court Celebration following the racing that day.

23.2     Daily awards for first in class will be presented for the Les Gazelles des Mers, Les Grandes Dames des Mers, and Les Elegantes des Mers classes.

23.3     Series awards for first, second and third place will be presented for  the Les Gazelles des Mers, Les Grandes Dames des Mers, Les Elegantes des Mers classes, and the Les Demis des Mers sub-class.

23.4      Overall awards for the fleet for first, second and third place will be presented.

23.5      Martha’s Vineyard Feeder Race first, second and third place will be presented.

23.6      Combined Martha’s Vineyard Feeder Race and Newport Races first, second and third place will be presented.

23.7     There will be special trophies awarded as well, for meritorious acts, boat handling and other notable behaviour.

24     DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. See rule 4, Decision to Race. The organizing authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury nor death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the regatta.

25            BOTTOM LINE
The rules outlined here constitute a comprehensive set of racing and safety rules. The purpose of the rules is to encourage good competition, good sportsmanship and absolute collision avoidance. None of these guidelines should affect the spirit of Bucket Racing from years past, which is first and foremost:
SAIL SAFELY FIRST, THEN FAST. WIN THE PARTY!

Exhibits (Copies of all exhibits are available as downloadable pdfs or at the race office)

Exhibit 1 • Marks of the Course

Exhibit 2 • Courses - to be posted

Exhibit 3 • Disclaimer of Liability & Crew List

Exhibit 4 • Course Log, Safe Racing & Penalty Declaration Form

Exhibit 5 • Kattack GPS Instructions

Exhibit 6 • On-Water Emergency Procedures