St Barthelemy Bucket
22 - 25 March 2012
Announcement of Regatta
The Announcement of Regatta will is posted below and is available for download as a pdf.
The St Barth’s Bucket Regatta is a congenial, invitational regatta set in the Corinthian spirit. Yachts that participate will do so at their own risk. The regatta is open to yachts over 31 meters LOA, unless invited under the ‘Grandfather Clause’. This is a fun regatta with safe sailing the highest priority of the Event Organizer. Therefore, an invitation will be extended to those yachts whose owners, captains, crews and guests will participate and endeavor to make this a fun and safe event. Part 1 of the Announcement of Regatta consists of general administrative information and Part 2 with the rules and conditions.
PART 1 GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
1 EVENT ORGANIZERS
The 2012 St Barth’s Bucket Regatta is organized by The Bucket Association, St Barth’s, FWI.
Address all correspondence pertaining to the regatta to:
67B Front Street, Marblehead, MA 01945
Tel: 781-639-0203
Fax: 781-639-9171
Email: info@bucketregattas.com
Event Director/Race Chairman Peter Craig peter@bucketregattas.com
Event Manager Jeanne Kleene jeanne@bucketregattas.com
Ratings Jim Teeters jim@tytech.org
Executive Director Tim Laughridge tim@bucketregattas.com
2 RACE WEEK WEBSITE
Periodic updates and the very latest information on the regatta can be found on the event website: www.bucketregattas.com
3 RACE OFFICE
The Bucket Race Office will be located under the Marquee at the Quay in the port of Gustavia with back office operations located upstairs at the Capitainerie.
4 CAPTAIN’S BRIEFING
The Captain’s Briefing will be held at 1700 on Thursday, 22 March at a location to be determined. Each yacht must be represented by her Captain, the designated Safety Officer and her Racing Tactician (if applicable).
5 DOCKAGE
The St Barthélemy Port Authority in Gustavia has been kind enough once again to reserve the entire quay for the St. Barth’s Bucket participants. There will be room alongside for 22-24 yachts and the Organizer will do everything possible to arrange dockage for all who wish to be at the quay. However, with a fleet of 40 yachts, anchoring will be necessary for many in the fleet.
Indicate your dockage preference on the Entry Application. The Event Organizer, in collaboration with the Port Authority will determine which yachts are assigned dockage after receiving all applications.
Our hosts at the Capitainerie and the Port Authority work extremely hard to optimize the dockage for the Bucket Regattas. The Event Organizer works closely with the Capitainerie on the dockage arrangements. All requests and inquiries should be directed to the Event Organizer. The final determination of yachts to be alongside, and their location, is strictly at the discretion of the Port Authority. All yachts dockside are expected to participate in the yacht open house, a highlight of the Bucket.
Adjustments to the Fleet Open House in 2011 demonstrated more effective controls regarding access. Each yacht will receive 15 invitations (wristbands). The Organizer will be pro-active in controlling the number of visitors per yacht.
6 MEDIA RIGHTS
Entrants and crewmembers give right and permission to use their name, voice, image, likeness, as well as representation of their yachts in any media (television, print, video footage, and internet media) for the purpose of press information, reporting, promoting and disseminating information. For all media, the yacht owner’s name shall not be published without obtaining permission from the Organizer or the owner directly. The owner shall be referred to as “the owner of Yacht Name”.
7 INSURANCE
7.1 It is a condition precedent to entry to the regatta that each yacht shall be insured with reputable insurers for physical loss of or damage to the yacht (up to current market value of the yacht and all its equipment onboard) and also insured for Third Party Liability risks up to €1,500,000 (or the equivalent in other currencies) for the period of the regatta set out in the schedule (AOR Part 2, Section 7).
7.2 The Captain undertakes to ensure that Certificate(s) of Insurance (which must be in English) reflecting the above required insurance are carried on board the yacht at all times during the regatta. The yacht’s insurer(s) must be notified of the yacht’s participation in the regatta and a copy of the regatta rules (including the Bucket Disclaimer of Liability Form) should be shown to the yacht’s insurer(s).
8 WIRING INSTRUCTIONS
Contact the Organizer for wiring instructions (Jeanne Kleene jeanne@bucketregattas.com).
PART 2 RACING RULES & CONDITIONS
1 MANAGEMENT
The St. Barth’s Bucket is organized by The Bucket Association, St Barth’s, FWI. The event is affiliated with and sanctioned by the Federation Francaise de Voile (FFV).
2 RULES
The St Barth’s Bucket will be governed by the following:
- The rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), with ISAF approved changes for superyacht racing
- The Bucket Rating Rule
- The prescriptions of the French Federation of Sailing (FFV)
- The Sailing Instructions, which incorporate the ‘Superyacht Racing Safety Protocol’
- Any applicable local maritime authority rules and regulations
3 SAFE RACING
3.1 A primary focus of Bucket racing is prudent seamanship and sailing in the safest possible manner in all situations. This regatta relies upon self-compliance and self-policing. Accordingly, participants are required to:
- Ensure that the safety of the yacht, crew and guests is their primary consideration during the Regatta
- Comply with the rules of the regatta
- Comply with all rules and regulations (and have on board all valid and up-to-date certificates) that apply to the yacht by virtue of its Flag, its Classification Society and/or any local maritime authority’s decree that may apply to the yacht at the time of the Regatta
- Have due regard to any commercial shipping
- Be courteous to all other participating yachts, the Organizer and its representatives, as well as all other users on the water
- Appoint a Safety Officer who shall be responsible for VHF safety communications and any other safety related compliance duties that are required. A brief resume or statement with the Safety Officer’s experience and credentials must be submitted to the Organizer prior to 15 February, 2012 in recognition of the importance of this responsibility. Details on the qualifications required of Safety Officers will be posted on the event web site no later than 1 December, 2011
- Sign and lodge a Race Log and Declaration Sheet with the Organizer promptly after completion of each race specifying all safety related incidents and/or any breaches of the RRS and Sailing Instructions
3.2 If the Event Organizer receives corroborative or substantiated reports of a yacht being handled in an overaggressive, un-seamanlike or unsafe manner, they may excuse the yacht from the regatta and/or declare the yacht, Safety Officer or Racing Tactician ineligible for future Bucket regattas, with or without a hearing.
4 ADVERTISING
Advertising will be restricted to Category A unless prior approval is granted by the Organizer.
5 ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY
5.1 The St Barth’s Bucket is an invitational event, open to sailing yachts over 31 meters (100 feet) LOA, unless invited under the ‘Grandfather Clause’. Considering the unprecedented level of interest in the Bucket Regattas in recent years, the invitational aspect of the event has become increasingly relevant. With the Regatta often oversubscribed it is important for all applicants to understand the basis upon which entrants are selected. The invitation matrix is comprised of many factors including the yacht’s size and past participation (at both Bucket venues), with credit for contributions to the spirit of the event (the fun factor), sponsor affiliation and other factors. This event is focused on the yacht owners; hence chartered yachts receive low priority.
5.2 The Bucket Directors determine which yachts will be issued invitations each year. Other yachts seeking an invitation should advise the Event Organizer (jeanne@bucketregattas.com) of their desire to participate in the event. Those yachts will be issued an invitation or added to the Waiting List, depending on the response from those yachts that were invited and any withdrawals.
5.3 The entry application will be forwarded to invited yachts by October 25, 2011. A completed entry application and entry fee must be received by the Organizer no later than November 15, 2011. After that date, the invitation may be withdrawn and issued to one of the yachts on the Waiting List. Entry acknowledgement will be sent to entrants shortly after entry receipt.
5.4 Late Entries may be accepted at the sole discretion of the Organizer.
5.5 All yachts are required to have a current and valid Bucket Rating Certificate. The required measurement information and handicapping fee must be received by the Bucket Rule Rating Authority no later than 1 January, 2012. For a Rating Application, application instructions, and a complete description of the Bucket Rule, visit www.BucketRule.com or the Bucket Website: www.bucketregattas.com. Any questions on Bucket Rule handicapping should be directed to Jim Teeters at jim@tytech.org / +1 401 862 3681.
5.6 All Rules of the FFV (Federation Francaise de Voile) must be respected and followed by Bucket participants. This specifically includes the requirement for French citizens sailing in the regatta, to be holders of a current valid FFV Sailing License. Temporary licenses may be obtained from the Organizing Authority (contact Wendy Kronenberg at nfyachts@wanadoo.fr / +590 590 27 56 50).
5.7 The Captain of each yacht will be made an annual member of the St Barth’s Bucket Association, our official FFV Association.
5.8 Each yacht is required to maintain the minimum level of insurance as presented in AOR Part 1, paragraph 7, This requirement will be documented on the Crew Affidavit, to be completed by each participating yacht, at registration.
6 FEES
6.1 The entry application shall be accompanied by entry fee. The entry fee is €7,500.
6.2 The Entry Fee includes twenty (20) guests for each yacht. Each entry will be issued fifteen (15) wristbands and two (2) owner’s passes, which are required for each person participating in the Fleet Open House. Twenty (20) Cocktail Tickets will be issued to each yacht. Passes for additional guests may be purchased in advance or at the Regatta Office.
6.3 The fee for obtaining a valid ‘Bucket Rating Certificate’ (refer to AOR 5.5) is paid directly to the Bucket Rule Rating Authority and must be submitted with your Rating Application prior to the 1 January, 2012 deadline.
7 PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
7.1 Three races are scheduled, one each day from Friday, 23 March through Sunday, 25 March.
7.2 Preliminary Schedule:
THURSDAY, 22 March
1000-1700 Registration at the Marquee
1700-1745 Captain’s Briefing (Location TBD)
1800-2100 Fleet Welcoming Party at the Marquee
1900-2100 Owner’s Reception (Invitation Only / Location TBD)
FRIDAY, 23 March
0900-0920 Daily Pre-Race Briefing at the Marquee
1100 Race 1 scheduled start time for first yacht in fleet
1830–2130 Welcome Party / Daily Awards / Fleet Open House
SATURDAY, 24 March
0900 Daily Pre-Race Briefing at the Marquee
1100 Race 2 scheduled start time for first yacht in fleet
1830–2300 Bucket Bash at the Marquee – Daily Awards, Cocktail Party & Dancing
SUNDAY, 25 March
0900 Daily Pre-Race Briefing at the Marquee
1100 Race 3 scheduled start time for first yacht in fleet
1800-2030 Final Awards Ceremony & Cocktail Party
The Event Organizer and Race Committee reserve the right to modify the above schedule depending on weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.
8 REGISTRATION
Registration for the St Barth’s Bucket will begin at 1000 on Thursday, 22 March. The following documents will be required at registration:
- Acceptance of the Announcement of Race and Sailing Instructions as set out in the Entry Form;
- Signed Disclaimer of Liability Form;
- Crew List;
- Name and mobile telephone numbers for the Boat Captain, designated Safety Officer and Racing Tactician;
- Valid Bucket Rating Certificate;
- Safety Officer Resume / Credentials (AOR 3.1f);
- Confirmation on the number of extra crew / guest bracelets you will require.
9 CLASSES
9.1 The Organizer may, at its sole discretion, divide the fleet into classes based on the size, composition and attributes of the fleet. A Notice with the preliminary class splits will be posted on the official web site by 1 March, 2012.
9.2 At the race committee’s discretion, classes may sail different courses on any given day. The start times will be adjusted accordingly to compensate for any course differential, therefore the order of finish will dictate the fleet winners each day.
9.3 In 2011, the 40-yacht Bucket Regatta was split into three classes, “Les Gazelles des Mers” (performance oriented yachts), “Les Grandes Dames des Mers” (cruising oriented yachts), and “Les Elegantes des Mers” (classic oriented yachts).
10 SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
10.1 A preliminary version of the 2012 Sailing Instructions, incorporating the Superyacht Safety Protocol, will be posted on the event website by 1 March, 2012 and will be emailed to all entrants. Safe racing is a top priority at any superyacht regatta, therefore, comments and feedback from entrants on the preliminary Sailing Instructions and any matters pertaining to safe racing is strongly encouraged.
10.2 The final Sailing Instructions will be posted on the event website on or before March 15, 2012 and will be available at the Race Office on site. Boat Captains are encouraged to forward these documents to their Owners, Safety Officer and Racing Tactician.
11 RACING AREA
Racing will take place in the vicinity of St Barthélemy and its adjoining islands. A chart showing the racing area is Imray-Iolaire #A 241. The rendezvous location for racing will be just outside Gustavia Harbor entrance.
12 THE COURSES
The courses will be coastal courses using islands, rocks, inflatable and government buoys as marks of the course.
13 PURSUIT RACING
Handicapping for Bucket Regattas is based on use of a ‘pursuit start’ system, wherein each yacht is assigned her own starting time for each race with slower rated yachts starting first. The start time is determined by factoring in the performance capability of the yacht, the racecourse composition and wind speed and direction each day. The order in which the yachts finish will determine the daily results. Refer to AOR 5.5 and www.BucketRule.com or www.bucketregattas.com to obtain more information on the Bucket Rating Rule and the handicapping process.
14 SCORING
The races will be conducted in a pursuit race format. The start times for each yacht will be broadcast to the fleet on VHF radio, emailed to the Captains and posted on the web site prior to the start each day. Start time and order will change daily because the course configuration and wind conditions will vary. Yachts will be scored based on the order of finish. A yacht’s series score will be the total of her race scores without exclusion. This modifies RRS A2.
15 PROTESTS
15.1 The Organizer takes a proactive stance on enforcing safety and sportsmanship. Safe racing is the responsibility of everyone involved in superyacht regattas. The level of sportsmanship at Bucket events has set a standard in sailboat racing and the race committee fully expects the same level of mutual respect between competitors.
15.2 The Superyacht Safety Protocol within the Sailing Instructions sends 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.
15.3 The yachts’ Racing Tacticians and Safety Officers are expected to meet immediately following the racing to discuss and resolve any minor issues pertaining to competitive advantage, safety or sportsmanship. If a competitor feels grievously wronged and insists on a protest hearing, this course of action may be pursued.
16 COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONIC AIDS
16.1 A yacht shall not receive radio transmissions not available to all yachts. All types of electronic aids, including radar, VOR, satellite, are permitted. No external aids, outside assistance or information may be used during the races, except weather forecast information.
16.2 Yachts equipped with 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.
17 RESPONSIBILITY
17.1 The safety of a yacht and its crew is the sole responsibility of the Captain who must ensure that the yacht is fully sound, thoroughly seaworthy and manned by an experienced and physically capable crew. Neither the establishment of regulations or inspection of a yacht in any way limits or reduces the complete and unlimited responsibility of the Captain.
17.2 It is the sole and inescapable responsibility of each yacht to decide whether or not to start or continue in any race. See RRS rule 4, Decision to Race.
17.3 The Bucket Association, St Barthélemy, FWI and participating Sponsors of the St Barth’s Bucket 2012 regatta do not accept responsibility for loss of life or injury to participants or others, or for the loss or damage to any vessel in any way or from any cause during or related to this event.
18 TROPHIES AND PRIZES
18.1 Daily awards for first place in class will be presented following racing each day (at the Marquee on the quay).
18.2 Series awards for first, second and third place in each class will be presented on Sunday, 25 March following the racing that day (at the Marquee on the quay).
18.3 Overall awards for first, second and third place in fleet will be presented on Sunday, 25 March following the racing that day (at the Marquee on the quay).
18.4 There may be special trophies awarded as well, for meritorious acts, boat handling and other notable behavior.
18.5 The Vitters Seamanship Trophy will be awarded to the yacht that displays the most sportsmanlike handling, particularly with regard to safety. This award truly reflects the spirit of the Bucket and superyacht safety protocol.
19 DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
19.1 Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. Association Bucket Regattas, the Organizing Authority, sponsors, and all other affiliated organizations and individuals, will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with, prior to, during, or after the regatta.
19.2 The Bucket Disclaimer of Liability Form must be accurately completed and signed by the Owner, Captain, charterers, crewmembers and guests of the yacht and lodged with the Organizers prior to the first race of the Regatta. The Disclaimer form will be posted on the web site by 15 March, 2012.
19.3 In the event of any crewmember, guest or personnel change on board a yacht during the regatta, each new person shall sign the Disclaimer of Liability Form before participating in any race in the regatta.
20 AMENDMENTS TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OF REGATTA
The Organizer reserves the right to amend this Announcement of Regatta. Any amendments will be posted on the event web site.
21 BOTTOM LINE
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!
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