RACING & OTHER RULES   

 

 

Short-handed Sailing Association of Australia Inc.

 

NO LONGER IN USE

 

Section 1.0 Fundamental Rules

Section 2.0 Rules When Yachts Meet

Section 3.0 Other Sailing Rules

Section 4.0 Protests

Section 5.0 Definitions

 

 

This document is one of four documents that should be kept on board at all times while racing with the SSAA. These four documents form the contents of the SSAA sailing manual.

The four documents are:

  • SSAA Racing & Other Rules
  • SSAA Safety & Other Regulations
  • SSAA Self Check Compliance Form
  • SSAA Standard Safety Inspection Card

The documents that comprise the SSAA sailing manual are under continual review and may be modified at any time as circumstances dictate. The following are forshadowed changes to be made for the next release
  • first aid certification for both crew will be required for cat 1 events
  • sterile suture kit plus xylocaine(local anaesthetic) will be required for first aid kit, cat 1
  • lifelines shall be uncoated stainless steel wire

 

Release 6th April 2000

SECTION 1.0 FUNDAMENTAL RULES

1.1 Rendering Assistance. Every yacht shall render all possible assistance to any vessel or person in peril, when in a position to do so.

1.2 Competitors’ Responsibilities. It shall be the sole responsibility of each yacht to decide whether or not to start or to continue to race. By participating in a race conducted by the SSAA each competitor and yacht owner agrees, to be governed by the rules, to accept any penalties imposed or action taken in accordance with the rules as the final determination of any matter arising under the rules and, with respect to such a determination,not to resort to any court or tribunal not provided by the rules.

1.3 Fair Sailing. A yacht, her owner and crew shall compete only by fair sailing, using their speed and skill, by individual effort, in compliance with the rules and in accordance with recognised principles of fair play and sportsmanship within the context of short-handed sailing. The goals and challenges of racing short handed do not include close tactical encounters which may jeopardise safety of craft and crew and are thus inconsistent with the fundamental requirements of good seamanship.

1.4 Means of propulsion. No means of propulsion may be used during a race other than the force of the wind on sails and/or the manpower of the crew. No form of powered handling device may be used when the yacht is underway, regardless of the source of power, other than electrically powered self-steering systems, hydraulically operated stays and boom vangs, and pumps to fill, transfer, and exhaust water ballast. All sail handling must be performed by the manpower of the crew. Electronic navigation aids linked or interfaced with self-steering devices are allowed.

1.5 Accepting Penalties. A yacht that realizes she has infringed a rule while racing shall either retire promptly or accept an alternative penalty when so prescribed in the rules or sailing instructions.

1.6 Eligibility.

  • At least one crew member shall be a current financial member of the SSAA. If it is subsequently found that annual subscriptions have not been paid at the time of all or any one race, the results and any award to the yacht concerned for that/those races will be withdrawn.
  • Competitors shall comply with the SSAA’s competitor eligibility requirements as stated in the notice of race and shall compete only with eligible crewmembers.

    • 1.7 Insurance. The owner of a yacht entered in any race with the ssaa must have a current Public Liability and Third Party Property insurance policy with respect to the yacht in an amount of not less than $10million.

     

    SECTION 2.0 RULES WHEN YACHTS MEET

    These rules apply to yachts sailing in or near the racing area that intend to race, are racing, or have been racing, except when the rules or sailing instructions state that the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea or government right-of-way rules apply. However, a boat not racing shall not be penalized for breaking one of these rules, except rule 2.1.4.

      1. Primary Rules

    2.1.1 Avoiding Contact. Every yacht shall make every attempt to avoid contact with another yacht.

    2.1.2 Changing Course. When a right-of-way yacht changes course or speed, she shall give the other yacht room, time and opportunity to keep clear.

    2.1.3 Acquiring Right-of-Way. When a yacht acquires right of way, she shall initially allow the other yacht room time and opportunity to keep clear.

    2.1.4 Not Racing. A yacht not racing shall make every attempt to avoid interfering with a yacht that is racing.

    2.2 Right-of-Way Rules, Opposite Tacks

                        2.2.1 When yachts are on opposite tacks, the port tack yacht shall keep clear.

    2.2.2 When a starboard-tack yacht is within two of her hull lengths of a port-tack yacht she shall not change course (except to comply with Rule 2.1.1) if the port-tack yacht would then have to take additional action to keep clear.

    2.3 Right-of-Way Rules, Same Tack

    2.3.1 When yachts are on the same tack and overlapped, the windward yacht shall keep clear

    2.3.2 When yachts are on the same tack and not overlapped, the yacht clear astern shall keep clear.

    2.3.3 When two overlapped yachts on the same tack, working to windward, are within two of the longer yacht’s hull lengths of each other, the leeward yacht shall not sail above the proper course of the windward yacht.

    2.3.4 When two yachts on a free leg of the course are within two of the longer yacht’s hull lengths of each other, a yacht clear ahead or a windward yacht shall not sail below her proper course unless she gybes without interference to the other yacht.

    2.4 Tacking, Passing Marks and Obstructions & Other Rules.

    When this rule applies, rules 2.2 and 2.3 do not apply.

    2.4.1 Tacking. A yacht tacking shall keep clear of other yachts from the time she is past head to wind until she is on a close-hauled course.

    2.4.2 Passing a Mark or Obstruction. This rule applies at a mark or obstruction that yachts are to pass on the same side, but not at a starting mark or its anchor line, or to yachts on opposite tacks on a beat to windward.

    1. Overlapped. From the time an overlapped yacht comes within two of her hull lengths of a mark or obstruction until the inside yacht leaves it astern on her proper course, whether or not the yachts remain overlapped, the outside yacht shall give the inside yacht room to pass the mark or obstruction, and the inside yacht shall pass within that room. However, the inside yacht will not be entitled to room if the outside yacht was unable to give the room at the time the overlap began.

    2. Not Overlapped. From the time a yacht clear ahead comes within two of her hull lengths of a mark or obstruction until she leaves it astern, a yacht clear astern shall keep clear, provided the yacht clear ahead does not tack. If she does tack, rules 2.2 and 2.4.1 apply and rule 2.4.2 does not.

    3. Tacking At a Windward Mark. When two yachts are approaching a windward mark on opposite tacks and then one of them tacks within two of her hull lengths of the mark, the yacht that tacked

    1. is not entitled to room

    2. shall give room if the other yacht becomes overlapped inside her.

    This rule makes exceptions to rules 2.4.2.(i) and (ii)

    2.4.3 Tacking to Avoid an Obstruction. Except at an obstruction that is a starting mark and its anchor line, when safety requires a close-hauled yacht to make a substantial course change to clear an obstruction, and when she intends to tack but does not have room to tack and clear another yacht on the same tack, she shall hail for room to tack. The hailed yacht shall immediately either give such room, in which case the hailing yacht shall tack as soon as possible, or hail "You tack", in which case the hailing yacht shall immediately tack and the hailed yacht shall give the required room.

    2.4.4 Taking a Penalty. A yacht taking a penalty shall keep clear of all other yachts.

    2.4.5 Aground, Anchored or Rescuing. Unless unable to do so, a yacht shall keep clear of a yacht that is aground, anchored, or attempting to help a vessel or person in danger.

     

    3.0 OTHER SAILING RULES

    3.1 Sailing the Course. A yacht shall start and finish only as prescribed in the sailing instructions. Failure of a yacht to see or hear the signals shall not relieve her of her obligation to start correctly. A yacht shall sail the course so as to round or pass each mark on the required side and in the correct sequence.

    3.2 Touching a Mark. A yacht shall not touch a mark or cause a mark or mark vessel to shift to avoid being touched. Where a yacht infringes this rule she may exonerate herself by, as soon as possible sailing well clear of other yachts and, while remaining clear, make one complete 360 degree turn including one tack and one gybe.

    3.3 Outside Assistance

    (i) While underway no physical contact may be made nor may material assistance be provided other than the passing of written messages or medical supplies by another vessel or aircraft.

    (ii) During the race a yacht may anchor or moor for any purpose and while anchored or moored, persons other than the crew may come on board and stores or equipment may be embarked and repairs effected.

    (iii) While racing,to effect anchoring or mooring, a yacht may be towed for a distance not exceeding two miles into and not exceeding two miles out of any anchorage or harbour, provided the total result of such towage is reported at the end of the race and can be shown not to have advanced the yacht towards the finish of that leg. The acceptance of a tow for more than two miles will disqualify the yacht from that race.

    (iv) Yachts must sail the course independently and may not deliberately escort each other or arrange any escort other than what may prove necessary in an emergency.

    (v) Externally sourced individualised routing information is prohibited.
      1. Fog Signals and Lights. When safe pilotage requires, every yacht shall make sound signals and exhibit lights as required by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and/or any applicable (local) government rules.

     

     

      1. Gross Infringement of Rules or Misconduct. The Committee of the SSAA may call a hearing when it has reasonable grounds for believing that a competitor has committed a gross infringement of the rules or a gross breach of good manners or sportsmanship. When the SSAA Committee finds that there has been a gross infringement of the rules, it may exclude a competitor and a yacht when appropriate from further participation in SSAA races.

     

    4.0 PROTESTS

    4.1 General

    4.1.1 Protests will be heard and will be treated with concern by the committee.

    4.1.2 Right to Protest. A yacht can protest any other yacht.

    4.1.3 Informing The Protested Yacht. During a race, a yacht that is involved in an incident and intends to protest shall immediately, or at the earliest opportunity, inform the other yacht by hailing "PROTEST".

    4.1.4 Protest Flag Requirements. During a race, a yacht intending to protest another yacht shall conspicuously display Code Flag "B". The flag shall be displayed at the first reasonable opportunity which normally is immediately after the incident.

    (i) The flag shall be displayed until the yacht finishes.

    (ii) In the the case of a yacht sailed single-handed, it will be sufficient to display the flag at the first reasonable opportunity after the incident.

    4.1.5  Exception To Protest Requirements. A yacht may protest another yacht without having displayed a protest flag or hailed when the yacht has no knowledge of the facts justifying a protest until it has finished.

    4.1.6 Particulars To Be Included. A protest by a yacht shall be in writing and be signed by the owner or the owner’s representative and include the following:

    (i) the identity of the yacht being protested;

    (ii) the date, time and whereabouts of the incident;

    (iii) the particular rule or rules alleged to have been infringed;

    (iv) a description of the incident;

    (v) if relevant, a diagram of the incident.

    4.1.7 Time Limit. A protesting yacht shall lodge the protest with the Race Committee in accordance with the Sailing Instructions for that particular race.

     Request for Redress. A yacht that alleges that its finishing place in a race or series has been materially prejudiced through no fault of its own by:

    (i) an improper action or omission of the SSAA Committee;

    (ii)rendering assistance in accordance with Fundamental Rule 1.1;

    (iii) being physically damaged by another vessel that was required to keep clear;

    (iv) a yacht infringing Fundamental Rule 1.3;

    may request redress from the Protest Committee.

     

    4.2 Protest Procedure

    4.2.1 Requirement for a hearing. A yacht shall not be penalised without a hearing.

    4.2.2 Notification of Parties. The parties to a protest shall be notified by the comittee of the time and place of the hearing and copies of the protest shall be made available to them.

    4.2.3 Right to be Present. The parties to the protest or a representative of each shall have the right to be present throughout the hearing of all the evidence and to question witnesses.

    4.2.4 Acceptance or Refusal of a Protest. The Protest Committee shall decide whether or not all requirements for a valid protest have been met. as required under 4.0. If so, the protest is valid and the Protest Committee shall continue the hearing. If not, the protest is invalid and shall be refused but such a decision shall not be reached without giving the protesting party an opportunity to bring evidence that all requirements have been met.

    4.2.5 Taking of Evidence. The Protest Committee shall take the evidence of the parties to the protest and of their witnesses and any other evidence it considers necessary.

    4.2.6 Evidence of Committee Member. Any member of the Protest Committee who speaks of his own observation of the incident shall give his evidence as a witness in the presence of the parties to the protest and may be questioned.

    4.2.7 Failure to Attend. Failure on the part of any party to the protest to make an effort to attend the hearing may justify the Protest Committee in deciding the protest as it thinks fit without a full hearing.

    4.3 Decisions and Penalties

    4.3.1 Finding of Facts. The Protest Committee shall determine the facts and base its decision upon them.

    4.3.2 Penalties and Exoneration. When the Protest Committee after finding the facts decides that:

    (i) a yacht has infringed any rules;

    (ii) as a consequence of its infringement of any rules, a yacht has compelled any other yachts to infringe any rules;

    it shall be disqualified, unless the Sailing Instructions provide some other penalty or, in a case within (ii), the other yacht is exonerated.

    4.3.3 The Decision. After making its decision, the Protest Committee shall communicate the following to the parties to the protest:

    (i) the facts found;

    (ii) the rule or rules judged applicable;

    (iii) the decision and the grounds on which it is based;

    (iv) the yacht or yachts penalised;

    (v) the penalty imposed or the redress granted.

     

    5.0 DEFINITIONS

    5.1 Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap. One yacht is clear astern of another when her hull and equipment in normal position are behind an imaginary line abeam from the aftermost point of the other’s hull and equipment in normal position. The other yacht is clear ahead. They overlap when neither is clear astern or when a boat between them overlaps both. The terms "clear astern", "clear ahead", and "overlap" apply to yachts on opposite tacks only when rule 2.4 applies.

    5.2 Keeping Clear. One yacht keeps clear of another yacht so that the other yacht is not obstructed.

    5.3 Leeward and Windward. A yacht’s leeward side is the side on which she is or, when head to wind, was carrying her mainsail. The other side is her windward side. When two yachts on the same tack overlap, the one on the leeward side of the other is the leeward yacht. The other is the windward yacht.

    5.4 Mark. A mark is any object the Sailing Instructions require a yacht to pass on a specified side. Its anchor line and objects attached accidently or temporarily are not part of it.

    5.5 Obstruction. An obstruction is any object large enough to require a yacht sailing directly toward it and one of her hull lengths from it to make a substantial change of course to pass it, or that can be safely passed on only one side. The Sailing Instructions may define a specified area as an obstruction.

    5.6 Proper Course. A yacht’s proper course is a course she would sail to finish as soon as possible in the absence of other yachts referred to in the applicable rule. A yacht has no proper course before her starting signal.

    5.7 Racing. A yacht is racing from her preparatory signal until either she has finished and cleared the finishing line and marks or retired, or the race committee has signalled a general recall, postponement or abandonment.

    5.8 Room. Room is the space a yacht needs to manoeuvre in a seamanlike manner in the prevailing conditions, including space to tack or gybe when necessary.

    5.9 Tack, Starboard or Port. A yacht is on the tack, starboard or port, corresponding to her windward side.

    5.10 Taking a Penalty. A yacht taking a penalty when she is sailing toward the pre-start side of the starting line or its extensions after her starting signal or is making an alternative penalty. as provided in the Sailing Instructions.