1 RULES

Racing will be governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), the prescriptions of the RYA, the appropriate class rules, and these sailing instructions.

2 ENTRIES

The safety of a boat and her entire management, including insurance, shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/competitor racing the boat, who must ensure that the boat and crew are adequate to face the conditions that may arise in the course of the race. These sailing instructions do not in any way limit or reduce the absolute responsibility of the owner/competitor for his or her crew and boat and the management thereof. The race organisers shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, personal injury or death, howsoever caused, to the owner/competitor, his/her skipper or crew, as a result of their taking part in the race, or races. Moreover, every owner/competitor warrants the suitability of his/her boat for the race or races.

2.1 Eligibility requirements for boats are as set out in RRS 78 (Compliance with Class Rules; Certificates).

All boats are also required to have a valid Certificate of Insurance with minimum of £2 million third party indemnity. Under exceptional circumstances, and provided that class rules allow, the race committee may permit a boat to use sails carrying a distinguishing number other than that required by RRS Appendix G.

2.2 Eligibility requirements for competitors are:

- for club events, to be paid up members of Tamesis Club and to have signed on for the race.

- for open events, to have completed and had accepted an entry form and paid the required fee.

Attention is drawn to RRS 75 (Entering a Race).

2.3 Personal Buoyancy

Adequate personal buoyancy must be worn:

- by all crew members whilst afloat during the period 1st November to 31st March.

- by all persons under 18 years whilst afloat at any time.

- by all crew members when the lifejacket signal (International Code Flag Y) is displayed on the mast above the starting box.

Under all other circumstances it is the personal responsibility of crew members to decide whether to wear personal buoyancy. Neither a wet suit nor a dry suit constitute adequate personal buoyancy.

Attention is drawn to Fundamental Rule 1.2 (Life-Saving Equipment and Personal Buoyancy) and RRS Rule 4 (Decision to Race).

2.4 Rescue

The priority of rescue boats is the safety of competitors and the club cannot accept responsibility for damage to boats or equipment.

3 NOTICES TO COMPETITORS

Notices to competitors will be posted on a board inside the Clubhouse.

4 CHANGES IN SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Any changes in sailing instructions will be posted at least 30 minutes before the advertised starting time of the race or races concerned. Changes in the Sailing Instructions will be indicated by displaying International Code Flag L. Flag L will not be lowered until after the start of the last race to which the changes apply.

5 SIGNALS MADE ASHORE

Signals made ashore will be hoisted on the flagpole located above the starting box in use.

International Code Flag Answering Pennant with two sound signals (one sound signal when lowered) means the race is postponed. The warning signal will be made not less than one minute after the Answering Pennant is lowered.

6 SCHEDULE OF RACES

Starting times will be published either in the Sailing Programme, Open Meeting Notice or Regatta Notice.

7 CLASS FLAGS

Class International Code Flag

Merlin Rocket                          O                             

Laser     Numeral Pennant No.  8         

National 18                             R                             

Firefly                                     F                             

International Cadet                  Y                          

Handicap                               U                            

8 RACING AREA

Limit to Navigation - no boat shall sail between Steven's Eyot and the Surrey Bank.

9 THE COURSE

Racing will usually take place between Teddington Weir and Kingston Railway Bridge. The course to be sailed (indicated by a letter), the direction of rounding marks (where applicable) and the number of laps, shall be displayed for each race on the starting box at the warning signal.

An appendix to these instructions lists the courses that can be sailed, and the course identification letters.

The direction of rounding marks shall be indicated as follows:

RED triangle leave to PORT

GREEN diamond leave to STARBOARD

If appropriate, a diagram of the course will be displayed on a board in the Clubhouse or outside the starting box. This will always apply when Course X is set.

10 MARKS

The course rounding marks shall be pole buoys each surmounted by a flag as follows:

Name of Mark                Flag

Lensbury                     International Code Flag     J                     

Canbury                      International Code Flag     X                     

Cadet                         International Code Flag     Y                     

Club                           Tamesis Club Burgee                          

Optimist                     International Code Flag     Q                     

Trowlock                     International Code Flag     M                    

Inner Distance             International Code Flag     L                     

11 THE START

11.1 Starting Procedure

The starting procedure will be as in RRS 26 (Starting Races):

Signal Flag and sound      Minutes before start

Warning Class flag; 1 sound; 5 minutes

Preparatory P with black flag when needed; 1 sound; 4 minutes

One-minute Preparatory flag removed; 1 long sound; 1 minute

Starting Class flag removed; 1 sound; 0 minutes

The warning signal for each succeeding class will be made with or after the starting signal for the preceding class.

11.2 Starting Lines

An orange flag will be flown above the starting box to indicate which starting line is being used.

11.2.1 The Clubhouse - the line is indicated by the alignment of two spars: one mounted on top of the starter's box surmounted by a St Andrew's Cross and a second spar mounted behind the starting box surmounted by a triangle.

11.2.2 The Smithy - the line is indicated by the alignment of two spars mounted behind the starting box: one surmounted by a St Andrew's Cross and a second spar surmounted by a triangle.

A pole buoy carrying International Code Flag L may be laid on or near the starting line close to the Middlesex bank when the Smithy line is being used. At both the start and finish, all boats must pass between this mark and the Surrey bank.

11.2.3 Committee Boat - the starting line is defined as the line between a mast bearing an orange flag on the committee boat and an outer pole buoy.

For committee boat starts a limit mark carrying International Code Flag L may be laid adjacent to the committee boat. This is a mark of the course and must be passed on the same side as the committee boat that it guards. No boat may pass between a limit mark and the committee boat which it guards after the first signal of the starting sequence.

A notice to competitors will be posted in the Clubhouse if a committee boat start is to be used.

11.3 Boats in classes whose warning signal has not been made shall keep clear of the starting area and of all boats whose preparatory signal has been made. Boats failing to keep clear may be disqualified without protest from their race.

11.4 A boat shall not start later than 15 minutes after her starting signal.

11.5 RRS 29.1 (Individual Recall)

For open meetings individual recalls will be signalled by hoisting International Code Flag X with one sound signal. For Club races the Class Flag will be left at the half drop. Where possible, the sail numbers of any boats over the line will be hailed.

11.6 RRS 29.2 (General Recall)

When at the starting signal the race committee is unable to identify boats that are on the course side of the starting line, or when there has been an error in the starting procedure, the race committee may signal a general recall (display the First Substitute with two sounds). 

In the event of a general recall during a series of consecutive starts, the recalled class or classes will be restarted at the end of the start sequence. The preparatory signal for the first recalled class will be displayed at the starting signal for the last scheduled start. When more than one class is recalled, the restarts will be in the same order as the original sequence and at the same five minute intervals.

In the case of a general recall for a single start, the preparatory signal will be raised one minute after the First Substitute is lowered.

11.7 After a general recall, RRS 30.3 (Black Flag Rule) may be implemented at the discretion of the Race Officer. This disqualifies any boat “in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the minute before her starting signal”.

12 MARK BOATS

Mark boats will not be used unless stipulated in the specific instructions for the event.

13 CHANGE OF COURSE AFTER THE START

Course marks may be moved during a race. In this event, marks will only be moved under one of the following conditions:

- no boat in a particular race has yet rounded the mark.

- if any boat in a particular race has rounded the mark, all boats in the same race must have completed their rounding of the mark on the same lap before the mark is moved.

A change of course will be signalled near the mark beginning the leg being changed by a committee boat that will display Code Flag C, accompanied by a sound signal. The change will be signalled before the leading boat has begun the new leg.

14 THE FINISH

14.1 Finishing Lines

The finishing line is the same as the start line unless special instructions have been issued to the contrary.

14.2 Shortening Course

International Code Flag S, flown together with the Class Flag, will indicate a shortened course. Competitors’ attention will be drawn to the flags by two long sound signals. The shorten course signal will be made when the leading boat has rounded what has become the last mark of the course or, if this is not in sight of the finishing box, when the leading boat comes in sight of the box.

14.3 Order of Finishing and Lapping Rule

Once the leading boat has finished, all other boats in the same race shall finish when they next cross the finishing line in the same direction as the leading boat. Lapped boats will be awarded finishing positions following those boats which have completed the same number of laps as the leading boat.

In handicap races finishing times will be recorded for all boats and an average lap time will be calculated for each boat. Places will be awarded according to average lap times.

14.4 Declarations

Declarations are not required.

Helms of retired boats must inform the Race Officer of their retirement at the earliest opportunity.

15 TIME LIMIT

Time limits will not normally be used. However, an overall time limit may be imposed at the discretion of the Officer of the Day (OOD). In this event, a notification shall be posted on the notice board in the Clubhouse prior to the start of the race. RRS 35 (Time Limit and Scores) is amended so that the race will be valid for only those boats finishing within the time limit. When a time limit is set the lapping rule SI 14.3 does not apply.

When no boat finishes within the time limit, the race will be abandoned. When only one class is affected, the abandonment signal will be flown above the class flag.

16 PROTESTS

Protests shall be submitted on an RYA protest form obtainable from the Officer of the Day. They must be lodged with the OOD within 30 minutes after the last boat finishes. No deposit is required. The Race Committee may, in special circumstances, extend the time limit for lodging a protest.

Whenever possible, protests shall be heard on the same day. The time and place of the hearing will be advised by the OOD.

17 SCORING

17.1 RRS Appendix A (Scoring): The Low Point System will apply.

Each boat starting and finishing in a race, and not thereafter retiring or being disqualified, will be scored points as follows:

1st 1

2nd 2

3rd 3

4th 4

for each place thereafter add one point.

17.2 For regattas and short series all other boats will score points for the finishing place one more than the number of boats entered in the series.

17.3 For Club series races boats not so scored that came to the starting area, will be scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of boats that came to the starting area. Boats that did not come the starting area will not be scored. This amends RRS A5 (Scores Determined by the Race Committee).

For Club aggregate and handicap series, the number of races to count will normally be half the number completed. However, class captains may, with the approval of the Sailing Committee, reduce this number if circumstances warrant it.

Series points are the points gained by a single helm sailing a single boat throughout the series. If the helm changes his or her boat part way through the series, the points will go with the helm and not with the boat. Not more than one change of boat is normally allowed per series.

18 PENALTIES

18.1 Touching a Mark - RRS 31.2 will not apply. The following shall apply instead:

a) When a boat infringes RRS 31.1, she may exonerate herself by completing the rounding of the mark, leaving it on the required side and thereafter re-rounding it or re-passing it without touching it. This shall be as required to sail the course in accordance with RRS 28 (Sailing the Course) and the sailing instructions.

b) When a boat touches:

i) A starting mark (after the Preparatory signal), she shall carry out the re-rounding after she has started.

ii) A finishing mark (when finishing but before the boat, spars and equipment have cleared the finishing line), she shall carry out the re-rounding and cross the finishing line in accordance with the definition of finishing.

18.2 Alternative Penalties: RRS 44.3 (Scoring Penalty), and 44.4 (Limits on Penalties) will not apply.

19 PRIZES

Club Aggregate and Handicap Series - the number of prizes to be awarded shall be the square root of the number of qualifying helms, rounded up to the next whole number.

Club Open Trophies, Open Meetings and Regattas - the number of prizes to be awarded shall be the square root of the number of entries, rounded up to the next whole number.

20 VISITORS

All competitors and guests, if not already members of Tamesis Club, shall be deemed to be temporary members during the period of the Open Meeting, and as such, shall abide by all Club Rules. Their attention is drawn to Club Rule 26 "Limitation of Club's Liability" which states:

Members of the club, their guests and visitors, may use the club premises and any other facilities of the club entirely at their own risk and impliedly accept that:

(i) The club will not accept any liability for any damage to or loss of property belonging to Members, their guests or visitors to the club.

(ii) The club will not accept any liability for personal injury arising out of the use of the club premises, and any other facilities of the club, or out of participation in any race organised by the club, whether sustained by Members, their guests or visitors, or caused by the said Members, guests or visitors, whether or not such death or injury could have been attributed to or was occasioned by the neglect, default or negligence of any of the officers, committee or servants or Members of the club.

(iii) Before inviting any guests or visitors onto the premises or to participate in events organised by the club, Members will draw their attention to this rule.

21 CAR PARKING

Cars are not permitted in the dinghy park. Boats and their trailers/trolleys must be removed to the dinghy park immediately after unloading in the car park.

22 DOGS

Dogs must be kept under control at all times. They are not permitted in the club buildings.

A Downstream to LENSBURY, to CLUB. Upstream finish. On the last leg of the course to finish, CLUB is not a mark of the course.

B Downstream to CADET, to CLUB. Upstream finish. On the last leg of the course to finish, CLUB is not a mark of the course.

C Downstream to CADET, to CANBURY to starting line. Downstream finish.

D Upstream to CANBURY, to CADET to starting line. Upstream finish.

E Upstream to CANBURY, to LENSBURY, to CLUB (end of first round). To LENSBURY to CLUB (end of subsequent rounds). Upstream finish. On the last leg of the course to finish, CLUB is not a mark of the course.

F Downstream to LENSBURY, to CADET. Upstream finish. On the last leg of the course to finish, CADET is not a mark of the course.

G Upstream to CANBURY, to LENSBURY to CADET (end of first round). To LENSBURY to CADET (end of subsequent rounds). Upstream finish. On the last leg of the course to finish, CADET is not a mark of the course.

H Upstream to CANBURY, to CADET. Downstream finish. On the last leg of the course from CANBURY to finish, CADET is not a mark of the course. CADET should be positioned UPSTREAM of Stevens Eyot.

J Downstream to LENSBURY, to CADET, to LENSBURY, to CLUB. Upstream finish. On the last leg of the course from LENSBURY to finish, CLUB is not a mark of the course.

K Downstream to LENSBURY, to CANBURY, to starting line.

L Upstream to CANBURY to LENSBURY to starting line.

M Downstream to LENSBURY (leave to STARBOARD), to CADET, (leave to STARBOARD), to CLUB (leave to PORT) to CANBURY (leave to PORT).

O Downstream to LENSBURY (leave to PORT), to CLUB (leave to PORT), to CADET (leave to STARBOARD), to CANBURY (leave to STARBOARD).

P Upstream to CANBURY (leave to PORT), to LENSBURY (leave to STARBOARD), to CADET (leave to STARBOARD), to CLUB (leave to PORT).

S Upstream to CANBURY (leave to STARBOARD), to LENSBURY (leave to PORT), to CLUB (leave to PORT), to CADET (leave to STARBOARD).

MX Downstream to LENSBURY (leave to STARBOARD), to CADET (leave to STARBOARD), to CLUB (leave to PORT), to TROWLOCK (leave to STARBOARD), to OPTIMIST (leave to PORT) to CANBURY (leave to PORT).

OX Downstream to LENSBURY (leave to PORT), to CLUB, (leave to PORT), to CADET, (leave to STARBOARD), to OPTIMIST (leave to PORT), to TROWLOCK (leave to STARBOARD), to CANBURY (leave to STARBOARD).

PX Upstream to CANBURY (leave to PORT), to LENSBURY (leave to STARBOARD), to CADET (leave to STARBOARD), to CLUB (leave to PORT), to TROWLOCK (leave to STARBOARD), to OPTIMIST (leave to PORT).

SX Upstream to CANBURY (leave to STARBOARD), to LENSBURY (leave to PORT), to CLUB (leave to PORT), to CADET (leave to STARBOARD), to OPTIMIST (leave to PORT), to TROWLOCK (leave to STARBOARD).

X Special course. Details will be displayed at the Box or in the Clubhouse.

NATIONAL 18

Lobb Cup Easter Regatta

Eighteen Cup Open Meeting, usually in the Autumn

Claude Russell Cup Single race on Saturday afternoon of Open Meeting

Langdon Down Cup Summer points trophy

Peter Fayers Cup Summer personal handicap trophy

18 Barometer Boxing Day

MERLIN ROCKET

Merlin Trophy Easter Regatta

Bridger Cup Summer points trophy

Merlin Handicap Summer handicap trophy

Black Mark Winter series trophy

Merlin Winter Handicap Winter handicap trophy

Geoff Cooper Trophy Single race combined with the last race of the Winter series. The leading boat must sail for not less than one-and-a-half hours unless the race officer decides that special circumstances prevail

Restless Trophy Sailed for on the first Sunday of Salcombe Merlin Week

Autumn Regatta Cup Best result in Autumn Regatta

Merlin Cannon Awarded annually by the class captain to a vintage/classic Merlin. Cannot be won by same helm in consecutive years

Susan's Sword Boxing Day - 1st prize

Samurai Sword Boxing Day - 2nd prize

Pistol Boxing Day - 3rd prize

LASER

Brian Evans Cup Easter Regatta

Laser Frostbite Mug Winter series

Laser Shield Summer points series

Reilly Cup Summer handicap

Laser Barometer Open meeting

Laser Pot Boxing Day

FIREFLY

Badder Cup Easter Regatta

Single-handed Trophy Single-handed event

Elizabeth Cup Open meeting

Firefly Mug Winter points series

Hampton Trophy Winter handicap series

Knowles Bowl Summer points series

Firefly Chalice Summer handicap series

Firefly Fiddle Boxing Day

INTERNATIONAL CADET

Trowlock Trophy Easter Regatta

Munster Cup Open Meeting

Dappler Trophy Single-handed event

Winter Mug Winter series

Southcott Cup Summer series

Vines Trophy Best Tamesis Cadet at Cadet Week

John Collier Trophy Most improved helm

Murray Vines Cup Up River Race

Cadet Paddle Boxing Day

OFFSHORE

Offshore Cup Annual Offshore Race (Jack’s Trip)

Seacock Trophy Awarded at the Vice Commodore’s Dinner by the Society of Ancient Tamesis Mariners to the Offshore Group yacht whose crew commit the greatest faux pas during the annual Offshore Race and Rally.

THAMES A RATERS

Yates Cup Single race on a Saturday in September

Braganza Bowl Best three of four races (including Yates Cup) sailed on a Saturday and Sunday in September

ALL CLASSES

Saga Trophy Thursday evening handicap series May/June

G W Smith Trophy Thursday evening handicap series July/Aug

Baker Cup Ladies’ race held on a Thursday evening in summer

Centenary Cup Pursuit event. Aggregate of 2 x 2 hour races held in summer

Burnett Challenge Trophy Handicap pursuit held in summer

RNLI Burgees Awarded to winner of the race on RNLI day

Uffa’s Spoon Awarded at the Vice Commodore's Dinner to the person who, in the opinion of the current holder, commits the greatest faux pas during the previous year

SERPENTINE CUP Inter-club invitation team trophy sailed in March

BURGEE TROPHY Team racing between Thames SC, Minima YC and Tamesis

GENETTA PLATE Team race between the Royal Canoe Club and Tamesis

22.12.05