Bone Island Regatta 2024 A Boat of the Year Race May 15-18, 2024 Sailing Instructions For All Starts
Notice of Correction in the Sailing Instructions.
The SIs read: Multi hull scores will be calculated using WFPHRF ratings and time on time formula.
Should read: Multi hull scores will be calculated using WFPHRF rating and time on distance.
1.Rules 1.1 The Regatta shall be governed by the ‘rules’ as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS).
2.Changes to RRS. 2.1 RRS A3 is modified to allow a time limit for late starts prior to being scored ‘Did Not Start’. 2.2 RRS 29.1 and 41 have been modified so that the OCS vessels may be hailed and or assessed a penalty if they do not re-start properly.
2.3 RRS 41 is changed so that the race committee may make certain communications with the competitors in regard to starting and finishing.
2.4 RRS 34 (US Sailing prescription) is modified to further define the finish line if the race committee is absent. 2.5 RRS 35 is changed to allow a time limit in which all boats must finish. 2.6 RRS 44.3 is changed to allow a penalty of elapsed time rather than the number of places. 2.7 RRS 61.3 is added to by requiring a protesting boat to notify the race committee by VHF of her Intention to protest at the time she finishes. 2.8 RRS A2 is amended so that no races are excluded. 3. Entries 3.1 Eligible boats may be entered by completing the entry form and delivering it along with the required supporting documents prior to or at the applicable Skippers Meeting.
3.3 Cruising Class entries intending to use cruising spinnakers per WFPHRF Class Rules shall notify the race committee in writing prior to or on May 8, 2024. 3.4 Minimum of one (1) boats to make a class. If fewer than three (3) entries received in any class, those entries may be combined into another class. 3.5 A division of classes may be dictated by the number of entries received. Divisions will be assigned based on a combination of rating, displacement and sailing characteristics of each boat. 3.6 SPOT is a requirement of this race. PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO TURN IT ON EACH MORNING. Extra batteries might be a good idea.
4.Notice to Competitors and Signals Made Ashore. 4.1 Applicable notices will be posted on the Official Board at Sarasota Sailing Squadron in Sarasota and on the official board in Key West, at the race headquarters – Hyatt Resort. 4.2 The Sailing instructions will be available at registration. The official Sailing Instructions are those made available at the respective Skippers Meetings. 4.3 When flag AP is displayed ashore,’1 minute’ is replaced with not less than 3 minutes. 5. Racing Area and Schedule 5.1 In Venice on May 15th, in the Gulf of Mexico, just West of Jetties, between “R2” and the committee boat, the first warning will be at 1150. In Tampa - this start CANCELED.
6. Class Flags 6.1 Class flag colors are: Spinnaker-Purple, Non-Spinnaker-Brown, True Cruising A - Blue, True Cruising B Green, and Multi-hull –Pink.
7. The Courses 7.1 The Sarasota to Key West Race shall begin just west of Venice Jetties. Between Committee boat and “R2”. Leave all coastal government marks including Smith Shoal Light to port thence to Key West Northwest Channel sea buoy ‘1’ F1 G 2.5 sec bell, leaving it to port, thence southeasterly along Northwest Channel. When reaching green G ‘17’ and green G ‘19’ South of Tank Island leave them to port. Proceed on to the finish line between R “24” leaving it to port and an orange and white checkered flag on the dock at Hyatt Marina and Resort, leaving it to starboard. The rated course and distance is 158 nautical miles. The Tampa to Key West Race has been canceled.
8. Check-In 8.1 Prior to the first warning signal in Venice, each boat shall check in by sailing past the stern of the race committee signal boat on the starboard tack, and hail her sail number and class which will be acknowledged by the race committee. All crew must be wearing his or her life jacket at check in. It is up to the Captain’s discretion as to the length of time they should be worn.
8.2 It is the responsibility of each boat to make certain she has been identified. 8.3 Mono-hull boats will display the class streamer from her backstay at all times while racing. Multi-hulls shall display the streamer from the starboard shroud. 9. Communication 9.2 Boats are urged to monitor VHF Channel 72 as the race committee may attempt to give competitors advance warning of upcoming starting sequences, schedules and OCS boats. This changes RRS 41. 9.2 The failure of the race committee to make, or the failure of a boat to hear any transmissions shall not be grounds for granting redress. This changes RRS 62.1
10. TRACKING
10.1 All boats are required to carry a “SPOT” race tracking device or equivalent in accordance with the Notice of Race and Race Conditions. Failure to carry the tracker, failure to enable the tracker, or disabling the tracker during the race may result in disqualification.
10.2 SPOT TRACKING OF ALL BOATS PROVIDED BY Kattack Live will be used for public viewing and public media purposes. Information from the tracking system shall not be used as evidence, or be used as a basis for a protest or protester request for redress by either the Race Committee or a boat, although the Protest Jury may use available information from the system at their discretion. This changes RRS 60.1 and 60.2.
10.3 SPOT MUST BE TURNED ON EVERY 24 HOURS. RESTART YOUR SPOT EVERY MORNING. SPOT SUGGESTS LITHIUM BATTERIES, AND IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE AN EXTRA SET. 11. The Start 11.1 The starting line in Venice will be west of the Jetties, between the Committee boat and “R2”.
The starting line in Tampa is canceled.
11.2 The start will be conducted as per RRS 26.
11.3 A boat not starting within ten (10) minutes of the start of her class shall be scored “Did Not Start” unless she reports her intention to start to the race committee signal boat on VHF Channel 72. The race committee may give her permission to start. The race committee will remain on station for ten (10) minutes after the last class starts. This changes RRS A 4.2 11.4 A boat that is on the course side of the starting signal and who fails to start properly will have thirty (30) minutes added to her elapsed finish time providing she is five (5) or fewer minutes early. If more than five (5) minutes early she shall be scored “Did Not Start. This changes RRS29.1
12. The Finish 12.1 ALL BOATS SHALL CONTACT THE RACE COMMITTEE ON VHF CHANNEL 72 WHEN ENTERING NORTHWEST CHANNEL AND AGAIN WHEN ABEAM OF TANK ISLAND IN KEY WEST. IN THE EVENT, RADIO CONTACT CANNOT BE MADE, CALL ALICE PETRAT AT 941-232-3635. EACH BOAT SHALL IDENTIFY HERSELF AND HER INTENTIONS TO FINISH. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN A SCORE OF ‘DID NOT FINISH’. 12.2 The finish line in Key West will be R “24” FL R 4 sec. to port, and a staff displaying an orange and white checkered flag on the dock of the Hyatt Resort and Marina starboard. 12.3 EACH BOAT SHALL ENSURE THAT SHE IS PROPERLY IDENTIFIED WHEN FINISHING AT NIGHT OR IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. AT NIGHT, EACH BOAT SHALL ILLUMINATE HER SAIL NUMBER. IF RADIO CONTACT IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED SHE SHALL COME WITHIN HAILING DISTANCE OF THE RACE COMMITTEE TO CONFIRM HER IDENTIFICATION UNTIL SHE MAKES CERTAIN SHE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED.
12.4 In the absence of the race committee, a boat shall take her own time upon finishing and shall record the sail number of the boat immediately ahead and astern. The boat shall report her finishing time and other information to the race committee as soon as possible. A boat taking her own time in Key West shall pass within fifty (50) yards of the finish mark. R “24” FL R 4 s and record her time when the mark bears 280 degrees to port from the bow of the vessel. This changes RRS 44.3 C and RRS A. 13. Penalty System 13.1 A boat that takes a scoring penalty shall be assessed a penalty of two (2 ) hours added to her elapsed time. This changes RR 44.3 C and RRS A. 14. Time Limits 14.1 All boats racing from Venice to Key West, and not arriving by 1400 on Friday May 17th shall be scored “Did Not Finish”. This modifies RRS 35 and A 4.1.
15. Protests and Requests for Redress 15.1 A boat intending to protest shall report upon finishing to the race committee on VHF Channel 72, clearly identifying the infringing boat and await acknowledgement. This adds to RRS 61.2.14.2 15.2 Protests forms will be available in Key West at the finish line or by calling Alice. F. Petrat at 941-232-3635. Protests shall be delivered to Alice Petrat of the race committee within one hour after crossing the finish line in Key West. 15.3 Notices will be posted within thirty (30) minutes of the protest time to inform competitors of hearings in which they are parties or named witnesses. As soon thereafter as practicable, hearings in Key West will be held at the Hyatt. 15.4 The Principal Race Officer for this Regatta is Ken D’Agostino.
16. Scoring 16.1 Corrected times will be calculated for the Mono-hulls using time distance based on the boat’s WFPHRF “OWC” rating. Multi-hull scores will be calculated using the WFPHRF rating and time on time formula.
17. Safety Regulations 17.1 BOATS WITHDRAWING FROM THE RACE TO KEYWEST SHALL CALL THE RACE COMMITTEE ON VHF CHANNEL 72. IF A VESSEL CAN NOT MAKE THE VHF RADIO CONTACT, SHE SHALL NOTIFY Alice F. Petratat 941-232-3635.
18. Special Rules 18.1 Sarasota Yacht Club, Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Venice Yacht Club and all participating commercial facilities do not accept loss of life or injury to participants or others for the loss or damage to any vessel in any way or from any cause during or related to this race. It shall be the sole and exclusive responsibility of the skipper to decide whether to start or continue in the race. 18.2 The safety of the boat and her crew is the sole inescapable responsibility of the skipper who shall insure that the boat is fully found thoroughly seaworthy and manned by an experienced crew who are physically fit. The skipper of the boat shall be satisfied as to the soundness of the hull, spars, rigging, sails and gear; shall insure that all equipment is properly maintained and stowed and that the skipper and crew know where it is kept and how to use it. The skipper shall make certain that his boat meets the current requirements of WFPHRF, and the US Coast Guard and shall comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea when applicable.
18.3 Competitors compete in this regatta entirely at their own risk. See RRS 4, Decision to Race. The organizing authority, host clubs, sponsors, their associates and appointees 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. 19. Prizes 19.1 Trophies will be awarded at the awards dinner at Salty Frogs on May 18, 2024. Specialty prizes may also be given.