Download a printable copy of the 2012 Season NOR & SIs 

NOTICE OF RACE AND SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
2012 SEASON 
Organizing Authority

MARBLEHEAD RACING ASSOCIATION
Marblehead, MA USA

1.    Rules.  Racing will be governed by The Racing Rules of Sailing 2009-2012 (RRS), and this Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions (NRSI).

2.    Entries.  MRA events are open to any eligible one-design boat upon completion of registration with the Marblehead Racing Association and payment of the applicable fee.  The skipper of each boat must be a member of US Sailing.  Boats that fail to register or pay properly will be scored DNC for the day without a hearing (see NRSI 18.2) (changes RRS 63.1 and RRS A5).

3.    Notices to Competitors.  Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice boards located at the Yardarm of the Boston Yacht Club, in the hallway near the trophy room of the Corinthian Yacht Club, and near the front desk of the Eastern Yacht Club. Notices may also be posted at http://www.mheadrace.org.

4.    Changes to this NRSI.  Any change to this NRSI will be posted before 0800 on the day it will take effect, except that any change in the schedule of races will be posted by 1800 on the Sunday before it will take effect.

5.    Signals Made Ashore.  Signals made ashore* will be displayed from the yardarms at Boston, Corinthian and Eastern Yacht Clubs.

*Competitors are encouraged to monitor VHF Channel 78 for announcements regarding postponed or abandoned races and any change in starting area.  Announcements may be made after flag/sound signals and on approximately the hour and half-hour.

6.    Schedule of Races.

NOTE:  The club "Race Committee" staffing sequence is Midway/Tinkers Line.  The asterisk (*) shows the club that will handle all protests from all lines that day. On Saturday, June 23, when Sonars and Rhodes 19's will be competing in championship regattas, all other classes will race on the Tinkers Line.

6.1   For the Tinkers Line, the first warning signal will be no earlier than 1200.  For the Midway Line, the first warning signal will be no earlier than 1230. 

6.2   For all classes, the intention is to sail a minimum of two races. If a third race is anticipated a "Second Substitute" flag will be flown at the finish of the second race.

7.    Class Flags.  Class flags for each class will be the class insignia or the numeral pennants given in this NRSI 12.1.

8.    Racing Area.  The racing areas are shown on the "MRA Racing Chart".

9.    Check In and Identification.  Boats shall check in before their first start of each day.   Boats in the racing area that are not starting a second or subsequent race shall notify the Race Committee before leaving the racing area.  Boats that withdraw from a race or that decide not to start after coming to the racing area, shall advise the Race Committee as soon as reasonably possible.  Boats that fail to check in or withdraw properly may be scored DNS for that race without a hearing (see NRSI 18.2 below) (changes RRS 63.1 & RRS A5) Boats that borrow sails shall tape over the numbers, and they shall notify the Race Committee when checking in (changes RRS 77 and Appendix G).

10.   The Course.

10.1  Courses for all classes are shown in "Illustration A - Courses" as found on the "MRA Racing Chart" with the approximate angles between legs, the approximate position of the signal boat, the order in which marks are to be passed, and the side on which each mark is to be rounded.  

10.2  The approximate compass bearing from the signal boat to Mark 1, and the course pattern will be displayed in the forward rack of the Race Committee signal boat.  The approximate distance from the signal boat to Mark 1 will be displayed in the aft rack of the Race Committee signal boat.   

10.3  To provide for simultaneous rounding of the leeward mark and starting by separate classes, the starting line may be set slightly (approximately 100 yards) to leeward of the leeward mark except when running courses H & J.

10.4  Gates.  The course may include a leeward gate, consisting of a pair of marks of the same color as the other course marks. 

10.5  Offset Mark.  If an Offset mark is in place at Mark 1 it shall be passed to port at each rounding.

10.6  To provide for simultaneous rounding of a nearby mark and finishing by separate classes, the finishing line may be set slightly (approximately 100 yards) beyond the windward or leeward mark as applicable. If a separate finishing mark is set, the nearby windward or leeward mark is not a mark of the course for the final leg.

10.7  A green flag flown no later than four (4) minutes before the start means "Mark 1 for the class about to start will be a green tetrahedron.  This applies to each rounding of Mark 1 by this class" (changes RRS 27.1 and Race Signals).

11.   Mark Descriptions.  Except as provided in this NRSI 10.7 and 11.4, the rounding marks shall be:  Midway Line, orange tetrahedrons, and Tinkers Line, yellow tetrahedrons.

11.1  Offset mark (NRSI 10.5) when present will be the same color as Mark 1 and identified by a red, white and blue band.

11.2  A Change of Course mark will be identified by a black band.  A subsequent change will revert back to the original mark (unbanded). 

11.3  The normal starting and finishing marks will be green tetrahedrons when NRSI10.3 or 10.6 applies.

11.4  In the event of racing under this NRSI 5 ("H" over class flag(s)), rounding marks may be orange or yellow tetrahedrons.

12.   The Start.

12.1  When numeral pennants are used in lieu of class flags, class designations will be as follows:

12.2  The starting line will be between a staff on the Race Committee signal boat from which an orange flag is displayed and the nearest mark at the port end of the line.

12.3  Boats whose preparatory signal has not been made shall keep clear of the starting area and of all boats whose preparatory signal has been made.

13.    Recalls.  The Race Committee will attempt to hail boats that are identified as On the Course Side (OCS) in all classes on VHF Channel 78 for the Midway Line and VHF Channel 71 for the Tinkers Line. The failure to hail, the hail of some but not all boats, or untimely hail of a boat or boats shall not be grounds for granting redress (changes RRS 62.1(a)).

14.    The Finish.

14.1  The finishing line will be between a staff on a Race Committee boat from which a blue flag is displayed and the nearby mark.

14.2  In the interest of starting another race in a timely fashion, the Race Committee may assign a finish position to the last finisher(s) in a fleet provided that the position(s) can be determined in a reasonable manner.

15.    Time Limit and Finish Window.  The time limit for the first boat in each class is 2 ½ hours. Boatsthat are still racing more than thirty (30) minutes after the first boat in their class has finished will be scored OFW (outside finish window) in accordance with NRSI 18.3 (changes RRS 35).

16.    Penalty System.  For the IOD and Town classes only, RRS 44.2 and RRS 44.1 are changed so that the Two-Turns Penalty is replaced by a One-Turn Penalty.

17.    Protests and Requests for Redress.  Protests and Requests for Redress shall be in accordance with RRS 61 and RRS 62, except as follows:

17.1  All boats intending to protest must conspicuously display a red flag at the first reasonable opportunity following the incident(s) being protested (changes RRS 61.1(a (2)).

17.2  Protests forms are available at each sponsoring Yacht Club.  Protests shall be delivered to the front desk of the Yacht Club hearing protests as specified in the NOTE of NRSI 6 within one hour after the time at which the Race Committee signal boat that managed the line of the protesting boat has docked.

17.3  Protest hearings will begin no earlier than 1630 on the day of the race in which a protest arises, and will be conducted at the Yacht Club hearing protests as specified in the NOTE of NRSI 6.  (This constitutes the notice required by RRS 61.1(b) and 63.2.)

18.    Scoring.

18.1  The Low Point Scoring system, RRS A2, A4 & A9 shall apply, except as modified herein.

18.2  Boats scored DNC, DNS, OCS, DNF, RAF and DSQ will be awarded points equal to 1 more than the number of registered boats that crossed the starting line with the intention to race (changes RRS A9).

18.3  Boats that are scored OFW (see NRSI 15), will receive points equal to the average points that would have been awarded to all such boats if all of them had finished (changes RRS 35 and A4.1).

18.4  The "Z" flag starting penalty (ZFP) will be scored according to RRS 44.3 (c), except this will be calculated based on the number of registered boats that crossed the starting line with the intention to race (changes RRS 44.3 (c)).

18.5  A boat's series score shall be her total score for all races in that series, excluding her worst score if five (5) or more races have been completed, or her worst two scores if ten (10) or more races have been completed, and so on.  Her score for the MRA Season shall be the sum of her scores for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Series. 

18.6  Unless otherwise agreed between a fleet and MRA, (1) a boat may take a bye for one day of racing in the 1st or 2nd Series, (2) this optional bye day cannot be used in the same series with any other bye day that might be agreed upon, (3) notice of a bye must be given to the MRA scorer via E-mail or phone (live or voice mail) at least 24 hours in advance, (4) a boat taking a bye for a race will be awarded points equal to her average points for the series of which that race is a part, disregarding throw-out races and byes, and (5) such a boat will be scored as DNC instead, if it would be more favorable (changes RRS A2).

18.7  A race will only be scored for a class in which two (2) or more boats start (changes RRS A4.1).

19.    Safety Requirements and Equipment. 

19.1  Each competing boat, is required to carry at least the following safety equipment: prescribed Coast Guard and Class Association safety equipment, a working VHF Radio, Coast Guard approved visual signals for daytime use, and suitable anchor and enough line for the class and sailing area.  Failure to comply with this rule may result in disqualification from one or more races (changes RRS 64.1(a)).

19.2  RRS 60 is changed to provide that a boat may not protest another boat for breaking a class rule prohibiting the carrying of VHF radios while racing.

19.3  Pertaining to RRS 40: US SAILING prescribes that every boat shall carry life-saving equipment conforming to government regulations that apply in the racing area. See http://raceadmin.ussailing.org/Rules/Personal_Flotation_Device.htm  for more information.

20.    Mark Boats.  Mark Boats will normally display a yellow Race Committee flag.

21.    Radio Communication & Emergency Conditions.

21.1  Emergency conditions should be reported directly to the Race Committee on VHF Channel 78 for the Midway Line, and VHF Channel 71 for the Tinkers Line.  Each Race Committee will monitor the appropriate frequency listed below from the time they leave the dock until they return to the dock at the end of the day.  Boats in need of assistance can call the Marblehead Harbor Master on VHF Channel 16.  The Corinthian Dock Master will monitor channel 9. For transportation of any persons from the water to shore, they shall be directed to the Marblehead Town Landing per the Marblehead Emergency Response agreement.

21.2  Race Committee broadcasts (on the appropriate frequency listed above) concerning its intentions; the course to be sailed, starting times, course changes, etc. are a courtesy only.  Failure of the Race Committee to make a broadcast, the timing of the broadcast or the failure of a boat to hear a broadcast shall not be grounds for granting redress under RRS 62.1(a).

22.    Prizes.

Day prizes will be awarded to boats finishing first for each class in which two (2) or more boats start. Day prizes must be claimed at the club staffing your line on the day of the race. Series and Season prizes will be awarded to the winner of each class. Additional series and season prizes will be awarded depending on the average number of starters for all races completed.

23.    Disclaimer of Liability.  Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk.  (See RRS 4, Decision to Race.)  The organizing authority and any of the host clubs, and their Race Committee 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.

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MARBLEHEAD RACING ASSOCIATION

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FLEET REPRESENTATIVES