NStYA Race Regulations

N.B. - CYA Racing Rules shall apply except when amended by these instructions.

MINIMUM PARTICIPATION:
A minimum of 4 participating NStYA Member Yachts shall constitute an official "race".

EQUIPMENT LIMITATIONS:
No yacht shall be considered as competing unless carrying complete equipment consistent with the safe operation of the vessel. Such equipment must include all items listed on the minimum list.

Yachts may only carry sails allowed under their PHRF Rating Code. Automatic steering devices may not be used.

RADIO TRANSMISSIONS:
Radio communication may only be used in case of emergency.

RUNNING LIGHTS:
Must be used in accordance with International Rules of Collision Avoidance.

YACHT INSPECTION:
Any yacht will be subject to inspection upon completion of any race, and shall be subject to disqualification.

LIABILITY:
The NStYA does not assume any responsibility whatsoever for accidents or injuries to yachts, crews, or spectators as a result of staging any race. It is the sole responsibility of the owner of a participating yacht to see that it is adequately equipped, completely manned and safely sailed.

INSURANCE:
It is required that all yachts racing in NStYA races carry a minimum of $1,000,000.00 public liability insurance.

AUXILIARY POWER RULES:
It is understood that auxiliary power may be used to assist in the recovery of a person overboard or to answer a distress signal. In the event of one of the foregoing emergencies, an affidavit, signed by the yacht owner and crew, stating the amount of time the auxiliary power was used for propulsion, as well as all other pertinent details connected with the emergency situation shall be handed to the race committee as soon as possible after the yacht finishes the race.

RACING RULES:
Rules of the Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) shall govern (EXCEPT WHERE AMENDED BY THESE INSTRUCTIONS). Beyond the fairway buoy, International Rules apply.

STARTING LINE:
The starting line for each race will be clearly defined at the Skipper's Meeting.

SKIPPER'S MEETING:
Skippers, or their representative, to attend only. Times will be announced on the club bulletin board.

CODE FLAGS:
International Code flags will be used for signals at race starts. Recall - code flag - 1st substitute

SHAPES:

ONE MINUTE RULE:
The one minute rule will be in effect. See CYA Rule Book.

HONOUR:
In these racing instructions Honour means:

ELIGIBLE YACHTS:
At the discretion of the race committee, sailing yachts having permanent sleeping accommodations for a minimum of two crew members and minimum crew of two for daytime races and three for overnight and night races.

FINISHING A RACE:
Entrants approaching a finish line in fog or at night should burn a flare to attract attention to themselves. As the line is crossed, every attempt must be made to illuminate the distinguishing code flag or sail numbers. It is emphasized that in the event of poor visibility at the finish line, the onus will be on each yacht to take their own time on crossing the line and to identify themselves to the Race Committee at the line by VHF on the channel set at the skipper's meeting.

Yachts must not re-cross the finish line and must stay clear of the line of vision of the Race Committee if approaching to confirm their identity. Upon finishing, yachts should proceed to the Club anchorage. *As per CYA Rules.

ABANDONMENT OF RACE AND LATE STARTERS:
All races will be sailed without time limit (unless otherwise stated at the skipper's meeting) and any yacht abandoning a race should notify the Race Committee at the earliest possible time. The possibility of an organized search for a missing yacht at great expense to government and personal danger to search personnel makes prompt notification mandatory.

PROTESTS:
Protests must be submitted in writing, signed by the Skipper of the protesting yacht, to the Race Committee as soon as possible after crossing the finish line. In case of a protest, the Race Committee may, in its discretion, penalize the offending yacht by increasing her elapsed race time by two hours, in lieu of disqualification. (Code Flag B)

CLASSES:
Boats racing in NStYA sanctioned open races, will be divided into Classes A, B, C and D.
See Class Rating Cutoffs.

LIST OF MINIMUM REQUIRED EQUIPMENT ON EACH YACHT:
All Equipment required by Transport Canada/Coast Guard.

All yachts are subject to inspection and are required to have the safety equipment required by regulation for their size of vessel. Failure to have the required equipment will result in disqualification from the race. Yacht owners are encouraged to have a Courtesy Inspection, done free of charge by Transport Canada/Coast Guard, and display the Courtesy Examination sticker. This will ensure that you know and have on board the proper safety equipment for your size of vessel and could avoid disappointment and disqualification after a race.

LIST OF ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT:
1. Adequate navigation instruments.
2. Charts covering course and adjacent waters.
3. Tide Tables for year applicable.
4. Two compasses. (One may be hand bearing)
5. One (1) horn.
6. One (1) bilge pump and line (1) bucket.
7. Two (2) anchors complete with 100' rope.
8. Visible legal running lights.
9. Flares - See CCG Boating Handbook for number of flares required for size of boat.
10. One (1) MOT approved life jacket with plastic whistle for each crew member.
11. Two (2) water resistant powerful flashlights..
12. Underwriter approved fire extinguishers accessibly located.
13. Not less than one (1) gallon of water for each crew member in tanks or other suitable containers. (For races more than 24 hours)
14. Sufficient stores for each crew member for three days.
15. Man overboard pole with 50' floating line and floatation device.
16. Safety harness for each crew member on deck.
17. Lifeline suitable for attaching safety harnesses extending from bow to cockpit of boat.
18. First aid kit (use battens for splints).
19. One suitable plug for each through hull fitting properly attached to fitting.
20. Protest Flag (Code Flag B).
21. Radar reflector, minimum 8" diameter flown 10' above deck for night racing.
22. Copy of CCG Boating Handbook.
23. CYA Rule Book.

The above list is a suggested minimum. In addition to the foregoing, it is recommended that each yacht carry emergency repair parts for standing and running rigging, hull, etc.

NStYA Pennants:

NStYA Pennants are presented to winners of all races, by the following criteria:

     • 1st Overall - BLACK
     • 1st in Class - RED
     • 2nd in Class - BLUE
     • 3rd in Class - GREEN

Trophies are also presented for individual races. All NStYA trophies are to remain in the possession of the Home Club of the Annual winner. In the case of a winner not belonging to a Member Club, the trophy shall remain at the race finish member YACHT CLUB. If a recipient wishes to retain a trophy, he/she must submit a deposit of a $100.00 REFUNDABLE post-dated cheque payable to NStYA for replacement cost of any trophy.

For further information contact your local club NStYA representative.

Thanks to our sponsors!