Racing Rules of Sailing

Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024 – The Latest Changes

WORDS: BEN HARDING AND BRENDA DAVIES

Introduction by Ben...

Is it that time again? It seems only like yesterday that I sat down at the keyboard to write the previous edition of this article.

To explain, every four years World Sailing (sailing’s international governing body) reviews and where necessary changes the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS).

On 1 January 2021 the next 4-year instalment will come into effect worldwide. This is done to keep our sport up to date with modern technologies and techniques and to close loopholes which may have been exposed by savvy sailors over the previous four years. Most of the new rules this time round won’t be noticeable in our dayto-day racing. Typos, rulebook restructuring and referencing, minor changes to race management aspects and a host of other changes in all the different types of sailing found worldwide, all get cleaned up at this time. However, there are some changes which do concern us and need to be understood by all Hong Kong sailors to avoid surprises or worse still, disappointment. In this article, we will guide you through the most pertinent rule changes which affect our Hong Kong sailing. Rather than trying to list and explain every change, we have chosen only the most significant rule changes. We will try to keep it simple. For the complete list (and full explanations) we suggest you simply make sure you have access to the latest Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024. This is widely available online in several formats, and in some of the online forums you can find quite in-depth explanation/discussion about the rules, for example at www.racingrulesofsailing.org. World Sailing has also published a Study Version of the latest rules, available at www.sailing.org – Technical – Documents & Rules.

We still find though, that the handiest way of staying up to date and having instant access to the rules is to buy a good old paper copy of the rulebook when they come out in the new year. The Hong Kong Sailing Federation will be publishing a local version of the rule book which includes the HKSF HKG National Prescriptions. This will be available in Ship Shop in December – a perfect stocking stuffer perhaps?

If anyone has any questions or queries, you can contact the RHKYC Sailing Office, or the HKSF for more information.

Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New 4-Years!

Topic / Subject / Change: Language used to Hail Rule Number / Section: Introduction What does this mean for us?

Sometimes the rules require sailors to hail each other. “Protest” in Rule 61 and “Room to Tack” in Rule 20 are the only two such examples found in the rulebook.

The rulebook has traditionally insisted that ‘English’ be used for those hails. However, with sailing being a worldwide sport it was questionable whether that is sensible or necessary. Of course, at international events there must be a common language. Yet, when a local sailor in a nonEnglish speaking country hails a fellow local sailor in a local race where all the other sailors are local, it is surely absurd to expect them to use English.

So now the rule book allows other languages to be used for the hail so long that it is reasonable for it to be understood by all boats affected. (English can always be used though.) It still is the ‘common language’ for hailing, especially at international events.

The Twist in our HKSF Prescriptions: An MNA’s (Member National Authority) Prescriptions are the special rules which apply only in that MNA’s country. In Hong Kong, the HKSF Prescriptions 2021-2024 will ‘re-apply’ the English-only requirement for sailing hails.

Being the multi-cultural, multi-linguistic sailors we are here in Hong Kong, it was decided (in a recent HKSF meeting) that it would be better to keep things as they have been. So, unless the Sailing Instructions allow otherwise, ‘English it is’ when hailing another boat in Hong Kong.

Topic / Subject / Change: Hull – Used for starts and finishes Rule Number / Section: Definitions of Start and Finish and others What does this mean for us?

Previously a spinnaker in its normal position or a bowsprit was the part of the boat used when recording the moment a boat starts and finishes or other line crossings. Now the ‘hull’ is now used as that point. A hull is defined in D.1.1 of the World Sailing Equipment Rules of Sailing 2021 – 2024 as

“The hull shell including any transom, the deck including any superstructure, the internal structure including any cockpit, the fittings associated with these parts and any corrector weights.”

Hull Length

While this appears to give advantages to those Boats with long bowsprits at the start, this advantage is cancelled out at the finish!

Topic / Subject / Change: Did Not Sail the Course (NSC) Rule Number / Section: Appendix A What does this mean for us?

Under the old rules, when the race committee knew that a boat had not sailed the course, it would have to ‘protest’ that boat and a full hearing would have to be held in order to disqualify her.

Topic / Subject / Change: Arm signals for ‘Room to Tack’ when a hail is insufficient Rule Number / Section: Rule 20.4 What does this mean for us?

When calling for room to tack at an obstruction, a signal (such as raising your arm and pointing to windward) is a great way of communicating your need to tack when the conditions might make a simple ‘hail’ insufficient.

Now, signalling your need to room to tack must include not only a hail, but an arm signal too, when the conditions need it.

Likewise, an arm signal should also be used for the other boat’s response!

Topic / Subject/Change: Fair Sailing breaches cannot be discarded Rule Number / Section: Rule 2 What does this mean for us?

The last edition of the rules experimented with the fair sailing rule, by allowing protest committees to give a penalty less than disqualification and also by allowing boats to ‘exclude (discard)’ a disqualification for a breach of the fair sailing rule. That apparently did not work (or wasn’t used).

Now, if you break Rule 2 – Fair Sailing, you cannot discard that D SQ score.

Topic / Subject / Change: Committee Boat Flags at start and finish are better defined, and a new flag is added. Rule Number / Section: Race Signals What does this mean for us?

In Hong Kong we are used to seeing Orange and Blue flags on the race committee boats. The orange flag tells us that it is start line, and a Blue

Flag told us that the finish boat was on station at the finish.

Now the Blue flag denotes one end of the finish line, just like the orange flag does at the start line.

Also, a new flag which has been introduced is the ‘Victor’ flag.

When displayed (with a long sound signal), this flag means that competitors must ‘tune in’ on their VHF and listen for ‘Search and Rescue Instructions’. (See new RRS 37 next.)

Topic / Subject / Change: Helping Those in Danger applies to everyone on the water. Rule Number / Section: Rule 1.1 What does this mean for us?

The last few years have seen the inclusion of ‘support persons’ more and more in the rules. Support persons, by the way, are any people who are ‘supporting’ a competitor, such as coaches and parents.

Now, quite rightly so, support persons, particularly coaches, are obliged to ‘Help’ when anyone or any boat is in danger.

Topic / Subject / Change: Search and Rescue Instructions may be given to everyone Rule Number / Section: Rule 37 What does this mean for us?

This new rule requires all boats, when ICF Victor is displayed, to ‘monitor the race communication channel for search and rescue instructions’. (See Flags and Signals)

Topic / Subject/Change: Personal Flotation Devices Rule Number / Section: Rule 40 What does this mean for us?

Currently, the Race Committee may hoist the ‘Y’ flag to signal that Personal Flotation Devices must be worn.

The rule is now clearer on whether this applies ‘at all times afloat’ or just when racing.

Topic / Subject / Change: Hearing Request Form, Hearing Decision Form Rule Number / Section: Part 5 Preamble What does this mean for us?

The old name of ‘Protest Form’ has been changed to ‘Hearing Request Form’. This is to make it clear that the same form can be used for other purposes other than just ‘Protests’, such as ‘Redress’ requests.

In addition, the results of a protest committee/jury hearing will now be recorded on a ‘Hearing Decision Form’.

Topic / Subject / Change: Race Management Protests can be put on the noticeboard Rule Number / Section: Rule 61.1 What does this mean for us?

Now, when a race committee, technical committee or protest committee wish to protest a boat, they are permitted to use the Official Notice Board to do so.

Topic / Subject / Change: Protest Evidence may be hearsay or excluded Rule Number / Section: Rules 63.6 and 64.1 What does this mean for us?

The protest committee/jury is now permitted to use hearsay evidence to aid them in finding facts. Additionally, they may also exclude evidence which they believe is irrelevant or unduly repetitive.

These changes should speed up hearings a little.

It is made clear to in the rules now, that a protest decision is made on the balance of probabilities (what was the most likely course of events based on the evidence presented). Although this has always been the case, it is significantly included in the rules now to make it clear to parties that their evidence is important, and that they should turn up for

their protest hearings. Topic / Subject/Change: Scoring Corrections and Protests

Rule Number / Section: Rule 90.3 What does this mean for us?

The rules now stipulate that scoring changes must be initiated within 24 hours of the end of the race/regatta/final protest.

This is presumably to avoid situations where no one knows who has won long after the occasion and ‘moment’ has passed!

Flying Fifteen Class Championships 2020

WORDS: NICK ATKINSON | IMAGES: TAKUMI IMAGES PANDAMAN

You can only plan so much and this year’s Flying Fifteen Championships has, like the rest of 2020, presented a number of challenges.

Fourteen boats had entered in what was billed to be one of only two Flying Fifteen National Championships being able to take place globally, due to a certain Virus that we all know about. Despite the Virus, the Hong Kong Fleet was determined to see the event go ahead. For a moment, the tell-tales all seemed to be streaming in the right direction; social distancing rules were starting to be relaxed, boats were allowed back on the water and the fleet had managed to complete four weekends of racing.

However, the weather gods seemed to have other ideas, delivering a Typhoon into the South China Sea that threatened to spoil the fun. Never one to be deterred, Class Secretary Carlyon Knight-Evans pulled every string he had to ensure that all contingency plans were in place to try to deal with every way the wind (literally) shifted.

As the weekend grew closer and the typhoon moved further away, it looked as if fate was on our side, tantalising us with a blustering two days of sailing in the taxing conditions that Lamma’s open water racetrack has to offer. Alas, with the T3 strong wind signal still in place on Saturday morning, the regatta was forced to be compressed down to just four

races on the Sunday. None the less, ‘The Champs’ were going ahead.

The event was threatened again on Sunday morning, with recorded winds of 25plus knots (more than during the typhoon!) and an uneven sea state covering the Lamma course area. Race officer Brenda Davies wisely made the decision to move the racing to Repulse Bay and the event was finally underway.

Twelve of the fourteen boats entered were able to make it to the start of race one – Thomas Isaac’s Ffolly (3604) being forced to retire having snapped a shroud on the way to the start, showing just how hard the conditions were, even in the more sheltered Repulse Bay waters.

The fleet completed a spectacular first race, filled with strong gusts of 18 to 23 knots and frequent shifts, as the crews battled it out over the three-lap course. Race two was much the same, although the sailors were much relieved that the race officer had decided to set a slightly shorter two lap race, which in all honestly felt just as exhausting as the first! Nick Beezy and Ben Koppelaar in 3990 claimed first place in both races, while the rest of the fleet mixed and matched in the tough conditions.

Race three saw the breeze settle down a little, with a shifty 10 knot easterly with a right hand bias on the course. The lighter winds allowed the lighter crews to come into their own, but still the top spot was reserved for 3990, finishing a full two minutes before the next boat – Howard Williams and Michael Bennett in 3981. During the stronger conditions in the morning the fleet was spread across the course area, but in the last race it was a much closer affair. While the title was secured with a forth consecutive win for 3990, overall the next two boats were both tied on 14 points, so the final two spots on the podium had to be decided on count back with Jasper Ten Berge and Rob Partridge in 3575 securing 2nd place ahead of Peter Britten and Oliver Merz in 3722 in 3rd . Back on dry land, the fleet gathered around the boats on the hard standing to enjoy a socially distanced complementary cold beer or two and a short prize giving. With the COVID-19 restrictions continuing to be relaxed in Hong Kong, the fleet in eagerly looking forward to a passage race back on Kellett Island the following Saturday, which would be followed by the crown jewel of the HK sailing calendar – the Around The Island Race on Sunday 8 November.

The Flying Fifteen committee are working hard to ensure that as many boats as possible can compete in the club events, so if you are a helm looking for a crew, a crew looking for a helm, or you just want to get out and enjoy the delights that the flying fifteen has to offer, please do get in touch and we will do our best to get you out on the water.

Sail Training at Middle Island: Powerboat and Safetyboat Training Courses

WORDS AND IMAGES: LUKE VAN DER KAMP

Did you know that Middle Island is not just a sailing centre but a RYA Powerboat training centre as well? Using the club’s fleet of VSR 5.8 RIBs, we run a variety of Powerboat courses for all skill levels from beginners to seasoned drivers. Led by our Powerboat Chief Instructor Barry Truhol, our dynamic team of powerboat instructors can often be seen whizzing around the Southside of Hong Kong teaching new RIB drivers vital handling skills. This month we are introducing the Powerboat courses available at Middle Island and answering some of the most common questions we receive about them.

RYA Powerboat Level 2: Introduction to Powerboat Driving (2 Days)

The RYA Powerboat Level 2 course is the perfect course for those with little or no driving experience (Powerboat Level 1 is a 1 day introductory taster course). This course covers all the basics of setting up, driving and managing a small powerboat. Besides driving skills, this course covers seamanship skills, basic navigation and basic boat maintenance as well. We cap off the course by having students plan and then drive an extended passage to experience boating around Hong Kong’s unique coastline. Those who complete the Powerboat Level 2 course are eligible for the ICC qualification as well. This qualification is also a club requirement for those wishing to drive RIBs as volunteers at club racing events.

RYA Powerboat Level 2 One Day Assessment (1 Half Day)

This fast track assessment is only for candidates who have logged a significant time of small powerboat driving experience. This is a quick assessment of the basic skills to obtain a Level 2 certificate without doing the entire course. The assessment can be arranged by contacting the Sail Training team at Middle Island.

RYA Safetyboat: Practical training for on-water race safety teams (2 Days)

This course is perfect for those who would like to be involved with the on-water RIB teams for regattas. With a focus on dinghy racing, the Safetyboat course covers how to manage and tow capsized or disabled dinghies, the basics of mark-laying and racecourse management and basic GPS usage. As with the Level 2 course, we aim to finish the course with an extended passage often to somewhere that sailors do not get to see often. Popular passages include Hei Ling Chau, Tsing Yi/Kwai Chung Container Terminal or Waglan Island.

RIB Refresher: Handling (1 Half or Full Day)

This new course aims to provide RIB drivers with rusty skills to get re-acquainted with RIB driving. We will be launching this course in early 2021 and will have them available in the lead up to club events with volunteer RIB drivers.

RIB Refresher: Navigation (1 Full Day)

Another new course for 2021, this day will be focused on planning and executing a long passage. A chance for Powerboaters to brush up on pilotage skills, GPS usage and on-water navigation whilst exploring the beautiful waters of Hong Kong.

1. 7. Do I need a PVOCC Grade 2 license to do a Powerboat course at RHKYC?

No. All our instructors carry a valid Marine Department PVOCC and students are permitted to drive as long as the person in charge of the vessel (the instructor) carries a PVOCC.

2. What is a PVOCC?

The PVOCC is a HK Marine Department issue license for pleasure vessels in

Hong Kong. It stands for Pleasure Vessel Operators Certificate of Competency.

It has previously been known as the PVOL (Pleasure Vessel Operators License) or the Masters and Engineers License.

3. Does the Level 2 course qualify me to get a PVOCC?

No. A PVOCC can only be obtained by completing the Marine Department’s two-part written examination or the HKSF PVOCC course.

4. How is the Powerboat course and PVOCC different?

The PVOCC licensing process is completely theory based and has no practical experience required. The Powerboat course will give you the practical experience and knowledge required to drive a small vessel. It is a condition for volunteer RIB drivers at RHKYC to hold both a PVOCC AND a Powerboat Level 2 certificate.

5. What is the minimum age for doing a Powerboat course:

16. Whilst the RYA allows those as young as 12 to participate in the Level 2 course, Hong Kong law prohibits anyone under the age of 16 to be at the controls of a registered vessel.

6. Do I need to complete the Safetyboat course to assist with dinghy events at RHKYC?

No, this is not a requirement but it is highly recommended to do the Safetyboat

course before volunteering at dinghy events.

Are the RYA Powerboat certificates recognized elsewhere?

Yes. The RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate is recognized in over 40 countries as a certificate of competency. For many other countries, you can use your RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate to apply for a International Certificate of Competency (ICC).

Sailing at Middle Island IMAGES: LUKE VAN DER KAMP