Public Service Announcement: Boating Under the Influence

Coast Guard

Public Service Announcement: Boating Under the Influence

Boating and booze… is that redundant? Asking if a yacht club has a bar … is that even a question? Aren’t we now in ‘Beer Can’ racing season? Yes, it’s hard to escape the connection sailing has with spirits, so consider what follows to be a helpful reminder to be responsible…

* A boat operator is likely to become impaired more quickly than a driver, drink for drink?
* The penalties for Boating Under the Influence (BUI) can include large fines, revocation of operator privileges and serious jail terms?
* The use of alcohol is involved in about a third of all recreational boating fatalities?

While it is not illegal to drink alcohol while boating, it is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state. The U.S. Coast Guard also enforces a federal law that prohibits BUI. This law pertains to ALL boats (from canoes and rowboats to the largest ships) – and includes foreign vessels that operate in U.S. waters, as well as U.S. vessels on the high seas.

The marine environment – motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray – accelerates a drinker’s impairment. As a result of these factors, a boat operator with a blood alcohol concentration above .10 percent is estimated to be more than 10 times as likely to die in a boating accident than an operator with zero blood alcohol concentration. Passengers are also at greatly increased risk for injury and death – especially if they are also using alcohol.

The Coast Guard and every state have stringent penalties for violating BUI laws. Penalties can include large fines, suspension or revocation of boat operator privileges, and jail terms. The Coast Guard and the states cooperate fully in enforcement in order to remove impaired boat operators from the waters.

In waters that are overseen solely by the states, the states have the authority to enforce their own BUI statutes. These penalties can include the suspension or revocation of one’s vehicle driver’s license.

Spread the word on the dangers of BUI. Many recreational boaters forget that a boat is a vehicle – and that safe operation is a legal and personal responsibility.

Thursday Night Racing Amendment No. 3

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The race committee posted at 0858 this morning the following amendment to the Thursday Night Racing Sailing Instructions.

 

2013 J WORLD Thursday Night Racing

May 9 – August 29

Hosted by J World Annapolis with support from Eastport Yacht Club

Annapolis, Maryland

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS AMENDMENT #3

 

Sailing instruction 7.2 is deleted and replaced with:

7.2 If the race committee signals a shortened course (displays flag S with two sounds) the finishing line shall be at a rounding mark, between the mark and a flag displaying flag S.

Maryland skipper sails TP52 to record run in Virginia Cruising Cup

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Irie, a TP52 skippered by Greg Alden, smashed the course record for the Virginia Cruising Cup Race – a Chesapeake Bay classic that begins off Annapolis (MD) and finishes off Hampton (VA).

Starting on May 24, Irie covered the 120-nautical mile course in seven hours, two minutes and 32 seconds. That shattered the previous mark of 11 hours and 9 minutes that had been established in 1974 by Running Tide, a Sparkman and Stephens 60-footer owned by Al Van Metre.

“It’s always an honor to do historic things. We were fortunate to get ideal conditions while the boat and crew performed tremendously,” Alden said.

Conditions were ideal for a record run with winds ranging from 20-30 knots out of the northwest with gusts up to 36. Irie, which sailed downwind under asymmetrical spinnaker for most of the race, recorded an average speed of 17-plus knots.

Alden said Irie started with a jib top as headsail then switched to a Fractional A6 asymmetrical and staysail configuration after changing angles near Thomas Point. Irie reached speeds of 25 knots while roaring along under spinnaker for almost five hours before returning to a jib reach near the finish.

“We got the ride of our lives. It was an absolutely epic trip, the most fun I’ve ever had aboard a sailboat,” Alden said. “We were surfing down waves and burying the bow. We were just ripping along the whole way and everybody had a blast.”

Storm Trysail Club-Chesapeake Station started the race at R2 off Annapolis while the Hampton Yacht Club finished the fleet at R22 near the mouth of Hampton Roads. Irie crossed the finish line off Fort Monroe at 5:27 p.m. on Friday evening.

“We got to the dock in time for happy hour, which I never would have imagined,” Alden said.

Quantum Sail Design Group professional Scott Nixon served as tactician for Alden and helped organize the crew. Dr. Robert Razenbach, a renowned Naval architect and aerodynamicist, was aboard as navigator. Boat captain Pete Pendleton and fellow Annapolis professional Mike Beasley doubled as drivers and trimmers. Former North Sails pro Matt Beck also handled both roles while Teddy Haaland (bow), Chris Schasiepen (trimmer), Chris Conway (trimmer), Rob Lancaster (grinder) and Brian Karlisch (mast) completed the crew. Ron Nixon, Scott’s father and a longtime Hampton Yacht Club member, was along for the ride and received a nice welcome in his home port.

This was the 64th edition of the Virginia Cruising Cup Race, which is known as the “Down the Bay” by lower Chesapeake sailors and the “Hampton Race” by upper bay competitors. First held in 1934, the Virginia Cruising Cup Race reached its highest popularity during the 1970s when it annually attracted 130-150 entries.

Run every year from 1934 to 1999 except during the World War II years (1942-45). After a 10-year hiatus from 1999-2008, the venerable race was revived in 2009 and has increased in participation every year since. This year’s event drew 31 boats in five classes.

“An exciting record like that posted by Irie raises the profile of the Virginia Cruising Cup race and shows that top-tier boats are once again competing in this Chesapeake Bay classic,” said regatta chairman Chauncey Wu of the Hampton Yacht Club.

Race website: http://www.hamptonyc.com/downthebay/

Print From Home NOAA Charts

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NOAA Charts are available for printing at home in booklet form.  http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/staff/BookletChart.html

“The NOAA BookletChart™ is a product that you can print at home for free. BookletCharts are made to help recreational boaters locate themselves on the water.

The BookletChart is reduced in scale and divided into pages for convenience, but otherwise contains all the information of the full-scale nautical chart. Bar scales are also reduced in scale, but are accurate when used to measure distances in a BookletChart. Excerpts from the United States Coast Pilot are included. Most chart notes are consolidated on a single page for easy reference. Emergency information for the charted area is printed on the back cover.

BookletCharts are updated every week with Notices to Mariners.”

Week Two – Thursday Night Racing

J World Annapolis Thursday Night Racing is off to a great start!  More than 75 boats are registered for Thursday Night Racing which is taking place on two racing areas this season.  Our supporter, the Eastport Yacht Club, is doing a great job on the water and off by hosting the apres sailing social activity.  Here are last week’s official scores:  Thursday Night J_World Racing_5.16Final

Check out Dave Manheimer’s latest video post from last week’s Thursday Night Racing:

 

Thursday Night Racing – Letter to Competitors

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Dear Competitors:

Thank you for participating in the 2013 J World Annapolis Thursday Night Racing.  Racing this season will begin on May 9, 2013 and conclude on August 29, 2013.  July 4th will be a lay day.

We are excited to bring to you another year of intense, short course racing.  We will continue to try and get as many races as possible off each night.  To this end, we will set short windward leeward courses that should take each class approximately 30 minutes to complete.  While the first couple of weeks may be daylight challenged, with good winds and ample daylight will hope to have three races a night for all classes by mid season.

All of the necessary documents are available at the J World Annapolis, posted on the official notice board and available of the J World website.  The Registration Form, Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions and Amendments 1 & 2 have all been posted.  If you have not filed your registration form and paid for the first series, you will not be scored.

Racing will begin each evening no earlier than 1830.  There will be two racing areas – Alpha and Bravo.  Both of these racing areas will be in the general vicinity of our historical racing venue.

Bravo Course, for J/22 and J/24’s is made possible by the generous support of the Eastport Yacht Club.  This course will be set as close to Horn Point as is practical in order to help the J/22 fleet make it to and from the course without engine assistance.

The Alpha course will be set a little further out from Annapolis harbor and will host the J/70 an J/80 fleets.

Race committees will attempt to make courtesy broadcasts to each fleet.  Alpha Fleet will be on VHF Channel 72 and Bravo Fleet will be on VHF Channel 71.

Both Alpha and Bravo courses have the option to use either course one or two as shown in addendum A of the sailing instructions.  In general, we will use course one, due to the fact it requires fewer RC resources and enables us to quickly get off races.  Please note that sailing instruction amendment one specifically discusses this course and details that the start line is closed for those boats on the leeward leg.  Also note, that the sailing instructions state that an offset mark may be set.

In the event of protests, please check the sailing instructions for how to take your penalties on the water or to file your protest.  Protest forms are available online and also at the J World offices.  Protests may be filed in person or submitted by email, but must be received by 0900 the Friday after racing.

The post racing social has been moved this year to the Eastport Yacht Club.  EYC is graciously supporting J World by providing RC support for the Bravo course, so in support of EYC (and deference to our neighbors) we have moved the social to their wonderful new facility.  EYC will provide inexpensive beer and food options as well as a great venue for socializing, debriefing and discussion.

Parking can be an issue at the end of the Eastport peninsula.  Everyone is encouraged to walk, but if you do drive PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THEIR PARKING LOT.  The Yacht Haven parking lot, directly across the street from the club, is available for visiting cars.

Questions regarding Thursday Night Racing, protests and scoring inquiries should be directed to J World Annapolis.  You may call between 0900-1600 Monday-Friday or email us anytime at info@jworldannapolis.com

Thank you, sail fast and have fun!

The J World Annapolis Thursday Night Racing Team

Amendments One and Two to the 2013 TNR Sailing Instructions

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At 0800 today the J World Annapolis Thursday Night Racing Race Committee posted two amendments to the 2013 Thursday Night Racing Sailing Instructions.  As noted in section three of the sailing instructions the race committee may make changes to the sailing instructions until 0900 the day of racing.  In this particular case, both amendments are simply clarifications designed to help competitors better understand how racing will be conducted.

By example, for years we have opted to set a modified windward/leeward race course, with a closed start line.  This means that when you are sailing from the windward mark to the leeward mark you cannot cross the start line.  We do this because it provides for safe and orderly racing, enables us to get more races off and simplifies the race committee work.  In the past we have not explicitly stated that the line was closed, and some believed this could lead to confusion – especially for any new racers.  So we have amended.

The second amendment is to protect the RC and competitors from any mistakes made during courtesy broadcasts.  It is a minor thing, but be aware that in the event that you are OCS, but you do not hear your sail number or boat name called, you can not file for redress.  I hope this helps.  Both amendments are posted at the official J World Annapolis Thursday Night Racing Notice Board, and can be downloaded by clicking the links below.  Sail fast!

2013 Amendment Number One

2013 J WORLD Thursday Night Racing

May 9 – August 29

Hosted by J World Annapolis with support from Eastport Yacht Club

Annapolis, Maryland

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS AMENDMENT No. 1 

7.4  FOR ALL CLASSES… When the race committee sets course one; (windward/leeward/windward finish) after completing the first leg of the course, a boat shall not cross the starting line. A boat shall not cross the finishing line until she is completing the last leg of the course and finishes. A boat that breaks this rule shall not correct her error. On a leg of the course from W to L or from L to W, boats may leave the line between S and F either to port or to starboard.

2013 Amendment Number Two

2013 J WORLD Thursday Night Racing

May 9 – August 29

Hosted by J World Annapolis with support from Eastport Yacht Club

Annapolis, Maryland

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS AMENDMENT No. 2

14.1 COURTESY BROADCASTS  The Race Committee may attempt to provide information on the appropriate VHF channel as a courtesy.  In all cases race signals shall govern.  Failure to hear or receive such transmission will not be grounds for redress.  This changes RRS 62.

 

Thursday Night Racing Sailing Instructions Available Online

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It’s official… J World Annapolis’ Thursday Night Racing begins tonight!  Here are the 2013 Thursday Night Racing Sailing Instructions.  You can also find the Thursday Night Registration Form and 2013 THURSDAY NIGHT RACING NOTICE OF RACE here.

For more than 20 years J World has hosted Thursday Night Racing for J/22’s, J/24’s, J/80’s and now for the growing J/70 class.  Thursday’s have always been about getting as many short races in as daylight and conditions will allow.  This year is no different, and the race committees will be trying each night to run as many races as possible.  Due to the growth in participation in all the classes, a few changes are coming to the Thursday’s, and while we expect a few bumps in the road initially, we believe these changes will make Thursday’s even better for all racers.

Two Race Areas!

The biggest change is this year there will be two adjacent racing areas.  The “Alpha” racing area will be for the J/70 and J/80 racing fleets and will likely be just a little beyond where we have traditionally put our start boat.  The “Bravo” racing area will be for the J/22 and J/24 classes and will be set as close to Horn Point and the entrance to the Annapolis Harbor as is practical.  Both courses will be visible to sailors exiting the harbor.  Because checking in is required before racing, if you are unclear about which course is which, sail to the first committee boat you see, and they will be happy to help sort you out.  Note also that the Alpha Course race committee boat will almost always be the J/World Annapolis cruising boat J/37.  The primary reason for having the two circles is to ensure that each class can get as many races as possible.  Thanks to the Eastport Yacht Club for their generous support in making this second circle a possibility.

Party Venue Upgrade

For year’s J World Annapolis has hosted the party in the parking lot, but with our new partnership with the Eastport Yacht Club, the party is improving too!  Immediately after racing you will find scores, cheap beer, water and soda and good food at Annapolis best sunset view open and available for Thursday Night Racing participants.  You don’t have to be an Eastport Yacht Club member, just a Thursday Night Racing participant, so please plan on joining us for discussion, debrief and more at the Eastport Yacht Club.  Note that scores posted at EYC are provisional and official scores will be posted online at www.jworldannapolis.com the morning after racing as well as at the official notice board located at J World Annapolis.

SPECIAL PARKING NOTICE 

It is important if you drive to the Eastport Yacht Club, you should plan on parking across the street at Yacht Haven or on the street.  Cars parking in the Eastport Yacht Club Parking lot are subject to being towed.

We are looking forward to another  great year of Thursday Night Racing.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the office at 410-280-2040 or drop us an email at info@jworldannapolis.com.

Tihansky Named USNA Foundation Fall Coach of the Year

 
Jahn Tihansky was named the USNA Foundation's Fall Coach of the Year.


Jahn Tihansky was named the USNA Foundation’s Fall Coach of the Year.

After one of its finest seasons in school history, Jahn Tihansky was named the United States Naval Academy Foundation’s 2012 Fall Sports Coach of the Year, it was announced late last week.

Only sports that have championship seasons in the fall are eligible and the award is decided on by the United States Naval Academy Foundation.

The squad, under the leadership of Tihansky, won the Kennedy Cup in November, which is intercollegiate sailing’s Big Boat National Championship. Taking five of the seven contested races, Navy ended up winning the Kennedy Cup National Big Boat Championship, and with the victory, the squad earned the right to represent the United States at the Student Yachting World Cup in France in 2013. Sailing for the Naval Academy were skipper Steve Jaenke, Charlie Johnson, Sam Ross, Kelsey Ragsdale, Sean Brown, Andy Beeler, Roscoe Thomas and Ethan Madison.

The Kennedy Cup was the school’s 15th crown and second straight.

The team also claimed the 2012 McMillan Cup for the 17th time and second time in the last three years. The McMillan Cup is an intercollegiate large yacht racing event for New England and Middle Atlantic States.

It marks the first time since 2007 that Navy has won both the Kennedy Cup and McMillan Cup in the same year.

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