Rules Scenario Question
With the “new” racing rules of sailing about to go into effect, now seems like a fine time to begin discussing the fundamental rules and those that will not change in 2013. If you are new to racing or feel a little foggy on the rules (we all do at some point) then this will be a fun series of posts to build your knowledge with.
In fact, most of the rules and the spirit of the rules we’ve been sailing with will not be changed in 2013 and having a rock solid understanding of the basic rules will make understanding the more nuanced rules easier. If you are new to the rules — this will be a great place to start your understanding of the racing rules of sailing. They aren’t that complicated and it knowing these fundamental rules that govern when boats meet on the race course will help you have more fun and be a more confident racer.
Here is how this will work. Regularly I will post a racing rules scenario and ask you – the readers – to post your answers and questions in the comment section of this post. Over the coming weeks and months we will work our way through the rule book in an effort to get a better understanding of the rules. If you really want to drill down deep, call the office to register for one of our winter racing rules seminars!
Note that while having a rule book is helpful it is not neccesary. You can download the 2009-2012 rules as well as the 2013-2016 rules here!
Ok… here goes:
Join Us For Strategy and Tactics Discussion December 1st!
While frostbite racing isn’t for everyone, the winter is no time to stop thinking about sailing. For racers, the cold months are a great time to join J World for one of our winter lectures include Strategy and Tactics. J World Annapolis will be presenting our unique and engaging Strategy and Tactics Seminar December 1, 2012 from 0900 to 1600.
New and old sailors, high school racers, casual beer can PHRF warriors and one design champions can all benefit from a day of discussing the difference between strategy and tactics, ladder rung theory, five elements of a perfect start, the zen of winning downwind and much more. In this seminar we’ll discuss how wind velocity and angle along with waves and current make up the strategic “toolbox” that separate the winners from the trailing pack. Space is limited for the December 1st class. Contact the office today to register.
Consider these three questions:
- The wind is blowing 5kts across the left side of the course and slightly stronger on the right – maybe 8kts. On the left, we’ve discovered a slight 5 degree shift about half way up the course. Which way should we sail upwind (left/right/middle) in order to get to the windward mark first?
- You are sailing on port tack, about 5 boat lengths from the starboard tack lay line, with about 70 boat lengths to go to the windward mark. A boat tacks directly upwind of you, giving you dirty air. According to your observations, the wind is shifting into a left phase and a 10 degree left hand shift is eminent – what should you do?
- In your pre-start data collection you’ve identified that the 200 meter long starting line has a 5 degree port end bias. You win the pin, while your closest rival has won the boat end. How far ahead are you at the start?
Basic Keelboat Third Weekend – Final Class of the Season
J World Annapolis offers several formats for receiving your US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification. The “BK” is the cornerstone of the US sailing system and a great course for honing existing skills – even if you are an experienced sailor. J World offers the course in both a five consecutive day and three weekend format. For those sailors with busy work lives the three weekend format affords the flexibility to complete the “BK” without needing to take precious vacation time (that you should ultimately spend SAILING!)
Due in part to the fact that the three weekends do not need to be consecutive, but planning to come as often as possible is always a good idea. Because there are a handful of 2012 sailors that have not completed all three weekends of their BK course, we are offering a final two days of sailing – and we’ve thrown in the added benefit of burning off some turkey and stuffing too. J World Annapolis is offering a Weekend Three Course November 23 and 24 (Friday/Saturday) for those sailors that have yet to complete their three weekend course.
For BK sailors who have already finished their five day or three weekend course, but would like to get a “refresher” we are offering spaces in this last on-the-water course of the season for just $149! Join us for some end of season fun! To learn more or register – contact the office today!
2013 Annapolis NOOD Regatta – Superweek!
It is never too early to start preparing for success. If you like to win but don’t sail 12 months of the year, it is important to remember the lessons learned last season. That is not all that easy. Instead of spending those first few regattas getting back up to speed, you can start your season off with a bang by preparing for a successful season after training and racing with J World Annapolis during the first big event of the season – the 2013 Annapolis NOOD Regatta.
The 2013 Annapolis NOOD regatta is ostensibly the kick off event of racing on the Chesapeake Bay, and for New England or Midwestern racers comes at a time that enables you to get a jump on your competition. With this in mind, we have designed a proven four day on-the-water racing training and seminar program preceding three days of actual one design racing in the highly competitive and greatly attended J/80 class. Seven days of racing training – with three days of real racing! Imagine going to driving school and then racing in the Indy 500! Our program of thoughtful seminars and on-the-water training will get you back in the fast lane, accelerate your learning curve and provide a truly memorable racing experience.
World Class Coaches and Seminar Leaders
Our world class coaching staff will be supplemented with some of the best sailing professionals in the business who will talk about winning strategies, sail trim and rig tune. Champion sailors and world class sailing professionals will augment our highly qualified and experienced staff.
Unique Learning Experience
Keelboat racing requires a remarkable amount of crew communication and choreography. Because of this, we believe strongly that “cross-training” positions is the key to understanding how interdependent each role is and how crucial coordinated efforts are to success in any boat. Unless you are coming as part of a pre-set crew that will not be rotating positions, each client can plan on helming, trimming and working the bow. If you are ready to improve your skills and develop new experiences – then this is the program for you.
Huge High Performance One Design Fleet
We use J/80’s as our race training platform because they are the best learning platform around. Fast, fun and with a great following there is no other class that can provide the teaching and learning opportunities along with the great racing that the J/80 class does. With J/80 North Americans and World’s coming to Annapolis in 2014 you can bet that there will be teams preparing for the venue by participating in the 2013 Annapolis NOOD Regatta. With more than 25 boats sailed locally – the NOODs are guaranteed to be a well attended event that will prepare you for big starts and tough fleets anywhere.
Call the office at 410-280-2040 to learn more about this seven day racing program.
Knot-A-Day
Frostbite Racing
J World Annapolis annually participates with students in the Annapolis Yacht Club Frostbite Series. Thee student racers helm, trim and help call tactics as we race around Annapolis harbor. Frostbite racing is a fun way to spend time on the water through the winter. Frostbite Racing is a special discipline that requires a racers to think differently than they normally do in windward/leeward races. Due in part to the use of fixed government marks and static start lines, downwind and reaching starts are common and overwhelmingly favored sides of the race course are De rigueur. This makes for fun and interesting racing that is a somewhat different challenge than we face the rest of the racing season.
“Just as sunflowers turn their heads to catch every sunbeam, so too have we discovered a simple way to get more from our sun.”
Some would say Daylight Saving Time gives us the opportunity to enjoy sunny summer evenings by moving our clocks an hour forward in the spring. But now that summer has passed it is time to set our clocks back this Sunday. Please factor the time change into your planning for this weekend’s first Frostbite Racing event.
This is a great time to update the batteries in your smoke alarms too!
In the U.S., 2:00 a.m. was originally chosen as the changeover time because it was practical and minimized disruption. Most people were at home and this was the time when the fewest trains were running. It is late enough to minimally affect bars and restaurants, and it prevents the day from switching to yesterday, which would be confusing. It is early enough that the entire continental U.S. switches by daybreak, and the changeover occurs before most early shift workers and early churchgoers are affected.
Yet, the implementation of Daylight Saving Time has been fraught with controversy since Benjamin Franklin conceived of the idea. Even today, regions and countries routinely change their approaches to Daylight Saving Time.
We will see you this Sunday!
US Sailing Releases Report on Newport to Ensenada Race Tragedy
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (October 30, 2012) – US Sailing has released a report of an independent review panel on its investigation of the sailing accident that occurred on April 28 during the 2012 Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race that resulted in the deaths of four sailors. The crew were victims of an accident aboard Aegean, a 37-foot Hunter 376. The 125-mile Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race is held annually, starting from Newport Beach, Calif. and ending at Ensenada, Mexico. The Newport Ocean Sailing Association (NOSA) is the race organizer.
Synopsis of Findings and Recommendations from the Report:
The panel determined that a key element of the accident was likely an inadequate lookout*, and that it is likely that Aegean inadvertently motored beyond a waypoint set before North Coronado Island. Although the inadequate lookout was the proximal cause of the accident, there were additional safety issues that came to light during the inquiry, and improvements in these areas could prevent or reduce the severity of other accidents in the future.
The panel relied on available facts to create this report. There were no survivors and no eyewitnesses to the accident. The facts include the SPOT Connect (GPS tracking device with text capacity) position reports from which vessel course and speed were derived, times of SPOT Connect text transmissions during the race, published material, press reports including accounts of the San Diego Coroner’s report and the results of their toxicology analysis, interviews with race organizers, participants and past crew from Aegean, wreckage found at North Coronado Island and in the debris field and underwater at North Coronado Island.
The panel recommends improvements in the following areas:
1. Always maintain a lookout, with a watch of at least two people, using audible waypoint and radar alarms.
2. Racers need to be made aware of the light obscuration zones in the Coronado Islands.
3. Each watch must understand the operation of the boat’s navigation systems.
4. The use of autopilots while motoring should be reviewed by race organizers.
5. To improve communication, racers should monitor VHF 16 and race organizers should provide a 24-hour emergency contact.
6. US Sailing should create a guide to emergency signaling devices.
7. US Sailing should create a crisis management template for race organizers.
Read the entire US Sailing Report on the 2012 Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race. US Sailing will be making a presentation on the findings and recommendation at the Annual Meeting this Thursday, November 1 at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis in San Francisco, Calif. at 12:30 pm PT.
“The US Sailing Independent Review Panel members express our sorrow at the loss of four lives in this tragic accident,” said Bruce Brown, US Sailing Panel Chairman. “We offer our condolences to the family members of the victims. This accident was tragic and, we will not know what occurred during the last hours on board Aegean. The panel analyzed the facts and offers recommendations to the sailing community. My thanks go to the members of the panel for their diligent work, and to our sailing community who stepped forward to offer their insights into the events that occurred.”
The objective of this report is to reduce the chance of future similar tragedies by identifying the contributing factors leading up to this incident. This report is not intended to be used in any judicial proceedings whose purpose is to attribute or apportion liability or blame.
The members of the panel are Chairman Bruce Brown (Costa Mesa, Calif.), John Winder (Annisquam, Mass.), Alan Andrews (Corona del Mar, Calif.), Ed Adams (Middletown, R.I.), and Alan McMillan (Pensacola, Fla.). The Offshore Special Regulations Consultant on the panel is Evans Starzinger (Milford, Conn). The Safety at Sea Committee Chairman and Review Panel Liaison is Chuck Hawley (Santa Cruz, Calif.). The Medical Advisor was Dr. Steven Shea (Long Beach, Calif.). Jim Wildey (Annapolis, Md.) advised on investigation procedures and formats.
US Sailing is the national organizing body of the sport and is the overall authority for sanctioning sailboat races in the United States. US Sailing follows established policies of reviewing races involving causalities and/or fatalities. Similar reports from races include the 1979 Fastnet Race (Great Britain), 1988 Sydney Hobart Race (Australia) and the 2009 Flinders Islet Race (Cruising Yacht Club of Australia). In 2011, US Sailing independent panels reviewed three accidents beginning with a fatal incident involving a young girl in the Severn River (Severn Sailing Association); the fatal incident in the Chicago To Mackinac Race (WingNuts); and the near fatal accident in the Fastnet Race (Rambler 100). The reviews offer insight for race organizers and sailors of the facts involved in each of these events and offer suggestions to avoid and/or mitigate similar outcomes in the future.
In 2012, US Sailing was invited by the US Coast Guard to establish a panel to review the fatal accident during the Fully Crewed Farallon Island Race (Low Speed Chase) and in May of 2012, US Sailing created a panel to review this accident. In August of 2012, US Sailing released this report.
For more information regarding US Sailing Safety Reports, visit us at http://offshore.ussailing.org/SAS/General_Information/Current_Safety_Studies.htm.
*According to the International Maritime Organization, a lookout’s task is to prevent collision. The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (1972) Rule 5 says (in part): Every vessel must at all times keep a proper look-out by sight (day shape or lights by eyes or visual aids), hearing, and all available means in order to judge if risk of collision exists. According to the International Sailing Federation Case 26, all boats, whether or not holding the right of way, should keep a lookout at all times.
The Basic Keelboat Certification – The Essential Credential In Sailing Education
Learning to sail is part dream, part great instruction, and part hands-on experience. Earning your US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification through a J World Annapolis sailing fundamentals course gives you a great start and confidence through a smart balance on structured learning and on the water experiential learning.
Our courses are part of a vibrant sailing education program that continues to grow and be refined in accord with the evolution sailing. No blog post or printed material can address every potential question or program change, but you are encouraged to use this as a guide to understanding the J World Annapolis Basic Keelboat certification process.
J World Annapolis is a US Sailing Certified school and training facility. We use the US Sailing System because it is administered by the governing body of sailing in the United States and because we believe it is the most rigorous standard for sailing education. The US Sailing Basic Keelboat program is designed to elevate the teaching standards, enhance individual knowledge and identify sailors who have demonstrated the essential knowledge to sail small keelboats on protected waters in reasonable conditions. Earning the “BK” is the cornerstone to becoming a well rounded sailor. For new sailors, the Basic Keelboat is THE place to start, and even if you have extensive sailing experience, earning your Basic Keelboat is the prerequisite to earning more advanced certifications and is a great way to hone your existing skills.
Highlights of the impact of having your Basic Keelboat Certification
- Drives personal confidence: Earning your US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification drives your personal confidence as a sailor. The majority of J World Annapolis Basic Keelboat students – including those who come with extensive sailing experience – report the course enhances their knowledge and improves their sailing opportunities by providing access to “advanced” certifications such as Bareboat Cruising,
- The US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification has widespread value and recognition: Particularly among chartering organizations. A BK certification is a quick way to demonstrate that you’ve had the necessary training to rent for a day or charter for a weekend a small keelboat.
- Opens doors and creates connections: By earning your US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification from J World Annapolis you receive the benefit of connecting to the sport of sailing through an existing network of J World Alumni and J World Alumni experiential activities like Thursday Night Racing and our Flotilla events.
Earning and Maintaining the Basic Keelboat Certification
Earning and maintaining your US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification is a three step process:
- Basic Keelboat Certification candidates must demonstrate their sailing skills through a practical, on-the-water evaluation administered by a US Sailing Basic Keelboat certified instructor. J World Annapolis certification candidates generally develop the skills necessary to pass the “BK” by participating in either a five day sailing fundamentals course or a three weekend sailing fundamentals course. Sailors with extensive sailing experience CAN challenge the BK. While we do not recommend it, we do offer the option. During the three hour evaluation, challengers will be asked to demonstrate the requisite skills.
- Basic Keelboat Certification candidates must also pass an 80 question written exam that tests general knowledge on seamanship, rules of the road and sailing theory questions. The written exam is challenging for candidates that don’t read the Basic Keelboat course book. Those candidates that read the material, generally score very well on the written exam.
- While there is no requirement for maintaining the Basic Keelboat certification, we strongly recommend that in order to keep your skills up and develop as a sailor you must spend time on the water. In fact, before moving on to courses like Basic Cruising we recommend that you sail no less than 40 hours – and more is better.
Tips and Hints For Earning and Enjoying Your Basic Keelboat Certification
Earning your US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification is fun and easy to do. It is a great way to get into the sport or expand your enjoyment of it. Here are a few tips for earning your US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification with J World Annapolis:
- Get Started NOW! – Savvy candidates begin preparing early and arrange their schedules to make the most of their J World Annapolis educational experience. We offer the “BK” every week and weekend of our sailing season (April – Dec.) By registering now you can receive your written materials in advance and begin planning your work and family life to enable you to earn your certification quickly and without distractions.
- Begin with an honest self assessment – Students who have the best success at J World Annapolis arrive with a desire to be better sailors, an open mind and a willingness to learn. Even if you have extensive sailing experience, we feel confident that we can provide you with more knowledge and confidence. We call our instructors coaches for good reason – once we have taught you the fundamentals we work hard to develop you as an individual sailor to your individual capacity. Heck, even Tiger Woods has a coach!
- Stay Sailing! – Once you have earned your “BK” make sure you use it. We are happy to help connect you with other students and local sail boat owners so you can continue to build your skills and enjoy sailing. Moreover, we offer a variety of low or no-cost experiential learning opportunities such as Thursday Night Racing, Bay cruises and flotillas.
What Is The Purpose and Benefits Of Certification?
The purpose of certification programs are to:
- Establish a standardized body of knowledge that is equivalent to certain levels of experience;
- Assess the level of knowledge and ability demonstrated by a sailor in a valid and reliable manner;
- Encourage structured growth and development of sailors;
- Formally recognize sailors who meet the requirements outlined by US Sailing for each certification.
- Verification of your knowledge by an independent evaluator who has been certified in sailing education – a way to prove you know what you know;
- Personal growth and development of your sailing skills
- Enhanced sailing opportunities
What Do I Need To Demonstrate To Be A Basic Keelboat Certified Sailor?
Certification Requirements
Basic Keelboat Certification requires the successful completion of the following knowledge and skill requirements. These requirements are expected to be able to be performed safely with confident command of the boat in familiar waters with a wind range of 5 to 15 knots. The certified candidate will be able to skipper a tiller steered keelboat up to 27 feet in length. For this course we use our fast and stable J/80’s.
Here are the practical skills and knowledge required:
Preparation to Sail:
- Demonstrate ability to recognize and forecast prevailing local weather conditions.
- Perform a presail check for the boat’s flotation integrity, safety and legally required equipment, and crew indoctrination.
- Demonstrate the proper rigging of the sails, halyards, sheets, blocks, and winches.
- Check all other equipment specific to your boat not indicated above.
- Describe personal preparation such as clothing and sun protection.
Crew Operations and Skills:
- Demonstrate how to put on a Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
- Demonstrate tying and use of knots: stopper knot, bowline, cleat hitch and sail lashing knot.
- Demonstrate the use of these sail controls: halyards, sheets, cunningham/downhaul and outhaul.
- Be familiar with the nomenclature for basic parts of the boat, sails, battens and rigging.
- Describe the proper use of Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) and throwable flotation devices.
- Describe the use of sail controls.
- Explain potential electrical hazards such as overhead electrical wires and lightning.
Sailing Theory:
- Describe basic sailboat design, sail theory and boat dynamics.
- Explain how to read the wind and determine all points of sail.
- Understand what is meant by the term “sailing by the lee” and explain the inherent dangers involved
Leaving the Dock or Mooring:
- Demonstrate appropriate helmsman and crew coordination and skills for departure suitable to the conditions: raising sails, line handling, casting off and boathandling.
- Understand the effects of wind, tide and currents in relation to the boat and surrounding area while preparing to get underway.
- Describe the differences and alternatives for leaving under sail and/or power in upwind, crosswind and downwind situations.
Boat Control in Confined Waters:
- Demonstrate in close quarters under sail: starting, stopping, speed control, tacking, jibing, steering control, sail luffing, the No-Go Zone, getting out of irons, backing the jib, and crew coordination and communication.
- Demonstrate sailing a predetermined closed course and maneuvering around obstacles.
Navigation (Piloting):
- Point out Aids to Navigation in the harbor and local waters that you are sailing, and respond accordingly.
- Be familiar with basic chart reading specific to your local waters.
- Describe Aids to Navigation: buoys, daymarks, regulatory markers, and other markers specific to your local waters.
Navigation Rules, International-Inland:
- Demonstrate use of Navigation Rules while sailing.
- Describe the Navigation Rules, International-Inland, for Stand-On and Give-Way sailboats and powerboats for collision avoidance and understand your state and local boating regulations.
Boat Control in Open Water:
- Demonstrate proper sail trim with accurate sheet adjustment of the main and headsails. Make use of the sail telltales and identify points of sail.
- Perform a heaving-to maneuver per the prescribed method.
- When appropriate, demonstrate sailing “by the lee” and explain the inherent dangers involved.
Heavy Weather Sailing:
- Demonstrate how to reef and/or depower sails.
- Describe weather warning sources
Overboard Recovery Methods:
- Properly demonstrate one of the overboard recovery methods, which is most appropriate for: your sailing ability, boat type, crew experience, wind and sea conditions, and maintaining constant visual contact with the victim.
- Understand the Quick-Stop and Quick-Turn overboard recovery methods to include: constant visual contact with the victim, communication, recovery plan, sequence of maneuvers, boathandling, course sailed, pickup approach and coming alongside the victim (or simulated object).
- Describe methods of getting an overboard recovery victim back on deck after the vessel is stopped alongside.
Safety and Emergency Procedures:
- Explain the proper procedure for using an approved distress signal.
- Be familiar with treatment of victims of overheating, hypothermia and seasickness.
- Describe the use and regulations for flares.
- Be familiar with at least six different distress and emergency signals per Navigation Rule 37.
- Be familiar with the U.S. Coast Guard requirements for safety equipment.
Anchoring Techniques:
- Be familiar with anchoring procedures for emergency situations such as loss of boat control, sudden storms, prevention from going aground or injured crew situations.
Returning to the Dock or Mooring:
- Demonstrate appropriate helmsman and crew coordination and skills for arrival under sail and/or power suitable to the conditions: boathandling, deploying fenders, stopping, tying up and lowering sails. Explain at least two different approach plans for other conditions.
- Describe the differences and alternatives for arrival under sail and/or power in upwind, crosswind and downwind situations.
Securing the Boat Properly:
- Demonstrate stowing of sails, rigging and equipment. Thoroughly clean the boat, and install any covers.
- Check both the electrical and bilge systems for dock operation if required.
- Check the locks on companionway, lockers and hatches. Make a final check of docklines, spring lines and fender placement.
HMS Bounty Crew Abandon Ship While Battling Hurricane Sandy
Officers said the vessel was taking on water Sunday night and was without propulsion. Crewmen said the Bounty was about 160 miles west of the eye of Hurricane Sandy.
The Coast Guard said two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters were sent in to rescue the crew around 6:30 a.m. The 14 rescued crew members are being flown to the closest Coast Guard base to get medical treatment.
Officials said two other aircraft are still working to find the last two missing crew members.
Officials received a distress call from the ship but lost communication with the crew late Sunday evening. An HC-130 Hercules was dispatched to the ship’s location after the rescue crews got a signal from the ship’s emergency position radio beacon.
The aircraft crew was eventually able to reestablish communication with the Bounty’s crew.