All races will be governed by The Racing Rules of Sailing, the prescriptions of the United States Sailing Association (except as any of these are altered by these sailing instructions) and by these sailing instructions. The racing program is designated Category C.

2. Entry.

Entry is by invitation. 

3. Entry Fees.

This is a charity regatta.  Each team shall make a $1,000 donation to Project City Kids.

4. Notices to Competitors.

5. Signals

Code Flag "Y" flown from the committee boat before the warning signal means "150% genoas may not be used".

Code Flag "V" flown from the committee boat before the warning signal means "Spinnakers may not be used."

6. Schedule of Races.

If conditions permit, 2 races will be run.

7. Racing Area.

The racing area will be in the lower Hudson River and Upper Bay of New York Harbor.

8. Courses.

The course shall be around inflatable marks set by the race committee.  The Race Committee will also announce the course over VHF CH 69 immediately after the warning signal.

9. The Start.

The starting line will be between an orange flag on the Honorable William Wall and a yellow buoy.

The Starting Sequence shall be as follows:

10 minutes before start - Warning Signal - Yellow flag - sound signal
6 minutes before start - Yellow flag lowered
5 minutes before start - Preparatory Signal - Blue flag - sound signal
1 minute before start - Blue flag lowered
Start - Red flag - sound signal

11. The Finish.

The finish line will be between an orange flag on the Honorable William Wall and a yellow buoy.

12. Change of Course After the Start

Code Flag "S"  The Race Committee reserves the right to shorten the course at any mark and at any time. The Race Committee will signal with horns blasts and fly Code flag "S." The finish will be between the Committee boat and that mark of the course.

13. Retirement

A yacht that retires from a race is asked to notify the race committee before leaving the race area. 

14. Special Rules & Penalty System.

The following special rules and penalty system apply:

14.1 - 360 Degree Turn - A boat that may have broken a rule of Part 2 while racing may take a penalty at the time of her incident.  The penalty must be taken immediately and the infringing boats shall get clear of other boats and take the penalty without continuing to sail forward in the race.  If there was no contact, her penalty shall be one 360 degree turn instead of a 720 degree turn.

14.2 - No Touching Rule - If a MSC J/24 touches any other vessel or a government mark, the J/24 shall retire from the race and sail clear of other race boats immediately.  A touch is defined as any contact between boats, including rigs, sails, crew, etc.  Failure to retire immediately following a touch will result on the first occasion in suspension from the next week of racing and on the second occasion of suspension from the series. 

14.3 - Right of Way for Commercial Traffic - All commercial vessels shall have right of way over all racing sailboats. If a racing sailboat crosses the bow of a commercial vessel and that vessel alters course or speed as a result, the sailboat may be disqualified by the race committee.  If any sailboat decides to take the stern of a commercial vessel, all sailboats in the same location or subsequently arriving on the scene must also take the stern of the commercial vessel unless sufficient proof can be provided by a sailboat that taking the stern would have caused increased risk.  If a commercial vessel slows or comes to a stop when approaching sailboats, sailboats must still continue to take the stern so as to clear a path for the commercial vessel to move forward and clear.  The race committee may disqualify a yacht at its discretion without a hearing for any interference with commercial vessels.

14.4 - Dangerous Events & Safety - If any yacht goes turtle or swamps in the harbor, collides with commercial traffic resulting in damage, or experiences some other situation which could result in significant danger to sailors, racing shall be automatically cancelled and all boats should drop their sails and proceed under engine power to the location of the incident in order to render assistance if necessary.  All yachts should stand-by in order to provide assistance if required but not in a manner that would cause congestion to the area.

14.5 - Assistance from Race Committee - The Race Committee is allowed to respond to any questions from sailors even after the race has started and any such answers from the race committee will not be considered outside assistance.   However, sailors are responsible for knowing the rules and incorrect or misinterpreted information from the race committee on the water is not grounds for protest and does not circumvent the sailing instructions.

14.6 - Crew - After departing dock, MSC J/24s may not accept any more crew onboard.  Crew may not be transferred from a powerboat or from another sailboat.

14.7 - Breakdowns - Breakdowns during a race are scored the same as DNFs.  This is because Team Captains are responsible for their boats and for helping identify possible repair items and working with the club staff to effect repairs.  If a boat breaks, the Team Captain should make a careful assessment as to whether to continue sailing.  If the Team Captain chooses to continue sailing and this results in additional damage to the boat, the Team Captain will have failed in their responsibility to operate the boat in safe and proper manner.

14.8 - Security Zones - Since 9/11, there has been a security zones established around Ellis Island and Liberty Island.  No boat is allowed to sail within 150 yards of Liberty and Ellis Islands.  This zone is marked by white buoys.  All boats must stay outside this security zone and entering the security zone will result in disqualification from the race. 

15. MSC J/24 Equipment.

MSC J/24s will be provided for all club teams and the following rules shall apply:

15.1 - Modification to Boat - Teams shall not modify the J/24s or cause them to be modified in any way except for modifications approved in advance by the Manhattan Sailing Club.  This includes drilling new holes, affixing new turning blocks, etc.  Teams shall not cut or cause to be cut any lines, sheets or halyards on the boat.

15.2 - Adjustment to Stays & Lifeline - Teams shall not remove any rigging tape or attempt to adjust the sidestays, backstays or lifelines. All stays and lifelines will be tensioned by the MSC staff.

15.3 - Lines & Sheets - Teams may use their own lines or sheets provided that the MSC supplied equipment is carried while racing and the boat is returned to original condition after racing. Teams shall carry while afloat all equipment, including extra sails, provided with the yacht for sailing purposes.

15.4 - Tape & Markings - Teams shall not apply any tape or make any marks or writing on the boat, spars or poles.

15.5 - Pre-Departure Check - Teams are responsible for ensuring that all equipment is onboard and functioning prior to leaving the dock.

15.6 - Reporting Loss or Damage - Teams shall report any damage or loss of equipment, however slight, after securing the yacht ashore. The report must be made in writing in the Maintenance log maintained by the club.

16. Protests - The club discourages protests.  The spirit of our racing program is embodied in this rule used by the Chicago Yacht Club for their Beer Can Races, "There will be no protests.  Skippers are responsible for knowing the "rules of the road."  In the case of flagrant violation of the rules, the Race Officer of the day and an advisory committee can ask the involved skipper(s) to refrain from further participation in the Belmont Series.  Collisions must be avoided.  All boats involved in a collision will be disqualified.  In the case of damage, a committee composed of the Race Office of the day and an advisory committee of participants will investigate factors involved in the collision for fact-finding purposes only."

Protest flags are not required to file a protest but the race committee must be notified in the proper manner. If a team needs to protest, they must deliver a written protest to the club by 9 a.m. on the following morning.  Email is permitted and should be delivered to mike@myc.org.   The protest will then be considered by the Commodore or his designee. 

17. Scoring & Standings.

The Low Point Scoring System will be used.