Course Instructions

Course Instructions will be issued for each race of the Clipper 2019-20 Race and are to be filed in this section.

The Atlantic Trade Winds Leg

Race 2 – PORTIMÃO to PUNTA DEL ESTE

References

The race will be sailed in accordance with the instructions below and the references included in them to:

General Information

All times are local, (UTC +1 hr) unless otherwise stated.
Tidal Information on Sunday 15 September 2019 at:
Lisboa HW 1701 3.80m
Race distance is approximately 5200 nautical miles.
The estimated finishing date is 12 – 16 October 2019
All bearings shown are relative to True North.

Arrangements Prior to the Start

1300 All Crew on board yachts
1230 Skippers dockside briefing
1400 First Clipper yacht slip lines at Marina de Portimão
1445 Parade of Sail
1600 Race start outside Portimão Harbour

Start and Starting Signals

Race 2 start will be at 1600 LT on Sunday 15 September 2019

Sequence for the start will be :-

1550 - 10 minute warning signal:
Clipper Race class flag and air horn blast

1556 - 4 minute preparatory signal:
‘P’ flag raised and air horn blast (engines off)

1559 - 1 minute warning signal:

‘P’ flag lowered and air horn blast

1600 - Race Start:
All flags lowered and sound signal

The Class Flag shall be the Clipper Race Flag.

All flags will be shown on the committee vessel.

Sound signals shall be made by an air horn and are made to draw your attention to the flags.

The start will be signaled by an air horn blast.

The start sequence shall be called on VHF CH 77

Starting Line

The start line is between the mast on the Committee Vessel anchored in approx. position 37°06.500N, 008°32.100W and a yellow inflatable cylindrical mark in approx. position 37°06.300N, 008°32.100W

The start line will be approx. 450m in length.
The exact location of the start course and any marks will be determined by the Race Director and briefed in advance.
Any alterations to the proposed start courses shall be made on VHF CH 77.
The Clipper Race Committee reserves the right to change or adjust the published starting procedures or start course and any aspect of the race course to ensure the overall objectives of the Clipper Race are achieved.

Start Communications

The Race Officer will communicate on VHF CH 77. The back up channel will be VHF CH 72. All yachts are to check in with Clipper Race Control on VHF prior to the 10 minute warning signal.

The final 10 seconds before the start will be counted down on VHF. This shall not count as outside assistance; failure to hear the transmission will not be cause for redress.

Infringements

Reference SI 5 (extracts reprinted below)

RRS 30.1 (Round – an – End Rule) will be in force for all starts but flag ‘I’ will not be flown.
Yachts on the course side of the starting line (OCS) at the start will be penalised by a time penalty of 1 hour plus a further minute for every second over the line at the start signal.
Whenever possible yachts over the line will be advised by the starting authority on the designated VHF channel.
Yachts may avoid a penalty by returning around the pin end of the start line and then re-crossing the line.
Entering a TSS – a minimum 6 hour time penalty will be applied to that yacht’s finishing time.

Race Marks

Race marks will be established buoys, race marks, navigational marks and virtual waypoints.

Course

Ref	Mark	Rounding	Comments
1	START	East to West	See above
2	Virtual Mark Stickland	STARBOARD	Approx. position 36°20.000N, 009°00.000W
3	Doldrums Corridor NW	STARBOARD	13°00.000N, 029°00.000W Virtual Waypoint
4	Doldrums Corridor NE	PORT	13°00.000N, 025°00.000W Virtual Waypoint
5	Doldrums Corridor SW	STARBOARD	03°00.000N, 029°00.000W Virtual Waypoint
6	Doldrums Corridor SE	PORT	03°00.000N, 025°00.000W Virtual Waypoint
7	Isla De Lobos Lighthouse	PORT	Approx. position 35°01.473S, 054°53.006W
8	Bajo Del Este SCM	STARBOARD	Approx. position 34°58.601S, 054°57.725W
9	Bajo Del Este No. 1 SHM	STARBOARD	Approx. position 34°58.300S, 054°57.822W
10	In addition to the above, NO yacht is to be within 3nm of any coastline, island or off lying hazard (awash or above the water at chart datum) and not in water of less than 20m deep (chart datum)	SEE NOTE BELOW	Between No. 2 Virtual Mark Stickland and No. 7 Isla De Lobos Lighthouse
11	Finish Line	SOUTH to NORTH	See Below

DOLDRUMS CORRIDOR

The Doldrums Corridor is a compulsory corridor that is defined as lying between the virtual waypoints; Doldrums Corridor NW, Doldrums Corridor NE, Doldrums Corridor SW and Doldrums Corridor SE.
The Doldrums Gate North is defined as the line of latitude between the Doldrums Corridor NW and Doldrums Corridor NE.
The Doldrums Gate South is defined as the line of latitude between the Doldrums Corridor SW and Doldrums Corridor SE.
Each yacht is permitted the use of its engine whilst in the Doldrums Corridor subject to the following criteria;
All yachts are ONLY allowed to motor-sail for a maximum of 6 ^°of latitude which must take a minimum time of 60 hours to complete.
All yachts MUST cease motor-sailing at 03^°N regardless of whether they have completed 6 ^°of latitude under engine.
All yachts MUST declare their intention to motor-sail a minimum of 3 hours before doing so. 60 hours elapsed time will begin to be calculated from this declared time regardless of whether the engine is being used or not.
When a yacht’s engine is started or stopped a declaration MUST be made to the Race Office within 3 hours, stating the time UTC, latitude and longitude and a digital photograph taken. This will allow the calculation of 6 ^° of latitude to be made.
If 6^°of latitude is covered by the yacht before 60 hours has elapsed the yacht must remain at that position of latitude. A declaration MUST be made to the Race Office within 3 hours and a digital photograph taken.
If a yacht must wait for 60 hours to elapse then before resuming racing it MUST return to its declared latitude. A declaration MUST be made to the Race Office within 3 hours after resuming racing and a digital photograph taken so that the restart position can be verified.
Once a yacht has declared their intention to motor-sail to the Race Office the request cannot be rescinded.
All yachts MUST report their time of crossing the latitude of 09 ^°N within 3 hours of doing so regardless of whether they are sailing or not. This is so an elapsed time of 60 hours can be calculated, if for example you decide to start motor-sailing at 05 ^°N and clearly cannot complete 6^°of latitude before 03 ^°N is reached.
For the avoidance of doubt, Skippers MUST record the GPS time (UTC) of crossing a line of latitude and email / contact the race office with these timings within 3 hours. A digital photograph must also be taken which clearly shows time and position. This photograph is NOT to be sent to the Race Office unless specifically requested and must be retained on board for verification as requested.

Warnings

Traffic Separation Schemes – no TSS shall be entered by a Clipper Race yacht and should be considered an obstruction. If for safety reasons a yacht is compelled to enter a TSS then that yacht must comply with IRPCS Rule 10. To exonerate herself the yacht crossing into a TSS must return to the exact position they crossed into the TSS before resuming racing. For the avoidance of doubt, the magenta area of a TSS as shown on the chart shall constitute part of the TSS and shall not be entered.
Positions of racing marks given are approximate. If a mark is out of position this will not be grounds for a yacht to protest the Race Committee or apply for redress. It is always the Skipper’s responsibility to determine if any racing mark is surrounded by navigable water.
Skippers should be aware of and must not impede the safe passage of any commercial traffic particularly in and around the TSS off Cape St. Vincent.
Skippers should be aware of the shoal areas in the vicinity of Bajo del Este and on the approaches to the finish line.

Skippers shall not rely on GPS alone when navigating near coastlines and hazards and shall establish visual or radar fixes.

Skippers shall review the warnings on charts and pilot books relevant to the area to be sailed. During daylight skippers shall avoid navigating too closely to any marked obstruction and at night significantly more sea room shall be given.

EXCLUSION ZONE

There will be a 3nm exclusion zone from all coastline, islands and off lying hazards (awash or above the water at chart datum) between No. 2 Virtual Mark Stickland and the Lighthouse on Isla De Lobos. This will apply when No. 2 Virtual Mark Stickland (in position 36°20.000N, 009°00.000W) bears 270° True until within a radius of 3nm of the lighthouse on Isla De Lobos (in position 35°01.473S, 054°53.006W)
In addition to the above, no Clipper vessel is to roam into an area of less than 20m deep (chart datum) between No. 2 Virtual Mark Stickland and the Lighthouse on Isla De Lobos. This will apply when No. 2 Virtual Mark Stickland (in position 36°20.000N, 009°00.000W) bears 270° True until within a radius of 3nm of the lighthouse on Isla De Lobos (in position 35°01.473S, 054°53.006W)
Penalties will apply for any infringements of these rules as directed by the Clipper Race Committee. Any penalties will be a minimum of 6 hours.
The safe navigation of all Clipper Vessels is the responsibility of the Skipper or person nominated by the Skipper. All Skippers MUST navigate with caution using all available means at all times. Due regard must be taken given the prevailing conditions and circumstances at the time.
Skippers are warned that marks of the course are not necessarily placed in safe navigable waters, in fact in some cases they are placed on land, and therefore they should not be used as route waypoints.
The safe navigation of the yacht is the sole responsibility of the Skipper and as such the Skipper shall ensure that when deciding on routing and selecting route waypoints consideration is given to all navigational hazards, crew strength, visibility and whether it is day or night.

Stealth Mode

As per Clipper SI 9, each yacht shall have the opportunity to use one period (of 24 hours) of Stealth Mode.

Scoring Gates

As per Clipper SI 10, there will be one scoring gate during race 2. This is not a compulsory gate for the race but the first three yachts through the gate will be awarded three points, two points and one point respectively. Any other yachts that pass through the scoring gate will not be awarded any points. Skippers shall record the GPS time (UTC) of crossing the scoring gate and email / contact the Race Office with these timings within 3 hours.

The scoring gate shall be between SG2 West at position 19°N 024°W and SG2 East at position 19°N 023°W

A digital photograph clearly showing the exact position and GPS time (UTC) shall be taken when crossing the scoring gate and retained on board. This photograph will be used to confirm the timings. The photographs from the first three boats to cross the scoring gate may be checked at the next stopover. Failure to produce the photographs when requested by a member of the race committee will result in disqualification from the scoring gate and the points will be awarded to the next team in line subject to examination of photographic evidence.

Ocean Sprint

As per Clipper SI 11, there will be an Ocean Sprint as part of race 2. The Ocean Sprint shall be between the lines of longitude 05°S and 10°S. Skippers shall record the GPS time (UTC) of crossing each of these lines of latitude and email / contact the race office with these timings within 3 hours.

The first three teams with the shortest elapsed time between the two designated positions will receive three points, two points and one point respectively. The remaining yachts will receive no points for the ocean sprint.

A start and finish declaration must be submitted by each yacht regardless of whether it is the shortest elapsed time or not as this information is needed for a results table that will be published on the Clipper Race website.

A digital photograph clearly showing the exact position and GPS time (UTC) shall be taken when crossing the lines of longitude. This photograph will be used to confirm the timings. The photographs from the fastest three boats in the Ocean Sprint may be checked at the next stopover. Failure to produce the photographs when requested by a member of the race committee will result in disqualification from the scoring gate and the points will be awarded to the next team in line subject to examination of photographic evidence.

JOKER

As per Clipper SI 12, each team is allowed to play their ‘Joker’ once only during the Clipper 2019-20 Race. It can be played in any individual race and in order to be eligible this request must be submitted to the Race Office in writing at the pre-race Skippers briefing on the day before departure of the nominated race. In the event that there is no planned Skippers briefing then a team must inform the Race Office in writing no later than 24 hours before departure of the nominated race.

The ‘Joker’ means that all points gained from the yachts finishing position at the end of the nominated race will be doubled. e.g. if a team finishes 1 ^st then they will be awarded 22 points and if a team finishes 11 ^th then they will be awarded two points.

Any points gained from Scoring Gates or Ocean Sprints will be unaffected.

Reporting positions

Lead Skipper:

15/09 – 24/09 Wavy Immelman CV21
25/09 – 04/10 Ben Keitch CV22
05/10 – Finish Mark Burkes CV23
As per Clipper SI 7, each skipper shall report the position of their yacht to the Race Office by email at 0600 and 1800 UTC each day. Amongst other things, this email shall contain DTF. The email shall be sent to raceoffice@clipper-ventures.com (do not copy in the Lead Skipper or other yachts).
In the event of Satcom email failure the skipper shall endeavour to pass the scheduled reporting information and daily report back to the Race Office via the sat phone or the Lead Skipper or any other Clipper yacht on VHF.

Finish Line

Skippers are to report their position and ETA at the finish line to the Race Office by phone or email when within 20 miles (or 2 hours) of the finish line.
The finish line shall be off the main breakwater to the harbour and will be between an orange inflatable cylindrical mark in approx. position 34°57.600S, 054°57.400W and the red Starboard hand lighthouse (fl1r 5s7m8M) on the breakwater in approx. position 34°57.593S, 054°57.067W
The length of the line is approx. 500m in length.
The orange inflatable cylindrical mark has a white continuously flashing light fitted.
The orange inflatable cylindrical mark bears approx. 100° (M) to the starboard hand lighthouse.
In the event of a photo finish the actual positions given above will be used to verify the line.
The finish line shall be crossed in a South to North direction.
Skippers must record their own GPS time of crossing the finish line (UTC) and they must send this time to the Race Office via email or any other means within 20 minutes of finishing or as soon as practicable.
There may not be a finish yacht on station at the finish line. A digital photograph clearly showing the exact position and GPS time (UTC) shall be taken when crossing the finish line. This photograph will be used to confirm the timings if required.
The Race Committee reserves the right to finish the race in whatever manner is deemed suitable to best achieve the aims of the race, due to weather conditions or safety considerations or for any reason.
Typically, this will be either by changing the position of the finish line, or by introducing a time limit such that at the specified time of the finish, the distance (great circle) to the finish of each team shall be used to determine the overall finish order for that race, or a combination of both methods.
In the event of a shortened course, the ‘S’ flag will not be flown and the sound signal will not be made (amendment to RRS 32).
Additional gates may be added to the course after the start signal. Skippers will be advised by email of any such changes.
In the event of a change to the course, the next mark on the leg currently being sailed may be changed (amendment to RRS 33).
Skippers are advised of the dangers of the offlying rocks and hazards approx. 0.700nm SW of Punta Del Este and the shoal areas immediately west and south of the marina breakwater.

ACTIONS AFTER THE FINISH

Once finished, each team shall navigate with caution under motor to the vicinity of the Marina in position 34°57.596S, 054°57.027W and prepare their yacht for berthing.

Skippers are advised of the dangers of the offlying rocks and hazards approx. 0.700nm SW of Punta Del Este and the shoal areas immediately west and south of the marina breakwater.

Once ready call ‘Clipper Race Control’ on VHF CH 77 and follow instructions issued by the Deputy Race Director.

Communications with other Clipper RACE Yachts and Race Control

In addition to monitoring VHF CH 16 and relevant harbour channels the Clipper Race yachts shall use the following VHF Channels :-

Primary VHF CH 77

Secondary VHF CH 72

Passage Planning

Passage planning is not only a legal requirement but is required under Clipper Race rules.

A complete and detailed passage plan on the form supplied at Annex E of the Sailing Instructions must be ‘signed’ by the Skipper and AQP. This must be submitted to the Race Office by 1800 local time on the pre-departure day.

Failure to hand in a complete passage plan will carry the penalties as per Clipper SI 16.