Lake Michigan SuRF Newsletter - LMSRF

Fun Rules of Sailing, Rule #4
Part 2 RRS are suspended from sundown to sunrise, where IRPCAS/COLREG right-of-way rules apply.
Why?
Right of way rules are created first off for safety. The rules are "spatial," keep this in mind. The International and
Inland Right of Way Rules (called either IRPCAS or COLREGS) are designed to keep boats far away from one
another. These rules pretty much say that if you see a boat on the horizon, immediately you should take avoiding
action now to assure both boats never get close to one another. The Racing Rules of Sailing do allow boats to
contact (in limited circumstances). Spatially, the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) allow boats to come extremely close
to one another.
At night, visibility is reduced, depth perception is reduced, in the dark there is no
way to discern between a competitor and a cruising boat out sailing. Who in their
right mind would ever suggest that the space allowed under the RRS should ever
apply at night time? The U.S. and Canada to Hawaii races, the U.S. to Bermuda
Races have all figured this out long ago. In their NORs and SIs they state that from
sundown to sunrise the Part 2 Right-of-Way Rules of the RRS are replaced by the
IRPCAS Right-of-Way rules. They want to assure that no unintended consequences
occur in a disastrous night time collision. The RRS designed by ISAF for the
Olympic Games does not come out and make this a rule because Olympics are sailed in daylight. The rules writers
actually "hint" that clubs should opt out of the RRS in certain conditions and think their "hint" is strong enough that
clubs automatically "get it" (I've had this discussion with the rules writers). Take a look at the preamble to the Part
2 Racing Rules of Sailing where it states: "If the sailing instructions so state, the rules of Part 2 are replaced by the
right-of-way rules of the IRPCAS or by government right-of-way rules." Did it strike you this is what they meant?
Because that is what the rules writers intended. Add this provision to your overnight race, add it to your evening
or beer can series. Assure that everyone comes off the water safe, remove protests, remove the need for boats to
go away for repairs, and make sure your event is best prepared to have fun.
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Fun Rules of Sailing, Rule #5
Unsportsmanlike Conduct hearing and penalty (Racing Rule of Sailing 69) shall apply only after a guilty finding in a
court of law.
Why?
Rule 69 takes a lot of fun out of this sport. Too often under the beer tent or the bar after racing, people are
complaining, "that person should be 69'ed for what he did." Where they throw this rule around with a negative
connotation, that in of itself impugns the sport. Too often sailors want a RRS 69 hearing called when the
appropriate measure would be to call the authorities.
Here's an example - the 35'+ boats were rafted. The outer boat appeared with ratty worn out lines and one
partially inflated fender. The next inside boat asked them to go buy a few new fenders to spread the load, which
they refused to do. They hammered their bow and stern lines tight. The inner boat moved one of their own fenders
over in between them and the outside boat. In the little movement in the water, the fender went "squeak, squeak,
squeak," much to the chagrin of the sleepers on board. A crew got up to re-adjust the lines taking the pressure off
the bow and stern line to simply let the boat float, but still tied in control, when the outer boat said, "Touch those
lines and I will kill you." While serious enough to call the authorities, the inner boat changed the tension and went
back to bed. The next morning the inner boat crew walked up the dock to find the side of their vehicle (marked
Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation 8 November 2012 Newsletter