Proposed new Colreg

[TheBoatman]

Rule 39 (proposed)

Racing Vessels

(a) Any sailing vessel whilst engaged in racing shall not comply with any other rules.
(b) All racing vessels must fly a racing burgee from her backstay.
(c) Sound signals. At every given opportunity crews must hurl abuse at any vessel that impedes her progress by shouting “we’re racing”
(d) All racing vessels, providing she complies with 39 (b), may pass as close as she sees fit to any other vessel and from any direction. All such other vessels shall at all times take avoiding action and should a collision occur the racing vessel will be deemed to be in the right because they were “racing”
(e) If possible, all racing vessels shall at all times, try their hardest to impede the progress of large vessels operating in narrow channels or day sailors out for a “jolly” after all one is only working commercially and the other is of no importance because in both cases they are not racing.
(f) Should a racing vessel be forced to change course because of the incompetence of either commercial traffic or day sailors she may lodge a complaint with the race protest committee for redress quoting this rule.

Notes.
The above rule is designed to take account of the current situation that exists in the racing world. For many years racing sailors have had to put up with total incompetence of commercial skippers, pilots, and day cruisers.
There has up until now been a total lack of understanding of how racing sailors should be allowed total freedom to go wherever they want when they want, after all they are racing. Unfortunately pilots of 80,000 ton bulk gas carriers operating in narrow channels do not understand that to put a racing vessel off course will mean the loss of places when all they have to do is stop and wait until the racers have passed.
As for family day cruisers, the IMO consider that to expose young children to a more colourful version of the English language when a close encounter situation occurs can only be a good thing.


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Cornishman]

Aw, c'mon. That would put MoD Plod out of business in Plymouth, and other ports where racers interfere with nuclear subs, etc.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[charles_reed]

Irony? nm

nm

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jimi]

Proposed Amendment

The race officer where practicable shall lay the course such the windward mark lies to windward of a main channel and the gybe mark lies to leeward of the aforesaid channel.Race officers who have difficulty with this concept may wish to consult with the race officer who does this very successfully across the Brambles North Channel.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[snowleopard]

We should be helpful to racers...

like the 70ft french yacht i saw in lisbon. there was a big regatta starting downwind as the yacht was approaching the line just ahead of the fleet. one keelboat had a really classic start, kite up seconds before the gun, everything drawing and over the line within a couple of seconds.

the frenchman hears the gun and realises he is in the way so turns round and heads back upwind. as he did so he blocked the keelboat who had to crash tack. by the time he got the kite unwound he was at the back. unfortunately i don't speak portuguese so i couldn't tell what the helsman said.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[TheBoatman]

Re: Proposed Amendment

Jimi
Sounds like a good addition to me.
Maybe we should include it?
I'm open to suggestions.
Peter

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[TheBoatman]

Mike
With all due respect, I don't think you've quite understood this new reg.
Mod Plod would not be put out of work because they would now have escort all Nuclear boats to make sure that they did not impede the progress of racing vessels<s>.
In fact I'm thinking that maybe the best solution is to included (in the new reg) something along the lines of:
(x) If boats are racing all traffic should cease to use those areas whilst racing is taking place.

However I have not yet addressed the problem of racing boat to racing boat problems? Maybe the ISAF / RRS may be of help.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Cornishman]

But Mod Plod already escorts the nuc subs, and all the other of HM Ships and has a high old time chasing and occasionally prosecuting racing yotties. If you stopped their fun with your new reg what would they have to do? OK, I see your point and can see your tongue poking out the side of your cheek!

Stick to wreckin' it's much more fun!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[petery]

Perhaps you could append to your new reg the notice posted by QHM Portsmouth, suitably modified, giving racing vessels a 500 yd exclusion zone with armed escorts who will open fire assuming hostile intent if other vessels come too close.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[TheBoatman]

Now we're cooking<s>

All suggestions as to modifying the reg would be appreciated.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[BrendanS]

Any racing vessel, after t-boning and sinking another vessel, is exempt from rendering assistance when requested by the Coastguard, by uttering the 'get out of jail' card 'I'm racing'

This card was played without success 2 years ago in the Solent by a Sunsail yacht which sank a boat off Lee on Solent, and was commanded to return to the sinking vessel, so the rules need to be changed forthwith

<hr width=100% size=1>Err, let me know if Depsol enters the forum, I'll go and hide