A D Racing Rules
Note. There is a printable PDF leaflet link at the foot of this page + an Adobe reader download link if needed.   ACCESS CLASS ASSOCIATION (UK)
Special Rules for Access Dinghies when participating in UK Travellers Trophy Events and National Championships
March 2008 1. Competitors in Access dinghy events are expected to compete in accordance with recognised principles of sportsmanship and fair play and shall comply with the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) and RYA Prescriptions all as amended by these Rules for use in the UK , except such amendments shall not apply to International events when held in UK waters.
2. However to comply with the unique purposes of the Access Dinghies it is deemed necessary to include the following permanent alterations to event sailing instructions.
3. Competing sailors with right of way need to take into consideration possible delayed reaction times and possible limited manoeuvrability of other Access sailors. Protest Committees must take this rule into consideration when hearing a protest involving right of way rules.
4. Special consideration shall be given in conveying information and signalling to the needs of sailors with special needs be they physical, intellectual, emotional or sensory disabilities.
5. Sailors with special needs may be assisted by electronic devices including servo assisted winches, radio and remote controls.
6. If sailing in a servo assisted division, sailors are not permitted to manually adjust the sheets or move the boom. To be eligible for the servo assisted division the mainsheet and steering must be fully servo controlled i.e. the sheets being operated electro-mechanically.
7. Crewing Rules
a) In all regattas a 303W dinghy may be sailed with a crew of one or two. If sailed single handed it shall be fitted with a solid seat which holds the sailor firmly in a central position. Note also the weight limit in Rule 8 below.
b) A 2.3W may compete in the 2.3S class and may carry either one or two crew members.
c) When sailing with a crew of two the boat must be sailed by a team made up of one person with special needs of a physical, intellectual, emotional or sensory nature (see e) below) and one person with or without such special needs, either of whom may helm entirely or share the helm while racing. Any non-disabled sailor sailing with a person with special needs must encourage the latter to take as active a part as possible in sailing their dinghy. Sailors in a double-handed boat are to remain seated at all times, one on either side of the centreboard casing.
d) Single handed boats must be sailed by a person with special needs as described above. Solo sailors are to remain seated at all times with a leg on either side of the centreboard casing (if they have two). It is however permissible for solo sailors to use their leeward leg to prop themselves to windward.
e) Non-disabled persons may participate in all ACA( UK ) TT events but not the UK National Championships [except as allowed in c) above in a 303W or 2.3W]. Unless accompanying a sailor with a disability in a 303W or 2.3W, such sailors will not be eligible for the main prizes or places in the TT results, but will be eligible for “Open Class” prizes.
e) For broad guidance an extract from the Association’s Constitution is as follows:
Physical: Impeded mobility
Intellectual: Includes such conditions as learning difficulties, Down’s Syndrome, etc.
Emotional: Includes specific conditions such as Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Prada Willy Syndrome, or psychiatric conditions both psychotic and neurotic.
Sensory: Includes deafness and blindness, but does not include disorders of taste, smell or touch.
8. Sailor Weight Rules
a) Maximum sailor and luggage weights for each model are displayed on the builder’s plate which is fixed to the cockpit of all Access models.
b) For club use, including club racing, there is no weight equalisation regime required by these class rules for any model.
c) For ACA(UK) co-ordinated racing (e.g. The National Championships and the Travellers’ Trophy Series) the following rules apply and, where these minimum weights are not met by the sailors, ballast will be added to the boat to achieve them.
d) A sailor’s declaration of weight will be accepted unless an obvious discrepancy seems apparent, in which case the sailor may be invited to be weighed. The sailor weight is defined as the weight when dressed in clothing appropriate for the prevailing conditions, including buoyancy aid or lifejacket.
e) The minimum Sailor weights for each Access model (i.e. the weight below which ballast will be added) for Association coordinated racing events is as follows:
(Note. 1 kg =2.205lbs, I lb = 0.454 Kg, 1 stone (14lbs) = 6.4 kg approx.)
i) The 303 W minimum combined helm and crew weight is 90KG. (approximately 14 stone).
A 303 W sailed single handed has a minimum crew weight limit of 100Kg (approximately 15 stone 10 lbs).
ii) The 303S minimum helm weight is 45KG (approximately 7 stone) when racing in an all 303S race and 90Kg (approximately 14 stone) when racing in a combined 303 fleet race.
iii) The 2.3W minimum combined helm and crew weight is 45KG. (approximately 7 stone)
iv) The 2.3S minimum helm weight is 45KG. (approximately 7 stone)
v) The Liberty minimum helm weight is 45KG. (approximately 7 stone)
9. No deliberate adjustments to the sail area (reefing and unreefing or adjustment of the outhaul) are permitted between the raising of the class race warning flag and crossing the finish line. However, if the mainsail foot becomes loose during a race due to failure of the reefing system or the outhaul jamming cleat, the outhaul only may be pulled in and re-cleated to preserve the shape of the sail. At no time whilst racing may the outhaul or reefing lines be deliberately eased.
10. No adjustment to the position of the centreboard is permitted whilst racing.
11. Any boat taking a penalty under RRS 44 shall take a one turn (360deg) only (amends RRS 44).
12. The helmsman of a competing boat which is the subject of a Protest and who, on coming ashore and taking advice, decides that he or she has indeed infringed a rule of Part 2 of the RRS may agree to take a points penalty equivalent to two places in the relevant race. Agreement to take this 2 point penalty must be done within the time limit set in the Sailing Instructions for the lodging of a formal Protest. This will not affect the points awarded to other competitors in that race. If a penalty is taken by a boat protested against, the Protest will not be heard.
13. Any Protest Committee must take into account the following:
a) That the audible call of “PROTEST” is required in accordance with RRS 61.1(a). However, if the competitor is unable to make such a call because of disability or similar reason this requirement can be waived by the Organising or Protest Committee.
b) That notice of any intended Protest must be lodged with the Race Committee at the earliest opportunity. Any Protest should be submitted to the Race Committee within the time limit set in the Sailing Instructions.
c) Rule 3 above.
d) The nature of the disability from which any sailor subject to a protest suffers.
14. In the event of any protests concerning the Class Rules or these Special Rules, where there is need for interpretation at a ACA( UK ) event, other than an International event held in the United Kingdom , an Association Committee member must be consulted for interpretation.
These Rules must be made available to all competitors in appropriate Access Class events.
It is strongly recommended that all sailors should lodge with a member of their organisation remaining on shore details of their medical condition and prescribed drugs in a sealed envelope only to be used in the event of a medical emergency.
Access Class Association ( UK ) – March 2008
For an easily printable PDF version click the following link Special Rules for Access Dinghies, March 2008 If you do not have a PDF reader you can download Adobe Reader free. click this link for the download page Adobe Reader 
|
