A D Sailing InstructionsNote. There is a printable PDF leaflet link at the foot of this page + an Adobe reader download link if needed. 
Access Class Association (UK)
SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
To be used at all open meetings and Championships in the UK
subject to local rules
March 2008
1.0 RULES
Racing will be governed by The Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008 (RRS), the prescriptions of the RYA and the rules of the Access Class Association (UK Version), except as any of these are changed by these sailing Instructions and the latest version of the “Special Rules for Access Dinghies”.
2.0 CONDITIONS OF_ENTRY
The safety of a boat and her entire management including insurance shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/competitor racing the boat who must ensure that the boat and crew are adequate to face the conditions that may arise in the course of a race. Neither the establishment of these sailing instruction nor any inspection of the boat under these conditions in any way limits the absolute responsibility of the owner/competitor for his crew, the boat and the management thereof. The race organisers shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, death or personal injury howsoever caused to the owner/competitor, his/her skipper or crew, as a result of their taking part in the races. Moreover, every owner/competitor warrants the suitability of his/her boat for the races. The owner/competitor should have a minimum of £1 million Third Party liability insurance,
3.0 PERSONAL SAFETY
Adequate personal buoyancy shall be worn at all times whether afloat or in the vicinity of the pontoons or jetties. Flag Y (Rule 40) will not be displayed. Changes Rule 40. The wearing of wet or dry suits are recommended but do not constitute adequate personal buoyancy.
4.0 NOTICES TO COMPETITORS
4.1 Notices to the competitors will take the form of a briefing by the Race Officer prior to racing to be held ashore.
4.2 Changes to Sailing Instructions. Any change to sailing instructions will be notified at the briefings (see 4.1 above).
5.0 SIGNALS MADE ASHORE AND AFLOAT
Signals made afloat will be displayed on the Committee Boat.
The Answering Pennant AP and two sound signals means the
race is temporarily postponed. At the end of any postponement
the AP will be lowered with one sound signal. The next warning
signal will be made one minute after AP is lowered.
6.0 THE COURSE
6.1 Course Instructions.
Courses will be advised at the briefings by the Race Officer before the racing.
6.2 Lead Boat.
Any lead boat wearing flag L will indicate the course in front of the fleet.
6.3 Moving a mark.
When it is necessary and possible, the Race Officer may either move the position of a mark, or lay a substitute mark after the start. This change will be made clear by the Lead Boat.
7.0 STARTS
7.1 Races will be started using the 5-minute rule (Rule 26). Do note that times should always
be taken from the flag signals and the absence of a sound signal should be ignored.
7.2 There will be separate starts for the 3.03/Liberty classes and the 2.3 class
7.3 The start line will be as defined at the briefing.
7.4 After a start sequence has commenced, boats not involved in that start shall keep clear of
the start area.
7.5 Starting Times - Intended starting times may be described in the Notice of Race and will be confirmed at the pre-race briefing.
303/Liberty Classes
The 303/Liberty classes will start first. Code Flag A or 303 Class Flag 
Signal Flag Sound Minutes before Start
Warning Class Flag A up 1 sound 5 
Preparatory Code Flag P up 1 sound 4
One-Minute Code Flag P down 1 sound 1
Start Class Flag A down 1 sound 0
2.3 CLASS
The 2.3 class will start after the 3.03/Liberty classes. Code Flag B or 2.3 Class Flag
The Start signal for the 3.03/Liberty classes will be the Warning Signal for the 2.3 class
Signal Flag Sound Minutes before Start 
Warning Class Flag B up 1 sound 5
Preparatory Code Flag P up 1 sound 4
One-Minute Code Flag P down 1 sound 1
Start Class Flag B down 1 sound 0
7.5.1
The minimum wind speed for starting will be that in which the Race Officer considers the boats to have sufficient capability for pre-start manoeuvres.
Races should not start or races in progress should be abandoned when the Race Officer
considers that conditions are unsafe for sailing.
7.6 General Recalls.
These will be signalled in accordance with Rule 29.3 as follows –
Flag Sound 
First Substitute 2 Sounds
All boats in that start will then retire well behind the start line. The Warning Signal for
the new Start will be made 1 minute after the First Substitute is removed with 1
sound signal.
In the event of a General Recall for the 3.03/Liberty classes the starting
sequence will re-commence only after the start of the 2.3 Class.
7.7 Individual Recalls.
Recalls will be in accordance with Rule 29.2. If any boat is on the course side of
the start line, the Race Committee will display Flag X  and make one sound. The
Flag X will remain hoisted for FOUR minutes or until all such boats are
completely on the pre-start side of the line or its extensions whichever is the earlier.
It is the responsibility of every sailor over the line to return across the line properly, but efforts
will be made by the Committee Boat and support boats to notify any sailor that he or she
should return.
Failure to return will incur a 5 minute time penalty to be applied the boat’s finishing time.
8.0 FINISHING
8.I Finishing Line. The finishing line will be as defined at the briefing.
8.2 Time Limits. The race length should be approximately 45 minutes for the leading boat. The time limit for other boats will be 15 minutes after the finishing time of the leading boat, unless otherwise indicated at the pre-race briefing or by the Race Officer who may use his/her discretion.
 At the expiry of the time limit, boats which have not finished shall score one more point than the last boat to finish within the time limit. This amends RRS A4.2. If no boat is likely to complete the race within 1 hour, the Race Officer may abandon the race hoisting Flag N.
8.3 Shortening Course. The Race Officer may shorten the course by
displaying Flag S with two sound signals. The race may be finished at any point of the course by creating a new finish line which shall be either the previously designated finishing line or between a boat flying an S flag and a mark of the course or a specially laid mark.
9.0 Penalties for breaking Rules of RRS Part 2 including touching a mark
The penalty for breaking any rule under Part 2 of the RRS including touching a mark of the
Course is to make ONE turn in the same direction including one tack and one gybe while
keeping clear of all other boats.
A turn must be completed before completing the course.
This changes Rules 31.2, 44.1 & 44.2
10.0 PROTESTS
Rule 61.1a is modified so that the Protestor need not display a red flag, but shall comply with all other requirements of this rule with the following exception. Protests shall be notified to the Race Officer or other shore based official within 30 minutes of coming ashore. Changes Rule 61.3. Attention is drawn to Rule 12 and 13 of the current version of the “Special Rules for Access Dinghies”.
11.0 OUTSIDE HELP
11.1 Rule 41 is modified to permit any boat to receive help from a support boat for any
reason other than for additional propulsion. To request help, arms should be raised and lowered or repeated blasts made on a whistle or an approved hand held flag should be waved until acknowledged by a support boat. Any boat being aground and pulled off by a safety boat shall not be penalised ON THE CONDITION that no advantage is given to the competitor in making progress towards the next mark of the course.
11.2 When a Lead Boat motors ahead of the fleet in the direction of the next mark, this
does not break Rule 41 (outside help).
12.0 DECLARATIONS
No declarations shall be required.
13.0 SCORING SYSTEM
The ‘Low Point’ scoring system, rule A2 and A4 will apply. Only on a race series of four or more races will one race score be discarded. Rules A7 & A8 shall also apply. 14.0 LOCAL RULES
Any Local Rules are deemed to be part of these Sailing Instructions details of which shall be made available at the pre race briefing. Rules A7 and A8 shall also apply.
15.0 ADDITIONAL RELATED RULES
15.1 Retirement from a race.
A competitor wishing to retire should inform the Race Officer or a safety boat of their intentions before leaving the racing area. If communication is not possible, they must inform the nominated Regatta Programme Manager at the earliest possible time after coming ashore.
15.2 Towing / Safety Line.
Competitors are responsible for the safety of their boat and are requested to have TWO lines attached – one to the bow and one to the stern - each of approximately 3 metres in length which are accessible to safety boats while afloat to allow a prompt tow in case of difficulties or damage 15.3 Crew Positioning.
Except in an emergency all crews must remain seated whilst racing.
16.0 ACCESS CLASS ASSOCIATION RULES (UK)
16.1 Competitors are advised to read the above rules which relate specifically to the Access Class when racing in the UK and are referred to in Paragraph 1.0 above.
Issued March 2008.
Access Class Association (UK). For an easily printable PDF version click the following link ACA(UK) Sailing Instructions If you do not have a PDF reader you can download Adobe Reader free. click this link for the download page Adobe Reader 
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