Sailing Information

SAILING INFORMATION

STARTING LINE
Muster just south of the Bay Bridge. The starting line will be between two 108-foot US Naval Academy Yard Patrol (YP) craft flying the race committee flag and dress signals. A schooner has started when her bow crosses the line. Starting times may be delayed if vessels are still arriving from the Inner Harbor. The committee will announce any changes on VHF 01.

STARTING SEQUENCE
Each signal (displayed aboard a YP) shall be lowered one minute before hoisting the next.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be a ten-second verbal countdown prior to each warning, preparatory and starting gun, broadcast over VHF 01 by the Race Committee. Do not attempt to hail the Race Committee during the starting sequence, from 1330 to 1350.

FIRST START: CLASS AA and A
1330. Warning Gun Yellow Shape
1335 Preparatory Gun . Blue Shape
1340 Starting Gun Red Shape

SECOND START: CLASS B and C
1345 Preparatory Gun Blue Shape
1350 Starting Gun Red Shape

ENGINE USE
As a safety precaution, vessels may run their engines until after their start; however, your engine must be out of gear after your preparatory gun. If traffic forces you to use your engine or change your course while racing, please log all related actions, report such events & total time lost when finishing, and submit documentation to the Race Committee as early as possible.

INVALID STARTS
Vessels which have crossed early or otherwise failed to have a valid start will be signaled by the committee: one long blast of an air horn, raising the individual recall flag, and calling the premature starter on Channel 01 by boat name.

Any vessel starting early must complete a 360-degree maneuver at the earliest opportunity after first clearing the starting area. The Race Committee reserves the right to levy additional penalties for egregious behavior.

WITHDRAWAL
Vessels abandoning the race must notify the Norfolk Rebel or a committee boat (VHF 16) as soon as possible, giving times at any checkpoints reached; if unable to reach either vessel, please report times to Schooner Race Committee at 757-480-4402.

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
Thimble Shoal Light to starboard.

CHECKPOINTS, FINISH LINES & SHORTENED COURSES
If the course is shortened, the finish line for each class will be the furthest line (checkpoint) reached by any vessel in that class. All captains are requested to record their time when the stern crosses the following lines, extending shore to shore and easily recognized from a distance:

FIRST CHECKPOINT, ALL CLASSES
East-West line at Cove Point Light (~40 nm): Lat. 38°23.2' N., Long. 76°22.9' W. Cove Point Light to starboard.

SECOND CHECKPOINT & FINISH LINE, FOR CLASS B & C
East-West line at Windmill Point Light (~80 nm): Lat. 37°35.8' N, Long. 76°14.02' W. Please call the committee from Thimble Shoal to report your time and mobilize our docking crew, then proceed to docking area at Town Point. Windmill Point Light to starboard.

Class B & C vessels wishing to compete for a spot on the Perpetual Trophy (Best Corrected Time) may continue racing for "Bragging Rights Only" (BRO) awards.

FINISH LINE FOR, CLASS AA & A (Optional for B & C)
East-West line at Thimble Shoal Light (127 nm): Lat. 37°00.9' N., Long. 76°14.4' W.; the light must be kept to starboard. You must keep clear of Thimble Shoal Channel as you finish, and avoid the ruins of the old lighthouse immediately due east of the current structure. (See "Finish Line" page for details, and carry an up-to-date chart.)

FINISHING INSTRUCTIONS
A schooner has finished when her stern crosses the line. Record GPS time as you cross, and immediately contact the Schooner Race Committee on VHF 16, and report your finishing time; if unable to make contact, please keep trying. The committee will not accept any times reported via cell phone. We provide engraved trophies and need as much lead time for engraving as you can give us.

TIME LIMIT
Schooners that have not called in a finish time before 1000 Saturday will be counted as "Did Not Finish" so that results may be computed in a timely fashion. (If you're getting close at 1000, call the committee... there may be reason for an exception.)

Please secure from racing in time to arrive at the docking area (Olde Towne Portsmouth) no later than 1400 Saturday. The distance from Thimble Shoal Light to Town Point is about 13.5 nm.

FRIDAY ARRIVALS
If the weather is extremely cooperative, you may find yourself arriving on Friday. Although there are no formal events on the schedule, if boats are in port by Friday evening, your liaison will let you know the location for an informal gam.

DOCKING
When you call in your finish, the race committee will notify line handlers of your ETA at your berth. The "Schooner Docking Committee" will be standing by on VHF 16 to guide you to your berth. Please see the Docking Plan in the Skipper's Handbook. Dock assignments may be adjusted based on order of arrival.

HARBOR TRAFFIC
Welcome to the port of Hampton Roads, the world's largest natural harbor. You are likely to encounter all sorts of traffic here, from submarines to deadrises to cruise ships to container ships. Please give way to commercial traffic and avoid using the deep water channels whenever possible. Communicate early and often on Channel 13, fly your radar detector, and keep a sharp lookout.

	SAILING INFORMATION STARTING LINE Muster just south of the Bay Bridge. The starting line will be between two 108-foot US Naval Academy Yard Patrol (YP) craft flying the race committee flag and dress signals. A schooner has started when her bow crosses the line. Starting times may be delayed if vessels are still arriving from the Inner Harbor. The committee will announce any changes on VHF 01. STARTING SEQUENCE Each signal (displayed aboard a YP) shall be lowered one minute before hoisting the next. PLEASE NOTE: There will be a ten-second verbal countdown prior to each warning, preparatory and starting gun, broadcast over VHF 01 by the Race Committee. Do not attempt to hail the Race Committee during the starting sequence, from 1330 to 1350. FIRST START: CLASS AA and A 1330. Warning Gun Yellow Shape 1335 Preparatory Gun . Blue Shape 1340 Starting Gun Red Shape SECOND START: CLASS B and C 1345 Preparatory Gun Blue Shape 1350 Starting Gun Red Shape ENGINE USE As a safety precaution, vessels may run their engines until after their start; however, your engine must be out of gear after your preparatory gun. If traffic forces you to use your engine or change your course while racing, please log all related actions, report such events & total time lost when finishing, and submit documentation to the Race Committee as early as possible. INVALID STARTS Vessels which have crossed early or otherwise failed to have a valid start will be signaled by the committee: one long blast of an air horn, raising the individual recall flag, and calling the premature starter on Channel 01 by boat name. Any vessel starting early must complete a 360-degree maneuver at the earliest opportunity after first clearing the starting area. The Race Committee reserves the right to levy additional penalties for egregious behavior. WITHDRAWAL Vessels abandoning the race must notify the Norfolk Rebel or a committee boat (VHF 16) as soon as possible, giving times at any checkpoints reached; if unable to reach either vessel, please report times to Schooner Race Committee at 757-480-4402. SAILING INSTRUCTIONS Thimble Shoal Light to starboard. CHECKPOINTS, FINISH LINES & SHORTENED COURSES If the course is shortened, the finish line for each class will be the furthest line (checkpoint) reached by any vessel in that class. All captains are requested to record their time when the stern crosses the following lines, extending shore to shore and easily recognized from a distance: FIRST CHECKPOINT, ALL CLASSES East-West line at Cove Point Light (~40 nm): Lat. 38°23.2' N., Long. 76°22.9' W. Cove Point Light to starboard. SECOND CHECKPOINT & FINISH LINE, FOR CLASS B & C East-West line at Windmill Point Light (~80 nm): Lat. 37°35.8' N, Long. 76°14.02' W. Please call the committee from Thimble Shoal to report your time and mobilize our docking crew, then proceed to docking area at Town Point. Windmill Point Light to starboard. Class B & C vessels wishing to compete for a spot on the Perpetual Trophy (Best Corrected Time) may continue racing for "Bragging Rights Only" (BRO) awards. FINISH LINE FOR, CLASS AA & A (Optional for B & C) East-West line at Thimble Shoal Light (127 nm): Lat. 37°00.9' N., Long. 76°14.4' W.; the light must be kept to starboard. You must keep clear of Thimble Shoal Channel as you finish, and avoid the ruins of the old lighthouse immediately due east of the current structure. (See "Finish Line" page for details, and carry an up-to-date chart.) FINISHING INSTRUCTIONS A schooner has finished when her stern crosses the line. Record GPS time as you cross, and immediately contact the Schooner Race Committee on VHF 16, and report your finishing time; if unable to make contact, please keep trying. The committee will not accept any times reported via cell phone. We provide engraved trophies and need as much lead time for engraving as you can give us. TIME LIMIT Schooners that have not called in a finish time before 1000 Saturday will be counted as "Did Not Finish" so that results may be computed in a timely fashion. (If you're getting close at 1000, call the committee... there may be reason for an exception.) Please secure from racing in time to arrive at the docking area (Olde Towne Portsmouth) no later than 1400 Saturday. The distance from Thimble Shoal Light to Town Point is about 13.5 nm. FRIDAY ARRIVALS If the weather is extremely cooperative, you may find yourself arriving on Friday. Although there are no formal events on the schedule, if boats are in port by Friday evening, your liaison will let you know the location for an informal gam. DOCKING When you call in your finish, the race committee will notify line handlers of your ETA at your berth. The "Schooner Docking Committee" will be standing by on VHF 16 to guide you to your berth. Please see the Docking Plan in the Skipper's Handbook. Dock assignments may be adjusted based on order of arrival. HARBOR TRAFFIC Welcome to the port of Hampton Roads, the world's largest natural harbor. You are likely to encounter all sorts of traffic here, from submarines to deadrises to cruise ships to container ships. Please give way to commercial traffic and avoid using the deep water channels whenever possible. Communicate early and often on Channel 13, fly your radar detector, and keep a sharp lookout.