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The Twenty-third Marion Bermuda Race

Sailing Instructions

Public Released May 15 and Amended May 30, June 3, June 10, and June13, 2023

Start: Friday, June 16, 2023

ORGANIZING AUTHORITY AND SPONSORS

The Marion Bermuda Race (“MBR”) is organized by the Marion Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race Association, Inc. (“MBCYRA”). It is supported by the:

Beverly Yacht Club“BYC”Marion, Massachusetts
Blue Water Sailing Club“BWSC”Boston, Massachusetts
Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club“RHADC”Paget, Bermuda

The notation ‘[NP]’ in a rule of the sailing instructions (SIs) means that a yacht may not protest another yacht for breaking that rule. This changes RRS 60.1(a).

The notation ‘[DP]’ in a rule of the sailing instructions means that a penalty for a breach of that rule may, at the discretion of the Protest Committee, be less that disqualification.

  1. RULES
    1. The Marion Bermuda Race will be governed by:

    2. Any amendments issued by the Organizing Authority (“OA”) may change any of these documents as permitted by the RRS.

    3. Links to websites containing the rules listed above and other relevant information can be found on the MBR website.

    4. RRS 26 (Starting Races), 60.2 (Right to Protest), and 62 (Redress) will be changed as follows:

      1. RRS 26 (Starting Races) will be changed such that the warning signal for each class will be 10 minutes before the starting signal and the preparatory signal will be 5 minutes before the starting signal.

      2. RRS 63.1 (Requirement for a Hearing) is changed to read "A boat or competitor shall not be penalized without a protest hearing, except as provided in rules 30.2, 30.3, 30.4, 64.4(d), 64.5(b), 64.6, 69, 78.2, A5.1, P2 or by the Compliance Committee for not complying with NoR 1.2, 7. A3, A4, A5, A7, A8 or SI 2.5, 2.6, 5.1, 6, 7, 8.4.

      3. RRS 62.1(a) (Redress) is changed by adding “or the Compliance Committee.” This permits yachts aggrieved by the findings of the Compliance Committee to request redress from the Protest Committee in accordance with RRS 62. See SI 14.6.

    5. Whenever a yacht meets a Sail Training Division yacht, competitors are reminded that “room to keep clear” means “the space a yacht needs in the existing conditions, including space to comply with her obligations under rules of Part 2 (When Boats Meet) and RRS 31, while maneuvering promptly in a seamanlike way” - as defined in the RRS. Also, IRPCAS, Part B Rule 8(d) refers to yachts “passing at a safe distance.” In protests for breaches of the rules in these situations, i.e. (1) when a yacht meets a Sail Training yacht, and/or (2) when the IRPCAS apply, the jury will determine that “room” and “safe distance” are a minimum of two boat lengths of the longer yacht.

  2. COMMUNICATIONS WITH COMPETITORS
    1. All notices to competitors will be posted on the Official Notice Board on the Marion Bermuda Race web site. As a courtesy, copies may also be posted on the Notice Board on the Beverly Yacht Club porch and/or at the Sailing Center on the dock at RHADC.

    2. If changes to starting times are made afloat, the Committee will announce any changes to the scheduled starting times on VHF Channel 72.

    3. All yachts shall monitor VHF Channel 72 from 0930 on the day of their start for announcements from the start line race committee boat until they have started.

    4. Communications with both the Starting Line and the Finish Line Committees shall be limited to those permitted by the Sailing Instructions and emergency transmissions.

    5. [DP] All yachts will be required to monitor a safety channel from the time they leave their moorings to head to the starting area until the Sail Training division start. This channel will be announced at the Skipper’s Meeting and will be used by the Sail Training yachts to inform the fleet of their intended maneuvers in tight quarters.

    6. [DP] Except for safety transmissions by the Sail Training vessels of their movements before the start, yacht-to-yacht transmissions on VHF radio or satellite communications systems are prohibited from the time of the first attention signal before the first start of the day until four hours after the last start of the day, except during emergencies. Thereafter, transmissions that do not contain information giving an advantage to any competitor are permitted. Re-transmitting the contents of public weather forecasts is encouraged if requested by another vessel.

    7. To comply with NoR 9.2.2, yachts shall call the MBR Offshore Communications Team at +1 508-538-1027.

  3. CHANGES TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

    Any changes in the Sailing Instructions will be posted on the Marion Bermuda Race web site on the Official Notice Board by 2000 on the day before they take effect.

  4. SIGNALS MADE ASHORE
    1. Signals made ashore will be displayed from the BYC flagstaff.

    2. Code flag “AP” (Answering Pennant) with two guns means: “The race is postponed. Do not leave the harbor area.” The time of the warning signal for the first starting class will be not less than 2 hours after the lowering of “AP”, with one gun. This changes RRS Race Signals.

  5. YACHT IDENTIFICATION
    1. [DP] Class identification flags shall be displayed from the backstay before check-in on the day of the start and shall not be removed until after the yacht has started and cleared the starting area. Class flags will be distributed at registration at the Skippers’ Meeting.

    2. Scratch sheets indicating class assignments, class flag designations, and the order in which classes are scheduled to start will be available at the Skippers’ Meeting and on the Marion Bermuda Race web site.

  6. SKIPPERS’ MEETING

    [DP] A Skippers’ Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 1630. Details of location and/or virtual access will be provided at onsite registration. While all crew members are welcome to attend, at least two members of each crew including the skipper and navigator must attend the entire meeting from start to finish. The meeting will include comprehensive briefings on the starting procedure, weather, the Gulf Stream and approaches to Bermuda.

  7. CHECK IN ON THE DAY OF THE START
    1. All yachts shall check-in on their way to the start at the Race Patrol vessel CIRRUS that will be stationed near Centerboard Shoal Fl. Red Buoy “2”, approximately 1.25 nautical mile (NM) north-northwest of the starting line. See Attachment A.

    2. [DP] Check-in commences at 1000 and must be completed 1 hour before the yacht’s class warning signal. Check-in is mandatory. Yachts shall pass in single file within shouting distance across the stern of the Race Patrol vessel CIRRUS maintaining a distance of approximately 100 feet between vessels. The directions for passing the Patrol vessel may be amended at the Skippers meeting. The Patrol vessel will acknowledge the check-in by loudhailer.

      1. Sail training yachts and yachts drawing more than 12 feet may check in with CIRRUS on Channel 69 when they are within sight of either CIRRUS the check in boat or the starting line.

    3. A yacht not starting shall report this to the Starting Line Committee on VHF Channel 72 or to the Offshore Communications Team at +1 508-538-1027 no later than the warning signal for her class.

  8. THE START
    1. The starting area will be located approximately 1.25 NM south-southeast of Centerboard Shoal at approximately 41° 38.9’ N 070° 42.4’ W. The starting line is approximately 4 NM from Sippican (Marion) Harbor. See Attachment B.

    2. The Starting Area is rectangular and is bounded by yellow tetrahedral buoys. See the diagram in Attachment B.

    3. Five minutes before the warning signal for the Sail Training Division start, code flag “F” will be raised to warn yachts not beginning their starting sequence that they must be clear of the starting area in five minutes. Code flag “F” will be lowered one minute before the first warning signal of the Sail Training Division.

    4. [DP] After the warning signal for the first class to start, yachts whose class-warning signal has not been made shall keep clear of the Starting Area and of all yachts whose class-warning signal has been made. See SI 15.4.

    5. Races will be started as follows:

      1. The warning signal for each class will be 10 minutes before the starting signal and the preparatory signal will be 5 minutes before the starting signal. This changes RRS 26.

      2. The warning signal for the start of the Sail Training Division is scheduled for June 16, 2023 at 1200 EDT.

      3. The warning signal for the first start of the Founders Division is scheduled for June 16, 2023 5 minutes after the start of the Sail Training Division.

      4. Division ClassClass FlagScheduled Warning (EDT)
        Sail TrainingCode flag “G”1200
        Founders CGreen1215
        Founders BYellow1230
        Founders ABlue1245
        Founders PerformanceOrange1300
    6. The starting line will be between an orange flag on the Beverly Yacht Club Signal Boat COMMODORES and the course side of the orange cylinder.

    7. If, before on-site registration, a yacht anticipates starting later than ten minutes after the starting signal for her class, she shall notify the Race Committee at registration for further instructions. If on the day of the race a yacht intends to start more than ten minutes after the last class starting signal, she shall call the Starting Line Committee on VHF Channel 72 or, if unavailable the Offshore Communications Team at +1 508-538-1027 for further instructions.

    8. A yacht’s starting time will be the starting time of her class within her division.

    9. A yacht that does not start within 4 hours of her class start will be scored DNS unless the Race Committee (“RC”) has granted an exception.

  9. RECALLS

    In addition to the provisions of RRS 29.1, sail numbers of the yachts concerned may be announced on VHF Channel 72. Failure to hear such an announcement shall not be grounds for granting redress.

  10. THE COURSE AND MARKS
    1. The course for all divisions will be from the starting line off Marion to the finishing line off St. David’s Head, leaving the islands of Bermuda to starboard.

    2. [DP] Yachts shall pass north and west of both United States marks. These are the only marks of the course in the U. S.:

      Mark NameType CharacteristicsLatitude (N)Longatude (W)Mark to be left to:
      Penikese IslandIsland41° 27.3’70° 55.6’Port
      Sow & Pigs ReefBell Buoy “36” Fl R 4s41° 23.8’70° 59.1’Port
    3. [DP] All yachts shall approach Bermuda from the North and shall pass east of:

      Mark NameType CharacteristicsLatitude (N)Longatude (W)Mark to be left to:
      North East BreakerBeacon (45 ft. ht.) Fl W 2.5s W 15s32° 28.7’64° 41.0’Starboard
      Kitchen ShoalBeacon (45 ft. ht.) Fl (3)32° 26.1’64° 37.6’Starboard
      Mills BreakerBuoy VQ (3) W 5s32° 23.9’64° 36.9’Starboard
      Sea BuoyBuoy Mo (A) W 6s32° 22.9’64° 37.1’Starboard
  11. APPROACHING THE FINISH
    1. Bermuda must be approached from the North and yachts shall cross the finish line from north to south. See Attachment C.

    2. If a yacht estimates that she may finish before noon (ADT) Tuesday June 20, 2023, the Race Committee requests that she make contact with Bermuda Radio on VHF Channel 27 when approximately 25 NM from the finish line. This call serves as a valuable early alert for our shore-based personnel.

    3. When a yacht is approximately five miles from the finish line, or passing Kitchen Shoal beacon, she shall contact the Finish Line Committee on VHF Channel 72. She shall announce her name, sail number, and her position relative to the finish line. This call will be acknowledged by the Committee.

    4. A yacht finishing at night shall, when about five minutes from the finish line, shine a powerful light on her shoreward sail number on her mainsail for at least one minute continuous duration. She shall repeat this illumination when about two minutes from the line and again as she finishes.

  12. THE FINISH
    1. The finish line will be on a 111° magnetic bearing from St David’s Light, which corresponds to the intersection between the Light’s red and green sectors. The Light will bear 291° Magnetic upon finishing. The starboard (nearshore) end of the finishing line is 0.8 NM from the Light at 32° 21.752’ N - 064° 38.162’ W. The port (offshore) end of the finishing line is 1.2 NM from the Light at 32° 21.713° N - 064° 37.687° W. There may be a black buoy with a flashing white light near the offshore end of the line and a green buoy with a green flashing light near the inshore end of the line. Neither buoy is likely to be exactly on the line.

    2. Yachts must pass between the buoys and are advised to sail well beyond their estimated crossing of the finish line to ensure that they have actually crossed the line.

    3. Each yacht shall record the date and time (hh:mm:ss Atlantic Daylight Time (“ADT”)) of her own finish (when St. David’s Light bears 291° magnetic), and shall enter that time on her Certificate of Compliance. She should also note the names and sail numbers of the yachts finishing immediately before and after her, if any and if practicable.

    4. Yachts shall not at any time pass through a line joining the green finish line (shoreward end) buoy and St. David’s Light.

    5. Yachts that have finished shall not re-cross the finish line, but shall turn to seaward of both marks, keeping well clear of the line and all yachts approaching the line.

    6. Within two minutes after finishing, each yacht shall contact the Finish Line Committee on VHF Channel 72. The transmission will be acknowledged by the Finish LIne Committee but the yacht’s finishing time will not be given.

    7. After receiving the finish acknowledgement, yachts shall contact Bermuda Radio on VHF channel 27 (international) to coordinate transit to St. George’s or Hamilton. At nighttime they will be directed into St George’s Harbour. Should they decide to go to Hamilton, they do so at their own risk. Yachts shall continue to monitor VHF Channel 16 while underway in Bermuda waters.

  13. RUNNING LIGHTS
    1. Yachts must show navigation lights from sunset to sunrise.

    2. [NP] Strobe or other lights shall not be used except in an emergency.

  14. COMPLIANCE
    1. Each yacht that finishes must complete and hand its Compliance Certificate to the Duty Officer at the RHADC Duty Desk, within six hours of its finish if between 0600 and 1200 ADT, otherwise by the first 1200 ADT after its finish. The Certificate may not be handed in to any other person or at any other location. A stamped receipt must be received from the Duty desk as evidence of submission. All finishers are provisional until verified by the Compliance Committee. Skippers are reminded they must clear customs before going to the Duty Desk to submit their Compliance Certificate.

    2. The skipper, navigator or designee, shall be available on board for a Compliance Inspection of the yacht. Details for scheduling the Compliance Inspection will be available at the Skipper’s Meeting.

    3. The Compliance Committee will review each yacht’s Certificate of Compliance, reports of the Start and Finish Line Committees, and any other material it deems appropriate to verify each yacht’s complete compliance with the Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions, and any changes to these documents.

    4. The Compliance Committee may grant time credits and assess penalties to competing yachts, without a hearing. This changes RRS 63.1.

    5. The Compliance Committee will post its findings on the Official Notice Board on the Marion Bermuda Race web site not later than 2000 ADT daily. As a courtesy, a copy of the findings may also be posted on the RHADC Official Notice Board at the Sailing Center on the dock.

    6. A yacht aggrieved by a posted finding may request a meeting with a representative of the Compliance Committee to hear an explanation of the finding. Details of how such a request can be made and when and where a meeting will be scheduled will be provided at the Skipper’s Meeting.

  15. PROTESTS AND REQUESTS FOR REDRESS
    1. A yacht that intends to protest another yacht shall display her protest flag for one hour after the incident. This changes the third sentence of RRS 61.1(a).

    2. Request for Hearing forms are available from the RHADC duty desk or as a fillable PDF form from US Sailing. Once completed, the form should be emailed to [email protected].

    3. Requests for Hearings shall be delivered within two hours of the time that the yacht’s Certificate of Compliance was due.

    4. The Protest Committee shall extend the time limit for delivering a request for redress involving the findings of the Compliance Committee (SI 14.6) to one hour after the conclusion of the meeting. This changes the third sentence of RRS 62.2.

    5. Protest notices will be posted on the Official Notice Board on the Marion Bermuda Race web site to inform competitors when and where there is a hearing in which they are parties or witnesses. As a courtesy, copies may also be posted on the Notice Board at the Sailing Center on the dock at RHADC.

    6. The Protest Committee may assess time penalties in lieu of disqualification. Such penalties will be applied to the corrected time.

  16. SCORING

    Corrected times will be calculated using ORR’s Performance Curve Scoring for the Marion Bermuda Course with a distance of 645 nautical miles.

  17. WITHDRAWAL
    1. A yacht that withdraws from the race shall promptly notify race officials in one of the following ways:

      • Contact the Starting Line Committee on VHF Channel 72 if this option is available,
      • Telephone the MBR Offshore Communications Team at +1 508-538-1027,
      • Contact Bermuda Radio on VHF Channel 16 or 4125 KHz.
    2. Please be prepared to furnish whomever you contact with the following information:

      • Name of the yacht,
      • Sail number of the yacht,
      • Skipper’s name,
      • Your situation,
      • Yacht’s position,
      • Yacht’s intended destination,
      • Your phone number
    3. After withdrawing from the race, the Skipper shall complete both sheets (Sections 1 through 7) of the Certificate of Compliance and email the certificate or a photograph of the Certificate (including Section 7 on a separate sheet) to [email protected].

    4. Failure to comply with any part of SI 17 or 18 will be noted as a safety violation and will affect the Committee’s acceptance decisions for future Marion Bermuda Race applications.

  18. COMMUNICATION PROCEDURES
    1. In an emergency follow the normal at-sea procedures to involve the Coast Guard or to attract nearby yachts.

    2. In a medical emergency, contact the George Washington University Marine Medical Access service directly at +1 202-715-4219.

    3. When it is safe to do so, the following kinds of situations should be reported to the Offshore Communications Team:

      • Withdrawal (reporting required by SI 17),
      • Diversion to assist another sailor,
      • Request for assistance upon arrival in Bermuda,
      • Damage to the yacht which will affect arrival time in Bermuda,
      • Medical emergency being handled by Marine Medical Access. (See SI 18.2).
    4. The Offshore Communications Team can be contacted at +1 508-538-1027 24 hours a day from 0930 on the day of the start until Friday before the awards ceremony, or until the last yacht has finished whichever comes first. When making a call, be prepared to identify the yacht by name, sail number or skipper name and be prepared to give a brief description of the situation.

    5. Continuous Radio Watch: After starting properly, all yachts for the duration of the race shall stand a continuous watch on their Satellite communications system and VHF Channel 16 radio. It is recommended that a watch is also kept on 4125 KHz if the yacht is equipped with SSB equipment.

      • Yachts shall be ready to receive telephone calls via a satellite telephone installed in accordance with MBRSR 3.11, except while making brief data connections. A log shall be kept that shows the device was checked at least once every watch.
    6. AIS Yachts shall use their best efforts to enable the transmitting mode of their AIS and shall monitor AIS or VHF DSC for AIS-SART, MOB, and similar distress signals at all times. See RRS 1.1. A yacht’s AIS shall transmit the name of the vessel as she is entered in the race. If this is not possible, the yacht shall inform the Race Committee of the name she will transmit on AIS.

    7. Transponder Position Reporting

      1. Each yacht shall provide a periodic report of her position by means of an automatic transponder (supplied by the OA).

      2. Automatic transponder positions will be updated on the tracking website (link to be shown on the MBR website) every thirty minutes, at approximately 5 and 35 minutes past each hour.

      3. [DP] If a yacht believes or is notified that her transponder is not functioning properly, she shall report her daily noon position to the Race Committee via the Offshore Communications duty officer on +1 508-538-1027 by 1600 ADT each day until mooring in a port. Yachts with SSB may contact Bermuda Radio, call sign ZBR, on 4125 KHz SSB or on VHF Channel 16. The Race Committee may ask for additional position reports at regular intervals, and may relieve the yacht of her reporting duty under this paragraph. Any yacht failing to report her position according to this paragraph shall provide an explanation with her Certificate of Compliance. The Race Committee may post reports per this paragraph on the official Notice Board.

  19. AWARDS

    Awards will be announced on June 24, 2023 and procedures for collecting awards will be relayed to skippers upon arrival in Bermuda.

Attachment A - Check in and Starting Line Locations

Attachment A

Attachment B - Starting Area Diagram

Attachment B

Attachment C - Approaches to the Finish Line

Attachment C