The following Standard Rules and Racing Instructions shall apply to all races except as may be amended by individual race
announcements.
ELIGIBILITY: Open to all members of Yacht Clubs with Pacific International Yachting Association (PIYA) affiliation. All yachts
are highly recommended to comply with PIYA category 3 safety requirements. Pacific Handicap Racing Fleet - Northwest (PHRF-NW)
ratings shall apply.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Registration forms and fees must be received by the race committee, no later than thirty (30) minutes
prior to the first warning on race day, unless otherwise specified in the individual race announcements. Registration forms must
be complete and accurate. Participants failing to comply with these requirements will be subject to disqualification.
DIVISIONS: Divisions shall be based on PHRF-NW ratings as follows, with Division III ineligible for WSSA Series overall awards.
PENALTIES: The 720-degree rule will apply to exonerate a rule infraction. The 360-degree rule will apply to exonerate hitting a
mark on the course.
HANDICAPPING: PHRF-NW handicapping rules shall apply. Boats shall register with the same rating throughout the series, unless a
change in assigned PHRF rating causes a change in handicap. Boats will remain in same Division throughout the series regardless
of handicap rating changes.
PROTESTS: Protests will be made per Part 5 of the Racing Rules of Sailing.
USE OF ENGINE: Engines shall not be used for propulsion (basic rule 42.1 of the Racing Rules of Sailing) except as necessary to
avoid non-racing traffic or to aid in the
rescue of a boat or crew. The yachts skipper shall report (in writing) all details to the race committee, which at it's
discretion may then redress the yachts time.
POSTPONEMENT: A postponement may be signaled at any time by multiple horn blasts and the lowering of all flags. A new starting
sequence shall be preceded by multiple horn blasts one (1) minute prior to the raising of the yellow warning flag.
RECALLS: Individual recalls shall be attempted by the hailing of sail numbers or the yacht name for yachts over the line early.
Responsibility for correct starts remains with the skipper.
GENERAL RECALL: A general recall for the starting division, shall be signaled by three (3) horn blasts and the lowering of the
red flag. The division recalled shall re-start five (5) minutes after the last scheduled start. In the event the last scheduled
division is the only one recalled, a new start sequence will be initiated.
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS: In fairness to all competitors, the Race Committee will not answer hails or radio calls from contestants
other than for emergencies or withdrawals. However, contestants may communicate with the Race Committee if called by them, but
this communication should be limited to position on the course or conditions.
FINISH PROCEDURE: The finish shall be crossed in the normal direction from the last mark. This rule shall apply to shortened
courses also. The course may be shortened at any mark of the course. Code flag “S” shall signal a shortened course.
TIME LIMIT: All yachts must finish within the time limit specified in each race instructions. Yachts not finishing within the
allotted time will be recorded as "DNF".
SCORING: Finish places for all WSSA races shall be computed using PHRF
Time-on-distance, unless otherwise stated in the individual Race Announcement. Trophy series races shall be determined by low
point system with one throw-out race.
TROPHIES & AWARDS: WSSA trophies will awarded to first, second and third place in Divisions I and II based on the low point
system in six of the seven races (one throw-out). First overall will receive the perpetual West Sound
Sailor Of The Year Trophy.
Series ties will be decided in favor of the yacht with the most first place finishes. If still tied, then in favor of the yacht
with the most second place finishes, etc. If still tied, then in favor of the yacht with the best finish in the last race. Boats
must be registered with PHRF-NW for all trophy series races to be eligible for trophies.
AWARDS BANQUET: This year’s banquet will be held at Port Orchard Yacht Club on June 25th about 3 hours after the completion of
Bremerton YC’s Blake Island Race. WSSA trophies will be awarded along with individual club awards from Clubs that may elect to
do so. Skippers and crew are encouraged to attend. Moor at POYC breakwater. Port Orchard YC members are catering. Cost is
free.
RACE RESULTS: Individual race results and series standings will be posted on Bremerton YC’s web site
(http://www.bremertonyachtclub.org/bycSailBoat.html) as soon as they are made available.
SAFETY
Each skipper/owner is solely responsible for the safety
of his/her own vessel and crew.
INTERFERENCE WITH TRAFFIC
Interference with Commercial, Military or any other non-racing traffic is strictly forbidden, and may result in disqualification.
USCG instructions state: "A yacht shall give way to a commercial vessel when such vessel indicates lack of room by blowing one
prolonged blast of its whistle or in the case of a tug with tow, one long and two short blasts."
ENTRY FEES: $15.00 Standard Fee
$10.00 PHRF Member
$9.00 US SAILING Member
These fees must accompany your registration form. Checks are to be made payable to the Yacht Club or Organization on the
registration form.
DIVISION I 140 and under
DIVISION II 141 and over
DIVISION III No Flying Sails (NFS only)
RULES: The Racing Rules of Sailing 2005 - 2008 will be used.
SIGNALS: 10 minute warning - horn and yellow flag
5 minute preparatory - horn and blue flag
Start - horn and red flag
Divisions will be started in five (5) minute intervals making the start signal of each division the preparatory signal for the
next division’s start.
1st place 1 point
2nd place 2 points
3rd place 3 points, etc.
DNS - did not start equal to number of starters in all series races plus one.
DNF - did not finish equal to number of finishers in that event plus one.
DSQ - disqualified equal to number of starters in that event plus two.