Monday, 11 June 2012

[SCOW] Fwd: Message from Pat Williams regarding DISC SIs

For those who are involved with DISC/PRSA racing or SCOW's own racing program, please read the following letter from the Principal Race Officer (PRO) of Dangerfield Island Sailing Club (DISC)
 
June 10, 2012
 
To the DISC Fleet….
 
This past Tuesday evening we had an unfortunate incident between Nina's Dandy and one of our competing vessels that needs to be addressed.  What occurred was a near collision between the two boats.  The situation involved the sailing vessel failing to take necessary avoiding actions to keep clear of Nina's Dandy.  Simply put, the sailing vessel erred big time.  This fact is unacceptable to me as your Race Officer and to the club management.  It puts in jeopardy our club's access to the river as an organized racing fleet and can actually put lives at risk due to a collision. 
 
It is within the purview of the DC Harbor Patrol to pull our sailing permits and remove our club from organized racing on the river.  A collision with a commercial vessel or a continuation of boats putting themselves in danger would pretty much seal our fate.  This will not be tolerated and the following changes have been implemented.
 
Specific language is being inserted in our SIs to allow for the Race Committee to protest any vessel that presents a danger to any of the commercial vessels.  Here is that language:
 
Commercial Traffic
A boat shall not exercise right of way over, cross in proximity to, or interfere with reasonable transit of the racing area by commercial freighters, tugs and tows, or other commercial vessels that are unable to respond readily.  A boat charged under this rule has the burden of proof that she did not interfere with the commercial vessel.  Boats must take evasive action well in advance of any potentially dangerous situation.
             The Race Committee may protest under this instruction based on information received from competitors or interested parties, including invalid protests.  The Race Committee has full discretion of how to penalize that boat.  A penalty can start with a DSQ and go up to the boat and crew being dismissed for the season and requiring that boat to apply for reinstatement in the following year.  Reinstatement is not guaranteed.  This changes RRS 60.2(a).
 
Now back to last Tuesday's incident.  The vessel in question has been informed of the seriousness of this and they have been informed of the action taken by the RC.  They have accepted this and acknowledged their error.  This particular case is closed.
 
Speaking as the DISC PRO for our race director, Rob Gibb, and Commodore, Greg Dupier, we want to be very clear on what will happen if this behavior continues.  If you have any questions on this, read the above on what penalty will be imposed the next time a boat interferes with commercial traffic.
 
Patrick

Another example of this type of incident is:
 
In the cowes week's case, sailboat lost both at sea and in court. 
Remember in the channel off our home port, the FS are no match for those cruisers just as those cruisers are no match for the Nina's Dandy or alike.  .
 
Have fun and be safe!
 
Henry Cheng
s/v Prophecy, s/v Kalypso



-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Hauptman <gphauptman@yahoo.com>
To: discsailing <discsailing@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Mon, Jun 11, 2012 10:52 am
Subject: Message from Pat Williams regarding DISC SIs

This letter from Pat refers to a necessary change to the sailing instructions in case of interference with commercial vessels.  

GPH 
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