Sailing Instructions / Notice of the Race 2026
This information is available in PDF form as well. Here.
1. RULES
All HYC races will be sailed under:
1.1 The World Sailing Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028 (RRS) the prescriptions of the RYA.
1.2 The prescriptions of RYA NHC, YTC as applicable and any special rules that may be in force.
1.3 These Sailing Instructions (SI) are for One Day Events (ODE) and Season Points Series (SPS) and Regattas.
2. NOTICES TO COMPETITORS
2.1 Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board located at the Brough Club house.
3. CHANGES TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
3.1 Any changes to the Sailing Instructions will be announced by the Officer of the Day (OOD) over VHF Ch37(M1).
4. SIGNALS MADE ASHORE
4.1 Visual Starting Signals.
Visual starting signals will be by boards or lights mounted on the club house balcony.
4.1.1 Light signals
An automatic system of lights will consist of:
- 10 minute — one continuous flashing yellow light
- 5 minute — two continuous flashing lights
- Start — both lights extinguished
4.1.2 Board signals (where used):
- 10 minute — class board
- 5 minute — blue peter board
- Start — both boards dropped
This procedure will be repeated for each class.
All yachts must keep clear of the starting area until their class board/light signal is displayed.
4.2 Radio signals.
Radio signals may be used to draw competitor’s attention to the boards / lights.
4.3 Postponements.
In the event of a postponement the answering pennant will be flown from the flag pole whilst the class board is displayed from the balcony. On termination of postponement the answering pennant will be dropped. Postponements will also be given on VHF radio.
4.4 Recalls.
4.4.1 If any part of your yacht or equipment is across the start line when the start signal is made you must restart. You will not be told by the OOD. Whilst returning to the start line you must keep clear of all other yachts not returning.
4.4.2 In the event of a general recall the OOD will notify all yachts on VHF Ch37(M1). It is the responsibility of each yacht to start correctly.
5. SCHEDULE OF RACES
5.1 The schedule of races is provided in the HYC Social and Sailing Programme and on the HYC Website.
5.2 Regatta Races are scheduled in the Regatta Sailing Programme.
5.3 The OOD may modify the scheduled start times to suit local conditions. Any changes will be notified under clause 2 or 3.
6. CLASS FLAGS
All racing yachts must fly a number three pennant from their back stay.
7. RACE AREAS
All races will be held on and around the waters of the Humber River and adjacent sea coast.
8. COURSES
8.1 For series races courses to be sailed by each class will be posted by the Fleet Captains or the Sailing Organiser one hour prior to the start, and displayed in the OOD starting Box. Late course changes to suit local tide and weather conditions can be advised by the OOD on Ch37(M1). Yachts should monitor Ch37(M1) prior to and during the starting sequence.
8.2 Courses for Regatta races will be posted and confirmed at the pre-race briefings.
9. MARKS
The marks used will be fixed Navigation buoys and racing buoys chosen as the points of the course. The location of buoys may change without notice due to river/tide variation. Positions of marks are shown on a Notice to Mariners chart issued by AB Ports Authority.
10. OBSTRUCTIONS AND RESTRICTIONS
10.1 Commercial shipping.
Competitor’s attention is drawn to the IRPCS and local Humber regulations / by-laws currently in force. Any yacht adjudged to have impeded the safe passage of a commercial vessel will be disqualified and will not be able to exclude this disqualification from the race series (Abbreviation used ‘DNE’).
10.2 Prohibited Areas.
The Humber Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) and the Sunk Dredged Channel (SDC) are both prohibited areas and no yacht shall enter or cross either. RRS Rule 20 – ‘Room to Tack at an Obstruction’, applies at both locations. Yachts may cross at the designated precautionary zones. Any yacht witnessed in the TSS will be disqualified.
10.3 All yachts are advised to keep a listening watch on Ch15 West of the Humber Bridge, Ch12 and 16 West of the Cleeness Light float, and Ch14 and 16 East of the Cleeness Light float.
VTS Humber should be notified of an event via e-mail 1 day before the programmed date by the event organiser (HYC Hon. Sailing Sec) to ahmspurn@abports.co.uk.
11. STARTING
11.1 Times.
Starting times are given in the club programme and on race entry forms in the OOD/starting box. Regatta start times will be advised at the Regatta Briefing.
11.2 Signing-in.
All competitors must sign-in prior to the race on the designated race control sheet in the Brough start box for ODE and SPS Races and at the Brough Club Notice Board for Regatta Races.
11.3 Numbers.
Two boats must be signed on to the appropriate entry form and enter the starting area to constitute a race.
11.4 Line.
The starting line is a transit of the club flag pole and the lattice beacon on the flood bank. There is also an inner and outer distance buoy to mark the extremities of the line. In the event of these being missing, then the start line will extend 200 m south of the Lattice Beacon.
11.5 Starting Signals.
Starting signals are detailed in section 4.
12. SHORTENING OF THE COURSE
Provision for shortened courses to suit local conditions will be notified on the entry form in the OOD box.
13. FINISHING
13.1 Line.
The finish line is a transit of the club flag pole and the lattice beacon on the flood bank with boats passing between the inner and outer distance marks.
If the outer distance mark is missing, yachts must finish within 150 metres south of the lattice beacon. The Club pennant may be dipped for all finishers in each Class.
13.2 Finishing time.
In the interest of accuracy all yachts are advised to take their own finish time from the GPS set on board. In the event of no functioning GPS on board, clock times will be accepted as long as the time piece has been synchronised with the starting clock beforehand.
All yachts must sign off within 1 hour of the last boat finishing for upriver races.
14. PENALTY SYSTEM
These will be in accordance with RRS Rules 44.1 and 44.2 on up river races.
15. TIME LIMIT
15.1 The time limit for the leading yachts on Upper Humber races will be 2 hours after the start. Any yacht not completing the course within 1 hour of the leading yacht will be scored DNF.
The time limit for downriver courses will be notified on the course sheet. Any boat that has not signed off within the time limit or conveyed their finish time to a fleet captain or the OOD within 12 hours of the last boat to finish will be scored DNF.
16. PROTEST
Protests will be submitted on RYA protest forms and lodged with the OOD, Fleet Captain or the Sailing Secretary within 2 hours of the finish. Protest forms are available from the OOD. All protests will be accompanied by a fee of £10.00.
17. SCORING
17.1 Scoring will be in accordance with RRS appendix A low points system.
18. SAFETY
18.1 All yachts must sign on prior to the start of a race and sign off within 1 hour of the last boat finishing the race on the race control sheet.
18.2 A yacht retiring from a race shall notify the OOD, by radio on leaving the race area and sign off as retired after berthing.
18.3 Yacht racing can be dangerous. The attention of owners and skippers is drawn to RRS Fundamental Rule 3: “Decision to Race. The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone”. The safety of a yacht and her crew is the sole and inescapable responsibility of the owner or owner’s representative. Owners must also ensure that safety equipment is fully maintained and properly stowed, and that the yacht’s crew are fit to handle the yacht. Crew member’s attention is drawn to RRS Rule 1.2 Life-Saving Equipment and Personal Flotation Devices.
18.4 The Humber River is a busy commercial shipping area. All boat owners must comply with the obstructions and restrictions detailed in section 10 and must stay well clear of any commercial ships operating on the river.
18.5 Each participating boat must have on board a reliable VHF radio and a life jacket/buoyancy aid for all crew. It is strongly recommended that the life jacket/buoyancy aid is worn. Members are also recommended to familiarise themselves with Mark Peacock’s ‘Pilotage Guide to the Upper River Humber’ (on Notice boards & the Club Website – www.humberyawlclub.com) and to have at least 48 hours sufficient survival equipment on board.
19. MEANS OF PROPULSION
Engines/Paddles may only be used during a race to avoid collision with a navigation mark or commercial shipping and also promptly if aground – however you must ensure that the use of your engine/paddles does not put you in a more advantageous position.
All instances of engine/paddle use must be reported to the OOD or Sailing Secretary. All engines must be turned off before the 5-minute starting signal.
20. RADIO COMMUNICATION
There will be no radio communication between the competitors and the OOD for upper Humber races except for the specific events identified in these sailing instructions. All radio communications will take place on VHF Ch37(M1).
21. DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
Competitors participating in any HYC races or Club organised activity do so entirely at their own risk. See RRS Fundamental Rule 3 Decision to Race. The organising authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after any race, regatta or club organised activity.
22. INSURANCE
Each participating boat shall be insured with a valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of £3,000,000 (three million pounds) per event or the equivalent.