2008 Convoy Cup Notice of Race


2. Objectives: The Convoy Cup Ocean Race offers racing and cruising yachts an opportunity to participate in an ocean race to commemorate the links that formed between the province of Nova Scotia and the countries of Europe during the two world wars. Halifax was the congregation point for hundreds of naval vessels and supply ships that formed convoys to transport the necessities of life across the Atlantic Ocean; this race is dedicated to the memory of all those men and women in the navy and merchant marine service who sailed in those convoys.

3. Description: The Convoy Cup Race is an overnight race of 100 nautical miles and fits into the description of the Offshore Racing Council’s Category 3. The ORC description states that such races are "across open water, most of which is relatively protected or close to shorelines, including races for small yachts." The race will be governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing (2005-2008 edition), the rules of each class concerned, the sailing instructions, and any other applicable rules.

4. Start date and course: The race will commence September 13, 2008 at 1000 hrs on the Halifax waterfront and finish at the DYC Club Finish line. The race will be postponed and or shortened if conditions warrant.

5. Eligibility: Any sailing yacht with an overall length of 25 feet or greater that meets the requirements of ORC Category 3 and complies with Canadian Coast Guard Small Vessel Regulations will be eligible. Every Yacht entering the race must have a crew of at least 2 persons and must have a watch-keeper on deck at all times.

6. Fleet Classes: Ocean Race Classes will consist of PCA, A Class, C Class and Double Handed. Classes must consist of four boats. The ratings will be ASPN for A, C and Double Handed, NE PHRF for PCA assigned to each yacht by the NSYA or NE PHRF. DYC race committee reserves the right to set provisional Handicaps.

7. Entry Fees: Entry fees for all classes will be $50.00

8. Briefings, meetings, social events: The Skippers Meeting for all classes will be held at Dartmouth Yacht Club on Friday September 12, 2008 at 2000 hrs followed by a social function. Prizes will be awarded at DYC on Sunday September 14, 2008 at 1800 hrs.

9. Prizes: The first yacht to finish in each division, on corrected time, will be the winner of the Convoy Cup, a perpetual trophy that resides at the Dartmouth Yacht Club.

10. Equipment: All Yachts must be equipped as per Canadian Coast Guard Small Vessel Regulations. In addition each yacht entered in the Ocean Race shall be fitted with jack lines, an operating VHF, and carry a sufficient number of safety harnesses available for all crew members in the cockpit and on deck, parts to facilitate repairs or removal of rigging if necessary, and sufficient stores of food and water for up to two days.

All Yachts must be inspected prior to the race. Inspections will be done Friday between 1400 and 2000 at DYC. As well, inspections may be done by appointment during the week of Sept 8 -12 (at other clubs) by contacting Mary Ridgewell at ridgewm@eastlink.ca .

11. Safety: The safety of a yacht and her crew is the sole responsibility of the yacht’s owner or owner’s representative who must ensure that his or her yacht is fully found and manned by an experienced crew who are physically fit and capable of sailing and navigating the vessel in adverse weather conditions. The owner or owner’s representative must ensure that all safety equipment is properly maintained and stowed and that the crew knows where it is kept and how it is to be used. It is the sole and exclusive responsibility of the owner or the owner’s representative to decide whether or not to start racing or to continue racing. Each racing skipper and every member of that racing yacht’s crew will be required to sign an Agreement to Assume Risk and Hold Harmless. This document will be available at registration along with the Sailing Instructions.

12. Contacts: Dartmouth Yacht Club, 697 Windmill Road, Dartmouth, N.S., B3B 1B7. Tel: (902) 468-6050, Fax: (902) 468-0385, E-mail: dyc@dyc.ns.ca or Nathan Reece: Nathan@canadiansailmakers.com