TRUSTEES
Vaughan Giles
Anton Goosen
Rodney van der Weele

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President: Bill Lee
Commodore: Ian Littlejohn
Vice-Commodore Sailing: Richard Pothier
Rear-Commodore House: Ronnie Baer
Hon. Treasurer: Chad Jackson
Hon. Secretary: Chris Grylls

We all wish them success in helping all us rebuild the Club in the coming year.

Congratulations to the Commodore on a very positive, although poorly attended, AGM.
The positive response and enthusiasm in the response and questions from the floor in my opinion confirms that we have a core of members who are prepared to make the Club work. My particular thanks and congratulations to the two members who stood up and volunteered for vacant positions on Exco.

Richard Pothier as the new man to lead the Sailing Committee - "I am prepared to give it a go although I am not sure what it entails" - will have all of our support. Particularly that of his committee and yacht owners. Welcome Richard.

Chad Jackson as Treasurer I am sure will continue to contribute to the Club as he has done in the past. His is a vital role and we welcome all positive advice and input that members can give him. Welcome Chad.

It would be remiss not to mention the two young Turks who have resigned from Exco through pressures in their careers. Sean Wiseman did an amazing job in an area where no previous Vice-Commodore Sailing has had to go before - resurrecting sailing when yachting had all but been destroyed in the October storm. You all know the details but I don't think the extent and commitment that he exhibited in this extraordinary time. Dion Milson, as those of you who were privileged to hear his professional presentation of the Financials, has done a fantastic job. To both of our gratitude and no doubt we'll hear more from you in the future.

And lastly to those of you have volunteered to help in various areas a big thank you. Now is the time to get back to basics and back sailing again. Let us all get stuck in and contribute to our Club.

Bill Lee
President

The idea behind the ABYC HALYARD is primarily to:

1. keep members informed about happenings regarding their club.
2. keep boat owners informed about Developments and progress regarding their moorings.
3. build good fellowship and camaraderie amongst the members.
4. foster and build the sport of PE sailing.

The ABYC HALYARD will be a monthly newsletter which will be circulated via email to all members and hopefully other interested persons. If you did not receive an emailed copy please contact me. Hard copies will be posted on the club notice boards, and sent to other sailing clubs and organizations related to sailing and or sea activities.

It is hoped that we will have regular contributors from within and outside of ABYC. All ideas, suggestions, assistance and any contributions will be welcome. Have a look at this month's layout. Study incidents that happened during The Great Circle Race. How yacht "Struan" bobbed there way around Bird Island, and how one yacht navigated the Sundays River in the dead of night, and, why the marine life on and around Brenton Rock had to evacuate. Take note from Phil Rademan's section on safety issues. Read about Mike van Wyk"s up coming England trip. We wish him and Phil good luck. "You know which burgee to fly."

Keep up to-date with forthcoming attractions as Ronnie Bear and his lively crew bring events and entertainment to our club.
The Marina monthly Newsletter will be incorporated with the ABYC HALYARD. Our Commodore, Ian Littlejohn, will keep us updated on issues pertaining to our club.

Other columns can be included but need "authors"/contributors; feel free to jump in here??? There is also a section for classifieds "Boat Yard" for members wanting to sell &/or buy BOAT RELATED GOODS or boats. Only items that are of benefit to yachting.

Finally, spare a thought for those of us that have just started our Coastal Skippers course, "may we endure with success". To those on the Day Skippers "Hang in, it gets worse".

Keep the sails full and the sheets cleated.

FROM THE PULPIT

Firstly a big thanks to all in putting this ABYC HALYARD together. It is something that the Yacht Club has needed for a long time, and I am sure with everyone's commitment, it will go from strength to strength. Algoa Bay Yacht Club has over the past few years gone through a very rough patch, the destruction of the clubhouse followed by the destruction of the marina. In many instances this would be the end of any club.
We have seen the opposite, we have a wonderful facility in our new building, which is only just starting to be used to its full potential. We are starting to see more and more people using the club for meals, for functions and just general enjoyment. A big vote of thanks must go to the House Committee who meet each week, and are trying many new ideas to bring about a new vibe within the club.

A big vote of thanks must also go to the Marina Committee who have reconstructed the marina at minimal cost to the marina owners. I am continually amazed at how stable the marina and the yachts are when the wind is blowing hard. I must also compliment Lars Strydom the new Marina Manager on the job he is doing on reclaiming the many parts of the marina still lying on the harbour floor.

Sean Wiseman and his team will soon be issuing next years Sailing Calendar. We have a lot of shiny well painted boats that need to go sailing, that's really what the club is about, boats on the water and bums on barstools. BUT, ABYC, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!! WE NEED NEW MEMBERS!!! They are the answer to our present and future survival, and I urge each member to get a least on new member signed up this year. Thinks of the problems this would resolve if our membership was to double this year, more crew members, more people supporting functions, and more people generally enjoying this wonderful facility. If we doubled our membership it would also improve our finances, and would mean we could consider further improvements within the club.

REMEMBER, SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL YACHT CLUB, IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO!!!!
Ian Littlejohn ABYC Commodore

REGATTAS

1. The great circle race saw only one yacht "Struan", out of 5 complete the race. The race started in a brisk breeze and 3 +m swell, only to die later with the other yachts retiring and motoring back home. It was nice to see ladies crewing on many of the yachts: Struan - 1, Con Brio - 2 and Wattoo - 2.
2. A Under 25's race is scheduled for the 16 June 2010 - this is for keelers. The more youngsters's the bigger the browning points. Check notice boards for rules.
3. Possible medium distance: St Croix/Noordhoek. Watch notice board.
4. A Ladies Race for the 18 July 2010. Male crew will be permitted but must dress Drag.
5. Most weekends "Radio Controlled" sail racing off the lawn.
6. Entries for Cape to Rio are now open. Do we have contenders from ABYC???

THE GREAT CIRCLE RACE - St Croix, Bird Is, Bell Bouy

From the decks of "Struan": Starting just on 2150 we followed the fleet Fling, Con Brio, Lady and Wattoo, safely around St Croix Is. For most of the crews a new experience on a moonless night. With south-wester starting to abate, most of the fleet opted to go inshore towards Bird Is, while we chose a more off shore course, hoping to reach the Island early in the morning. With the wind dying the long haul to the Island became a cat and mouse game between sail settings and the wind. At first light and in 2 knots of breeze Bird Is light house could be discerned in the mist. We found a small 7 knot land breeze at 0600 but this was short lived, leaving us off Bird Is between Seal Rock and North Patch. There we drifted painfully slow recording a SOG of 900ft/1.5hrs. During this time we watched a chopper ferry in provisions to the research team on the Island. The decision of whether to retire or not was discussed. The crew felt that it was just as far to get back after retiring as to finish the race. The latter option was agreed upon. Clinging to the Bouy Weather forecast of 7-11 knots SE at 1400 and so began the "Bob". Keeping a weary eye on the breaking North Patch we "Bobbed". True to form the SE arrived at 1350 and soon we where chomping around Bird Is giving East Patch, Doddington and Whale rocks a wide berth. With them out of the way it was a gull wing slay ride, off the wind homeward bound, where at one time we clocked 11.4 knots surfing down the back of a swell. Finding Bell Bouy in dark with the back drop of city lights became somewhat of a mission. With the ringing of the bell on our starboard beam, we rounded and finished at 2050, 23 hours later. Back to the club, a cold beer and a welcome from the Vice Commodore Shaun Wiseman. Than home to sleep, fully dressed boots the lot.

Derek Bouwer

Brenton Rock Evacuation: We all know that with a race of this length and especially a night race the prudent skipper will plot a course noting the odd obstacle's i.e. islands and bits of floating rocks and occasional ship at anchorage. Course to Steer determined, the Good Ship Con Brio sailed off into the darkness. The skipper with his new hand held GPS, placed the said instrument alongside the binnacle (which house's the ships compass), oops, compass deviation just grew by 20 degree's, putting the vessel on a more easterly course and poor Brenton Rock in the way. Fortunately for the Rock there was some sense prevailing on board the attacking vessel. The skipper noticing that the other yachts where more in-shore than his position and checking the paper chart, about turned 90 degrees, much to the relief of the inhabitants of Brenton Rock.

Navigating Sundays River: Now ABYC Bridge will have you believe that they have documented proof that a yacht in this race was plotted as being at Colchester and then later at the N2 Bridge. Whilst this is not entirely impossible, it is not true. ABYC Bridge, whilst scoffing steaming hot pizzas washed down with a variety of intoxicating refreshments, received a relayed transmission from PE Port Control regarding the said yacht. Port Control relayed the message to ABYC Bridge incorrectly who in turn recorded it incorrectly. At 00h00 yacht "Straun" calls up the said yacht, supposedly in the Sundays River, at the request of ABYC Bridge for confirmation of position. After much to and fro'ing, it was agreed that the said yacht was in fact in the sea ahead of the fleet and not at the filling station at Colchester. Despite the on-duty petrol jocks reportedly having carried diesel down to the jetty at the caravan park. The said yacht still remains a mystery.

FROM THE SAFETY RAIL: Boat Safety for Guests

All too often, when the weather and conditions are fine and stable, a skipper is tempted to get underway immediately with out informing crew and/or guests about safety equipment and actions to be taken in the event of a situation arising. When such situations do arise it is too late to have that all important safety talk. Boat safety and the safety of your crew and guests is an important matter to be addressed from the start. Don't skimp on your responsibilities. Here are a few safety guidelines to show and tell guests and crew before casting off:

1. Make sure everyone has a life jacket. (ONLY WORKS WHEN WORN). Don't just tell them where they are, get them out and make sure everyone has one and have them try them on and make adjustments for a good fit.
2. Explain the use's of the life ring(s), dan-bouys, floating lights and coit.
3. Show everyone how to stop the boat. Assume, in the worst case scenario, that you are in the water or having a medical or other emergency. Sailing crew can likely stop the boat of return to you, but guests may not know what to do. Under sail, show them how to release the mainsheet and jib immediately to spill the wind and stop the boat (caution them about swinging boom and flogging sails). Under power, show them how to shut down the engine but before heading out to sea, and how to bring it to a stop.
4. Show everyone where fire extinguishers are located. If a fire where to break out, you might be too busy doing other things to fetch a fire extinguisher. Show guests and crew where they are and how to remove them from a mounting bracket.
5. Show the boat's radio and how to use it. Several kinds of emergencies might result in you being incapacitated and needing help. Emphasis on using VHF verse's cell phone. Port Control, NSRI and other boaters (and ships) will hear a radio distress call and react immediately. Have a Mayday and Pan-Pan instructional "calling card" close to your radio set.
6. Explain the plan if someone falls overboard. Falling overboard is most common boating emergency, a situation that requires immediate action from others in addition to the skipper. Explain to guests what to do if you end up in the water (if they are not sailors or boaters, the best they may be able to do is stop the boat so that you can swim to it). Highlight that you need their help if someone falls overboard. Explain the MOB procedure, and the need to keep sound minds. It requires a coordinated team effort. Does your boat have a MOB plan and are you practicing it regularly????
7. Then head out and have fun with confidence!

Phil Rademan

COWES WEEK & COMMODORES CUP - UK

Phil Gutsche's Landmark 43 Windpower, has been entered to compete in the 2010 Cowes Week Regatta and the 2010 Rolex Commodores Cup in the UK. Windpower is due to leave Cape Town on 10 June onboard Macshipping's "Green Cape". Mike van Wyk will accompany the yacht to Rotterdam where she will be offloaded and sailed to Hamble, UK. Cowes Week starts on 31 July and finishes on 7 August. 8 days of racing with an expected entry of over 1000 boats which will make for some exciting competition (rumours that ABYC based Proteus has entered are still unconfirmed).The crew will arrive during the preceding week and will be doing some intense practice to familiarise themselves with the tidal conditions of the Solent. Commodores Cup will start 15 August and run to 21 August. Commodores cup is an international regatta pitting nation against nation. South Africa will be represented by Windpower, Mike Bartholomew's King 40-Tokoloshe, and Rick Garret has chartered a J109. The format for this regatta consists of 6 inshore races, 1 round The Isle of Wight and a long distance race of approximately 250nm. Some interesting rules for this regatta: 50% of the crew must be nationals of the country they are representing, only 2 pro's per boat and they are not allowed to steer except on the long distance races but not at the start for the 1st hour of the race. No TV times have been advertised but both regattas can be followed on the internet: www.cowesweek.co.uk & www.commodorescup.rorc.org
Mike van Wyk.

JUNIORS AND DEVELOPMENTS

ABYC has entered 4 youngsters in the U19 J22 to be held at Hartebeespoortdam in the June holidays. Sarah Arnold (skipper), Thomas Ochabski, Matt van Rensburg and Jesse Martin. The J Class is not supporting the teams as per previous years, fuel for this trip is +-R3 500.00 plus. Any financial help will be appreciated.

There will also be a junior sailing course run at the club during the holidays from Monday 28th June till the Friday 2nd July. The day will run from 0900 till 1400 everyday. Course is open to all children between the ages of 10 & 16. Space is limited to 10 children unless you have your own boat. The cost is R400.00/child for the week. SAS certificates will be awarded from a SAS registered and accredited coach. For more info and bookings contact Darryl 0824638363

GALLEY & SALOON NEWS

Many members are not aware of the activities of the "House Committee" who get together twice a month and manage most of the "goings-on" in the club. Lead by Ronnie Baer, these folk really walk the talk.

You will have noticed that a BEAM has been erected across the open side of the deck (Screen to follow) to act as a wind- break and better utilization of that area. Pine strips will be inlaid between the planks on the deck, this will minimise wind up-draughts and breaking heels. Continental had a fantastic Wednesday night despite the boats not able to go out into the bay thanks to 30+easterly. If you know of any companies or business needing to have functions of what ever nature and/or will be interested in sponsoring Wednesday nights. Please leave details with Ann-Marie at the club office. Booking fees for functions are really ridiculously low.

The annual ABYC Prize giving for the 2009/2010 season will be 31 JULY 2010 -this will be a formal occasion. Ticket prices will be R125.00 per head (supper, glass of wine, live music and good time), so start pressing those suits, polishing the toe tappers and maybe look at getting a hair cut.

Every Friday night there will be live music for as long as the cost can hold out. The House committee will be also embarking on enhancing the Chartroom and creating a better ambience. The downstairs under utilized snooker room will be converted into a children's playroom.
The Chartroom will be visited by Brett Adkins of The Weekend Post. This visit will be unannounced and a review will be published in the newspaper. If you have a business and wanting some coverage by sponsoring an ad in the advertorial contact Monique of the House Committee.

MARINA

Reconstruction of the marina is continuing at a pace and we have all the spines that are needed for the completion of the 1st phase reconstruction in place. Two larger anchor blocks need to be placed on the south end of the north/south arm and the installation of two more fingers will complete the arm. Eight additional fingers need to be installed on the main east/west arm to enable us to accommodate all the marina owners who contributed to the reconstruction program. In order to achieve this, a number of vessels will need to be moved off the marina. These are those boat owners who either do not want walk-on's or wish to be placed on trots. Those who wish/need to go onto trots please liaise with the marina manager Lars Strydom, who will make the necessary arrangements. Please note that all costs of putting down the correctly specified trot moorings for the vessel in question is for the boat owner's account and sole risk.

Once this is complete, we will need to move a number of vessels around to achieve the planned marina layout, and in this regard, request the cooperation of all boat owners involved. We should be able to leave you in peace after this!

ABSM members may or may not be aware that we have small number of vessel on the walk-on who's owners did not make a "contribution to the reconstruction" as agreed at the last meeting of pre-storm marina owners. These owners will shortly be advised to make alternative mooring arrangements for their boats, or make application to buy a mooring at the current price of R50 000.00 for an 8m mooring finger plus R10 000.00 for additional 4m extension if required excluding VAT.

Salvage work of fingers and spines continues, and as these are recovered and repaired, will be installed on the south end of the north/south arm after the completion of the 1st phase reconstruction. The moorings created will become available for sale and/or berths for visiting boats. The fresh water reticulation system is planned to be installed shortly, and electrical distribution boxes have been ordered to up-grade the marina power system.

Once the 1st phase reconstruction is complete and all vessels are moored in their allocated semi-permanent berths, a planned general up-grade and/or replacement of sections of the marina as a whole will commence. This up-grade is over and above the current day to day maintenance that is required to keep the marina serviceable.

Thanks to all who have assisted the committee and management achieve what we have accomplished thus far. Your on-going co-operation into the future is always appreciated. Christopher Cocks

THE BOAT YARD (Classifieds)

LOST & FOUND: Found gold wedding band, ph Mrs Baer 041-3745362

HELP: Do you need help with a particular Yachting problem?? Put it here, there maybe someone with an answer.

CREW: Needed/Available

For any contributions, suggestions and advertising space etc, contact John Tudehope at tudehope[at]eject.co.za

John Tudehope.

Date: 24 July 2010
Time: 10h00
Venue: Redhouse Yacht Club - Port Elizabeth

Any special motions or proposals must be submitted to the Chairman not less than 30 days before the meeting.

The agenda, financial report, minutes of previous meeting and any special motions will be distributed not less than 21 days before the meeting.

Friday 14 May saw 5 yachts out of the entered six leave the Port Elizabeth Harbour at various times to round St Croix and Bird Island to port and then dash for the finish line between the Bell Buoy and the Summerstrand Beacon.

With the weather predictions showing some decent breeze starting at 6:00 p.m. and then fading halfway into the morning, disappearing for a good few hours and then swinging to bring the boats home, with hindsight it would have been far better to leave at 6:00 p.m. despite the naysayers dire predictions of another night in a 'washing machine'!

First to leave was Fling at 21:08, followed by Conbrio at 21:37, Lady at 21:38, Wattoo at 21:42 and Struan at 21:56 with Seralon opting to stay at home.

Sean Wiseman, Russel Morgan, Mike van Wyk, Johan Herselman and Daryn Kretschsmann manned the base station, regularly polling the yachts for positions and plotting them as they were received.

One boat (that shall remain nameless, but the swopping of a couple of crisp R200.00 notes could persuade me to tell!) decided to pop in to the Colchester Garage (to fill up with diesel?) and, when they were told that their position was 'kinda impossible' promptly gave their new co-ordinates, which were then plotted as them crossing the Sunday's River Bridge (just what did the garage put in their diesel?).

With the dropping breeze and 2.5 to 3 metre swells impeding progress towards Bird Island the boats started dropping out at 01:28 with the last retiree, Conbrio, calling it a day at 07:30 in the morning.

This left Struan still in the race.

The positions of yachts in the Great Circle Race.

From the race report by Derek Bouwer:

"Most of the fleet opted to go inshore toward Bird Island while Struan chose off shore hoping to reach to the Island early in the morning.

With the wind dying the long haul to the Island became a cat and mouse game between sail settings and the wind. The Light conditions took their toll as boats retired with sea sick crew.

At first light and in 2 knots of breeze Bird Island light house could be discerned in the mist.

We found a small 7 knot land breeze at 06:00 but this only lasted till 07:00, dumping us off Bird Island between Seal Rock and North Patch. There we drifted painfully slow at times registering 900 feet over the ground in 1.5 hours. While we watched a chopper ferry provisions to the Bird Island research team. The discussion started should we retire or not? It was decided that it was just as far to get back after retiring as to go around and finish the course. Clinging to the buoy weather forecast of 7-11knots of SE'ter at 14:00, we waited! Keeping a weary eye on the breaking North patch!!

For once the forecast was right at about 13:50 the South Easter came up and soon we where chomping around Bird Island giving East patch, Doddington and Whale rocks a wide berth. With them out the way it was a gull-wing sleigh ride, off the wind, home. Where earlier we had registered 900f in 1.5 hours now we registered at one time a 11.4 knot surf down the back of a swell. Trying to find the Bell buoy in the dark against the background of lights ashore became our next mission, problem solved when the bell was heard, on our Starboard side, we rounded and finish at 20:50.

Back to the club to a cold beer and a welcome from the Vice Commodore sailing (Shaun thanks it was much appreciated). Then home to sleep, fully clothed boots the lot."

The winning boat received R1000.00 from the pocket of Sean Wiseman.

Struan's winning track

And the cryptic "Chicks Rule"?

Struan's crew included a woman AND the last boat to retire, Conbrio also included a woman on the crew list, whilst all the other boats had only gung ho men onboard - FOOD FOR THOUGHT!

The winning Struan crew: Derek Bouwer, Joan Barry, Chad Jackson, Pierre-Louie Lethiercier and Tiaan Pieterse.

• Ahoy Boutique Hotel
• E. Rohrmoser
• Wiseman Property Trust
• Builders Warehouse
• Russell Morgan
• Fincham Oil
• Meridian Wines

The results were compiled by Eugene Lombard as follows:

PHRF:

These are the results purely based on measurement handicap.

We did not have the measurement details for all the boats, so some of the handicaps allocated were purely based on an educated guess.

We need to put a team together to measure the boats in question, displacement being the difficult parameter but some has been weighed during the lift in and out exercise.

CLUB:

This result was based on adjusting each boat's handicap after each race. The adjusted handicap was based on the handicap achieved in the previous race.

This result really reflects the most consistent boats, with the best improvement during the regatta, rather than positions achieved based on a specific handicap.

AVERAGED:

These result was based on the averaging of each boat's achieved handicap over all six races.

This could only be done after the completion of the regatta and could not be used as a result for the regatta.

The handicaps used in this set of results are however the most realistic and could be used as the starting base for future regattas where a club handicap will be used.

DOWNLOAD the results:

• PHRF (PDF - 173 259 kilobytes)
• Club (PDF - 143 797 kilobytes)
• Averaged (PDF - 174 157 kilobytes)

Members of the public are invited to attend a public briefing on the developments and progress made by this partnership to harness the potential of the Port of Port Elizabeth.

Presentations will be made by Krishna Reddy General Manager: Group Planning, Transnet and the municipality (Economic Development portfolio councillor Annemarie van Jaarsveld). These presentations will be followed by the opportunity to ask questions.

Date: Friday, 28 May 2010
Time: 10:00 for 10:30 until approximately 12:00
Venue: Goldfields Auditorium, North Campus, NMMU
RSVP: Maritza Beer on events[at]pechamber.org.za or Lesley Domingo on functions[at]pechamber.org.za
Tel: 041 373 1122 or Fax: 041 373 1142

Including
CLASS I (ABYC Rating) & Cruising Class (No Spinnaker)

Notice is hereby given that the above sailing event is scheduled to take place as detailed in this Notice of Race. Entries are invited in terms of this Notice.

DATES
Saturday 24th of April to Tuesday 27th of April 2010 both dates inclusive.

VENUE
ALGOA BAY YACHT CLUB, directions to which may be obtained from the Regatta Secretary.

ORGANISING AUTHORITY

The Algoa Bay Yacht Club under the auspices of South African Sailing Eastern Cape.

CLASSES

1. Class I ABYC RATING
2. Cruising Class ( No Spinnaker)

RULES

The Regatta will be governed by:
1. The 'Rules' as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) of the International Sailing Association Federation (ISAF) 2009- 2012 subject to any permissible changes made in terms of this Notice.
2. The Equipment Rules of Sailing (ERS) 2005 - 2009
3. The Class Rules for competing Classes
4. This Notice of Race.
5. The SA Sailing Safety Checklist for Pleasure Vessels dated 6 April 2004 inclusive of the SAS Recommended Essential Additions - Category D.
6. The IR2000 Rules, Parts 1, 2 and 3 for IRC Class competitors - (if IRC being contested)
7. The Sailing Instructions and any amendments thereto

ADVERTISING

Category C will apply to all classes in terms of the ISAF advertising code RRS Section II Regulation 20. Advertising of a company or a product which, at the sole discretion of the Organising Committee, is in direct or indirect competition with a sponsoring company or any sponsor's product marketed by them, shall not be permitted.

ELIGIBILITY

The regatta is open to all boats meeting the requirements for Class I & Cruising Class (where applicable)

MEASUREMENT or REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES

Each competing yacht shall hold a valid Class Measurement or Registration Certificate. In the event of a competing yacht having a foreign Registration, a valid Measurement or Registration Certificate shall be presented at Registration. Competitors in the IRC classes must produce an original, current IRC Measurement Certificate at time of registration. Failing to do so will result in them being scored on ABYC rating only.

ENTRIES

Entries must be completed on the attached official entry form and submitted together with the required entry fee to the Regatta Secretary at the address below. Telephonic or incomplete entries will not be accepted. Eligible entries will be accepted until the close of Registration at the venue. Refer to the clause "Registration" below. Entries submitted at the venue may be accepted if accompanied by all relevant documentation demanded by this Notice of Race along with proof of eligibility.

Entry fees per yacht will be as detailed below, received no later than 19H00 on 23rd April 2010 at the venue.

All Classes R400.00 per boat having a total complement of 4 or less (inclusive of the skipper).

Regatta Secretary's Address:

Postal: PO Box 1034, Port Elizabeth, 6000
Street: Dom Pedro Jetty, Port Elizabeth Harbour, 6001
Tel : 041-5854058
Fax : 041-5860095
Email: management@abyc.org.za
Web Site: www.abyc.org.za
Office hours: 14h00 to 16h00

PAYMENT OF ENTRY FEES

Payment may be made by cash, cheque or bank deposit to the credit of the account detailed below.
In the case of deposits made to the said bank account, the bank stamped deposit slip or the printed electronic transaction slip and the completed entry form shall be either mailed or transmitted by fax simultaneously to the Regatta Secretary. The deposit document shall state the event and entrants name.

Bank Account details
Account name: Development Sailing
Bank and Branch: Nedbank Walmer
Branch code: 121517
Account No.: 1263074731

All Entry Fees and Class subscriptions shall be paid prior to the close of Entries and Registration. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the affected yacht being recorded as 'Did Not Compete' until such time as the required payment/s are made. This changes Rule A11 (DNC).

ENTRY FORMS

Additional entry forms are available on request from the Regatta Secretary.

SCRUTINY OF EQUIPMENT

Official SA Sailing measurers may scrutinise any competing yacht for compliance with the Class Rules.

REGISTRATION

Entries shall be confirmed by registration with the Regatta Secretary at the venue commencing from 12:00 till 19:00 on Friday the 23rd April 2010.

The following documents may be requested at Registration:

1. Current yacht club membership card;
2. Class membership receipt or other proof of membership, if applicable;
3. Measurement or registration certificate;
4. SAS Membership Card
5. It is recommended that proof of Skipper's qualification be available should it be required.
6. Current Safety Certificate.

Competitors and their crew, whose names do not appear on the relevant official Class Membership list or SAS membership list for the current year as having paid the annual Class / SAS subscription fee for the period, shall pay the prescribed Class / SAS Temporary Membership fee before registration. Where proof of payment of Class / SAS Fees is not available, a competitor shall pay the required Class / SAS Temporary fee to the Regatta Secretary and the amount will be refunded if proof of prior payment is submitted to the Regatta Secretary within 30 days of the commencement of the event.

All fees shall be paid before the closing of entries. Refer to the paragraph "Payment of Entry Fees" above.

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Sailing instructions will be available from the Regatta Secretary at the regatta venue upon registration.

CREW

Yachts shall sail with the no. of crew submitted at registration. Any changes must be submitted in writing to the Race Committee for approval by 09:00 on the day of race.

EQUIPMENT

Equipment shall not be changed during the event. The Race Committee may permit substitution of damaged equipment subject to receipt of a written application.

SCHEDULE OF RACES

The First Race of the Regatta is scheduled to start not before 10h00 on Saturday 24th April 2010 for all classes.
The time for subsequent races will be posted on the regatta notice board, except where back to back races are signalled.
No races will be started if the wind speed is above a constant 30 knots from the west or a constant 25 knots from the East, as determined by the Race Officer.
No warning signal will be made after 14:00 on the last day of racing.

RACING AREA AND COURSES

The courses to be sailed will be set out in the Sailing Instructions.

HAULING OUT RESTRICTIONS

Yachts shall not be hauled out after the scheduled starting time of the first race except in accordance with the terms the Race Committee that may permit, subject to receipt of a written application.

SAFETY

Attention of all competitors is drawn to the paragraph headed "RULES" above. All competing yachts shall abide by the provisions contained therein. It shall be the responsibility of the Skipper of each competing yacht, along with a designated crew member, to inspect his/her yacht for compliance with all appropriate rules. A Safety Declaration, signed by the Skipper and designated crew member, confirming the yacht's compliance, is to be handed in at the time of Registration. Yachts must comply with the SAS Regulations or Class Rules for an organised event. Random safety checks may be conducted on all classes during the course of the Regatta. VHF radios capable of communication on Channels 12, 16 & 71 shall be monitored at all times whilst competitors are away from moorings throughout the event.

SCORING SYSTEM

The low points scoring system, RRS A4 will apply:

Eight races are scheduled to be sailed, consisting of navigational, windward-leeward and windward-leeward-triangle courses.
If four (4) races are completed all races shall count and constitute a regatta.
When five (5) or more races have been completed, a boat's series score will be the total of her race scores excluding one (1) discarded race score.

PRIZES & AWARDS

Prizes and awards will be presented at the prize giving which will follow as soon as possible after the last race.

Class floating trophies may be awarded as follows in accordance with the stated criteria;

1. Line honours trophy
2. First in Class I
3. First in Cruising Class
4. Other prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the Race Committee in consultation with the Race Sponsors, including prizes for development sailors based on their performance at this event.

LIABILITY

Participation in this event is entirely at the risk of competitors and no responsibility for damage or injury resulting there from will rest with the Organising Authority, Class Associations, Sponsors or any persons concerned with the conduct of the regatta.

NSRI Port Alfred dispatched a mobile crew to the scene and on arrival, said Juan Pretorius, NSRI Port Alfred station commander, we found the yacht Charisma, a Flamenca 25 footer, hard aground.

The yacht had apparently run aground at approximately 04h00.

Both occupants, ABYC member, 65 year old Brian Duggett and 21 year old Deborah Robinson, from Port Elizabeth, were found uninjured and the NSRI are assisting to remove valuables from the yacht.

Salvage efforts are being assisted by the NSRI. Juan said they are attempting to put the 25 foot yacht onto a trailer for the owner but this plan may change.

It appears they left Port Elizabeth in the early hours of Thursday 15th April sailing North. At approximately 02h00 on Friday morning, 16th April, the wind came up and changed direction, from a South Westerly to an easterly wind, and reportedly, although they were only sailing on a small storm sail, the rough weather and gale force winds caused the skipper to be thrown overboard while he was attempting to start the engine at around 03h30.

According to their report to the NSRI the skipper was wearing his harness (attached to the yacht) but he did not have the strength to pull himself aboard so he managed to hold onto the motor at the back of the yacht and yelled instructions to his female crew to beach the yacht onto the nearest land in an effort to save his life.

Deborah steered the yacht onto Boknes Beach at about 04h00.

The area where they have come aground is protected by an approximately 1 mile long reef but somehow the yacht, and the skipper dragging behind the yacht, made it through the reef unscathed. As ABYC safety officer, Philip Rademan said; "Apparently the 'hand of God' must have been involved as the yacht managed to slip through a tiny gap in the 9 foot reef."

SAMSA (The South African Maritime safety Authority) have been alerted.

See: Chartroom Sunday lunch.

You will see in the above forum post that I asked for the panorama image below taken from the ABYC deck.

Click on the thumbnail below to see the large image.

Feel free to comment on MyPE or below.

Visit the photographer's blog, North End Daily Photo.

Sunday promised to be a fantastic day for sailing with winds of 10 to 15 knots. Another four races were sailed with the starts being hotly contested and mark roundings testing sailors knowledge of the racing rules. Unfortunately David Moorcroft, sailing a 470, received a nasty gash on each of his legs after a spectacular capsize and had to retire during race 5 to receive stitches.

The final results were as follows with first and second places being decided on number of firsts:

1. Jim Foot (Laser Radial)
2. Jesse Martin (Optimist)
3. Andrew Bosworth (Extra)

Jim Foot (1st)	Jesse Martin (2nd)	Andrew Bosworth (3rd)

Thanks go to Ronnie Baer for running the bridge, Alan Straton for scoring, Eugene Lombard for skippering our new Bridge boat, Chad Jackson for the safety boat and Sean Wiseman and Darryl Garner for assisting on the bridge. We also welcome Nick, Steven, Andrew and Jessica on the Sprogs we hope you will enjoy visiting our club again in the future.

It is a pity that more dinghy sailors in Port Elizabeth do not see that racing at ABYC with competent and responsible race officials is safe and clean.

More Images from the Regatta HERE.

Report by Andrew Bosworth.