LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS No 18(T) OF 2013 – Round the Island Race: Saturday 1st of June 2013 (Central Solent – Traffic Restrictions)
28 May 2013
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN jointly with the Queen’s Harbour Master Portsmouth and the ABP Southampton Harbour Master that the ‘Round the Island Race’ will start from Cowes between 0500 and 0640 on Saturday 1st June 2013. About 1800 yachts are expected to take part in the Race.
In order to control the congestion that is likely to arise in the Central Solent, during the start period and throughout the day, the following procedures will be adopted:
1. The start line will be the Royal Yacht Squadron westerly transit line. The outer distance mark will be a large committee vessel, displaying an Island Sailing Club burgee, secured to the Williams Shipping Buoy.
2. Due to the number of competitors taking part, the various class starting times will be staggered to take place at 10-minute intervals between 0500hrs and 0640hrs.
3. The anti-clockwise course around the Isle of Wight will be from Cowes west-about and back to Cowes. Turning points for the race are at the Needles Lighthouse, Saint Catherine’s Point and Bembridge Ledge Buoy.
4. In order to separate the competitors from any commercial traffic movements intending to pass through the Central Solent, or bound to or from the Port of Southampton, during the starting period. Masters of vessels not directly involved in the event are to arrange to be clear of the start area by 0430hrs and are not to enter the start area until after 0700hrs or when the bulk of competitors have cleared the area.
Masters of Red Funnel Ferries and Commanders of Red Jets are to avoid passing through the start area and are to arrive at/or leave Cowes passing to the east of the Bramble Bank during the period 0430 – 0700.
5. It has been agreed with the organisers that all competitors awaiting their class starting time will proceed to designated holding / waiting areas (as on Chartlet 1below), to avoid congestion in the main navigable channel. All competitors will be equipped with VHF radio and will keep a listening watch on Channel 37A (M), in the event that a recall or postponement becomes necessary.
Chartlet 1
6. Whilst the main bulk of the fleet of yachts is expected to pass the Bembridge Ledge Buoy between 1230 and 1630 and the peak finishing time at Cowes is likely to be between 1330 and 1730, it should be noted that the earliest finish could be around 0800 and the finish limit time is 2130. Hence, there will be increased levels of recreational activity within the Central Solent area throughout this period.
7. When rounding Seaview all competitors must remain to seaward of the mooring area indicated on Chartlet 2. The area is indicated by a box originating from the shoreline at the north end of Seagrove Bay (the white flats) in approximate position 50° 43.00’N, 001°06.30’W, out to ‘Pier Head’ which is a yellow spherical buoy marked with numeral ‘4’ (in approximate position 50°43.31’N, 001°05.63’W), NW to the ‘Line Post’ which is a yellow post with blue windsock (in approximate position 50°43.60’N, 001°06.23’W), then directly back to the shoreline at Seaview Duver. There will be a large black inflatable mark laid adjacent to Pier Head. One orange inflatable will be laid on the eastern side of the box and three orange inflatables will be equally spaced between Pier Head and the Line Post on the northern side of the box. Competing yachts disregarding the box and entering the Seaview mooring area will be subject to protest.
Chartlet 2
8. All spectator craft not taking part in the race are to keep well clear of the start area or are to proceed to one of the designated holding areas, as depicted on Chartlet 1, and keep clear of the Main Navigational Channel.
Further information and updates on the ‘Round the Island Race’, both ahead of and on Race Day, is available at www.roundtheisland.org.uk
This notice will be self-cancelling on 2nd June 2013
Owners, Agents, Charterers, Marinas, Yacht Clubs and Recreational Sailing Organisations should ensure that the contents of this Notice are made known to the masters or persons in charge of their vessels or craft.