After last weekend's skippers meeting, up to 25 boats are aiming for the Round Ireland powerboat race. There will also be a P1 SuperStock race and Thundercat racing. The Around Ireland Powerboat Race Organisers have published a list of Questions for compeitors and these are published over the fold.
Questions & Answers
1. If we break down, what can we expect in terms of support/recovery?
Position monitored on tracking device. Communications will be by VHF or Mobile
phone.
2. If we have a medical emergency what support can we expect?
Contact Irish Coast Guard/HM Coastguard on Channel 16 to get medical advice
and coastguard assistance including medical evacuation if necessary. Full
emergency cover is available around the Irish Coast.
3. Do we have to sign on at the start of each day and sign off at the finish
each day?
Yes. Some crews may change daily. We must know exactly who is in each boat
on each race leg. One crew only, to sign off at each finish.
4. Where will the sign on and off take place each day?
At Race Control-location as stated in Race Instructions.
5. After what time do we have to notify the race committee that we are still
running but late or running slowly?
Notify Safety Control by VHF or Mobile Phone a.s.a.p. of your circumstances if
you have a problem.
6. Under what circumstances when will you cancel or postpone the day's
race?
Cancel for weather conditions deemed reckless and/or unsafe for emergency
rescue. Cancel if event has run out of time. Postpone start if bad visibility (need
minimum of 2 n.m. at start and 1 n.m. throughout course). Cancel if authorities
request it due to pollution or some similar incident on the course line.
7. If there is fog at the start will it be cancelled or postponed?
Postponed - see above - unless it is an all-day blanket fog, then cancel. The leg
could possibly be run at trawling speed (not racing) to enable the Fleet to get to
the next venue.
8. How will we start? Rolling start or passing a specific mark?
Flagged rolling start behind start boat. You will get instructions at each daily
briefing.
9. If we are asked or stop to help another boat, what redress will we get?
You will receive a time allowance for reported duration of stop. Provided
information is passed to Safety Control.
10. When will we get the tracker to fit? Do we fit them and how do we get
them back at the end?
Trackers will be supplied to each team on arrival in Galway. Tracker engineers
will check each tracker installation at Galway during pre-race scrutineering
schedule. If you do not want to keep the trackers after the race by purchasing
them, return trackers to Race Control at Galway Finish.
11. Will or individual progress be displayed on the web for all to see? Our
sponsors want to know what return/exposure they are likely to get. After
what time will the days results be posted?
It is our intention to show competitors' progress on the web. It is hoped to have
the provisional results posted in a timely fashion. Full results will be posted by
start of following leg at the latest.
12. Will someone be writing a daily progress report on each day's activities
to be posted on the web?
Yes.
13. When will the notice of race and associated instructions go out to
competitors?
Advance Notice/Programme will be available on the website to download by Mid-
April together with current General Rules & Safety Regulations, licensing criteria
and other general information.
The Event Racing Instructions will be circulated to all entries in April.
14. ls there going to be a driver briefing on the start date (7th June)?
There will be a mandatory Drivers' Briefing for all competitors in Galway on the
morning of the 7th. The OOD may call a Weather Briefing if necessary on
Saturday 5th or Sunday 6th.
15. Are we going to be given race decals?
It is hoped that some race decals will be available, this has yet to be decided.
16. When are we going to be told our race numbers?
Requested race numbers are being allocated on a first-come-first-served basis
on receipt of the Detailed Entry Forms with Entry Fees paid to date. Numbers
allocated will sent to all competitors in advance of Race.
17. Who are all the runners and riders and what class are they in?
This will be detailed at the Drivers Briefing at Start of Race. (Details will be
posted on the website as entries are received)
18. Is there going to be any functions on any of the nights especially the lay
day evening?
The intention is to have a small reception at each venue, with a local Prizegiving
ceremony. Full details will be supplied to all teams in Advance.
19. Who will cover us with race insurance?
Third Party Liability insurance is covered by the ISA through the RYA. Details are
within the Advance Programme.
All competitors are reminded that they are entirely responsible for insurance for
their boat and its equipment and personal accident insurance
20. Will you be providing us with each day's weather forecast?
Yes.
21. Will there be a driver brief each day or any bulletin that we will have to
collect from somewhere before going to the start?
Some of us may be berthing elsewhere each night and might want to go straight to the start
area.
Daily Briefings will be held near dry pits, details will be in Race Instructions. The
intention is to have all Boats berthed in same area.
22 Will we be able to take extra fuel over and above what we originally said
we would take?
Yes, you will be able to take as much fuel as you wish.
23. How many boats can be refueled at the same time?
We are planning for 2 X petrol and 2 X diesels at most venues except where we
are using the Marinas' own fuel pumps and then it would be one diesel and one
Petrol at a time.
24. How late into the evening will the re-fueler stay available? Will it be
open the next morning for possible top ups after testing?
The Tankers will be staying as long as we need them during the evening. They
will not be there in the morning.
25. How often can we be lifted out and what's the procedure to book this?
Because of the sheer numbers of boats it will NOT be possible for you to be
craned out at every Venue. Cranes are being provided at every venue free of
charge to the Competitors. We would hope that most boats would not need to
come out at every venue as the cranes are really for use by those who have
suffered damage or wish to change propos, work on their boats on their own
trailers etc. Anyone wishing to use the crane should make the organisers aware
of the request at the earliest possible stage.
26. Will there be a power washer to hose down the bottom of the hull and
drop the boat back in?
Is there a cost for this?
This has not been arranged, If needed we will pass on request to local organiser
to see what is available locally on a commercial basis.
27. Will there be extra security at each place where the boats are moored?
Will the dry pit have security or be fenced off to stop the general public
getting too close?
Dry Pits will be fenced off from the public and in the majority of cases we will be
using Marina facilities where they have their own security.
28. How do we apply for the necessary license? Where do we get a form?
What actual category of license do we need and what's the cost?
For Irish Competitors the Licensing Criteria document is available on
www.sailing.ie/motorboat . Irish licences will be issued by the ISA.
UK Competitors must apply to the RYA. Application forms, costs etc can be
found on ISA/RYA Websites. Competitors from nations other than Ireland or the
UK must have an International licence or Permission from their National Authority
to have a License issued to them by the ISA.
29. What other paperwork do we need to complete.
Detailed Entry Form - already circulated and on the website.
Next of Kin form - to be issued and completed at Race Control.
All paperwork requirements will be notified to all Teams in advance.
30. The race rules say that one of you on the boat needs an immersion test
but the Offshore Powerboat license application form asks each applicant
their immersion test pass date?
The Rules say one person in each boat on each leg must have Sea Survival
Course certificate.
This is a course on how to deploy and use a life raft - not an immersion test.
Immersion tests are only required for any crew in a partially-canopied or
canopied boat with restraint system.
31. Presumably there are no marks of the course and we just have to get to
the finish by sea any way we like?
There will be a limited number of marks I gates at the start and finish of each leg
for safety and as requested by the local Authorities. There may be gates I marks
on the open water to avoid Marine Special Areas of Conversion.
32. Will there be an official photographer that we can buy photos off?
We have commissioned Chris Davis as our official Still photographer. His brief is
to get stunning pictures of every boat for every competitor to buy later.
33. Will it be filmed and can we approach the film crew to specifically make
a DVD of our boat within the race?
The organisers are in discussions with Film Crews at present.
34. Can you give us updates on what actual trophies are we all racing for?
It is hoped that the venue at the end of each leg will present a set of trophies with
special significance to their area. The overall trophy and prizes are presently
been discussed. This will all be listed on the web site very shortly.
35. Where can I get the RI10 logo from to be able to put this on my own
clothing?
Contact Justin McInerney.
36. Is there a truck available to hire space to transport our spare around by
land? If so who do we contact?
No transport company has been hired, however if there is enough interest a local
transport company could be contracted.
37. What's there to do in Waterford on the lay day? Is any tourist attractions
that we "must see" whilst there? Is anything being formally organized?
We are hoping a Mini Festival will be in place, the local tourist board is putting
together a pack of local attractions. E.G. Waterford Crystal.
38. We have to book our own hotels. Have the organizers a list of
suggestions to choose from and when might we get this?
You can book through the Website or if you prefer direct with local hotels. Local
Board details are available on the website.
39. Where will the OOD and Safety Officer be each day?
The OOD and one of the Safety Officers will be at each and every venue all the
way round.
Both will be contactable by VHF radio and mobile phones.
40. What arrangements are being made for the final Winner/Trophy
evening?
This is to be held on the Saturday Evening 12th June. Full details will be sent out
to all competitors in advance.
41. What is the protest procedure?
Obtain ISA Protest Form from Race Control, complete Form and lodge it with
Race Control together with Protest fee of €200 within time limit stated in Race
Instructions. Protest Jury will be convened to hear Protest as soon as possible.
Until Protest has been decided, teams may continue to race 'under protest'.
