NOTICE OF RACE

1. The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing (RSS) and the Shields Class Sailing Association Class Rules (Class Rules).

2. The Organizing Authority (OA) is the Shields Class Fleet #10, Shields Class Sailing Association, and the Beverly Yacht Club (BYC), Marion, Massachusetts.

3. Each boat shall carry a VHF radio capable of receiving and transmitting on all standard marine channels.

4. Appendix V1 (Penalty at the Time of an Incident) of RSS will apply.

5. [DP] In accordance with RRS 40.2, 40.1 applies. (Personal Flotation Device)

1. Advertising is restricted in accordance with ISAF Regulation 20, Appendix, Advertising Code.

2. Boats may be required to display advertising chosen and supplied by the OA.

1. The Regatta is open to Shields Class boats and crews who have satisfied the requirements for entry under the provisions of Section VI-2.0: Rules for the National Championship Regatta of the Class Rules.

2. Any request for a waiver of any qualification requirement shall be made to the Governing Board in a time frame before the commencement of the Regatta according to Class Rules.

3. Eligible skippers may register for the Regatta by going to the regatta registration web site (https://shieldsclass.com/regattas/2023/), completing the online form and make payment online or by mailing check to Shields Fleet #10, c/o Beverly Yacht Club, 99 Water Street, Marion, Massachusetts 02738-0181. Certificate of Compliance and Sail Inventory Registry Printout should be turned-in at onsite registration.

1. The entry fee is $700 and includes: tickets to all social events for five persons. Additional social tickets may be purchased for $100 per person. Entries (including checks for entry fees) received after September 1, 2023, will be subject to a late fee of $150.

2. The Shields Class Foundation has financial grants for certain groups of competitors. Please see their site for details and application processes.

3. Early registration (before January 31, 2023) entitles the entrant to complimentary Shields launch, haul, and transport to her assigned mooring for visiting yachts at and by Burr Brothers Boats, 309 Front Street, Marion, Massachusetts. Launch, haul, and transport services will be offered as a package at a regatta-only rate of $275 following the early registration period. Trailer storage will be provided for all competitors at no charge.

   Dropoff*:	Monday	September 25, 2023	0900 to 1630
   Dropoff*:	Tuesday	September 26, 2023	0900 to 1630
   Launch:	Wednesday	September 27, 2023	0900 to 1400
   Haul:	Saturday	September 30, 2023	1500 to 1800
   	Sunday	September 31, 2023	0900 to 1500

   *Dropoff can also be outside of business hours, or on Wednesday morning with prior arrangement with Tucker Burr.

   Additional details and a form will be sent out for all those interested in launch, haul, and transport services. Tucker Burr (tucker@burrbros.com) will serve as the point of contact to facilitate dropoff and launch arrangements. Launch and haul at other times are not covered by the entry fee.

   Moorings or rafting will be provided for all yachts registered by September 1, 2023 and after that date on a “as available” basis.

4. The entry fee includes use of the Beverly Yacht Club launch service (VHF channel 68) during the regatta.

1. Wednesday, Sept. 27	0830 - 1400	Registration at BYC, 99 Water St, Marion, MA
   	1300	First warning signal for practice starts and practice race
   	1730 - 1800	Skippers’ Meeting BYC
   	1800	Welcome & Grill Night BYC; Beer Selections provided by Buzzards Bay Brewing
   	1830 - 1930	Shields Class Annual Meeting BYC
   	1930 - 2130	Music by DaddyO! BYC
   Thursday, Sept. 28	1030	First warning signal of the day
   	After Racing	Cash Bar BYC
   	1800 - 2100	Ella’s Pizza Truck & ‘Yard’ Games at Burr Brothers Boats - 309 Front St. Marion, MA - BYOB
   Friday, Sept. 29	1030	First warning signal of the day
   	After Racing	Cash Bar BYC
   		Dinner on your own
   Saturday, Sept. 30	1030	First warning signal of the day
   	1430	No warning signal after this time
   	1830	Dinner & Awards BYC
   		Musical stylings by Matthew Collins Rum & Tequila Samples by Distillery 43 Shields Class Foundation Raffle & Auction
   Sunday, Oct. 1	0800 - 1300	Boat Haul / Pick-up at Burr Brothers Boats

1. In the spirit of Corinthian sailing, the OA is relying on the signed Certificates of Compliance and Sail Inventory Registry Printout as evidence that all participating yachts are compliant with all rules governing participation in the National Championship Regatta.

2. The OA may make measurement checks at any time to confirm compliance with the Class Rules, Section IV, including mast step location, mast and boom band markings, mast partners, hatch seals, spinnaker pole length, and Shields Class required safety equipment. The OA may also measure sails at any time to confirm compliance with the Class Rules, Section V, and to confirm agreement with the Sail Inventory Registry Printout.

3. [DP] Crew weight (see Class Rules) shall be certified as part of the signed Certificate of Compliance. Crew substitutions may occur but must be certified by the skipper to be in conformance and require prior written permission of the Race Committee.

The Sailing Instructions will be available after September 15, 2023 online and at registration.

1. Courses will be described in the Sailing Instructions and will conform to Section VI of the Class Rules.

2. The racing area will be in the waters of Buzzards Bay in the vicinity of Centerboard Shoal and Sippican Harbor.

1. A minimum of two races must be completed to constitute a series.

2. The Low Point System, RRS Appendix A4, will apply.

3. If five or more races are completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.

4. No more than three races will be held on any one day, and no more than eight races will be held in the regatta.

1. A limited number of loaner boats will be made available for the regatta. Requesting eligible skippers shall indicate on their registration the desire to use a loaner boat.

2. In order to qualify for a loaner boat, a skipper must complete registration on the website by September 1, 2023 and comply with all the requirements, including damage deposit of $750 payable at on-site registration. Deposits shall be returned following a post-regatta inspection for undamaged boats and may be retained for damaged boats until proper repair estimates can be made. This deposit may be used entirely or in part to cover any damage to the chartered boat. Sails are not covered under this policy.

[DP] Boats shall not be hauled out between the start of the first race and completion of the final race of the regatta without the written permission of the Protest Committee.

[DP] Washing or cleaning bottoms of hulls is prohibited from the first warning signal of the first race to the finish of the last race of the regatta.

[DP] Except in an emergency, a boat that is racing shall not make voice or data transmissions and shall not receive voice or data communication that is not available to all boats. This restriction applies to all outside communication, including but not limited to mobile phones.

The OA has the right to use any images and sound recorded during the event free of any charge.

1. Keeper trophies will be awarded in conjunction with each of the perpetual awards listed in the Class Rules, Section VI, 5.2 (Awards).

2. In addition, keeper trophies will be awarded to the winners of each individual race, as well as for yachts finishing in second through fifth place overall.

Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. See RRS 4, Decision to Race. The organizing authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury, or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the regatta.

Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $300,000 per incident or the equivalent.

For further information please contact: