Date and Location: Friday to Sunday, November 7-9, 2025
Orcas Island, Washington
Organizing Authorities:
Orcas Island Yacht Club | oiyc.org
Friday Harbor Sailing Club | fridayharborsailing.com
Notation: [DP] in a rule in the sailing instructions (SIs) or notice of race (NoR) means that the penalty for a breach of that rule may, at the discretion of the protest committee, be less than disqualification. The notation [NP] in a rule of the SIs or NoR means that a boat may not protest another boat for breaking that rule. This changes RRS 60.1(a).
1.1 The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing.
1.2 The prescriptions of US Sailing will apply.
1.3 Rule 56.2 is changed as specified in the Notice of Race section 1.3:
(a) A Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) shall be understood to mean an area shown on a nautical chart.
(b) A boat shall not impede, or present a threat of impeding, the safe passage of a power-driven vessel in a TSS traffic lane.
(c) If a commercial, government, or naval power-driven vessel in a traffic lane makes five short and rapid blasts on her whistle (a danger signal, see IRPCAS rule 34(d)) and the boat causing the danger signal can be identified, then the boat is subject to protest under rule 56.2(b).
(d) If an official complaint/action is lodged against a boat by a commercial, government, or naval power-driven vessel, by a pilot, by vessel traffic service (VTS), or by other local government authority, it shall be presumed that the boat has broken rule 56.2(b).
(e) The race committee will cooperate with and provide relevant information to VTS and other governmental authorities regarding investigations of boats impeding a power-driven vessel.
1.4 No open alcohol containers are permitted in public areas (excluding the docks at Roche Harbor). Violations are subject to protest and possible disqualification.
1.5 RRS 60.4(a)(2) is changed to read, "if it is from a boat that alleges a breach of a rule of Part 2 or rule 31, and it is from a boat that was not involved in and did not see the incident, or".
1.6 RRS Signals is changed so that AP over H indicates all boats shelter in lee of islands, further communication to follow on VHF radio.
2.1 Any change to the sailing instructions will be posted before 2000 on the day before it will take effect on the official notice board and on the News section of the race website at roundthecounty.com.
3.1 Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board:
(a) Friday: Inside the OIYC clubhouse (West Sound Community Center)
(b) Saturday: Inside the tent on the party barge on the main dock at Roche Harbor
(c) Online: News section at roundthecounty.com
3.2 The race committee will monitor and broadcast on VHF channel 67.
3.3 All boats shall monitor VHF channels 16 and 67 during the race.
3.4 When transiting Vessel Traffic Lanes, boats shall monitor:
(a) Channel 5A - Seattle Traffic (Strait of Juan de Fuca to Boundary Pass)
(b) Channel 11 - Victoria Traffic (including Boundary Pass and Haro Strait)
(c) Channel 13 - Bridge-to-Bridge (ship-to-ship communications for close-quarters maneuvering)
(d) Channel 16 - International distress and hailing channel
3.5 The race committee will not answer radio communications from contestants except for check-in, emergencies, or retirement.
3.6 Race committee contact information:
Phone: 801.784.3872 (801.PUGET-RC)
Email: rc@roundthecounty.com
Include boat name and sail number in all communications.
3.7 [NP][DP] FOR SAFETY REASONS, boats that do not finish by the time limit MUST contact the race committee by VHF channel 67 (and receive a reply), by phone (and leave a voicemail or text message), or by email by 1815 on each day of racing. Boats that fail to do this shall be penalized with the score DNE (Disqualification that is not excludable).
4.1 Dates of racing:
| Day | Date | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | November 7 | Skippers' Meeting at OIYC clubhouse & zoom | 1900 |
| Saturday | November 8 | Race Day 1 | First Warning at 0835 |
| Sunday | November 9 | Race Day 2 | First Warning at 0835 |
4.2 Number of races: One race per day, two races total.
5.1 Division flags will be:
Code Flag ONE: Divisions 3 (J/105), 4, and 5
Code Flag TWO: Divisions ORC C, 1, 2
Code Flag THREE: Divisions ORC A, ORC B, and M
5.2 Division breaks are shown in the fleet list on the event website: https://roundthecounty.com/?app=fleet-list
6.1 The racing area encompasses the waters of San Juan County, Washington.
6.2 WARNING: The courses traverse Vessel Traffic Lanes. Watch for commercial traffic. Interference with commercial traffic may result in disqualification.
6.3 Orca Protection Rule
6.3.1 WA State Bill 5371
(a) Washington Senate Bill (SB) 5371 governs this event (see the definition Rule (g)). SB5371 states: Operators of motorized vessels, non-motorized vessels and paddlecrafts must stay 1,000 yards (approximately one-half nautical mile) away from southern resident killer whales (SRKW) in all directions. If the SRKW approaches within 400 yards of any vessel, state law requires that the vessel disengages the transmission, luffs sails, or stops paddling (if it is safe to do so) until the animal(s) moves away. Boaters who think they may be closer than 1,000 yards to SRKW, but not within 400 yards, should attempt to navigate out of the path and away from SRKW at a speed of 7 knots or less.
(b) However, for this event the requirements of SB 5371 shall apply to all orca whales; not just SRKW.
6.3.2 If an orca is seen by the crew of a boat,
(a) the boat shall not enter the circular area within 1000 yards of the orca (Therefore, that area is an obstruction.); and
(b) if the boat is within 400 yards of an orca, she shall, as soon as reasonably possible, luff (or, if motoring before or after racing, disengage her transmission) to slow to the slowest safest speed, which may be to stop, until they are no longer within 1000 yards of any orca.
6.3.3 Add to Rule 32.1 (e) "if an individual orca or orca pod is found to be in, near, or approaching the Finishing area."
6.3.4 Add to Rule 61.4 (b): "(6) reasonable actions she took to comply with SI 6.3"
6.4 AIS, VTS Compliance, and Enforcement
6.4.1 AIS and VTS compliance requirements specified in SI 18.5 and 18.6 shall apply. Boats equipped with active AIS transmitters shall sail with that equipment turned on at all times during racing.
6.4.2 Enforcement: Tracking mechanisms such as AIS, radar, and other apps and electronic tools may be used to identify offenders. Citations may be issued by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) if boaters are found not to be compliant with SB 5371.
7.1 The race will proceed counter-clockwise around San Juan County in 2025.
7.2 Saturday Course (Leg 1):
Start: Off Lydia Shoal between Lydia Shoal buoy and the race committee boat
Leave to PORT: Lydia Shoal buoy, Orcas Island, Sisters Islands, Clark Island, Matia Island, Clements Reef, Clements Reef Buoy, Patos Island, Waldron Island, Skipjack Island, Stuart Island, Danger Shoal buoy
Short Course Finish: Crossing a bearing line pointing true north on longitude 122° 58.280' W (122° 58' 17" W) from Patos Lighthouse. Record your halfway finish time to the second when your GPS longitude becomes greater than 122° 58.280 W (aka 122° 58' 17" W).
Full Course Finish: The finish will be either off the northwest corner of Pearl Island or north of McCracken Point on Henry Island and east of Battleship Island, between the race committee boat and a temporary orange pyramid buoy. The location to be used will be chosen based on wind and anchoring conditions and will be regularly broadcast by the race committee on VHF channel 67. Leave the committee boat to port.
Distance: 34.3nm full course / 17.16nm short course
7.3 Sunday Course (Leg 2):
Start: Start off the south end of Mosquito Pass. The start line is between the orange flag on the race committee boat and an orange pyramid buoy. Note several shoal areas to the west end of the starting area.
Leave to PORT: San Juan Island, Long Island, Lopez Island, Davidson Rock, Kellett Ledge, James Island, Blakely Island
Short Course Finish: Crossing a bearing line pointing true south on longitude 122° 53.656' W (122° 53' 39" W) from Iceberg Point on Lopez Island. Record your halfway finish time to the second when your GPS longitude becomes less than 122° 53.656 W (aka 122° 53' 39" W).
Full Course Finish: Between race committee boat and Lydia Shoal buoy. Leave the RC boat to PORT!
Distance: 31.4nm full course / 16.37nm short course
7.4 If the RC boat is missing at the Sunday finish, record your finishing time and surrounding boats as you cross Latitude 48° 35.973' N to the West of and within 100 yards of Lydia Shoal buoy, in accordance with the US Sailing Prescription to RRS 34.
8.1 Race committee vessels that are also marks shall display orange flags.
8.2 The following marks are used in this event:
| Mark | Description | Position (DM.m) | Position (Decimal Degrees) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lydia Shoal | Green lighted gong buoy “13” (Q G) | 48° 35.973′ N, 122° 46.745′ W | 48.59955, -122.77908 |
| Clements Reef Buoy | Red nun buoy “2” (marks the reef) | 48° 46.660′ N, 122° 53.504′ W | 48.77767, -122.89173 |
| Danger Shoal | Lighted bell buoy SW of shoal (isolated danger mark for Spieden Channel fairway) | 48° 38.350′ N, 123° 10.860′ W | 48.63917, -123.18100 |
| Patos Lighthouse | Patos Island Light (Fl W 6s) | 48° 47.340′ N, 122° 58.282′ W | 48.78900, -122.97137 |
| Iceberg Point | Iceberg Point Light 2 (Fl R 4s) on concrete building | 48° 25.323′ N, 122° 53.657′ W | 48.42205, -122.89428 |
| Start/Finish marks | Orange pyramid buoys (RC-set) | As positioned on the day | |
9.1 Races will be started using RRS 26 with the warning signal made at 0835.
9.2 The starting line will be between a staff displaying an orange flag on the race committee vessel and the course side of the starting mark.
9.3 There may be a delay between one starting signal and the warning for the next start. This delay will be 5 minutes if possible but may be more or less as conditions require.
9.4 Slower boats will start first in the order shown in SI 5.1.
9.5 The race committee may hail on VHF channel 67 and/or signal with horn blasts before each warning signal.
9.6 If a boat is subject to RRS 29.1 or RRS 30, the race committee may attempt to hail her sail number. Failure of the RC to make or failure of a boat to hear such hail will not be grounds for redress. This changes RRS 61.4(b)(1).
9.7 A boat starting later than 30 minutes after the third (last) start will be scored DNS. This changes RRS A4 and A5.
9.8 The race committee vessel may use her engine to maintain position.
10.1 All boats MUST check in with the race committee by answering the ROLL CALL that will take place between 0745 and 0820 hours before the start of each days racing.
10.2 The ROLL CALL will be conducted by DIVISION, starting with Division 5 and ending with ORC A. Within the Division, boats will be called in SAIL NUMBER ORDER.
10.3 When a boat's SAIL NUMBER is called, the boat shall immediately reply with the BOAT NAME and the TOTAL NUMBER OF CREW ABOARD.
10.4 Boats that miss responding will be re-called at the end of the roll call. DO NOT reply other than immediately after being called. Boats will have at least three chances (i.e. two re-calls) to answer their call.
11.1 If a boat races with sail numbers other than those registered, she must request approval from the race committee IN WRITING (email to rc@roundthecounty.com) prior to 0800 on Saturday, stating class, boat name, registered sail number, and alternate sail number. Failure to comply may result in scoring DNC without a hearing. This changes RRS 63.1 and A5.
11.2 [DP] In addition to RRS Appendix G requirements, all boats shall display their sail number on lifelines or freeboard facing the race committee when approaching finish lines. Character size shall match RRS Appendix G1.2 requirements.
12.1 The finishing line will be:
(a) Between a staff displaying a blue flag on the race committee vessel and the finishing mark; or
(b) For short course finishes, a GPS line as described in SI 7.2 and 7.3.
12.2 [DP] When approaching a finish line, hail the race committee on VHF 67 with boat name, sail number, and identifying features. The race committee may or may not answer your hails or confirm your finish time depending on conditions and activity level, but they will be depending on your radio reports to correctly identify your finish. The race committee may alter this SI on the water over the radio during the finish. Please listen for such a broadcast. Failure to follow this SI, if modified, will not be grounds for protest.
12.3 Recording your own GPS finish time is MANDATORY at both short and full course finish lines.
(a) Record: GPS time (to the second), position (lat/lon), boats ahead and behind
(b) Photograph your GPS/chart plotter showing this information
(c) Submit to finish@roundthecounty.com before the finish time limit
(d) If time lacks seconds, it shall be assumed as :59
(e) Failure to comply may result in scoring DNF without a hearing. This changes RRS 63.1 and A5.
12.4 [DP] If dark when finishing, illuminate sail numbers for at least 30 seconds before and after finishing.
13.1 Time limits are:
| Course | Time Limit |
|---|---|
| Full course | 1800 hours |
| Short course | 1600 hours |
13.2 Boats failing to finish by the time limit will be scored DNF without a hearing. This changes RRS 35, 63.1, A4 and A5.
14.1 RRS 44.1 applies (Two-Turns Penalty).
14.2 RRS 44.3 (Scoring Penalty) will not apply.
15.1 Scoring will be based on combined corrected times over two days:
(a) Time-on-distance for PHRF boats
(b) ORC boats will be scored using ORC 5 band time-on-time multipliers based on the average wind speed over the course for each day. The race committee will determine which wind speed band applies to ORC the divisions for each leg based on actual conditions.
15.2 The boat with the lowest cumulative corrected time wins.
15.3 There will be:
(a) Overall scoring for PHRF monohulls
(b) Overall scoring for ORC monohulls
(c) Divisional scoring for all boats
15.4 Division Scoring: If no boat in a division finishes the full course within the time limit for a leg, that division will be scored on short course times for that leg.
15.5 Overall Scoring:
(a) For each race day, if five or more boats from the scoring group (ORC or PHRF) finish the full course within the time limit, that day will be scored using full course times, unless the RC abandons the race under SI 6.3.3 or the RC abandons the race under RRS 32.1 (d) after all boats that have not retired in a scoring group have completed the shortened course. Otherwise, that day will be scored using short course times.
(b) Overall results are calculated by combining each boat's corrected times from both days, using whichever course length (full or short) was scored on each respective day. If for example, Saturday is scored on the short course but Sunday is scored on the full course, overall results will be the sum of each boat's Saturday short course corrected time plus their Sunday full course corrected time.
| Code | Penalty |
|---|---|
| OCS, DNF, RET[c] | Slowest corrected time + 1 hour |
| DNS, DSQ | Slowest corrected time + 2 hours |
| DNE | Slowest corrected time + 24 hours |
16.1 Engines may be used to get to/from the racecourse.
16.2 Engines shall not be used for propulsion while racing except:
(a) When following RRS 1 (Helping Those in Danger)
(b) To avoid commercial vessel traffic
(c) To assist grounding recovery
(d) To gain steerage to prevent immediate grounding
(e) To prevent being pushed into the RC boat at start/finish (with penalties as described below)
(f) To charge batteries (not in gear)
16.3 Special conditions:
(a) If engine used near start, boat shall not start until 4 minutes after engine is off or be scored OCS
(b) Additionally if the engine is used near a finish, a boat shall take a One-Turn Penalty per RRS 44.2.
16.4 Engine use shall not reduce sailing distance or improve position relative to wind/current/competitors.
16.5 Any engine use for propulsion while racing must be reported to rc@roundthecounty.com within the protest time limit, including GPS position, times, and circumstances. Failure to report may result in protest under RRS 42.
17.1 Protest forms are available at the race office.
17.2 Boats intending to protest must inform the race committee by VHF 67, email, text, or in person (see 25.1) when finishing or by the protest time limit.
17.3 The protest time limit is 1.5 hours after the last boat finishes or 1930 hours, whichever is earlier.
17.4 Protests shall be delivered to:
(a) Saturday: Race committee at the party barge, Roche Harbor main dock
(b) Sunday: Race committee at OIYC clubhouse, Orcas Island
17.5 Protest notices will be posted within 30 minutes of the protest time limit on the official notice board and at roundthecounty.com. This constitutes notice per RRS 63.2.
17.6 Hearings will be held the evening after racing, with schedule posted within 30 minutes of protest time limit.
18.1 The race committee reserves the right to cancel or postpone racing due to unsafe conditions.
18.2 Each boat is responsible for deciding when conditions are unsafe for their vessel.
18.3 Whale protection regulations apply. See SI 6.3.
18.4 Traffic Separation Scheme rules apply per NOR 1.3 and SI 1.3.
18.5 AIS and Chart Plotter Requirements:
(a) Each boat shall have a chart plotter with GPS showing boat position and capable of displaying range/bearing lines. The chart plotter must be equipped with AIS reception capability and be able to display AIS transmissions from commercial vessels and indicate the Closest Point of Approach (CPA) of other vessels.
(b) If a mobile device is used as the primary charting device on the boat, it must have a connection to the ship's AIS receiver so as to be able to show the CPA of ships transmitting AIS signals. The mobile device must utilize full-accuracy GPS and be able to display position accuracy metrics. The charting software must also display the relevant Vessel Traffic Lanes on the course.
(c) [NP] Boats equipped with active AIS transmitters shall sail with that equipment turned on at all times during racing.
18.6 VTS Monitoring and Commercial Vessel Avoidance:
(a) If the CPA with any commercial vessel becomes less than 1 nautical mile, the participating boat shall exit the Vessel Traffic Lane by the safest and fastest means possible, while maintaining a proper lookout and ensuring safety.
(b) Whenever transiting an active Vessel Traffic Lane, a dedicated crew member shall monitor:
- The chart plotter for AIS information and CPA alerts, and
- A marine VHF radio actively scanning the channels specified in SI 3.4
(c) Boats must comply with all applicable US and Canadian VTS regulations and shall avoid impeding the passage of commercial vessels at all times.
19.1 Skippers must confirm crew lists before Saturday's start using the form emailed after registration. Request a retransmission of that Skipper's Confirmation Tool by emailing racedirector@roundthecounty.com
19.2 Crew changes for Sunday must be updated using the same form.
20.1 [DP] The race committee may inspect boats for safety compliance at any time during the regatta.
21.1 [DP] Except in emergency, a boat shall not make radio transmissions while racing nor receive communications not available to all boats. This does not apply to required communications with the race committee or with commercial traffic on the course.
22.1 [DP] Trash may be placed aboard support or race committee vessels.
23.1 Prizes will be given as follows:
(a) Trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each division
(b) Overall trophy for PHRF monohulls
(c) Overall trophy for ORC monohulls
23.2 Trophies will be presented at the Sunday awards dinner and can be delivered to winners following the race.
24.1 Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. See RRS 3, 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.
25.1 For further information contact:
Race Committee VHF: Channel 67
Race Committee Phone: 801.784.3872
Race Committee Email: rc@roundthecounty.com
Finish Reports: finish@roundthecounty.com
Website: roundthecounty.com