| Question:
Exactly what is the Annapolis to Bermuda Ocean Race (BOR)?
Answer:
The BOR is unique in that involves both inshore and offshore
sailing. It was begun in 1979 as an informal race of seven
boats from Annapolis to St. George's, Bermuda. Co-hosted
by the Eastport Yacht Club (where it starts) and the St.
George's Dinghy and Sports Club (where it ends), the race
has become renowned both for the hospitality and conviviality
of the Bermudians of St. George's and the variety of challenges
involved in sailing a race that combines in-shore piloting
and offshore navigational skills. The race is structured
within a framework designed for safe offshore sailing. It
offers sailors a way to fulfill the ambition of a blue water
passage to an island of coral with white sandy beaches and
friendly, hospitable people.
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Question:
What kind of boat and/or equipment do I need to enter the
race?
Answer:
Boats must be 28 feet or longer to enter. All boats must
have a Chesapeake
PHRF rating. The Race is traditionally run in four PHRF
divisions. The race will have a non-spinnaker cruising,
a multi hull and a double handed class if there
are a minimum of three entries for each class.
Boats must be outfitted for safety according to the
Rules section of the Notice of Race which will be posted
on this BOR web site.
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Question:
What kind of experience/qualifications must I have to do
this race?
Answer:
Your boat must have logged more than 500 miles either racing
or cruising. The skipper of the boat, who need not be the
owner and one crew member, must each submit resumes demonstrating
their competence to participate in an ocean race. Both must
be over age 18. In the event of a substitution, a sailing
resume must be submitted by the substituted crew member.
Proof of attendance shall be provided for at least 50% of
the crew to a sanctioned Safety At Sea Seminar during the
five years prior to May 11, 2010. The skipper and crew
must sign a liability waiver.
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Question:
Are sailing instructions available?
Answer:
The sailing instructions will be posted on the Entering
& Forms page of the BOR web site.
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Question: Is there a single-handed
class in the BOR?
Answer: There is no single-handed class. The minimum
crew requirement for the race is 3 people plus skipper (4
people per boat) unless we get 3 entry requests for a double
handed class.
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Question:
What is the entry fee? Is it refundable?
Answer: Entry fee is $700 entry fee, before 1 January
2010 or $800 after 1 January 2010. The entry fee includes
membership in the BOR Association, trophies, and use of
St. George's Dinghy & Sports Club facilities in Bermuda.
It is refundable until April 30, 2010.
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Question:
Is there a limit to the number of entries in this race?
Answer:
We nominally are limited to 50 boats.
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Question:
When is the race?
Answer:
The race will start at 1300 hours (1 p.m.) on Friday, June
11, 2010 in the Severn River off Sycamore Point in front
of the Eastport Yacht Club. There will be a post finish
at St. George's, Bermuda.
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Question:
What prizes are given for sailing the BOR?
Answer:
Trophies are awarded the first three finishers (corrected
time) in each division. The next three finishers each receive
a plaque. In addition, Ocean Navigator Magazine gives a
trophy for the best and most complete navigational log including
use of celestial navigation. There is a Cook's Trophy for
last to finish, a Navigator's Trophy for First-in-Fleet,
a First-in-Fleet trophy from the St. George's Dinghy &
Sports Club, and the Davison Trophy for First-in-Fleet on
corrected time.
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Question:
What about finding crew?
Answer:
You can search for people interested in crewing in this
race in our Crew Calls section.
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Question:
How can I get on a boat as crew?
Answer:
Fill out a Crew Call form.
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Question:
What are the recommended supplies for crew members?
Answer:
The following are recommended for crew members:
Passport (strongly recommended) or other identification
(birth certificate/registration)
Sea bag (not hard luggage)
Foul weather gear - jacket, coveralls, sea boots
Work/sailing gloves
Flashlight with lanyard and spare batteries
Deck shoes (tennis shoes as a spare)
Changes of clothing suitable for 85 degree days and 55 degree
nights
Long sleeve cotton shirt/long cotton pants for sun protection
Pillow case(s)
Towels (2)
Sleeping bag or blanket (coordinate with skipper)
Toilet items
Large garbage bags (line sea bag and keep clothes inside
bag to stay dry)
Large zip-lock bags for clothes and equipment
Swimming suit
Reading material
Playing cards
Plastic laundry bag
Knitted watch cap/stocking cap
Wide brimmed hat
Rigging knife with lanyard
Whistle with lanyard
Safety harness
Prescription/sun glasses with strap
Cash and major credit card
Chapstick/suntan lotion/sun block
Aloe/ skin lotion
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Question:
I have questions about equipment needed for each yacht.
Where can I find answers to my questions?
Answer:
For all equipment questions, please refer to the ISAF special
instructions, formerly known as the ORC regulations, found
on www.sailing.org.
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Question:
Do I need things that are strongly recommended, e.g., drogue,
crotch strap on life jacket, etc.?
Answer:
In general, the requirements and recommendations put in
place by the BOR Committee are for the safety of yachtsmen
and their crew and for the efficient operations of the race.
Items that are required are specified as such for a good
reason. Items that are strongly recommended are also given
such a distinction for a good reason. The safety of the
crew is the responsibility of each skipper, so we hope you
will take wise decisions on behalf of you and your crew.
We offer recommendations to help you make good choices.
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Question:
How do I enter the BOR?
Answer:
Entries can be made directly from the BOR web site, the Entering
& Forms page (check must be mailed separately),
or entry forms can be obtained by contacting Anne Sieling,
410-269-1604 (NewsNag@aol.com). Once officially entered,
you will receive a monthly newsletter keeping you updated
on race circular items and all the things you need to know
as a racer in the BOR.
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Question:
Is dock space provided in Bermuda?
Answer:
In past races, SGDSC provided dock space and electricity
for a fee on a first-come, first-served basis. After that,
boats may anchor off the club. Teams are free to look into
other marinas if you wish to tie up to a dock. We do not
have a list of these marinas. We will post fees
when we learn what they are.
There
are also a limited number of free dock spaces in the town
of St. George's itself, but these are usually occupied by
transient yachts. You can sometimes pick one up if you are
there at the right time.
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Question:
On which side of the Bermuda buoy titled "Sea Buoy" do boats
need to pass?
Answer:
The "Sea Buoy" is not a mark of the course. Please see the
sailing instructions for the BOR (to be posted).
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Question:
When will the race entry packets be distributed?
Answer:
The race entry packets will be mailed out in the beginning
of May.
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Question:
Do I need to supply a builder's CE certificate or an ABS
certificate when my vessel is inspected?
Answer:
No.
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Question:
Can I use my satellite phone, or other communications device,
to call a weather service for forecasts and routing information
during the race?
Answer:
No. However, you may listen passively to publicly available
free weather forecasts, and you may download weather facsimiles
if they are openly broadcast and free to the general public.
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Question:
Can I access the web or call a friend to find out the position
reports of other boats while I am racing?
Answer:
No. However, if other boats wish to broadcast by radio where
they are during the approved radio communication times (see
the Sailing Instructions), that is up to them.
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Question:
Can I use my satellite phone to contact other racers competing
for the Storm Trysail Club Team Trophy so that we may share
position reports and weather conditions with each other?
Answer:
No.
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Question:
Can I use my SSB to call Herb Hilgenberg at Southbound II
for weather forecasts and routing information during the
race?
Answer:
No, but you are free to listen passively to reports he gives
to other boats.
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Safety
Inspections, FAQ's
Here
are answers to some of the questions we have been getting.
Hope they help you in preparing your boat.
Question:I
have a large Edson emergency pump mounted on a board with
a long handle and attachable hoses. Can I use this in lieu
of a second permanent pump mounted below deck.?
Answer:
The answer is no.The requirement is for two permanently
installed pumps, one operable below deck and the other on
deck.
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Question: I have one permanent water
tank. Can I use sturdy water containers instead of a second
tank?
Answer:
The answer is yes, provided the sturdy tanks are well secured
below deck, and you still have the required 2.4 US gallon
emergency supply in a separate container.
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Question:As
an emergency steering system, can I use a sturdy bucket
and a line off my stern?
Answer:
The answer is no. There is no such thing as a sturdy bucket
strong enough to control a vessel in heavy seas. A drogue,
designed for your boats length and displacement however
is a suitable solution.
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Question:Do
I need a #4 jib if I have a storm Jib?
Answer:
The answer is yes. They have very different purposes. A
heavy staysail however can be substituted for a #4 jib.
A removable midstay is a very good thing for offshore sailing. On
the subject of storm jibs, if you have a slotted track in
your headstay, you must have grommets in the sails luff
to secure it to the headstay.
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Question:What
is the reason for securing the mast base to the mast step?
Answer:
Think of it as a decompression safety bolt. If your mast
breaks, say at the spreader, you lose the compressive load
on the mast, and if not secured to the mast step, it could
jump out and knock out whatever is in the way, including
the poor soul sitting on the head.
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Question: What
am I required to do when the safety inspector arrives to
inspect my boat?
Answer:
Good question, the answer is to have all of the safety equipment
listed on the check list available for inspection. Not stowed,
but available. Storm sails should be on deck and ready to
hoist including sheets and halyards. You should have the
registration number for your EPERB and if not on deck, the
rental contract for the life raft available.
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Question: What First Aid
Certificates are acceptable?
Answer: Both the American Heart Association and
the Red Cross offer First Aid courses where the participants,
upon completion, are given a business size card with an
expiration date - usually two or three years from date
of course.
The Safety at Sea presentations on emergency
medical problems would serve as credit for this knowledge.
It would be prudent
for two crew to have First Aid knowledge and/or certification
in case the only one certified is the injured party.
Finally,there
is no substitute for common sense. In an accident, timely
action and an understanding of the basics of First Aid
usually play a major role in the outcome of the situation.
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