2017 Pensacola a La Habana Race NOR revised

by Talbot Wilson on 8 Dec 2016 A revised Notice of Race (Version 2.0, 1 December, 2016) for the 2017 Pensacola a La Habana Race is now posted on www.pensacolahavanarace.com, on www.pensacolayachtclub.org and on the registration site of Yacht Scoring. Important changes have been made to the safety requirements and recommendations for the 511-mile race starting April 30 from Pensacola, Florida.

Entry is open to multi-hulls and mono-hulls, amateurs and professionals, modern or classic cruisers, racer/cruisers and all out racers. The race is designated as a “Coastal” race under the definitions in the US Sailing Safety Equipment Requirements. The Organizing Authority will not require compliance with the US Sailing equipment list, but strongly recommends full compliance and includes their equipment list for Coastal Races in Appendix A.

To assure each yacht has a focus on safety, the Organizing Authority continues to require that at least 30% of those aboard the boat, but not fewer than two members of the crew, including the person in charge, should have attended a one-day, or two-day US Sailing Safety at Sea™ Seminar within the last five years.

The Pensacola Yacht Club Satori Foundation will host a US Sailing Safety At Sea™ weekend with a two-day US Sailing Safety at Sea™ 'hands-on' seminar March 25-26 or a one-day US Sailing Safety at Sea™ 'classroom only' seminar on March 25. Details for the one-day and two-day options are available on the Satori Foundation website. Registration is through US Sailing Regatta Network.

Race Chairman Neil Davies highlighted the necessity of each ‘Person in Charge’ instilling the importance of safety for his or her crew. “The NOR,” Davies noted, “puts full responsibility for making sure the yacht and crew are safe and safely equipped for this race, a 511-miler that crosses the gulf leaving the Dry Tortugas to port, riding the tricky and often elusive loop current south from the top of the Gulf of Mexico to the bottom.”

“Section 4.1 of the NOR,” he added, “clearly states It is the sole responsibility of the Person in Charge of each vessel to provide for the safety of the crew of the vessel. The decision to race or not to race or to continue to race after starting is the sole responsibility of the person in charge of each vessel.”

Davies emphasized, “We are very strong in our recommendations but safety decisions are clearly up to the person in charge.”

In addition to posting the revised NOR and Appendix A, an Appendix B— Rules and Rating Adjustments Modern and Classic Cruiser Divisions (Version 2.0, 1 December, 2016) has also been posted. These GYA-PHRF handicap adjustments are for these two divisions to encourage “the spirit of cruising” and to allow cruising boats to compete with similar other boats without having to optimize for racing. Similar credits were offered for the initial race in 2015 and met with widespread approval. PHRF Racer and Racer/Cruiser Divisions are still offered for more competitive programs.

Appendix C— Vessel Tracking and Appendix D— Communications will be posted in the near future. All boats in the race will use Yellow Brick tracking devices that will be provided. The service is sponsored by VisitPensacola.com and will feature a dynamic website for spectators to follow the race from anywhere in the world.

Classic cruiser boats should expect to cover the racecourse in about four days, racers less. Scheduled for Saturday, May 6, 2017, the Castillo del Morro Race— an international race between Marina Hemingway and Havana promoting sportsmanship between nations— includes additional boats flagged in or visiting Cuba. Trophy presentations follow with an evening celebration at Hemingway International Yacht Club.