:: GALLIPOLI YACHT RALLY ::

Safety

Safety is paramount during this Rally. We will be cruising and racing in company, which means we should have each other in sight for most of the time. There will be some difference in the speed of the yachts but the courses do not give much opportunity to stray.

In addition to the charts and sailing directions for the area as supplied by the yacht charter company, a special set of Navigation Notes will be issued to each yacht. A mandatory onshore briefing will be held before each rally leg.

The yachts are basic comfortable charter yachts but do not handle like grand-prix racing yachts. In order to get the optimum sailing performance from them, it may be necessary to 'tweak' and 'trim' during the early stages of the Rally.
The following basic navigation equipment will be on board
GPS
Depth Sounder
VHF Marine Radio
Binoculars
Charts and plotting equipment
Turkish Waters Pilot
If you have your own hand-held VHF then please bring it as it enhances the direct communication between you and the yacht should crew be ashore or in the dinghy.

'Rules of the Road'
The sailing rules (International Rules for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea) for all situations including give-way are the same as used in Australia and New Zealand. When entering harbours, the port markers (red) are on the left and the starboard markers (green) are on the right. When leaving port, red is on the right and green on the left. Cardinal marks are the same as Australia.

Personal Flotation Device
There will be one PFD for each person aboard. It will be at the discretion of the individual to wear a PFD should they wish to do so, however, the skipper may determine a time when all should wear them. Should you be considering to bring your own inflatable PFD, please be aware of certain airline restrictions for carrying PFD gas bottles. The charter yachts are not generally equipped with safety harnesses.

Shortening sail including reefing
All yachts have furling headsail and a furling mainsail. It will be important to shorten sail early, as the furling mainsail may be difficult to furl adequately in strong winds. It will be wise to practice the reefing procedures in calm conditions early in the Rally.

Motor-sailing
Crossing the Dardanelles on the way to Anzac Cove from Canakkale and from Kabatepe to Bozcaada, because of the heavy shipping traffic and strong current, it will be necessary to be prepared to motor sail to maintain a proper course or alter course if required.
There are some legs that may require some motor-sailing after the race finish to maintain an average speed in order to arrive at the destination in good time.

Navigation
Included in the Navigation Notes for each yacht are chartlets, harbour details, waypoints, chart names translations and chart symbols. There is one bound set for each yacht so it is best to keep them intact. The yachts will have charts aboard and these may be more suitable for navigation. Please bring these Navigation Notes to each briefing.
Cruising along this part of the Turkish coast and generally close to the land will give us all an opportunity to practise Dead Reckoning. There is very little magnetic variation therefore you may set your Compass courses as True, with course adjustments according to your DR.
Course adjustments for current and set may not be a concern until Canakkale, Bozcaada, and the Dardanelles. If you wish to bring any of your own navigation equipment, then please do so.

Marine radio
Each yacht is equipped with VHF. These Navigation Notes include all the frequencies we will need for outside contact such as marinas, Coastguard and Harbour control. You will be advised of the frequency the fleet will use for communication with each other. The Race Director will conduct a position schedule each two hours commencing at 1000 hours until all yachts are moored or anchored at the end of each leg.
As with all international marine radio, you will be required to use the correct calling and answering procedures when using the official frequencies in these notes. There may be less formal procedures when contacting each other but remember, if you are chatting, you will not be able to receive any other transmission. Weather forecasts can be received on VHF radio and the frequencies and times will be confirmed at each briefing.

Global Positioning System
Each yacht is equipped with a GPS. There are some waypoints contained in these Navigation notes with additional waypoints to be circulated at the briefings. The GPS system is always subject to degradation and it should be used as a guide only and not totally relied upon for navigation.

Weather
We will gather forecasts from a number of sources. When available, the Internet has a number of reasonably accurate sites. We will consult with those ashore, at marinas etc, to obtain local knowledge.

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