GBR IRC North West Championships | Liverpool

RULES

The organizing authority (OA) is Liverpool Yacht Club

• The event will be governed by the:
  • Rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing (2025-2028)
  • Boats racing under IRC, IRC Rules Parts A, B, C.
  • IRC Classes 1&2 – boats can enter and race using their IRC rating (endorsed or standard). All boats racing under IRC must have a current valid IRC certificate.
  • IRC Rule 22.4.2 Crew Number/Weight is deleted and replaced by: “The maximum number of crew that may sail aboard a yacht shall be the number shown on the certificate except that; when the crew includes EITHER– at least 2 females, at least 2x 25 years old or under (25 or under on 24 May 2026) OR at least 1 female and 1x 25 years old or under (25 or under on 24 May 2026) then the crew limit is certificate number plus 1. There is no weight limit.”
  • Class rules apply for one design entries, including WS Sailor Categorization. (if applicable).
  • Yachts unable to comply with IRC 14.1 or RRS77 (Identification on Sails) must inform the Organising Authority who may permit an exemption or alternative arrangement.
  • Anchors shall not be carried on deck, such that they protrude forward of the bow.
  • h. World Sailing OSR 3.09.1, 3.09.2, 3.09.4 (cockpit self-draining capability, watertight integrity, and cockpit sole above LWL) and 3.14 (pulpits stanchions and lifelines) shall not apply. Boats racing in IRC classes shall comply with their IRC certificate in respect of OSR compliant lifelines.
  • The RYA Racing Charter. The Charter can be found on the RYA website at rya.org.uk/racing/rules/

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

• The sailing instructions will be available no later than 30th April 2026 on the Official
  Notice Board (ONB).
• This NoR may be changed by amendment or by the Sailing Instructions. In the event of
  conflict, the Sailing Instructions shall prevail. This changes RRS 63.5 (C) (2)

• ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY
  • The event is open to the following classes:
    • IRC yachts – classes 1 & 2 with an IRC rating between 0.800 and 1.100. The exact rating split for each class will be determined by OA and RORC and published by 25th May 2026. No change shall be made to a boat’s rating after the 25th May 2026, without specific written permission of RORC and the OA.
    • Cruiser YTC yachts white sails only which may be split into two classes by the OA. Yachts in the white sails class can only use sails tacked to the centreline abaft of the forestay i.e. no spinnakers. Yachts must have a 2026 YTC Rating.
    • IRC and Cruiser YTC yachts shall have a minimum length of hull (LH) of 6.5 metred and a maximum length overall while in the lock of 15.0 metres. Beam must not exceed 5.0 metres.
    • 4.3 IRC and Cruiser YTC yachts shall have a maximum draught of 2.5 metres.
    • IRC and Cruiser YTC WS category 4 yachts should be fitted with an auxiliary engine (inboard or outboard) capable of propelling the yacht at a minimum of 5 knots in flat water.
    • The engine should be capable of providing propulsion within two minutes during racing.
    • Eligible boats may enter by completing the entry form and submitting it, together with the required fee by 20th May 2026. Late entries will be accepted at the discretion of the OA.
    • Entries are currently not open to boats where any crew member holds a Russian or Belarus Passport or to a boat that is registered with or a member of the National Association in those countries.
    • Boats may enter the event by registering online using the link in NoR 3.1 above.
    • To be considered an entry in the event, a boat shall complete all registration requirements, including providing boat and crew details, and pay all entry fees.
    • In the interest of safety and available resources. The OA reserves the right to restrict entry numbers or the number of boats that are not WS Category 4.
• ADVERTISING
  • Advertising is permitted in accordance with the Class Rule and World Sailing Regulation
  • Boats may be required to display advertising chosen and supplied by the organizing
    authority.
• RACE SCHEDULE
  • Provisional Race Schedule is the following table
  • Racing will be held over the daytime high tide.
  • The first warning signal will be no earlier than 15 minutes after the first lock. The Race Committee will postpone the first race on each day to allow sufficient time for yachts in a class to get to the starting area.
  • The Race Committee working in liaison with the lockkeeper may direct which boats enter the lock first with priority for IRC yachts in the first lock(s).
  • There will be no warning signal within two hours of the lock closing time.
  • The order of racing on each day will be IRC, with the warning signal for YTC White Sails no earlier than that of the starting signal for the final IRC class’s first race. In the event of an IRC general recall, the YTC White Sails start will be postponed until all the IRC races have started.

• EQUIPMENT INSPECTION
  • Measurement spot checks, including checks of documentation may be made at any time at the discretion of the Race Committee and Class Representatives. Details will be provided in the Sailing Instructions.
• VENUE
  • The racing will take place on the River Mersey no further north than 100 metres north of Dukes buoy and no further south than 50 metres south of E6. The location of the start line for each will be advised by the Race Committee via Whatsapp and VHF. It is expected to be near G3 buoy.
  • Navigational Safety – Racing will take place near active shipping channels. The Race Committee would like to call special attention to the preamble to RRS Part 2 concerning the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
  • The buoyed channels on the Mersey are deemed to be ‘narrow channels’ as per Rule 9 of the Collision Regulations. “A vessel of less than 20m in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.”
• COURSES
  • The courses to be sailed by each class will vary. The OA will endeavour to deliver the format of racing that fits the forecast wind and predicted tide.
  • Buoy descriptions for the Race Course Area and will be provided in the sailing instructions.
• PENALTY SYSTEM
  • For breaches of any rule, other than a rule of RRS part 1 and 2 the penalty shall be at the discretion of the protest committee unless the penalty is stated in the rule itself. The penalty shall be applied to all races in which the rule was broken. The protest committee shall be guided by the World Sailing Discretionary Penalty policy.
• SCORING
  • 2 races are required to constitute a series for each class.
  • When fewer than 3 races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores. When 3 races or more have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.
• HAUL OUT RESTRICTIONS
  • All boats shall be afloat no later than 1800 the day before the first scheduled race for each class.
  • Boats shall not be hauled out during the event unless they have prior written permission of the OA.
• SCRUBBING AND SWIMMING IN THE MARINA
  • Subject to marina regulations, competing boats may, at any time, scrub their hull using flossing, sponging or mechanical devices if no person enters the water.
  • No person shall swim or undertake any underwater or diving activities of any kind within Liverpool Marina.
  • Bluepoint Marine Services are offering Race Scrubs for £150 per vessel. Please arrange this directly with Bluepoint Marine Services Ltd.
• INSURANCE
  • Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of £3,000,000 per incident or the equivalent.
• DATA PROTECTION & RIGHT TO USE LIKENESS
  • The personal information you provide to the organizing authority will be used to facilitate your participation in the event. If you have agreed to be bound by the Racing Rules of Sailing and the other rules that govern the event (the rules), the legal basis for processing that personal information is contract. If you are not bound by the rules, the legal basis for processing that personal information is legitimate interest. Your personal information will be stored and used in accordance with the organizing authority’s privacy policy. When required by the rules, personal information may be shared with the RYA, your national authority and/or World Sailing. The results of the event and the outcome of any hearing or appeal may be published.
  • By participating in this event, competitors automatically grant to the OA unconditional, perpetual right and authority to publish and broadcast anywhere in the world, for any purpose and in any media, photographs, video footage, and audio recordings taken of them prior to, during, and after the event without compensation.
• RISK STATEMENT
  • RRS 3 states: “The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone.” Sailing is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk. By taking part in the event, each competitor agrees and acknowledges that:
    • They are aware of the inherent element of risk involved in the sport and accept responsibility for the exposure of themselves, their crew and their boat to such inherent risk whilst taking part in the event.
    • They are responsible for the safety of themselves, their crew, their boat, and their other property whether afloat or ashore.
    • They accept responsibility for any injury, damage or loss to the extent caused by their own actions or omissions.
    • Their boat is in good order, equipped to sail in the event and they are fit to participate.
    • The provision of a race management team, patrol boats and other officials and volunteers by the event organiser does not relieve them of their own responsibilities.
    • The provision of patrol boat cover is limited to such assistance, particularly in extreme weather conditions, as can be practically provided in the circumstances.
    • It is their responsibility to familiarise themselves with any risks specific to this venue or this event drawn to their attention in any rules and information produced for the venue or event and to attend any safety briefing held for the event.

COMMUNICATION AND TRACKING

• Entry form is at the bottom of this page
• Daily Competitor Briefings may take place at Liverpool Marina. Details of timings will be provided within the Sailing Instructions. Alternatively, information from the Race Committee
  may be shared via the ONB or relevant Whatsapp Group. Please find QR Code to join at the end of this NOR.
• All boats shall carry a marine VHF radio capable of receiving all channels. While on the river, all vessels should maintain a listening watch to Mersey VTS on VHF Channel 12 and to the Race Committee on Channel 37 (M1).
• On the water, the Race Committee will make broadcasts of important race information to competitors on VHF radio and via the Course WhatsApp Groups.
• The OA and Race Committee will use an event and Course Area Whatsapp group to facilitate communications with competitors regarding their intentions, notices, results, protest details and other information during the event. A joining link will be provided with
  the Sailing Instructions.
• Questions regarding the notice of race or sailing instructions, may be submitted in
  writing to the LYC Office via email: raceoffice@lyc.org.uk