PLNTM 056 OFFSHORE CIRCUIT DRIVERS ASSOCIATION POWERBOAT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS DIRECTION

PLYMOUTH LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS 056/24

PLYMOUTH SOUND - DIRECTION

Offshore Circuit Racing Drivers Association (OCRDA) Powerboat World Championships 6^th -8^th September 2024

 

1. This is a direction by the King’s Harbour Master Plymouth pursuant to the Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order 2020.
   
   

   INTRODUCTION
   
   

2. Offshore Circuit Racing Drivers Association (OCRDA) will conduct a series of Powerboat Races in Plymouth Sound 7-8 September 2024. There will be practice sessions for the vessels on Friday 6 September 2024. This PLNTM outlines the event, gives timings and detail of an exclusion zone, and provides further co-ordinating instructions.

    

3. At any one time, up to 16 high performance Powerboats or Aqua Bikes will race a square course in the north part of Plymouth Sound for periods of up to 1 hour at a time. The nature, manoeuvrability and speed of these vessels will necessitate an exclusion zone to be in force around the course for the duration of each race. The designated area for practice on Friday 6^th September, with timings, is at Annex A. The exclusion zone chart for race days on Saturday 7^th and Sunday 8^th September, with timings of when the exclusion zone is in force, is at Annex B. Provided that an effective exclusion zone is in force around the race area, the vessels involved have permission to exceed the speed limit for the purposes of racing only.
   
   CO-ORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS

    

4. For the start of each race, the racing craft will gather in the vicinity of the western breakwater, and race an initial leg into the exclusion zone from the South West. This leg will be cleared by marshal boats prior to race start.

    

5. The racing craft will be launched and recovered from the Cattewater for practice sessions and racing. For racing they will be escorted to and from the race areas by event Officials and are to abide by port speed limits at all times when not racing.
   
   EXCLUSION ZONE
   
   
6. Port Users not involved in the event are directed not to enter the exclusion zone, and give it as wide a berth as is safe and practicable and navigate with particular caution.
   
   
7. Port users are to note that, whilst the exclusion zone is in force, access from the Vanguard bank and Barn Pool areas towards the East via Drakes Channel, will not be possible. Mariners are further advised of the navigational hazards associated with transit through ‘The Bridges’ due to the height of tide at the time of racing. There will however be times between races when transits will be possible. These will be broadcast on VHF Ch 14.
   
   
8. For vessels wishing to enter/leave the Cattewater, including Sutton Harbour, whilst the exclusion zone is in force, a channel is established extending a maximum of 150m West from the end of Mount Batten Breakwater. This will marked by an orange chequered temporary mark. Vessels are to keep to the east of this mark whilst the exclusion zone is in force. Vessels 20m or greater in length are to contact Longroom Port Control on VHF Ch 14 an accordance with the Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order 2020 prior to leaving their berth as usual. Longroom will decide on a case-by-case basis whether the move can be permitted during racing.
   
   MARSHALLING CRAFT / POLICING CRAFT
   
   
9. Marshalling craft will patrol the exclusion zone boundary and invite spectators or other craft to remain clear of the exclusion zone. Marshalling craft will display a Blue flag.
   
   
10. Policing craft will direct any vessels which ignore marshal’s advice, to remain clear of the exclusion zone. Mariners are reminded that failure to comply with official direction by Officers of the King’s Harbour Master, which includes MOD Police, Devon and Cornwall Police and Cattewater Harbour Master staff, may result in prosecution.
    
    FURTHER INSTRUCTION
    
    
11. On the same days as race days, Plymouth Youth Sailing will be hosting a ‘Topper’ Class dinghy sailing race series, in Jenny Cliff Bay and Batten Bay. The event is supported from the Mount Batten Watersports Centre. The race area is marked on the chartlet at Annexes A and B and will be deconflicted with the OCRDA event by KHM. Mariners are to navigate with particular caution in the vicinity of both the exclusion zone and this sailing race event.
    
    
12. Cancel this PLNTM 9 Sept 24.

 

Annex A – Chartlet of Powerboating Practice Area and Timings

 

Practice Area An area bounded by: Dunstone Rock, F Buoy, D Buoy, New Ground Buoy and Melampus Buoy. All vessels are to navigate in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and the Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order 2020. 

Schedule

Friday 6^th September                                      0900-1700

Saturday 7^th September                                  0800-1000

Sunday 8^th September                                    0800-1000

Annex B – Sat 7 /  Sun 8 Sep 24 – Powerboat Racing in Plymouth Sound – Exclusion Zone Chartlet and Timings

 

Exclusion Zone for Racing An area bounded by: Fisher’s Nose, Temporary orange chequered mark 150m West Mount Batten Breakwater, 200m South East of Dunstone Rock, 200m South West of Melampus Buoy and Millbay Sectored Light.

Schedule of Exclusion Zone Enforcement

 

Saturday 7^th September 2024        Race 1: 1030 – 1130

                                                                        Race 2: 1215 – 1330

                                                                        Race 3: 1415 – 1500

                                                                        Race 4: 1545 – 1700

Sunday  8^th September 2024         Race 1: 1030 – 1130

                                                                        Race 2: 1215 – 1330

                                                                        Race 3: 1445 – 1545

                                                                        Race 4: 1600 – 1700