PLYMOUTH LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS 043/22
PLYMOUTH SOUND - DIRECTION
SAIL GP RACING 28 – 31 JULY 2022
- This is a direction by the Queen’s Harbour Master Plymouth pursuant to the Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order 2020.
- The Water Events Diary 2022 gave early notice of the Sail GP event. This PLNTM gives information of timings, course and spectator areas and directs mariners accordingly. It is fundamental for port, vessel and personal safety.
- Event 3 of the Sail GP Championship will take place in Plymouth Sound over the period 28 – 31 July 2022. Up to ten high performance F50 foiling catamarans will be launched and recovered in Millbay Docks prior to practice sessions and racing in The Sound. They require a significant amount of sea room.
- All vessels are, at all times, to manoeuvre in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
Non-competitors are to give competitors a wide berth when ever possible.
TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS
5. To ensure vessel and personal safety within the Port the following traffic restrictions will apply:
a. Free practice on Thu 28 Jul between 1200 – 1600
i. Practice Area – an exclusion zone marked by S Mallard, Dunstone Rock, F Buoy, New Grounds and SE Drakes Island, allocated to official craft and competitors only (see Chart extract at annex A)
b. Practice races Fri 29 Jul and main races on Sat 30 and Sun 31 for a period from 1200 – 1600 daily (see Chart extract at Annex A):
i. Assigned Area – area allocated to Sail GP within which the race area will be set.
ii. Race Area – the race course laid within the Assigned Area and will form an exclusion zone allocated to official craft and competitors only. The size and orientation of the Race Area will depend on the wind conditions on the day. The boundaries of the Race Area will be marked by Sail GP buoys (Orange pyramid shaped marks) and will be patrolled by Sail GP Marshal craft.
MARSHALLING CRAFT/ OFFICAL POLICING CRAFT
6. Official marshalling craft will patrol the area boundaries and invite spectators or other craft to remain clear of the Practice/Race Area. Marshalling craft will display an orange SailGP flag.
7. Policing craft will direct any vessels which ignore marshal’s advice, to remain clear of the Practice/Race area. Mariners are reminded that failure to comply with official direction by the Officers of the Queen’s Harbour Master, which includes MOD Police Officers and Cattewater Harbour Master staff, may result in prosecution.
SPECTATOR AREAS
8. No unauthorised craft are permitted inside the Sail GP race course which will be laid within the assigned area outlined on the accompanying chartlet.
The boundaries of the Race Area will be marked by Sail GP buoys (Orange pyramid shaped marks) and will be patrolled by Sail GP Marshal craft. Spectating vessels may view the racing from outside Race Area. They may remain underway or anchor. However, vessels should avoid anchoring in the sea grass bed in the southern sector of Jennycliff Bay (PLNTM 022/22 refers).
RACE ACTIVITIES
9. The race wet pit area will be in Millbay Outer Basin with temporary pontoons and a crane barge moored on Trinity Pier. Temporary mooring will also be laid in the outer basin. Spectator craft should keep clear of Millbay Docks. Vessels needing to access King Point Marina, Millbay Marina or Longroom Camber should proceed with caution at minimum speed and keep well clear of official craft.
10. Low flying helicopters will be filming the racing and may be encountered throughout the race and official practice. Mariners are to be alert to their presence, the potential down draught and noise and should avoid being distracted. The CAA have established a temporary exclusion zone prohibiting the flying of drones in the proximity of the race area.
11. F50 catamarans and their support craft are exempt from the port speed limit during races and official practices. Outside these times they remain fully obliged to comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and all local orders.
VESSEL TRAFFIC CONTROL
12. All mariners are to note and observe the restrictions on movement in the paragraphs below:
a. Mariners wishing to proceed from the Plym, Sutton Harbour, and the Cattewater to seaward of the Race Area are advised to do so in sufficient time before access to The Sound is restricted. However, limited access for vessels less than 15m in length will be permitted throughout by passing close around Mountbatten Pier to Jennycliff Bay, and close around Staddon Beacon to and from sea.
b. Throughout practice races and main competition, access to/from seaward for small craft to/from The Hamoaze and River Tamar is permitted passing through The Bridge channel. Vessels should route to the west of Queen’s Ground buoy and remain close inshore.
c. Access across the front of Hoe – will be suspended whilst the competing F50s transit to and from the Race Area. Dependant on the course orientation there may be the opportunity for limited passage across the front of the Hoe whilst the racing is taking place. Any such transits will be under the strict control of Longroom Port Control.
d. During periods of restrictions, Longroom Port Control will make periodic ‘sécurité’ broadcasts on VHF Channel 14. Mariners seeking further information should call ‘Longroom’ on VHF Channel 14 or telephone (01752 836528) before going afloat. Official Race information will be broadcast by the Sail GP team on VHF Channel 68.
e. There will be no anchorages available for commercial vessels north of the breakwater for the duration of the event.
f. Large merchant vessel movements will not be permitted whilst the traffic restrictions are in place, without the express permission of Longroom PCS. Small craft may move within spectator areas but are not to encroach on the course.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
13. Responsible personnel will be stationed in The Sound with the capability to deal with emergency situations on the water. Incidents between competing vessels will initially be managed by official Sail GP resources. Any other on water emergency is to be reported to Longroom Port Control on VHF Channel 14.
Longroom will require the following information:
- Station calling
- Nature of the incident
- Position of vessel
Longroom will then:
- Acknowledge the caller
- Confirm the incident
- Alert the required response unit and dispatch to the position given.
14. Cancel this PLNTM 1 Aug 22
Annexes;
A. Chart Extracts showing Practice Area, Assigned Area and indicative Race Area.
B. Outline schedule of events.
ANNEX A
CHARTLET SHOWING PRACTICE AREA – THUR 28 JUL – 1200 – 1600
CHARTLET SHOWING ASSIGNED AREA – FRI 29 – SUN 31 JUL – 1300 – 1700 Daily
NOTE:
The exclusion zone is indicative and will change on a daily basis dependant on wind direction and strength. The race area will be marked with Sail GP buoys and patrolled by Sail GP Marshall craft
ANNEX B
SAIL GP OUTLINE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
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Thursday 28 July
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1300
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Practice Area secured
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1315 – 1600
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Free practice
|
|
|
|
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Friday 29 July
|
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By 1200
|
Race Area boundary markers laid
Marshall vessels on station
|
|
1300
|
Race Area established
|
|
1400 - 1530
|
Practice races
|
|
1600
|
Traffic restrictions end
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday 30 July
|
|
By 1200
|
Race Area boundary markers laid
Marshall vessels on station
|
|
1300
|
Race Area established
|
|
1400 - 1530
|
Main races
|
|
1600
|
Traffic restrictions end
|
|
|
|
|
Sunday 31 July
|
|
|
By 1200
|
Race Area boundary markers laid
Marshall vessels on station
|
|
1300
|
Race Area established
|
|
1400 - 1530
|
Main races
|
|
1600
|
Traffic restrictions end
|
|
|
|
