ROUND THE ISLAND RACE 3 JULY 2021

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN jointly by the Queen's Harbour Master Portsmouth, the ABP Southampton Harbour Master and the Cowes Harbour Master that the Round the Island Race 2021 will start from Cowes between 0630 and 0800 on Saturday 3 July 2021.  About 1200 yachts are expected to take part in the race.  A full description of the race is available from the Island Sailing Club (www.roundtheisland.org.uk). The following summary is provided for information purposes:

  a. The start line extends from the Island shore at the Royal Yacht Squadron to an outer distance mark adjacent to the Williams Shipping Buoy. 

b. Due to the number of competitors taking part, the various class starting times will be staggered to take place at 10-minute intervals between 0630 and 0800.  

c. The anti-clockwise course around the Isle of Wight will be from Cowes west-about and back to Cowes. Turning points for the race are at The Needles Lighthouse, St Catherine’s Point, and Bembridge Ledge Buoy. 

d. It has been agreed with the organisers that all competitors awaiting their class starting time will proceed to designated holding / waiting areas (as on  Figure 1 below), to avoid congestion in the main navigable channel. All competitors will be equipped with VHF radio and will keep a listening watch on VHF Channel 22, in the event that a recall or postponement becomes necessary. 

e. Whilst the main bulk of the fleet of yachts is expected to pass the Bembridge Ledge Buoy between 1400 and 1800 and the peak finishing time at Cowes is likely to be between 1600 and 2000, it should be noted that the earliest finish could be around 0900 and the finish limit time for this year is 2200.  Hence, there will be increased levels of recreational activity within the Central Solent area throughout this period. 

Figure 1 – Central Solent Start Area

f. When rounding Seaview all competitors must remain to seaward of the mooring area indicated on Figure 2. The area is indicated by a box originating from the shoreline at the north end of Seagrove Bay (the white flats) in approximate position 50°43.00’N, 001°06.30’W, out to ‘Pier Head’ which is a yellow spherical buoy (in approximate position 50°43.31’N, 001°05.63’W), northwest to the ‘Line Post’ which is a yellow post with blue windsock (in approximate position 50°43.60’N, 001°06.23’W), then directly back to the shoreline at Seaview Duver. One orange inflatable will be laid on the eastern side of the box and three orange inflatables will be equally spaced between Pier Head and the Line Post on the northern side of the box. Competing yachts disregarding the box and entering the Seaview mooring area will be subject to protest.

2. In order to separate the competitors from any commercial traffic movements intending to pass through the Central Solent, or bound to or from the Port of Southampton, during the starting period:

• Masters of vessels not directly involved in the event are to arrange to be clear of the start area by 0600hrs and are not to enter the start area until after 0830hrs or when the bulk of competitors have cleared the area. 

• Masters of Red Funnel Ferries and Commanders of Red Jets are to avoid passing through the start area and are to arrive at/or leave Cowes passing to the east of the Bramble Bank, where practicable, during the period 0600 - 0830. 

All spectator craft not taking part in the race are to keep well clear of the start area or are to proceed to one of the designated holding areas, as depicted on Figure 1, and keep clear of the Main Navigational Channel.  

3. Cancel this Local Notice to Mariners 4 July 2021.