RACE PACKET 2020 (DRAFT)

Welcome to the Inaugural year of WA360 COVID EDITION

There is going to be plenty of time to wax poetic about risks overcome, calamitiesaverted, romance consummated, boat divorce and that time your team almosttattooed itself to the north cutwater of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

First breath deep, your eyes are glazing across these words because you havemade a choice - engineless long distance water adventure is your jam and youare routing your way to the next personal crucible. Welcome to the vacuum tubeof engineless long(ish) distance racing. Congratulations on whatever level ofcommitment you are annealing and welcome. We’re in this together, let’s let ‘errip. (get her done, have at it)

And let’s remember, this is a COVID year. Happy hours, team-on-team pranks,and giant Skipper’s meetings are all frowned upon. Come back in a year if youwant to see how we party; it’s not pretty but more fun than Zoom.

What’s enclosed in the following pages are the long-awaited specifics—written tohelp racers dial in their plans for whatever portion of the trip they endeavor tocomplete. Also included are as many of the details logistics that we could naildown as of press time. We’ll keep you updated on that info as we get it all firmedup. The shoreside logistics are evolving, but the rules offered in this documentare finalized, including:

● Details on starting sequences● Details on finish lines● Waypoint specifics● Elaboration of some finer points● Registration and payment deadlines● A rule about lawyers (Rule 8)

If you read the whole thing and it's still not clear, or if you simply never learned toread, please feel free to contact us directly.

Best of luck to you in your race preparations. We look forward to seeing you inthe moments leading up to the race.

Onward!

Daniel EvansRace Boss, WA360raceboss@WA360.org

Jesse WiegelRace Marshal, WA360racemarshal@r2ak.com

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WA360Race Instructions and Logistics Manual

(alternate title: “15 or so pages explaining a simple idea”)

Incomplete summary of the next untold pages:

● No motors - but they can stay aboard the vessel● No pre-planned support● No limit to vessel size● No limit on number of crew● Heavyweight titles for the three classes● More logistics than you realized● When race officials go home - race duration● Beware of: COVID, hypothermia, driftwood, tidal whirlpools,

other boats, hubris, irony, shipping lanes, everything else, andRule 8

Start Date: Monday, 07 June 2021Start Time: 0600 (a.m., like in the morning)

Finish Date: 21 June 2021Finish Time: 0600 on that day

Mandatory Registration & SPOT Orientation: Sunday 06 June, anytimebetween 0900-1500

Skippers’ Meeting: 06 June, 1500 on ZoomSafety Equipment Check: First two weeks of June or June 6, anytime

between 0900-1500Ruckus: COVID Cancel - no Ruckus

Application deadline: All teams must apply by April 15th(full registration & payment due by April 30th)

Part 1: Rules and Sailing Instructions

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Responsibility: Competitors in this event are participating entirely at their ownrisk. A team’s decision to participate in the race, or to continue racing, is theirsalone. By participating in this event, each competitor releases the raceorganizers and officials from any and all liability associated with suchcompetitor’s participation in this event to the fullest extent permitted by law.Short version: This is really dangerous, and all of us at WA360 High Commandadvise you not to do it. Really, turn around and go home to your labrador and abook, unless you are allergic to dogs—then just the book.

Overarching Rules for the WA360

● Every team must have a vessel without an operational motor. If youhave one, we’ll tag it out, or stuff putty in your ignition or tape your throttleto the bulkhead - we’ll figure it out. This includes motors and engines ofany fuel type. Human and wind power only for propulsion. Solar, wind,and human power are okay for charging things—and no, not for chargingda battery that powers propulsion of any kind. Bilge pumps are okay,unless it’s really big and pointed aft (see Rule 8).

● Vessels are to be self-supported. That means no pre-arranged supportduring the race. If the support is available to everyone, then you can availyourself of it, otherwise you are to rely on your wits and everything youbrought at the start. You can buy things along the way, but no pre-mailedsupply drops, staged personnel to assist you along the shoreline, andespecially no chase boats—even if they end up not giving you any help,they are still supporting you by offering a safety net that other racers won’thave. Same goes for getting a shore support team to fax you weathermaps, Google search repair places, arrange repairs, give you updates onother racers positions, etc.: don’t do it! Your team is to be free range, freefalling, independent souls. In general, if the help would be available toanyone in the race (weather radio updates, supermarkets, randomgrandma’s walking down the beach with apple pies, etc.) then it’s fairgame. Any doubts? See Rule 8.

● No adding people to your team along the way. You can subtract them ifthey need to exit the race for medical reasons or if you decide you hate acrew member. Also, a team member cannot leave the race and return at alater date or time, unless the vessel does not advance in the race duringthat time. Tie up and go watch a movie or defend your PhD thesis inCanton, Ohio, but return to the boat where you left it. - And if you do notnotify the Race Boss as soon as possible about ditching crew, you may bedisqualified.

● All waypoints must be passed/rounded/whatever. See the latersection about how to prove it, but other than that, you can choose yourown course.

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● Two weeks after the gun fires the race packs it in and goes home.See later section.

● Portaging your boat is OK, but no other vehicle can be involved, noteven a bike.

● Rule 8: If we decide it’s necessary to consult a lawyer to figure out ifyou are disqualified or not, you are automatically disqualified.

Play by the rules and live up to the spirit of the race. If you get cute and push theboundaries, we’ll bring down the hammer.

Registration Deadline

Applications must be received by April 15th, 2021. Tax day here in the U S of A.

All registrations & payments must be received in full by April 30th, 2021.

Required Equipment

Other than the SPOT tracker, the only equipment that is required for the race isthe equipment that is legally required by state and federal governments withjurisdiction over a portion of the racecourse, and a damn VHF, which isn’tfederally mandated but seriously? Just have at least one and know how to use it.Here’s a primer:

● VHF radio (handheld is fine)● Sound signaling device● Navigation lights● Flares and/or waterproof flashlight for signaling at night● An approved PFD (lifejacket) for everyone onboard, with whistles● A throwable flotation device w/line● SPOT tracker (supplied by WA360)

Know the laws. Depending on your boat type you may be required to carryadditional items such as: radar reflector, fire extinguisher, boarding ladder,anchor and rode, bailer/bilge pump or compass. (Really. Some nincompoopmade a compass optional on some boats.)

You will be required to undergo a safety equipment inspection duringpre-race orientation on 07 June (or before if pre-arranged).

SPOT Tracker: Every participant is required to carry a SPOT tracker provided byus. It will come with new lithium batteries installed, but you must provide extrabatteries for the race. Below are results from a 2015 test on batteries for thesetrackers.

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We cannot integrate any other trackers into the tracking system. If you have yourown SPOT tracker, you still must lease a tracker from us to be included in thesafety and results tracking. We’ll teach you how to use it when you are in PortTownsend for pre-race orientation on 06 June.

At that time you will need to pony up a $200 refundable deposit. A creditcard is best.

Equipment not required, but probably a good idea:

Be safe, be warm, be visible!

In addition to what is required, prudent racers will at least consider the followingequipment (depending on vessel):

● Emergency smoke signals and dye markers● Radar reflectors● Emergency shelter● Sufficient water and food● Camp stove or some other way to make food hot (fossil fuels totally

allowed here)● Clothing and shelter systems that will retain heat when wet● Adequate first aid supplies● Charts and navigation equipment● Anchor and line● Redundant systems for safety, navigation, and emergencies

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● Hypothermia recovery gear● Compass!!

While our litigious society prohibits us from saying what we would bring oroffering any useful advice, we encourage you to talk with fellow racers, boatingeducation institutions, other adventure races, and life-saving organizations as towhat you should bring.

Here is what we have distilled from safety requirements from diverse irritatinglocations. We are not the government! We could be wrong, so if you havequestions, check it out for yourself.

Item Notes

VHF Radio Remember to carry lots of batteries, and you must have one.

Sound Signaling Device A vessel of less than 12 meters in length shall not be obliged tocarry the sound signaling appliances prescribed in Rule 33(a) but ifshe does not, she shall be provided with some other means ofmaking an efficient signal. So, yes. Mouth horn works.

Nav Lights A sailing vessel of less than 7 meter in length shall, if practicable,exhibit the lights prescribed in Rule 25(a) or (b), but if she does not,she shall exhibit an all around white light or have ready at hand anelectric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall beexhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.A vessel under oars may exhibit the lights prescribed in this rule forsailing vessels, but if she does not, she shall exhibit an all aroundwhite light or have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lanternshowing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time toprevent collision.

Flares and/or WatertightFlashlight

Sail up to 19’8” – 3 flares or 1 flashlight.Sail 19’8” to 29’6” – 6 flares needed and a flashlight.Sail over 29’6” – 12 flares and flashlight.Neither are required if you are a sail or kite board.Red flares, by law, meet requirements as a day or nightsignal…though that is stupid.If you’re not a CA flagged ship you can use an approved electronicdistress light in lieu of flares if your country of origin allows it.

PFDs for All Duh

Throwable Floatation w/Line and/or Life Ring

Approximately 50’ long heaving line.Human powered - N/A (unless you’re from CA, then you do).Sail up to 19’8” – heaving line.Sail 19’8” to 29’6” – buoyant heaving line OR lifebuoy.Sail over 29’6” – BOTH heaving line AND lifebuoy.

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Compass A magnetic compass is not required if the boat is 8 m (26’3”) orless and you operate it within sight of navigation marks. But whatfool would do this trip without a compass or three?

Radar Reflector Radar reflectors are required for boats under 20 m (65’7”) andboats built of mostly non-metallic materials. A radar reflector is notrequired if:

● the boat is used in limited traffic conditions, daylight andfavourable environmental conditions, and where having aradar reflector is not essential to the boat’s safety; or

● the small size of the boat or its operation away from radarnavigation makes it impossible to install or use a radarreflector.

Bilge Pump or Bailer A bailer or manual bilge pump is not required for a boat that cannothold enough water to make it capsize or a boat that has watertightcompartments that are sealed and not readily accessible. Sail over29’6” must have a bilge pump.

Anchor and Rode (1) If you are a sailboard or kiteboard it can be a “manual propellingdevice.”

Reboarding Device A reboarding device is only required if the vertical height that aperson must climb to reboard the boat from the water (freeboard)is over 0.5 m (1’8”).

Motor is effectivelydisabled (this is our law)

Human and wind power only for propulsion. Solar, wind and humanpower are ok for charging things—and no, not for charging abattery that powers propulsion of any kind.

Try boater websites, like this, for more info or suffer delirium andcross-referencitus by pawing through the USCG colregs.

Chapter 2: Parties and Logistics 05 & 06 June

One word - COVID

We will roll out updates as we know more, but currently we can’t plan for anypre-race shenanigans. We are blundering our way through electronic options forcovering required pre-race obligations. And with all that said. Keep an eye outfor an email about something on June 5th. It involves lamb and a fire andsome optional veggies. It’s only for racers.

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Skipper’s meeting - 06 June 1600 - MANDATORY - ONLINEWe encourage your whole team to attend. We’ll cover the rules again and all thestuff we forgot to add into this document. It’s led by the Race Boss, who is mildlyentertaining and usually has some good visuals.

Safety Check - MANDATORY

You must have your vessel and safety gear inspected on or by June 7th by aRace official. You will be contacted by an inspection team in May. We will tagout your engine during the inspection. The intention of the safety inspections isto insure you are carrying the mandatory safety gear, not your vessel colorscheme or playlist choice, so rest easy.

SPOT Tracker - 06 June - MANDATORY

You will be issued and trained in the use of your SPOT tracker. This must remainon the entire time you race or you risk disqualification. You can change batteriesor restart it, but no shutting it off while you're at anchor or getting the pizza inTacoma at Katie Downs. It is part of our safety framework and let’s us know whenwe should go to Deception Pass to watch you try your luck.

Training for the SPOT tracker is quick and happens the day before the race. We’llhave a table, you walk up to said table. 10 minutes later you walk away smarterand with an orange beeping thing.

You return your tracker to an official, hopefully at the finish line, and we’ll refundyour $200 deposit.

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Header 3: Race Specifics

Race Starts at Port Townsend

Race starts off the NWMC dock. There will be a starting sequence. The startingsequence begins 07 June at 0555 (it’s 5 minutes of horns). All boats must crossthe line within 30 minutes after the official start, but why the hell would you wait?!Get going! The race line will be between the dock and the Committee Boat.

The Committee Boat will mark the starboard end of the start line and theNorthwest Maritime Center dock will mark the port end. You’ll get the details atthe Skippers’ meeting. It’s not that complicated, we're not super detailed aboutthe “race” part of the race.

Race Finishes at Port Townsend

A vessel’s finish is declared when they pass the buoy just offshore of the NWMaritime Center dock and the dock itself and a loud horn is sounded in your

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honor. We don’t care what direction you are going. See the start map for details(because it’s the same, minus a Committee Boat and plus a buoy and a bell.)

Then you can land on the Northwest Maritime Center dock to be received byonlookers and be celebrated. Here you will be looked upon in awe by yourwelcoming committee that will be made up of us and whatever tracker junkie,mom, random racer that beat you or tourist is on the dock. They will have all youranswers and may even have a space for your boat to go after you haveadequately celebrated. Maybe a beer!

We know you need more specifics, but that’s all we’re giving you. You shouldfocus on getting to the finish, and we’ll make sure that you have a soft spot toland once you get there.

Boats requiring a ramp or beach will find that right there too. If you think you’dneed that, check it out when you start in PT. It’ll be the same when you return.

Designing your own finish line (AKA. Dropping out of the race.)

This can happen. In fact, it’s a more honorable option than pushing yourself intoharm’s way and burdening your family, the Race, and lifesaving forces by takingthings too far. If you get tired of this crazy self-persecution of sleep deprivation,blisters, hypothermia, fatigue, and pain, you can quit at any time. It might also bethat you realize you’d rather spend the next two weeks dinking around one fjordor another rather than completing the race. No judgement from us for why youare doing it, but whatever the reason, we only ask two things if you do self-selectout during the race:

1) Notify us through the race phone number or email or any other quickmeans you have on hand

2) Press the “custom” button on your SPOT tracker to deliver the message toour Mission Control that you are dropping out of the race.

Once you have left the race you will no longer be part of our race managementsafety systems, but please continue to use the SPOT until it is returned to us; weare curious where you end up.

Awards Ceremony

You didn't do this to get your name forever engraved on some giant bronzeplated belt, did you? Alright, maybe you did. And if you happen to come out of

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this a WA360 WORLD CHAMPION, prize belts will be awarded at the officialblazer party during the Wooden Boat Festival in September. Plenty of celebrationwill happen when you land, but don’t expect us to have an engraver standing by.

The Route

Start on the correct side of the start line. Do this (in this order):

ROUND Olympia shoal in Budd InletPASS WITHIN 1 NM of Goat Island in Skagit BayROUND Bellingham outfall buoy Fl Y 10s privROUND Point Roberts Buoy R "4" 4s BELLFinish by crossing the line just off the NW Maritime Dock.

Grievances

Grievances for perceived race infractions can be made directly to the Race Boss.Any decision made by the Race Boss is final.

As stipulated in Rule 8 (see Rule 8, page 3 or 4, it moves around), if we have toconsult a lawyer about your grievance (or anything else during the race) you areautomatically disqualified. Don’t try to win by pushing the rules; you’re better thanthat.

Rules

In GeneralNo motors - engine can be tagged out by usNo pre-planned support

This race complies and adheres to the USCG Navigation Rules and Regulations;we do not employ special racing rules. These “Rules of the Road” exist to keepyou and everyone else on the water safe and U.S. authorities expect them to befollowed. Up to date rules can be found here. It’s format is irritating.

Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)When near a Commercial Traffic Separation scheme (think traffic lane for bigships), all vessels are required to monitor the vessel traffic channel for thatlocation.

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COLREGS Rule 10Unlike “R2AK Rule 8”, COLREGS Rule 10 is part of the international law thatgoverns how vessels of all sizes are supposed to behave on the water. Rule 10 isrelated to vessel separation schemes, and the good folks at Vessel Traffic haveasked us to make sure that all racers pay attention to this one. Rule 10 is prettylong (complete text here: but here’s a short version).

Stay out of the traffic lanes, and if you have to cross them, do so at right anglesand as quickly as possible. “Impeding” a fully loaded tanker is not just bad form,it’s really dangerous for the smaller boat. We call that the “law of asymmetricalconsequences”...

WaypointsYou must prove that you have travelled the race route, passing all waypoints andin the right direction.

We scratched our heads a bit and came up with some options you might use toto verify that your course passed through the waypoints:

● SPOT location track (this one works pretty damn well. Just make sureyour SPOT is working.)

● Photo with newspaper date and someplace in close proximity the waypointthat is geographically identifiable.

● Picture with a nice timestamp.● Any other way you can think of that we will believe beyond a shadow of a

doubt.

DisqualificationBreak your honor and one or more of our few rulesAny evidence of using outside help—for food drop-offs, swapping out teammembers, shipping parts to yourself ahead of time, it comes to light that yourboat is actually a remotely operated drone, etc.—will mean an automaticdisqualification from the race. There is no way we can watch you all the time,but… cheating? Above all else this is a personal challenge, a record-makingrace, a good story to tell the young-uns you may one day bounce on your knee;please don’t tarnish the spirit of this by cheating the actual challenge and givingyourself a false advantage over those who are legitimately trying. Resourcesavailable to all racers are available to you.

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Again, if outside support can be obtained by anyone in the race, then it’s ok foryou to have too. This includes weather radio, tide info from apps on your phone(or programs on your ship-board super-computer?), supermarkets, machineshops along the route, etc. It doesn’t include your America’s Cup buddy who justhappens to be looking at the weather patterns online and doing somecalculations while waiting for you to check in. True, if the other people in the raceknew him and had his number, they could call him too, but they don’t so youshouldn’t either. Same goes for your buddies from the rigging shop who just“happen” to be vacationing in Everett.

Cheating is for wimps, cowards, and the morally bankrupt. Any doubts whetheryou are cheating or not—see Rule 8 (page 3 or 4, it moves around).

You did what? Or The Rod Price RuleIf you turn your tracker off for anything but to change batteries, the Race Bossmay disqualify you. That signal getting through means Search & Rescue teamsdon’t have to go looking for you. So let’s just keep it on all the time, eh?

Race is Packed UpAt 0600 on June 21 we pull the banners and go to sleep. It will be somewhere ator by summer solstice so if you don’t make it in time, celebrate that instead. Thenlet us know you are okay and if we can help figure out your next move.

Remember:You can’t add people to your team but you can subtract them if they need to exitthe race for medical reasons or you are just sick of sailing with them. And a racemember can only leave the boat and return at a later time or date, if the boathas not advanced at all on the race course.

Anytime you lose crew you will be re-vetted to determine if it is safe foryour team to continue the race. Contact the Race Boss immediately if yourcrew number changes.

Section 3: More Logistics and Helpful Hints

There are a few ins and outs of this race that aren’t really part of the rules, but wefigured that you might find it useful if we brought up some subjects you shouldthink about.

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You should, for sure, verify any of the information that relates to laws andgovernmental regulations. Definitely don’t take our word for it; we wouldn’t.

Emergencies and Emergency Assistance

If you break down and/or need emergency assistance, you can go anywhere youlike, but to continue the race you must begin where you left off and must use theSPOT to pinpoint that location—by pressing the “OK” button—before you receiveassistance and before you begin to continue racing. Any instance requiringassistance must be well-documented and recorded by your SPOT tracker if youintend to continue racing. If you’re quitting, you can do whatever you like…afteryou contact us, please.

Like we said, assistance in an emergency is understandable, and you mayrestart the race after the emergency is ameliorated. Things like being dismastedon a lee shore in a gale, capsizing, hull delamination, medical issues, or runningaground all could be considered emergencies, or not. You know best what you,your team, and your vessel are capable of handling. This race is about beingbold, not foolhardy. You’re in an unsupported race, but not alone, don’t forget.Running out of food or water is not an emergency; it’s poor planning. Get to townbefore that happens. (We know, it’s a fine line.)

Each vessel will need to provide the following information for the vessel andevery racer if indeed emergency response is required. This information will becollected at the race check-in on June 6th if we don’t have it already.

● Name of crew● Emergency contact name, number & relationship● Age● Gender● Physical description● Pertinent health info● Vessel being raced upon (including description of vessel)

In the event of an emergency, this is what rescue providers will want you toprovide. You should just print this and laminate it somewhere by your VHF.

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● Name of persons onboard, physical description and clothing, age, healthinfo (underlying medical conditions?)

● Vessel description including color, length, registration numbers, etc.● Next of kin/emergency contact name/number/relationship● Safety equipment carried on board

Info on helping others:

Remember, this is only a race. If you find yourself considering what to do if yousee a vessel in distress…let us take a page from the Canadian Shipping Act of2001:(The US version is the same, but doesn't sound as cool.)

"Every qualified person who is the master of a vessel in any waters, on receivinga signal from any source that a person, a vessel or an aircraft is in distress, shallproceed with all speed to render assistance and shall, if possible, inform thepersons in distress or the sender of the signal…. The master of a vessel inCanadian(say US in your head) waters and every qualified person who is themaster of a vessel in any waters shall render assistance to every person who isfound at sea and in danger of being lost."

Lastly, you should know that this is International Law. If you do not properlyrespond to a distress call, you can be fined and even imprisoned. And it goesagainst the code of the sea…

A Note of the Use and Awesomeness of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS):

Vessel Traffic Services exists. They monitor and manage all commercial trafficalong the race route—think of them as air traffic control for the sea. They also willbe looking for you, and you can monitor their radio channels for information onapproaching ships, tugs, and other commercial traffic. (See below). We’ll betalking about how VTS is going to be supporting the race during our Skippers’Meetings.

Your VHF radio:

Use it. Keep it on. You know it’s a law that you monitor channel 16 whileunderway. You should probably be scanning 16, 13 and the local VTS channel aswell. If space is an issue, bring the spare batteries and leave the extra undies athome. One extra set of undies is not going to help, really.

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For the race you will always use your team name for all VHF communication withrace officials and search and rescue organizations.

Element 4: Contacts to Know

VHF Ch 16 - for all distress and reaching the Coast Guard.Phone - 911 for emergencies

Canada (in case you stray)

Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Victoria, British Columbia:Toll-free number: 1-800-567-5111

Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS):Phone *16 (for emergencies only)VHF 16 (for emergencies only)

Victoria Traffic, which covers the area from Victoria to Ballenas Island and whichwill be used for the second half of Stage 1 and the first portion of Stage 2:VHF Ch 11

US

Seattle Traffic, which is what Vessel Traffic Services is called. These are goodchannels to monitor traffic and check in on traffic if you’re slow and making a bigcrossing

VHF 5a - Everything north of the lines of demarcation listed belowVHF 14 - south of a line from Nodule Point to Bush Point in AdmiraltyInlet, and south of a line drawn eastward from Possession Point on WhidbeyIsland to the shoreline on the mainland.

Getting Your Boat Home

We’re hoping you have that figured out. If you need some local knowledge, let usknow.

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That’s it! Good luck and we’ll see you on 05 June for the Racer Roast and the 6thfor sure!

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