This co-operative event will see crews from different countries sharing knowledge and building the spirit of Atlantic Challenge. For the first time this event will count toward final standings.

The goals of this challenge are to mix the crews, share knowledge and meet a challenge together. Six crewmembers from one nation will replace an equal number in another nation’s boat. Coxwains will be in charge of their own boats.  Crews will sail together from the Atlantic Challenge docks to Owl’s Head Harbor in the morning; they should use this opportunity to practice together.  Crews will also eat lunch together.  Teams may change crew members between the morning sail and afternoon event if they wish.

The course

Boats will row to Green Can “7 “(just South of Owl’s Head light), which must be passed to port. As their bows pass the buoy gigs must ship their oars and begin sailing.

Gigs will sail until they pass a buoy to port off Deep Cove, where they will drop sails and resume rowing, but without a rudder.  The rudder must be removed within one boat length of the buoy. Boats will pass between a “gate” (two buoys) at the entrance of Broad Cove, pass down a line of buoys placed in the cove, pick up the last buoy in the line, and continue under oars (and without rudder) through the gates at the exit to Broad Cove. As they pass through the gates the gigs will raise sail.

At two blasts of a horn from a race committee boat, gigs will perform a man overboard under sail while between the exit buoys to Broad Cove and Green can “1”.(off Battery point). Using the buoy they picked up in broad cove, each team will untie it from its rope and anchor(when they choose), and drop it overboard behind the boat on the horn signal.  The buoy must retrieved by hand (not a boat hook).  Sails must be dropped to retrieve the buoy, and raised immediately afterwards. The gig must backwater under oars (not turn around) to retrieve the buoy.  Green Can one must be left to port. Gigs will continue to the finish under sail. 

As gigs cross the finish line under sail, they will hold aloft their retrieved buoy.

The Start

Clams will start first, then lobsters

Fleets will start 15 minutes apart

Positions on the starting line will be drawn by lot.

Boats will hold themselves on the line with their forward four oars.  When all boats have signaled they are ready, there will be a signal, followed by a starting signal 10 seconds later, at which all boats will bring out their remaining oars and cross the line.

Scoring

Teams will be awarded points for the placement of their own boat in the race, and for the placement of the boat in which they are providing 6 crew members. The total of the these points for each team will be compared to that of other boats to determine the placement of each team in their fleet

Special Rules                                

·         All crew must wear life jackets.

·         Sailing Rules and Atlantic Challenge rules apply.

Penalties

1 minute for touching Can “1” or Can “7” (other buoys may be touched)

3 minutes for failure to observe racing rules.

5 minutes if a buoy is incorrectly passed

3 minutes for not displaying aloft the retrieved buoy at the finish line

3 minutes for not removing rudder within one length of buoy off deep cove

3 minutes for failing to switch  from oars to sails (or sails to oars) within one length of a the specified mark.

Boats starting more than 15 seconds early will be disqualified.  Boats starting less than 15 seconds early must return to the prestart side of the line or be disqualified.