“Safe Seamanship, Camaraderie and Ocean Conservancy” - ANNOUNCEMENT OF EVENT - We are pleased to announce the Panama International Regatta* - A STRICTLY FOR FUN EVENT - to take place on Sunday September 7th, 2008. The regatta is open to sailboats, as well as motorboats, over 18 feet in length. Jet skis, windsurfs, kitesurfs, kayaks and rowboats are not welcome. The Panama International Regatta* is a totally informal event - NOT A RACE - and it is absolutely FREE OF CHARGE. The only obligation is SAFETY, as participants will enter the regatta at their own risk and under their sole responsibility. The regatta consists of a ONE WAY RUN starting from the Balboa Yacht Club and finishing in Taboga, followed by a BEACH PARTY. (more)
Participants are advised to bring along their own food and beverages, as well as their ice, coolers, tableware, beachwear, sun/rain protection and trash bags. As a courtesy to the Taboga community, the participants are requested to kindly dispose of their garbage and keep the beach pristine.
The Skipper’s Meeting will be held at the Balboa Yacht Club, on Thursday, September 4th, 2008 at 5:00 P.M. Please note that the Rating System depends solely on the information provided by the participating Skippers. Participants must honestly indicate on their entry form the top speed of their boat; but since this regatta is not a race anyway it does not matter whether the truth or lies are told when filling-in the Entry Form. Given that the Panama International Regatta* is a strictly for fun event, we refrain from formal measurements, which tend to be complex and time consuming. The general idea is for everybody to arrive in Taboga more or less at the same time; therefore each boat will be assigned her own starting time, slower ones starting first and faster ones starting last. With proper handicaps, the fleet should reach Taboga in close proximity, thus ensuring a magnificent show for the hundreds of spectators expected to watch the regatta upon arrival in Taboga. Thanks for your understanding!
The actual regatta will start at the Balboa Yacht Club, on the Farfán side (or West) of the Canal, on September 7th, 2008 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM.
The Taboga Beach Party will begin at 12:00 noon and will last for the better part of the afternoon. Finally, and again of primary importance, is for all participants to understand that the Panama International Regatta* is NOT A RACE. As a result there will be no winner, no award, no loser, nor anybody to blame. Consequently, there is absolutely no incentive to rush to the finish line in order to arrive in Taboga ahead of the others.
The Event Committee allows sailing yachts to use their engines, either to avoid a collision, or in the unfortunate event that there is not enough breeze to enable their sailing yacht to move forward under sail alone. Towing stranded crafts along is not only permitted it is actually encouraged.
International VHF Channel 69 will be used as the official event channel. Please remember that the Panama Canal Traffic Controllers use International VHF Channel 12. Before crossing the Canal make sure that there is no transiting vessel at sight. Obviously, all vessels in transit thru the Canal have always the right of way over smaller boats crossing the canal. In any case, before crossing the Canal ONE MUST ALWAYS OBTAIN PRIOR AUTHORIZATION FROM FLAMENCO SIGNAL. Non compliance of this mandatory rule will almost certainly result in a hassle…
The Panama International Regatta* is a CONGENIAL EVENT. At every opportunity, boats must give way to reduce the risk of collision. Boaters handling their boats in an aggressive or irresponsible manner, as well as party poopers and grumpy boaters will be ostracized and excused from participating in the Taboga Beach Party, as well as in any future Panama International Regatta* events.
Protests will definitely be frowned upon by the Event Committee. However, a protest may be heard if accompanied by a chilled six-pack of beer for the Event Committee. (The quantity and the quality of the beer may improve the chances of a successful outcome).
SAIL SAFELY AND ENJOY THE BEACH PARTY
The Panama International Regatta* Participants must be aware that the regatta will be sailed under the jurisdiction of the Panama Maritime Authority and the Panama Canal Authority. The Event Committee and the Fleet will make all efforts to manage and sail the regatta in compliance with the laws and regulations of those Entities. Of course a current Cruising Permit (“Permiso de Navegacion”) will be required.
AUGUST 24th 2008 REHEARSAL
A “rehearsal” regatta will take place on August 24th, 2008, under the same program and schedule as the “real” event of September 7th 2008. The only difference being that the Skippers Meeting for the rehearsal regatta will take place at the Balboa Yacht Club on Thursday, August 21st 2008.
To contact the Event Committee write to
Commodore@PanamaYachtClub.com*Panama International Regatta is a registered trademark of Panama Yacht Club (Overseas), Inc.
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