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TRUE NORH MARINE RACE TO THE BORDER 2015
SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
May 30th 2015
MAY 28, 2015 UPDATES ARE HIGHLIGHTER IN GREEN
1. GENERAL
The True North Marine Race to The Border Regatta is open only to yachts that agree to abide by these
Sailing Instructions. The race is under the management of Race To The Border, Galveston Bay Cruising
Association Race Committee and Laguna Madre Yacht Club and such Committees shall have full powers to
interpret the rules and conditions governing this race, to provide for any deficiencies in these conditions, to
decide protest and eligibility, and to correct any inequities that might later become apparent. The Race
Committee may change the Sailing Instructions by notice, in writing if practical and otherwise by voice or
radio contact, not later than the preparatory signal of any class.
2. RULES
The Regatta will be governed by The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) 2013-2016 including US SAILING
Prescriptions, the current Offshore Racing Council (ORC) Special Regulations for Category 3, the
International Rules for Prevention of Collision at Sea (COLREGS), PHRF of Galveston Bay rules, the Notice
of Race and these Sailing Instructions.
2.1 No luffing is allowed between sunset and sunrise. This does not prohibit a leeward yacht from
maintaining her proper course; a weather yacht shall keep clear. This instruction is intended to prohibit
luffing at night. This modifies RRS 11.
2.2 OWNER’S AND SKIPPER’S RESPONSIBILITIES
The safety of a yacht and her crew is the inescapable responsibility of the owner and/or her skipper, who
must ensure that the yacht is fully found, thoroughly seaworthy, and manned by an experienced crew. The
entrant and the skipper are responsible to be fully knowledgeable of the requirements and skills of offshore
sailing, and the skipper is responsible to decide whether to start or to continue the race.
The skipper is responsible to ensure that all necessary equipment for safe offshore cruising is carried.
All boats MUST obey all maritime RULES OF THE ROAD when encountering other vessels. This is
especially important when dealing with ship and other commercial traffic. The Racing Rules of Sailing do not
apply to general maritime traffic. Interference with commercial traffic may result in disqualification from this
and from future events.
3. ENTRIES
Eligible boats have completed registration with the organizing authority as described by the Entry Form.
4. RACE AREA, COURSE LENGTH
The race area will be the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The official course length is 240 nautical miles from
start to finish.
5. STARTING LINE
All boats starting at Galveston must contact the Race Committee boat on VHF Channel 68 prior to their start
to check in.
The Starting Line will be in Bolivar’s Road, between an orange flag or tetrahedron on the South Jetty and
Marker # 11. Boats should minimize their traffic in the ship channel.
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6. STARTING
6.1 Starting Sequence. Starts will take place in the order of the scheduling chart below. Further, pursuant
to Rule 26, there will also be one long sound (horn) when the preparatory flag is lowered one minute before
each start. the Race Committee may give a ten (10) second countdown on VHF Channel 68 to the raising of
each signal flag. Should it becomes necessary for the race committee to postpone a start to allow safe
passage of a ship, the race committee will sound two short blasts on the horn and raise the postponement
flag; as a courtesy, it will try to notify boats by VHF channel 68. Modifies RRS 26
Warning Gun
Class Flag UP
Preparatory Gun
Prep Flag UP
Prep Flag
DOWN
Starting Gun
Class Flag DOWN
Class
Flag
Fleet/Class
13:50
14:00
13:56
14:06
13:59
14:09
14:00
14:10
Light Blue
Green
PHRF spinnaker
PHRF Non-spinnaker
and Cruising class
6.2 After each start, the Race Committee may attempt as a courtesy only to notify "over early" individual
yachts on Channel 68 VHF. A yacht that is called over early by not more than one of her boat lengths may
(after clearing the starting line) exonerate herself by completing two 360-degree turns in the same direction,
in succession, without fouling any other yachts sailing. The turns must be started within 10 minutes of her
start, make note of a yacht observing turns. Yachts more than one boat length over the line must restart in
accordance with the rules.
6.3 Only Boats within their starting sequence are permitted in the starting area. All other boats should keep
clear. Boats are reminded that the Racing Rules require that all classes be under sail alone, without engine,
no later than five minutes before a class start.
6.4 General Recalls. In the event of a general recall, all yachts in that start will have their Warning Signal
five (5) minutes after the last scheduled start. If there is more than one general recall, the starts will be in the
order of the recalls.
6.5. The Race Committee will remain on station for thirty minutes after the last start if radio notification is
received of a delayed boat proceeding in the Houston Ship Channel. Boats starting after this time shall
contact and receive verbal permission for starting after the thirty-minute time limit. This late start provision
will allow for a boat with problems on the way to Galveston. If you have problems reaching the race
committee by VHF you can call 713-459-3110. Using a cell phone to communicate with the Race Committee
doesn’t exonerate a vessel from following proper check-in and communication procedures.
7. COURSE
From starting line go east and turn south leaving marker # 5A at the end of the south jetty to starboard.
The following markers should be left to starboard:
Freeport Sea Buoy, RW "FP" Mo (A) WHIS Racon
Aransas Pass Sea Buoy RW "AP" Mo (A) WHIS Racon
South Padre Sea Buoy RW "BS" Mo (A) WHIS at Brazos Santiago Pass.
8. FINISH LINE
The finish line in South Padre Island is a straight line inside the jetties extending from the monument of
Christ on the north shore at a location 26° 04.164N 097° 09.469W to the south jetty on a bearing of 25°. The
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Statue of Christ is visible from the water and it is lit at night. (See Appendix 9) You must remain in the
channel as you cross the line.
9. FINISHING PROCEDURES
Yachts are required to report to the Race Committee 2 miles before reaching the sea buoy on the Brazos
Santiago Pass, on Cell phone 713-206-5367 or 713-459-3110. In the event that you are finishing and
cannot reach the race committee by VHF Channel 68 or cell, Yachts shall continue to the finish line and take
their own finishing time. If finishing at night, vessels should shine a light on the sail number. A diagram of the
finish line is included as an Addendum to these sailing instructions. As you approach the finish line, call the
race committee. Clear the finish line as soon as possible and proceed to South Point Marina in Port Isabel. A
diagram with approaches to South Point and contact information is enclosed with these instructions.
NOTE: When finishing stay clear of the starboard side of the finish line which lies in a shoal
10. PROTESTS AND PENALTIES
Protests must be given verbally to the Race Committee as soon as possible after finishing and must be filed
in writing within six hours after the finish of the protesting yacht. At the discretion of the Race Committee,
infractions of the rules may result in the assessment of time penalties rather than disqualification. The Race
Committee will be located at La Copa Inn Hotel in South Padre Island.
11. WITHDRAWING PROCEDURES
The Race Committee places high priority on accounting for every boat that starts this regatta. Boats that
cannot be accounted for after reasonable delays in arrival in South Padre could be subject to search and
rescue efforts. For this reason it is imperative that any boat withdrawing from the race makes its best and
most persistent efforts to notify other parties of such withdrawal at the earliest opportunity. Withdrawing
boats should first make an effort to contact other nearby boats to communicate the withdrawal. Any boat
receiving information of a withdrawal should immediately report such information to the Race Committee
upon arrival in South Padre. In addition, it is mandatory that any withdrawing boat, phone the Race
Management at the first opportunity to report the withdrawal. The phone number is 713-206-5367 or 713459-3110, Finally, any withdrawing boat should also report such withdrawal to the Skipper's emergency
contact as indicated on the Emergency Contact List. Proper reporting of a withdrawal should include; boat
name, boat sail number and skipper's name.
Boats withdrawing from the Regatta and not reporting such withdrawal may be barred from future
participation in events sponsored by the Race To The Border.
12. DOCKING FEES AND DEPARTURE
Your docking fee for the duration of this event has been paid with your registration. (Except those boats who
had prior arrangement) All boats should depart the docking area by Thursday June 4. 2015. Any vessels
wishing to remain beyond that time must make arrangements and move the boat to the marina. You must
give the RC The Marina Declaration (See Addendum 11) upon arrival or turn-in to the RC at LMYC.
NOTE: Docking Fees do not include shore power
13. ABANDONMENT/TIME LIMIT
The Regatta will be concluded as of 1200 hours, Central Daylight Savings Time (Texas time), Tuesday, June
2nd, 2013. Boats finishing after this time will be scored DNF. Modifies RRS 35
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14. RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
The Regatta working channel will be VHF channel 68. This channel will be used at the start, for working
communication to nearby boats offshore and for the finish is if not making contact by cell phone.
Recommendations for in route communication procedures are included in an Addendum to these Sailing
Instructions.
15. RACING WITH SPINNAKER AND WITHOUT SPINNAKER FLEETS
RESTRICTIONS, WHICH APPLY TO THE CRUISING CLASS WITHOUT SPINNAKER FLEET:
WHISKER POLES
A. Maximum pole length is 102% of “J” dimension. A telescoping pole may be used, but it
must be used at the proper length. Telescoping poles should be banded at maximum
length to avoid protest.
B. Pole lifts and down hauls may be used.
C. Only one whisker pole may be used at a time.
D. A permanent club-footed jib or staysail boom, as long as it is less than “J” length, is not
considered a whisker pole.
HEADSAILS AND STAYSAILS
A. Spinnakers, Cruising Spinnakers, Flashers, Bloopers, Gennakers, etc., are not allowed.
B. Yachts may not use headsails, foresails, or oversized jibs, greater than the largest jib
rated on entry.
C. Drifters or Reacher type sails are allowed as long as they are smaller than the largest
measured headsail and attached to the forestay.
D. Two headsails may not be carried at the same time, except that while changing
headsails, the replacing sail may be set and trimmed before the replaced sail is lowered.
E. Staysails are not allowed except on yachts that are provided with a permanent inner
forestay to which the staysail is hanked on.
16. AUTOPILOTS
The use of autopilots is PERMITTED ONLY FOR THE CRUISING CLASS AND THE NON SPINNAKER
CLASS
17. CREW LIST
A written Emergency Contact List is required. See Addendum 6. RTTB will accept the emergency crew
contact list by email xavier@ racetotheborder.com and a copy to ilive2sail@hotmail.com prior to 08:00
a.m. on the day of the race from any yacht properly registered and sailing in The True North Marine RACE
TO THE BORDER. Failure to provide your Emergency Contact List may, at the discretion of the Race
Committee, be grounds for disqualification from the regatta. Race to the Border recommends that each yacht
file her own float plan with friends, or relatives.
18. SCORING
The Race Committee will score the race using the performance handicapping racing formula, time on time,
for each yacht, as determined by the Race Committee.
The Course length is 240 nautical miles.
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PHRF Scoring Method
- The PHRFGB Bay ratings will be used for each boat as taken from that boat's current Certificate.
- The official distance for scoring will be 240nm.
- Time on time scoring will be used to convert actual elapsed time for each boat to corrected time.
- Per the US Sailing recommendation the Time Correction Factor (TCF) will be simply multiplied by the
elapsed time to get a corrected time.
- TCF is defined as follows:
Where:
TCF = A/(B+PHRF)
A is an arbitrary coefficient not having any effect on corrected finish order
B is a coefficient that is a measure of how "fast" the race was overall and indirectly
accounts for average wind strength and sailing angle.
PHRF is the rating for a particular boat.
- The B coefficient will be calculated after the race according to the following formula:
B = ((3600 - (VMG avg) (PHRF avg))/ VMG avg
Where:
VMG avg is the average speed over the course for all of the boats in a given class
PHRF avg is the average PHRF rating for all of the boats in a given class
Please note that this scoring method is totally defined prior to the race and leaves no room for subjective
determination of average wind conditions, etc. after the race is completed.
Once you have the B factor, plug it in the next formula.
A
TCF = -----------------B + PHRF
The denominator, B + PHRF, is the number of seconds it takes to sail a nautical mile in the
expected conditions. Another way to look at it is that the denominator divided into 3600 is the
average rhumb line boat speed in knots. Here are some commonly used B factors:
B Factor
480
550
650
When used
Heavy air or all off the wind
"Average" conditions
Very light air or all windward work
There are no hard and fast rules for selecting the B coefficient. Basically, the lower you select it, the
more favorable it will be to the slower boats.
The numerator, A, is merely a coefficient that makes a “nice” looking TCF. Select it so that the
TCF for the middle of the fleet is about 1.000. The A coefficient has absolutely no effect on the
corrected finish order. Changing it will only affect the various margins. Thus if your middle
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handicap is about 100 and your conditions are average, then the TCF formula would look like the
following:
650
TCF = -----------------550 + PHRF
To get the corrected time, simply multiply the elapsed time by the TCF.
TOT scoring is not a cure-all for all the inequities of handicapping. TOT scoring will not turn a
fleet upside down. It usually does not affect the top boats. It usually moves the boats in the middle
around a little. If the handicap spread in a class is large, it will tend to tighten things up a bit.
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ADDENDUM TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
1.
Regatta Classes/Scratch List
2.
Motor/Autopilot Class Rules
3.
* Engine Log
4.
Communication Procedures
5.
* Declaration of Completion
6.
** Emergency Contact List
7.
Estimated Time of Arrival Form
8.
Schedule of Events
9.
Finish Line photo
10.
Marina procedures
11.
* Marina Declaration
12.
Illustration charts
* THESE ITEMS MUST BE TURNED IN AFTER THE RACE
** EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST MUST BE TURNED IN BEFORE THE RACE
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ADDENDUM NO. 1
REGATTA CLASSES/SCRATCH LIST
DANELAW WITHDREW FROM THE RACE
PHRF-SPINNAKER
FLEET
SAIL
NUMBER
BOAT NAME
SKIPPER
BOAT
RATING
12039
Aeolus
James Liston
J 120
48
10312
Danelaw
Roy Olsen
Morgan 42 MK 2
105
584
Big D
Jim Foster
Peterson 34
126
176
Owl
William T.
Straker
Hallberg Rassy 46
138
301
Good Leif
Hedda Flage
Kahl
Ericson 38
138
1 PHRF SPINNAKER
2 PHRF SPINNAKER
3 PHRF SPINNAKER
4 PHRF SPINNAKER
5 PHRF SPINNAKER
CRUISING NON-SPINNAKER
SAIL
NUMBER
FLEET
1 NON-SPINNAKER
BOAT NAME
SKIPPER
BOAT
RATING
Nauti Girl
Shannon Hicks
Beneteau 473
93
Seute Deern
Hans Knickrehm
Trintella 42
129
1 CRUISE NON-SPIN 24
Cimboco
Phil Pierce
Island Packet 38
199
2 CRUISE NON-SPIN 514
Morning Sun
Todd Johnson
Westsail 32
254
2 NON-SPINNAKER
1152
We have combined the PHRF Non-Spin with the Cruising Non-spin to have a better class. Boats will race under the
Cruising class rules.
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ADDENDUM NO. 2
MOTOR
RULES FOR MOTOR USE
GENERAL
This class is for boats that for unforeseen circumstances choose to engage the engine.
Any vessel under sail that engages the engine will automatically enter the Jalapeño Class.
EXCLUSIONS
If you engage the engine for safety reasons, a proper engine log, including position, time and duration of the
occurrence must be file with the race committee upon arrival. When you engage the engine, the boat must
not move in any direction which advances the boat along the course line. See Addendum # 3
STEAMING LIGHTS
Boats running under power are reminded that the proper display of running lights includes the steaming light.
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ADDENDUM NO. 3
ENGINE LOG
YACHT NAME ___________________ SAIL NUMBER ______________________
NOMINAL CRUISING RPM__________
ENGINE
ON
HOUR
15
MIN
33
ENGINE
OFF
COURSE
210°
HOUR
16
MIN
00
COURSE
215°
TOTAL ENGINE TIME
SAMPLE
_________HRS__________MIN
We certify that the above engine hours are correct and that we did not travel in the direction of the
course line.
Captain/Skipper_____________________________
Watch Captain/Crewman_____________________
Watch Captain/Crewman_____________________
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ADDENDUM NO. 4
COMMUNICATION PROCEDURES
The official communication channel for the Regatta is VHF Channel 68. Communications during the start and
finish will be as stated in the Sailing Instructions. Communication at the finish will be conducted by VHF
channel 68 or cell 713-206-5367
Communications in route should be tailored to your situation. If you want to communicate at any time,
please do so; if you wish to remain silent, that's your choice. Communications other than starting and
finishing are for your convenience and utility. It is difficult to maintain a contact schedule due to the rapid
separation of the boats within the fleet and the varying ranges of radios.
If you have a satellite phone, we want to hear from you. There are many arm-chair sailors who want to follow
the race. Any information that we receive we will try to post on the website. Please call the RC 713-206-
5367
Single Side Band Communications
Recommended SSB communication times are one hour before sunrise to 3 hours after sunrise on the 2 or 4
KHZ bands. Recommended SSB Channels are as follows:
Time of Day
Channel #
Ship Tx Ship Rx
After sundown to 0830 LMT
(before sunrise 25-500 mi
down to 25 mi by 1200 LMT)
278
282 Alternate
2704.0
2830.0
Simplex
Simplex
After sunrise to sundown
(to 500mi at sunrise to 100 mi
by 1300 LMT)
451
453 Alternate
4125.0
4419.4
Simplex
Simplex
After noon to sundown
(carries well 24 hrs)
651
606 Alternate
6218.6
6215.5
Simplex
6521.9
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ADDENDUM NO. 5
DECLARATON OF COMPLETION
TRUE NORTH MARINE RACE TO THE BORDER REGATTA - 2015
This Declaration should be completed by your navigator after crossing the Finish Line. This form must be
turned in to the Race Committee at your earliest convenience.
As Skipper/Captain of ____________________(boat name), an entrant in the True North Marine Race To
The Border, I certify to the following facts:
- The correct finish time for our vessel was _______hours, ______seconds (e.g. 1531 hours, 30
seconds, or 3:31:30 pm), Central Daylight Savings Time (Texas time) on the _____day of _____, 2015.
- To the best of my ability, I identify the yacht finishing ahead as ___________________, and the
yacht finishing behind as ___________________. (leave blank if you don’t know)
CERTIFIED TO:
_______________________
Signature of Skipper/Captain
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ADDENDUM NO. 6
EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST
Must be turned-in before the start of the race
YACHT NAME: ________________
SKIPPER NAME: __________________
SAIL NUMBER: ________
OVERALL LENGTH: __________
RIG TYPE: _____________
HULL COLOR: _______ DECK COLOR: _______
CREW NAME CONTACT NAME
RELATIONSHIP
DAYTIME PHONE
OTHER PHONE
SKIPPER:
_____________________________________________ ________________________________________
CREW:
______________________________________________________________________________________
CREW:
______________________________________________________________________________________
CREW:
______________________________________________________________________________________
CREW:
______________________________________________________________________________________
CREW:
______________________________________________________________________________________
CREW:
______________________________________________________________________________________
CREW:
______________________________________________________________________________________
CREW:
______________________________________________________________________________________
CREW:
______________________________________________________________________________________
CREW:
______________________________________________________________________________________
CREW:
______________________________________________________________________________________
CREW:
______________________________________________________________________________________
CREW:
______________________________________________________________________________________
CREW:
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ADDENDUM NO. 7
ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL
To be eligible for the NAVIGATOR trophy, you must turn in this form at the Skippers Meeting or phone in
your ETA to RC at 713-206-5367 by noon. on the day of the race.
ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL
CENTRAL DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME - TEXAS TIME
YACHT NAME:_______________________ SKIPPER:__________________________
ESTIMATED FINISH TIME:
DATE:____________
HOUR:____________
MINUTE:__________
SECOND:__________
__________________________
SKIPPER SIGNATURE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --
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ADDENDUM NO. 8
SCHEDULE OF REGATTA EVENTS
Saturday, May 30th.
Start of Race, Bolivar Roads - Marker # 11 at 14:00
Monday June 1st
17:30 -Welcome party at Laguna Madre Yacht Club in South Point Marina.
Tuesday June 2nd
Noon – Lunch, Black Dragon Port Isabel
17:00 - Sunset dinner and Intergulf Barn Burner Bon Fire party. Sand dunes at
north side of island. Information will be hand out during lunch
Wednesday June 3rd
10:30- Brunch at Port Isabel convention Center
18:00 - Banquet and Trophy presentation. LMYC
Thursday June 4th
Bon voyage
Return to Galveston
Event cards will be available at the skippers meeting and South Padre. Each card cost $30. With each card
you will be entitle to all the activities in South Padre including, the welcome party on Monday, the lunch on
Tuesday, Pizza and Rum at the bonfire party, Brunch party and the Banquet on Wednesday. Single event
cards are $12 but the trophy event remains at $30.
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ADDENDUM 9
FINISH LINE
The finish line is inside the jetties, about 2.75nm miles after you round the Sea Buoy.
Look for a Statue of Christ on the north side located at 26° 04.164N 097° 09.469W.
The RC will be there with a displayed flag. REMEMBER TO CALL THE RC 1 TO 3 MILES BEFORE YOU
REACH THE SEA BUOY.
The RC will be on channel 68 on your VHF. Or call 713-206-5367
After you finish, continue on the Brownsville ship channel for about 2.6 NM and turn right on the intracostal
waterway around marker 26. See map below.
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FINISH
DOCK ON THE BULKHEAD
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ADDENDUM 10
MARINA PROCEDURES
SEA RANCH MARINA II
After the finish, continue on the channel towards Brownsville about 2.5NM After you pass marker # 26, you
will take a right turn in the Intracoastal Waterway, between markers #1 and # 2. DO NOT GET TOO CLOSE TO
THE STARBOARD SIDE OF THE CHANNEL.
You can reach the Docking crew at 713-206-5367
Continue North about 1NM, the Marina will be on your port side.
Not for Navigation
Diagram 1
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Continuation Addendum 10
Marina Procedures
Once you reach South Point Marina, you will continue around the marina towards the shrimp basin. You will
be instructed by the RC on channel 68 or by cell 713-206-5367 where to go, however, if you receive no
instructions, use the bulkhead by the basin. If there is no one to help you tie up your boat, make sure to use the
least amount of bulkhead as possible, so we can put as many boats as we can against the bulkhead.
NOTE: Docking fee does not include short power.
Make sure to have fenders and use spring lines.
Diagram 4
Laguna Madre Yacht Club
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South Point Marina docks
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ADDENDUM 11
RACE TO THE BORDER 2015
MARINA DECLARATION
Vessel Name________________________________________________
Documentation Number ______________________________________
Port of Hail _________________________________________________
LOA ____________
Draft ____________
Beam ___________
Owner/Captain ______________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________
City ___________________________ State __________ Zip ___________
Email ________________________________________________________
Phone ____________________________
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EMERGENCY CHARTS
ENTRANCE TO PORT O CONNOR
(For illustration only, not to be use for navigation)
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ENTRANCE TO PORT ARANSAS
(For illustration only, not to be use for navigation)
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ENTRANCE TO PORT MANSFIELD
(For illustration only, not to be use for navigation)
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