THE CONNECTICUT RIVER RAFT RACE

25th ANNUAL

DATE: AUGUST 7, 1999

TIME: 10:00 A.M.

START: Middletown Railroad Bridge North of Harbor Park

FINISH LINE: Shallows off Dart Island, Middletown, CT

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS / SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

1. All rafts must be homemade.
2. No commercially manufactured hulls.
3. No inner tubes.
4. All rafts must be self-propelled, (i.e., poles, oars, paddlewheels, sails, etc.) or any combination thereof.
5. Minimum size is 4' x 8' as measured at the waterline.
6. The deck must measure at least 4' x 8' and be capable of supporting the weight of the crew.
7. The use of nails below the deck line is prohibited.
8. The deck must be securely fastened to the frame and the frame securely fastened to the hulls/flotation devices.
9. All open hulls (hulls with no bulk heads) shall have styrofoam flotation fastened/affixed to the underside of raft deck.
10. Aftermarket marine rigging is acceptable.
11. Minimum size of crew is 3.
12. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
13. All raft members must have a Coast Guard approved life jacket in their possession. These jackets must be worn at all times during the race.
14. All Captains will instruct himself and crew of whereabouts of stored (Coast Guard approved) life jackets aboard the raft AND all Captains will conduct "abandon ship" drills with the crew (donning life jackets) before leaving dock!
15. All rafts must be equipped with a Coast Guard approved anchor and 100' of 3/8" line. The line must be secured to the raft at all times.
16. Each raft must be equipped with one 50' length of 3/8 min. diameter tow line.
17. Each raft must be equipped with an adequate amount of fresh drinking water.
18. No Glass Containers!
19. Each raft must be equipped with a first aid kit.
20. All rafts to carry their own garbage bags.
21. Sun sensitive members should wear appropriate sunscreen.
22. No mechanical devices or tubing shall be used to propel water balloons.
23. All members shall wear sneakers or other appropriate footwear.
24. All sheet metal raw edges to be turned over and taped.
25. All protruding long bolts to be sawed off, filed and taped.
26. All entries to be inspected prior to launching and will be subject to disqualification at the discretion of the Committee.

NO DIVING OR JUMPING FROM RAFTS AT ANY TIME!!

SECTIONS OF THIS RACE COURSE ARE EXTREMELY SHALLOW!!

CLASSES

AMERICA'S CLASS

Competitive rafts. Winning entry and Captain's name to be inscribed on a silver bowl which will be permanently displayed at the Connecticut River Museum, Essex, CT. The Captain will be presented with an engraved mug. The winning raft will have next year's entry fee waived.

CRUISING CLASS

Semi-competitive rafts. The winning Captain will be presented with an engraved mug.

HORRENDOUS CLASS

Semi-competitive rafts. Minimum size is 10'x24'. The winning Captain will be presented with an engraved mug.

SWEEPER CLASS

Motorized rafts. All motorized rafts must be registered with the State of Connecticut and comply with the minimum Coast Guard requirements. All operators of said rafts must hold a Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate. The winner shall be the entry which tows the most number of disabled rafts across the finish line. The Captain will be presented with an engraved mug. Note: No motorized raft shall pass other rafts in competition, with the exception of carrying out emergencies and official duties.

SPECIAL AWARDS

AMERICAN HERITAGE AWARD

Most traditional raft. The raft which best depicts the heritage upon which this race was founded. The Captain will be presented with an engraved mug. The winner will have next year's entry fee waived.

BECKY THATCHER AWARD

The first raft to cross the finish line with an ALL FEMALE crew. The Captain will be presented with an engraved mug.

CAPTAINS' MEETING

The Captains' meeting will be held on Saturday, July 24, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. at Riverside Marina in Portland. We plan to begin celebrations of the 25^th Annual Raft Race season by starting with the Captains’ Meeting! Once the Captains’ Meeting has concluded, there will be a cookout, music by Otto, T-shirt sales (with a much improved selection!) and raft rides (weather permitting). BYOB!. We want to encourage you to invite your entire crew to attend the Captains’ Meeting festivities! Attendance is mandatory for Captains. This is also the registration deadline. Let’s start the 25^th Raft Race season with a bang!!!

ENTRY FEES

$12.00 per crew member. Fees must be paid at the Captains’ Meeting.

RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT

All Captains must sign a Release and Hold Harmless Agreement on behalf of his or her crew and entry. All Captains are individually responsible for the actions and welfare of their crew.

PROFITS

The Connecticut River Raft Race, Inc. is an approved and recognized non-profit corporation. PROFITS WILL BE DONATED TO A DESIGNATED CHILDREN'S CHARITY. Our books are open to anyone upon request.

RACE COURSE

The race course is 4.1 nautical miles. The Middletown Railroad Bridge North of Harbor Park (America's Cup Restaurant) is the starting point for the race and ends in the shoals at Dart Island, a state park accessible only by boat.

The race course will be closed to boat traffic until 2:00 p.m.

The race will be monitored by representatives from the United States Coast Guard and Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection's Marine Patrol.

Medical support will be provided by representatives from the local police and fire departments.

LAUNCHING PROCEDURES

SUGGESTED LAUNCHING LOCATIONS

Rafts may be launched at the Yankee Boat Yard ramp (Yankee charges $15-$20 to launch and park car/trailer), or arrangements can be made at RIVERSIDE MARINA (Riverside charges $5 to park). Both Marinas are located on Riverview Street, Portland.

Rafts may begin launching on Wednesday, August 4, 1999 at 4:00 p.m.

Motorized rafts will, when available, tow entries to the starting line, where they will be moored until race day. All Raft Captains shall be fully responsible for their own mooring arrangements.

STARTING GUN

The race will start promptly at 10:00 a.m. Plan on getting to the starting line by 8:30 a.m. or sooner.

ANTICIPATED DURATION

It is anticipated that the AMERICA'S CLASS rafts will complete this race in 1.5+/- hours depending upon the tide and current. The larger and slower rafts will take 2-4 hours to complete the course. ALL rafts will be required to accept a tow by a Sweeper Class raft if found to be foundering or by 1:30 p.m. (whichever comes first).

FINISH LINE

The race will conclude in the Shoals at Dart Island, an ideal location for swimming, water sports, volleyball, horseshoes, etc. Grills will be available for cooking. Port-a-Potties will be provided and music supplied.

DAY'S END

The festivities will conclude at 6:00 p.m. Non-motorized rafts will be required to have a support boat tow them back to the launch area. All rafts must be equipped with running lights or an adequate flashlight. Unless prior arrangements are made, all rafts must be removed from the river at day's end, otherwise the Captain will be subject to the applicable fines and penalties as determined by the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Captain and his/her crew may be banned from all future races.

"BY THE RAFTERS - FOR THE RAFTERS"

SAMPLE FORM

THE 25th ANNUAL

CONNECTICUT RIVER RAFT RACE, INC.

REGISTRATION FORM

CAPTAIN’S NAME: _______________________________________________________

ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________

CITY/TOWN: _____________________________________________________________

PHONE: __(_______)_______________________ WORK: __(_______)_______________

NUMBER OF YEARS IN THIS RACE: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 repeat offender

(circle one)

RAFT’S NAME: ____________________________________________________________

SIZE: ________________________________ NO. CREW: __________________________

FLOTATION: _________________________ PROPULSION:_______________________

(i.e., barrels, foam, wood, metal, none) (i.e., poles, oars, paddlewheels, combo, none)

CLASS: AMERICA______CRUISING______HORRENDOUS______SWEEPER______

PERMANENT #_______________________________ FEE PAID: ___________________

(class letter, followed by a one or two digit #) ($12.00 per crew member)

By signing this registration form, I hereby acknowledge the risks associated with this event, and I agree to accept full responsibility for the safety and welfare of my crew, and to hold the Connecticut River Raft Race, Inc. Organization and its Officers and Directors harmless for any and all injuries and/or property damage which may arise out of the operation and/or participation of my entry in the Connecticut River Raft Race.

Dated this ___________ day of July, 1999

NAME: ______________________________ NOTARY: ____________________________________

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Raft Number _______________ Designated Drivers _______________

New Captain _______________ Release Form _______________

Crew Fee: No. of Crew X $12. per crew = $____________

COMMENTS/NOTES:________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

SAMPLE FORM

* * * THE CONNECTICUT RIVER RAFT RACE * * *

RELEASE FORM

THE UNDERSIGNED, PARTICIPATING IN THE CONNECTICUT RIVER RAFT RACE:

1. Fully recognizes and assumes all risks and hazards involved in such an activity.
1. Accepts the responsibility of one designated driver for every three crew members.
1. Willing to incur all responsibility for claims and personal injury and/or property damages to him or herself or fellow raft-racers or spectators which might result from his or her negligence.
1. Waiving all rights and claims against THE CONNECTICUT RIVER RAFT RACE, INC., its Officers and Members of the Raft Race Committee, jointly or individually.
1. Subject to revocation of the registration and forfeiture of the entry fee if, in the opinion of the Raft Race Committee, there is misconduct, misuse or nuisance on the undersigned's (one or all) part.
1. Relinquishing all promotional rights before, during and after the Race event.
1. As a contestant in an organized raft race and thereby eligible for prizes or awards associated with the event.
1. This form must be returned to the Committee prior to the start of the Race. The Committee will allow no crew to participate in the Race without this release.

CAPTAIN'S NAME (please print) ___________________________

CAPTAIN'S SIGNATURE ____________________________ _______________

Date

CREWMEN'S SIGNATURES (PRINT AND SIGN)