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Outline | Entry Form | Entry Information | Entry Levels & Fees | Awards | Schedule | Rules
Updated January 15, 2010
Rules, including published rules in print or on the ECBC website, are subject to change without notice. Current instructions are given at the Captain’s Meeting where attendance by at least one team member is mandatory. By entering the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin and paying the entry fee, participating anglers, captains, crews and guests (“Participants”) agree to abide by the Tournament Rules. The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin expects the highest level of integrity and sportsmanship from its Participants. Refer to Schedule of Events for time and location of Captain’s Meeting.
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It is the sole responsibility of the participating anglers, captains, crews and guests (“Participants”) to know and abide by the Tournament Rules as published and as amended during the Captain’s Meeting. Participants agree to accept all Tournament Rules and accept that decisions made by the Rules Committee are final.
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The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin is a fishing competition. Participants enter at their own risk, and understand the possibility exists that there may be no winners if no qualifying fish are caught.
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Registered boats and anglers must comply with all Federal and Florida state laws regarding fishing licenses, size limits, bag limits and any other regulations that may apply. For information regarding Florida Saltwater Fishing Licenses refer to www.floridaconservation.org (specifically http://myfwc.com/fishingareas.html) or call 888.347.4356. For information regarding Federal HMS Permits refer to www.nmfspermits.com or call 888.872.8862 for automated renewal.
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Slips at Baytowne Marina are reserved on a first come, first served basis only for those boats that have sent their entry form and $1,000 deposit. Dockage fees are not included in entry fees, but special tournament rates are offered. To reserve a slip call Shawna Meisner at 850.267.6168 or email shawnameisner@sandestin.com.
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Tournament boats may depart from any location they choose, but must depart through the East Pass in Destin no earlier than Thursday at 7:00pm. The official departure demarcation is the end of the Destin East Pass Jetties. Tournament Officials will be stationed at the East Pass between 7:00pm and 8:30pm in a boat flying an ECBC flag and will fire a flare at 7:00pm to indicate the start of the tournament. As you pass you must check in with the ECBC Boat on VHF 72.
Boats docked at Baytowne Marina are asked to leave in the Boat Parade which is led by the yacht Solaris and signaled by flare at 6:00pm. Please do not leave ahead of the Solaris. Boats wishing to depart after 8:30pm should call Tournament Headquarters at 850.267.6168 to check out. Other details are given at the Captain’s Meeting.
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Tournament fishing starts at 7:00pm on Thursday (as soon as boats depart through the East Pass in Destin). Overnight fishing is allowed Thursday and Friday night. No lines or teasers may be in the water before the official start of fishing.
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The Rules Committee may cancel any tournament fishing day if, in their best judgment, unsafe conditions exist at sea. Resumption of fishing is announced by 6:00am the following morning on VHF 72. A resumption of fishing announcement by the Rules Committee does not ensure the safety of any Participant. Whether or not to fish must be based solely on the team’s own judgment taking into consideration the prevailing conditions, the seaworthiness of their vessel, and the crew’s seamanship skills. One day of offshore fishing or any part thereof, by at least one-third of registered boats constitutes a complete tournament.
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In the event a tournament is canceled by the Rules Committee prior to any portion of the scheduled fishing days, the portion of base entry fees and optional jackpot monies that were allocated for cash awards are refunded by check within four weeks to the Team Contact—one check per team. Teams may choose to roll their refund to the following year’s event.
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In the event no qualifying fish are caught during the tournament, the portion of optional jackpot monies that were allocated for cash awards are refunded by check within four weeks to the Team Contact—one check per team. There is no refund of base entry fees. Teams may choose to roll their refund to the following year’s event.
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There are no boundaries.
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ECBC Officials monitor VHF Channel 72. Backup communication numbers are announced at the Captain’s Meeting. Leaderboard announcements are made throughout the Weigh-In at the top and bottom of every hour on VHF 69.
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IGFA Saltwater Equipment and Angling rules apply with the exception of any special instructions given in these rules, and any instructions or changes that may be given during the Captain’s Meeting. Copies of the IGFA rules are handed out during Registration. PLEASE NOTE: As of January 1, 2008 the Federal Government requires the use of non-offset circle hooks in billfish tournaments when using natural baits (dead or live) or natural baits in combination with lures or skirts.
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Refer to diagram to the right. During video verification, if a fish can clearly be identified as a billfish but the species cannot be determined, the billfish is awarded 175 points.
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A billfish is considered officially released when the leader connection is wound to the tip of the rod, or the mate or other crew member touches the leader. If you are releasing the billfish, do not remove it from the water—if you do (as recorded on the video) the billfish will be disqualified. Tagging is not required for tournament points.
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Scorecards must be filled in legibly and completely, and signed by the Boat Captain and anyone who caught a billfish indicating they agree to the information as recorded (instructions are also printed on the scorecard). Scorecards are handed out during Registration. All billfish released or boated must be recorded on the Billfish Scorecard (you do not need to record gamefish on the scorecard). You must use a separate scorecard for each day. Any team intentionally recording wrongful information on the scorecards for the purpose of altering tournament standings or results is disqualified from the event, and forfeits any and all entry money, prizes or prize money.
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In addition to returning a signed Scorecard, teams competing in the Release Division or optional Release Jackpots must turn in a video recording of each billfish released. The video must show the billfish next to the boat, identify the billfish species, and include the tournament’s verification object. In addition, as soon as the billfish is released the team must record a shot of the GPS showing date, time and lat/long. Teams are expected to provide their own video cameras and video cassettes.
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If you wish to weigh fish, or turn in Scorecards and videos, you must be under the Mid-Bay Bridge by 9:30pm Saturday. PLEASE PASS THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE BRIDGE. Tournament Officials are stationed at the Mid-Bay Bridge between 3:00 and 9:30pm in a boat flying an ECBC flag and will shoot a flare at 9:30pm indicating that boats that have not passed are ineligible to weigh fish or turn in Scorecards. As you pass you must check in with the ECBC Boat on VHF 72. The ECBC Boat records the time you pass—this is your official time of return and is used to break ties in the weight of two or more fish.
Another Tournament Official in a boat flying an ECBC flag will be stationed at the entrance channel to Baytowne Marina. As you approach please contact this boat on VHF 78 and declare whether you have fish to weigh and/or Scorecards and videos. The Tournament Official will then give you permission to enter the channel. Once you are through the channel the Dock Master will contact you on VHF 18 with instructions to either stand by, return to your slip or back into the Weigh Station.
If you return on Friday, or before 3:00pm on Saturday, you must contact Tournament Officials at 850.267.6168 to declare you are coming in to weigh fish. In these situations the actual time the fish is weighed will be used as a tie-breaker.
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Before gamefish are offloaded from the boat a Tail Tag must be attached to the tail. Teams must fill in all information on the tag except for the time, weight and signature (the angler signs the tail tag after the fish is weighed). Be sure to review the information on the tail tag before you sign it. Once the tag is signed, it’s official.
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Teams NOT Entered in Release Division or Release Jackpots: Turn in Billfish Scorecards at the Weigh Station. Scorecards must be turned in before the official closing of the Weigh Station on Saturday night.
Teams Entered in Release Division or Release Jackpots: Billfish Scorecards and Release Videos must stay together with a member of the team and be turned in to the Video Verification Judges at the marina before the official closing of the Weigh Station on Saturday night along with the camera that took the video. Videos are viewed one at a time with the team member(s) present. Members from other teams are not allowed into the room while the video is being judged.
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The official tournament Weigh Station is located at the Baytowne Marina at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. All fish must be weighed at the official Weigh Station. The scales are open Friday from 4:00pm–9:00pm and Saturday from 4:00pm–10:00pm. The weigh station will remain open on Saturday until all fish that are in line are weighed. Fish are weighed to the tenth of a pound.
Additional Rules:
A) Fish must be brought to the scales on the boat on which they were caught. Should a situation arise where a boat cannot make it back by the deadline, the fish and angler may be transferred to another tournament boat, after consulting with Tournament Officials.
B) The weighing of blue marlin takes precedence over gamefish.
C) Fish must arrive at the dock in edible condition—mutilated fish are not weighed. In this case, “mutilation” is defined as any damage that would impair the fighting ability of the fish.
D) The angler must remain with the fish throughout the weigh-in.
E) Before leaving the scales, the angler must verify weight information, sign the Weigh-In form and provide a telephone number where they can be reached.
F) All fish weighed become the property of the tournament.
G) The Weighmaster and ECBC Officials reserve the right to refuse to weigh any fish that does not meet tournament requirements.
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Ties between release points are broken by the time of release as shown on the video recording of the boat’s GPS.
Ties between the weights of two or more fish are broken by “weigh-in time” as defined below:
On Friday, and Saturday before 3:00pm, “weigh-in time” is the time the fish was weighed.
On Saturday after 3:00pm, “weigh-in time” is the time boats return under the Mid-Bay Bridge.
All times are recorded to the full minute.
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All registered Participants agree to submit to a polygraph examination if requested to do so by Tournament Officials. Failure to comply will result in disqualification of the Participant and, at the discretion of Tournament Officials, the Participant’s entire team. Disqualified Participants and/or Teams forfeit any and all entry money, prizes or prize money, and are refused entry to future ECBC tournaments.
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This section must be carefully read by each Participant.
In consideration for being accepted by the Tournament Organizers for participation in the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin (“the Tournament”), the Participants hereby release, forever discharge, and agree to hold harmless the Tournament, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Baytowne Marina, Tournament Control, Inc., and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, volunteers, partners, members, and/or attorneys (collectively the "Releasees") for any and all losses, claims, or demands of any kind or character whatsoever arising from the negligence or gross negligence of the Releasees or from any other cause connected with or occurring during the Tournament. The Participants expressly acknowledge that he/she has received, reviewed, and agrees to abide by the Tournament Rules and this Release. Furthermore, the Participants expressly acknowledge that activities relating to deep sea fishing are extremely dangerous and involve the risk of serious injury or death. Having so acknowledged, the Participants hereby assume full responsibility for the risk of bodily injury or death due to the negligence or gross negligence of the Releasees or any other cause connected with or occurring during the Tournament.
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All disputes, protests, claims, differences or controversies relating to any aspect of the Tournament, including, without limitation, Tournament Rules, must be submitted to the Tournament Organizers/Rules Committee no later than twenty-four (24 ) hours following the official closing of the Weigh Station or are deemed waived. All such disputes must be presented in writing along with a non-refundable fee of $500 cash. All such disputes shall be decided by the Tournament Organizers/Rules Committee and shall be final and binding upon all parties.
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In the event the Tournament Organizers/Rules Committee cannot render or refuses to render a final and binding decision with respect to any dispute, protest, claim, difference, or controversy under review, the matter shall be resolved by binding arbitration under the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association. The decision rendered in arbitration shall be in writing and shall be final and binding upon all parties. The parties shall have no further recourse, except as provided for by the commercial rules of the American Arbitration Association. Once the decision is rendered, it will produce the effect of “res judicata” and the parties shall fully comply with the decision without delay. The Participants specifically waive any right to a trial by judge or jury.
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The Participants specifically agree and consent to the use of any photograph, motion picture, or audio recording in which they appear or are heard, by the Tournament, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort or Tournament Control, Inc. for any purpose whatsoever including, but not limited to, resale, advertising, and promotional material without compensation or restriction of any kind.
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Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin • 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy W • Destin, FL 32550
phone 866.505.4458 • fax 850.267.8178 • email: shawnameisner@sandestin.com |
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