Section & Rules

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Age Date Buoyancy

Month / Year of first launch. Shall be achieved by the use of:

(i)    Semi-rigid or rigid non-absorbent material permanently fixed into the hull;

(ii)   Dedicated, empty, sealed compartments which may be fitted with screw-in drain plugs or an inspection port but which shall remain closed whilst racing;

(iii)  Inflated airbags, permanently sealed and fixed below decks. Buoyancy shall be so distributed as to float the boat evenlywhen swamped including in the capsized position.  

 

Cruising Event

Covers a wide range of activities from a group of yachts conducting a passage in loose or close company to some form of competition outside the restrictions of the RRS and a strict interpretation of these regulations.
 

Effective Rescue Availability

 
Requires the race committee to have in place an effective rescue procedure taking into account the local conditions, length of race, remoteness, availability of rescue craft and services, and the quality of communications.
 

FA Station

 

The transverse station at which the upper corner of the transom meets the sheerline.
 

Lifeline

Wire rigged as a guardrail around the deck.
 

LH

Hull length as defined by the Equipment Rules of Sailing.

.
 

LWL

Loaded Waterline Length.

 

Maximum Beam

The maximum beam of the boat.
 

Monohull

Hull in which the hull depth in any section does not decrease towards the centreline. All other boats are considered to be multihulls.
 

Movable Ballast

Lead or other material including water which has no practical function in the boat other than to increase weight and/or to influence stability and/or trim and which may be moved transversely but not varied in weight while a boat is racing.
 

Notified Body

Bodies authorised under the Recreational Craft Directive, European Commission or International Organization for Standardization to approve construction standards of yachts.
 

Permanently Installed

Means the item is effectively built-in by bolting, welding, glassing etc. and may not be removed while racing.
 

Primary Launch

Month and year of the first launch of the first boatof the production series or the first launce of a non series boat.
 

Protected Waters

Are those not fully exposed to the extremes of the ocean in such a way that the ocean swell has been broken. It may include large bays and gulfs.
 

Securely Fastened

Held strongly in place by a method (e.g. rope lashings, wing-nuts) which will safely retain the fastened object in severe conditions including a 180 degree capsize and allows for the item to be removed and replaced during racing.
 

Series Date

Month / Year of the launch of the first boat of a production series.
 

Sheltered Waters

Are those sheltered from the extremes of the sea by reefs, headlands or islands. This would infer that the ocean swell has been broken and that there is limited fetch. It can include harbours, estuaries and lakes.
 

Static Ballast

Lead or other material including water which has no practical function in the boat other than to increase weight and/or to influence stability and/or trim and which may not be moved or varied in weight while a boat is racing.
 

Trailable Boat

For the purpose of these regulations a trailable boatis a monohull, ballasted boat which can be transported on the public road system on the same trailer used to launch and retrieve it without the assistance of external equipment or detachment from the towing vehicle.
 

Unprotected Waters

Are those which are directly exposed to the extremes of the ocean.
 

Variable Ballast

Water carried for the sole purpose of influencing stability and/or trim and which may be varied in weight and/or moved while a boat is racing.
 

Working Deck

Shall be deemed to be any surface on which the crew might stand in order to handle the boat and its sails in a seamanlike manner.

As there are many types of racing events, ranging from long distance ocean races sailed under adverse conditions to short course day races sailed in protected or sheltered waters, seven categories of races have been established as follows, to provide for the differences in the standards of equipment and accommodation required for such varying circumstances: Categories 0-4 are intended for offshore racing. Categories 5 and 6 are suitable for (but not exclusive to) races which include only trailable boats. A race committee shall select the category most suitable for the type of race to be sailed, the locale that it is to be sailed in and the conditions under which it is to be sailed.An organising authority may add to the requirements of a particular category but not delete any.

The number of crew specified below, including the skipper and/or person in charge shall have completed one race of the category entered or an equivalent passage.Evidence of such shall be provided if requested by the race committee.

A monohull with an age or series date after 1 July 2010:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(a)

(b)

Boats shall be equipped with a system of lifelines and/or guardrails designed to form an effectively continuous barrier around a working deck and complying with the requirements of this section with the aim of minimising the risk of people falling overboard.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(j)

(k)

(d)

(a)

(c)

(d)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

Satcom C equipment forms part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System and is carried aboard all commercial shipping as well as by shore based rescue coordination centres. This technology is well established and is an option available to yachts participating internationally under the ISAF Special Regulations. Owners and race organisers may consider phasing in this equipment as a prelude to its potential introduction into future versions of these Special Regulations.

(a)

(b)

(c)

For water and fuel see 3.18 and 3.24

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Where there is any form of auxiliary engine or naked flame, fire extinguishers readily accessible in suitable and different parts of the yacht shall be provided as follows:

Notes:

1. More than two, or higher rating extinguishers may be required depending upon the size and layout of the boat.

2. Fire extinguishers are recommended to be inspected at least every six months. All extinguishers other than carbon dioxide have a pressure gauge indicating their state of charge, and a security seal on the trigger. They should be free of corrosion, and recharged if the seal is broken or the gauge is not in the green sector of the scale. The nozzle should be checked to ensure that it is clear. A dry chemical extinguisher should be taken from its bracket and shaken to prevent the powder inside from compacting. A carbon dioxide extinguisher needs to be checked by weight and recharged if there has been a loss of more than 10 per cent of the net weight.

3. A more thorough check by a competent person is recommended to be carried out annually and every few years when an extinguisher requires a discharge, refill, pressure test or replacement.

(a)

(c)

(d)

IN AN EMERGENCY, MEDICAL ADVICE SHOULD FIRST BE OBTAINED FROM THE COAST RADIO OR BY CONTACTING A DOCTOR THROUGH THE CONDUCTING CLUB. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT:
1. BEFORE ADMINISTERING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, OR
2. BEFORE ADMINISTERING ASPIRIN OR NITROLINGUAL SPRAY FOR A SUSPECTED CARDIAC EMERGENCY (OTHER THAN WHEN USING THE VICTIM'S PERSONAL MEDICATION), OR
3. TREATING AN EYE INJURY, OR
4. TREATING SEVERE PAIN, OR
5. TREATING DIARRHOEA WHERE THE PATIENT ALSO HAS A FEVER, OR
6. TREATING SEVERE BURNS.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF ALL PRESCRIPTION DRUGS GIVEN UNDER MEDICAL ADVICE MUST BE DOCUMENTED IN THE BOAT’S LOG AND WITNESSED, DETAILING THE DOCTOR’S NAME, TREATMENT ADMINISTERED, DATE AND TIME.
NOTE:
Check Expiry Date of all medications.
* Ask a pharmacist for this medication.
* Requires a prescription.
* Mandatory only when required by notice of race for long ocean races.
It should be noted that most prescription medication must be stored at a temperature of 25 °C or less.
As the temperature in an enclosed yacht during the summer months can exceed 50 °C it is recommended that all prescription medication be replaced at least annually.
All drugs are to be stored in a safe cool environment and morphine should be removed from the boat when the boat is not racing or the drug is not required for that race category.
The Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) recommends that all those trained in CPR should refresh their CPR skills at least annually. CPR is the most fundamental skill in first aid and repeated training is important to improve the effectiveness of basic life support at sea.

(b)

(c)

(e)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(a)

(b)

Design
It is strongly recommended that owners consult their designer and sailmaker to decide the most effective size for storm and heavy weather sails. The purpose of these sails is to provide safe propulsion for the boat in severe weather – they are not intended as part of the racing wardrobe. The areas below are maxima. Smaller areas are likely to suit some boats according to their stability and other characteristics.

Lifejacket requirements vary between the States and Territories and it is recommended that before purchase and use it should be established that the lifejacket is acceptable under local law.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(i)

(j)

(k)

(a)

(b)

(c)

NOTE: For Category 0 races refer to ISAF requirements.
To demonstrate compliance with Resistance to Capsize requirements for the various race categories one of the following shall be achieved:

Category 1 Races ORCi Stability Index of 115 or greater, or ISO 12217-2 Design Category A except that the STIX Number shall be increased to a minimum of 35.
  For Category 1 races, the hydrostatics and stability demonstrating the yacht’s compliance with ISO Category A shall be derived from measurement of the freeboards and righting moment of the actual yacht by a qualified source.
  NOTE: When determining stability criteria for an event, the organising authority should consider the limitations of ISO12217-2:2002 wherein it is stated:
8.2.1 A boat given design category A is considered to be designed to operate in winds of Beaufort force 10 or less and the associated wave heights, and to survive in more severe conditions.
And
8.2.4 Table 8 which limits significant wave height and wind speed in design category definitions as follows:

1

Category 2 Races:  ORCi stability index of 110 or greater, or ISO 12217-2 Design Category A
Category 3 Races:  ORCi stability index of 103 or greater, or ISO 12217-2 Design Category or IRC Category A or B, or
IRC SSS Base Value of 16 or greater, or SV of 10 or less subject to B.5.1, or RMI of 1.4 or greater
Category 4 Races:  ORCi stability index of 103 or greater, or ISO 12217-2 Design Category or IRC Category A, B or C, or IRC SSS Base Value of 10 or greater, or SV of 10 or less subject to B.5.1, or RMI of 1.4 or greater
Category 5 and 6 Races:  Races: ORCi stability index of 103 or greater, or ISO 12217-2 Design Category or IRC Category A, B or C, or IRC SSS Base Value of 8 or greater, or SV of 14 or less subject to B.5.1, or RMI of 1.1 or greater, or Horizontal Stability Factor.

B.5.2 RMI Procedure

Having followed the procedures in B.5.1, the RMI for a boat requiring a test or calculation may be determined through:
(a) A practical test.
(b) Calculations provided by the designer or other appropriately qualified person using a recognised design package.
The practicaltest shall be at the owner's risk and cost, and no liability will be accepted by the club, the MYA or YA or any of its members, officers or servants.

The RMI shall be calculated using the formula:
                                                  RMI =TM
                                                   W
Where:
TM is the Test Mass required to hold the mast in a horizontal athwartships position with the mass suspended at the upper point of I.
W is the theoretical equivalent mass at the upper point of I representing the total effect of the dynamic condition of a storm on a yacht whilst lying on its side, and is calculated using the formula:
              W = 1.7 x(2.79LB²) + (0.05I³) + (20.13L x FML) kilograms
                                         I + 0.5FML
Where (in metres) L= LOA
                           B = Maximum Beam
                           FML= Freeboard at half LOA
                           I = Height of Foretriangle from Deck
For boats without a foresail the point at which themainsail luff is 75% above the deck shall be taken as equivalent to the upper point of I.
Any movable or variable ballast shall be placed in the position which minimises the righting moment.

B.7.1                         Use of ORCi
  B.7.1.1 General Standards
Boats with movable and/or variable ballast shall comply with the following minimum values of Ballast Leeward Recovery Index (BLR Index)
Race category                 1,2          3         4-6
BLR Index                         0.9
BLR Index                                      0.8
BLR Index                                                    0.7
B.7.2                      Use of ISO
  B.7.2.1 Boat Condition
In the calculation of stability data mass shall be taken as Minimum Operating Mass as defined by ISO 12217-2, paragraph 3.5.3.
  B.7.2.2 General Standards
In the assessment of ISO category for yachts fitted with movable and/or variable ballast, ISO 12217-2, paragraph 6.1.4 (b) shall not apply. Boats shall comply with paragraphs 6.2.3, 6.3.1 and 6.4. Calculations shall be for the ballast condition that results in the most adverse result when considering each individual stability requirement. ISO 12217-2 Annex C, paragraph C.3.3, first sentence, theword “may” is replaced with “shall”. ISO 12217-2 Annex C, paragraph C.3.4 shall not be used in the calculation of righting lever.
  B.7.2.3 Knockdown Recovery
Boats with movable and/or variable ballast shall comply with the following minimum values of Knockdown Recovery Factor (FKR) calculated in accordance with ISO 12217-2 paragraph 6.4.4 with the modification that the reference to ISO 8666 paragraph 5.5.2 changed to incorporate actual mainsail area and centre of effort. The lesser of FKR90 and FKR-90 shall be used:
Race category          1,2        3          4-6
FK                            0.9
FKR                                     0.8
FKR                                                  0.7
B.7.3                     Use of RMI
  B.7.3.1 General Standards
In the assessment of RMI for yachts fitted with movable and/or variable ballast, tests or calculations shall be made for the ballast condition that results in the most adverse result.
  B.7.3.2 2Knockdown Recovery
Boats with movable and/or variable ballast shall comply with the following minimum values RMI tested or calculated in accordance with section B.5:
SR Category         3, 4         5 and 6
RMI                       1.6
RMI                        1.4 for boats greater than 8 m LOA.
                             1.55 for boats 8 m LOA or less
B.7.4                      Use of HSF
  B.7.4.1 1General Standards
In the assessment of HSF for yachts fitted with movable and/or variable ballast, tests or calculations shall be made for the ballast condition that results in the most adverse result.
  B.7.4.2 2Knockdown Recovery
Boats with moveable or variable ballast shall comply with the following minimum values HSF when tested in accordance with section B.6:
HSF times        1.3 for boats greater than 8m LOA
                       1.5 for boats 8 m LOA or less

C.1

MANOVERBOARD - QUICK STOP AND THE LIFE SLING (OR SEATTLE SLING)
When a crew member goes over the side recovery time is of the essence. In an effort to come up with a recovery system that is simple and lightning quick, the US Yacht Racing Union Safety at Sea Committee, the US Naval Academy Sailing Squadron, the Cruising Club of America Technical Committee and the Sailing Foundation of Seattle, Washington, joined forces to conduct extensive research and sea trials. The result of their collaboration is the "Quick Stop" method of man overboard recovery. The hallmark of this method is the immediate reduction of boat speed by turning to windward and then manoeuvring slowly, remaining near the victim.In most cases, this is better than reaching off, then gybing or tacking and returning on a reciprocal course.

1. Shout "man overboard" and detail a crew member to spot and point to the victim's position in the water. The spotter should not take his eyes off the victim (see Figure 1).

pic

2. Provide immediate flotation. Throw buoyant objects such as cockpit cushions, life rings and so on. These objects may not only come to the aid of the victim, but will "litter the water" where he went overboard and help your spotter to keep him in view. Deployment of the pole and flag (dan buoy) requires too much time. The pole is saved to "put on top" of the victim in case the initial manoeuvre is unsuccessful.
3. Bring boat head-to-wind and beyond (see Figure 1).
4. Allow headsail to back and further slow the boat.
5. Keep turning with headsail backed until wind is abaft the beam.
6. Head on beam-to-broad reach course for two or three lengths then go nearly dead downwind.
7. Drop the headsail while keeping the mainsail centred (or nearly so). The jib sheets are not slacked, even during the dousing manoeuvre, to keep them inside the lifelines.
8. Hold the downward course until victim is abaft the beam.
9. Gybe.
10. Approach the victim on a course of approximately 45 degrees to 60 degrees off the wind.
11. Establish contact with the victim with heaving line or other device.
The Naval Academy uses a "throwing sock" containing 75 feet of light floating line and a bag that can be thrown into the wind because the line is kept inside the bag and trails out as it sails to the
victim.
12. Effect recovery over the windward side.

Quick Stop Under Spinnaker
The same procedure is used to accommodate a spinnaker. Follow the preceding instructions. As the boat comes head-to-wind and the pole is eased to the head stay, the spinnaker halyard is lowered and the sail is gathered on the fore deck. The turn is continued through the tack and the approach phase commences.

Quick Stop in Yawls and Ketches
Experiment with your mizzen sail. During sea trials, it was found best to drop the mizzen as soon as possible during the early phases of Quick Stop.

Quick Stop Using Engine
Use of the engine is not essential, although it is advisable to have it running in neutral during Quick Stop in case it is needed in the final approach. Check first for trailing lines!

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