Notes on Safety Requirements

Competitors participate in the Regatta entirely at their own risk. See rule 4, Decision to Race. The organizing authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personnel injury or death, sustained in conjunction with, or prior to, during, or after the Regatta. These notes are provided solely as an aid to safety, and competitors are required to use their own judgment as to whether any additional measures are necessary.

• See section 3 of the Notice of Race

• Compliance with the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations 2006-2007 is required. These regulations are the International Standard, and can be found on the ISAF website, www.sailing.org . From the home page, select "offshore", then "special regulations", then “category 4 monohulls”. If necessary copies can be obtained from Box PoF, c/o Walton & Frinton Yacht Club, Mill Lane, Walton on the Naze, CO14 8PF.

• Any advice or assistance, and the comments in this appendix, are advisory only. The definitive authority is as cited above, and nothing shall vary or supersede it, or detract from or diminish the owner’s and skipper’s sole responsibility for compliance.
• A functioning engine and VHF radio transceiver are required because of the proximity of commercial shipping in the deep-water channel. Race organisers in the Harwich area receive considerable co-operation from the Harwich Haven Authority, and are maintaining a policy of keeping racing yachts out of the channel. (See Sailing Instructions sections 1.4c and 10).

• Owners are reminded not to overlook the servicing of lifejackets. These deteriorate rapidly if damp, and gas bottles corrode. A lifejacket in poor condition is not reliable.
• Owners who have taken advantage of the RNLI’s SEA Check, which uses the RYA Boat Safety Handbook (C8/02) as a reference, will find a similarity between the requirements of the Special Regulations, and the equipment considered essential or recommended, for cruising yachts; the standard of equipment for safe sailing offshore, whether cruising or racing.
• Boats unable, through design, to comply with the safety requirements of the Regatta shall apply in writing to the above address, or by e-mail to secretary@pofr.org, the Port of Felixstowe International Regatta Committee for dispensation. The Committee may impose alternative requirements (see NOR section 3.3).

Reference to the full Offshore Special Regulations is essential, but, for information, they provide the details in the following format:

Category 4 Monohulls

(Note that, in addition to the requirements of this category the Port of Felixstowe International Regatta requires the provision of VHF radio and a propulsion engine with adequate fuel).

SECTION 1 – FUNDAMENTAL AND DEFINITIONS

Includes owner's responsibility, decision to race, definitions, abbreviations, word usage

SECTION 2 – APPLICATION AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Includes definitions of the categories of offshore events

SECTION 3 – STRUCTURAL FEATURES, STABILITY, FIXED EQUIPMENT

Strength of build, ballast and rig, watertight integrity of a hull, hatches and companionways, cockpits, cockpit drains, sea cocks, accommodation, pulpits, stanchions, lifelines, etc.

Also check out:    mast step, hand holds, bilge pumps and buckets, and navigation lights (see also IRPCAS requirement for use of navigation lights in poor visibility).

SECTION 4 – PORTABLE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES for the yacht

SECTION 5 – PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

Lifejackets – although these extras are not a requirement, the addition of crotch/thigh straps, lights and splash guards should be considered.

SECTION 6 – TRAINING OSR 6.4 (all categories) – Routine training on board

It is recommended that crews should practice safety routines at reasonable intervals, including the drill for man overboard recovery.

It is also strongly recommended that all crewmembers should undertake personal survival training (with a life raft in a pool), at least once every five years. There has been positive feedback from yachtsmen who have done so.

In addition, Offshore Special Regulations 4.08.4 requires that “at least one member of the crew shall be familiar with First Aid procedures, hypothermia and relevant communications systems”.