Sarah Alger reported on Small Boat Safety Seminar Activities.

Action items:
The question of the regulation regarding mainsail reefing was reconsidered and after lively discussion among the committee and observers the following action was taken.  The Committee recommends removal of Category 4 from the US Prescription, paragraph 4.24 (f) in "Recommendations for Offshore Sailing."  A typographical error should also be corrected in paragraph 4.24(e), removing the secondary application line containing "0 1 2 3 4."  Thus this paragraph will apply to categories 3 and 4 only.

Further, the US Prescription in paragraph 4.24(f) should be changed to reflect reduction of the luff by at least 10%.  This is a technical correction resulting from professional advice, and will produce a reduction in area of about 20%, with no interference of the lower batten.

The SASC recommends the following submissions to ORC for the 1998-99 Regulations:
    In paragraph 4.18a, remove the following words from the first sentence: "121.5, 243 or."  This has the effect of requiring the carriage of only a 406mhz beacon.  Rationale: USCG advises that a high false alarm rate results in a long delay in SAR efforts for the other equipments.

     Add a requirement in Categories 0 and 1, the carriage of a drogue or sea anchor.  The Committee will develop a technical standard to be submitted with the submission in late summer.

Information Items:
The Committee considered a wide range of subjects and issues.  The Tonga Storm video and data book were introduced, a communication regarding radar reflector was distributed for study, the status of inflatable PFD approval was discussed, lifeline research was outlined, as was EEC construction standards development.

An additional SASC advisory to race organizers will be produced and mailed quickly, covering the illegality of split pulpits and other matters.  The research director will be advised of the committee's concerns at loss of keels, and lack of technical standards for designers and builders.  The staff will be advised that sales of Stormy Seas inflatable equipment falls under the Board guidance regarding crediting SASC accounts for surplus accruing from inflatable safety equipment.

John B. Bonds