US SAILING

Special Regulations - Extract for Race Category 3 Multihulls


JANUARY 2006 - DECEMBER 2007
 © ORC Ltd. 2002, all amendments from 2003 © International Sailing Federation, (IOM) Ltd.  
Version 5.03

Notes
Red type indicates a significant change in 2006
The use of the masculine gender shall be taken to mean either gender
Guidance notes and recommendations are in italics

      US SAILING prescriptions are printed in bold, italic letters
Because this is an extract not all paragraph numbers will be present
SECTION 1 - FUNDAMENTAL AND DEFINITIONS
1.01 Purpose and Use
1.01.1 It is the purpose of these Special Regulations to establish uniform minimum equipment, accommodation and training standards for monohull and multihull yachts racing offshore. A Proa is excluded from these regulations.
1.01.2 These Special Regulations do not replace, but rather supplement, the requirements of governmental authority, the Racing Rules and the rules of Class Associations and Rating Systems. The attention of persons in charge is called to restrictions in the Rules on the location and movement of equipment.
1.01.3 These Special Regulations, adopted internationally, are strongly recommended for use by all organizers of offshore races. Race Committees may select the category deemed most suitable for the type of race to be sailed.
1.02 Responsibility of Person in Charge
1.02.1 The safety of a yacht and her crew is the sole and inescapable responsibility of the person in charge who must do his best to ensure that the yacht is fully found, thoroughly seaworthy and manned by an experienced crew who have undergone appropriate training and are physically fit to face bad weather. He must be satisfied as to the soundness of hull, spars, rigging, sails and all gear. He must ensure that all safety equipment is properly maintained and stowed and that the crew know where it is kept and how it is to be used.
1.02.2 Neither the establishment of these Special Regulations, their use by race organizers, nor the inspection of a yacht under these Special Regulations in any way limits or reduces the complete and unlimited responsibility of the person in charge.
1.02.3 Decision to race -The responsibility for a yacht's decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone - RRS Fundamental Rule 4.
1.03 Definitions, Abbreviations, Word Usage
1.03.1 Definitions of Terms used in this document
      TABLE 1
     
Age Date Month/year of first launch
AIS Automatic Identification Systems
CEN Comité Européen de Normalisation
CPR Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation
Coaming includes the transverse after limit of the cockpit over which water would run in the event that when the yacht is floating level the cockpit is flooded or filled to overflowing.
DSC Digital Selective Calling
EN European Norm
EPFS Electronic Position-Fixing System
EPIRB Electronic Position-Indicating Radio Beacon
FA Station The transverse station at which the upper corner of the transom meets the sheerline.
Foul-Weather Suit A foul weather suit is clothing designed to keep the wearer dry and maybe either a jacket and trousers worn together, or a single garment comprising jacket and trousers.
GMDSS Global Maritime Distress & Safety System
GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System
GPIRB EPIRB, with integral GPS position-fixing
ITU International Telecommunications Union
GPS Global Positioning System
Hatch The term hatch includes the entire hatch assembly and also the lid or cover as part of that assembly (the part itself may be described as a hatch).
INMARSAT International Maritime Satellite Organization
IMO International Maritime Organisation
IMSO International Mobile Satellite Organisation (works closely with INMARSAT)
ISAF International Sailing Federation.
ISO International Standard or International Organization for Standardization.
Lifeline wire line rigged as guardrail / guardline around the deck
LOA Length overall not including pulpits, bowsprits, boomkins etc.
LWL (Length of) loaded waterline
Monohull Yacht in which the hull depth in any section does not decrease towards the centre-line.
Moveable 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.
ORC Offshore Racing Congress (formerly Offshore Racing Council)
OSR Offshore Special Regulation(s)
Permanently Installed Means the item is effectively built-in by eg bolting, welding, glassing etc. and may not be removed for or during racing.
PLB Personal Locator Beacon
Proa Asymmetric Catamaran
RRS ISAF - Racing Rules of Sailing
SAR Search and Rescue
SART Search and Rescue Transponder
Series Date Month/year of first launch of the first yacht of the production series
SOLAS Safety of Life at Sea Convention
Safety Line A tether used to connect a safety harness to a strong point
Securely Fastened Held strongly in place by a method (eg 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
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.
Static Safety Line A safety line (usually shorter than a safety line carried with a harness) kept clipped on at a work-station
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.
1.03.2 The words "shall" and "must" are mandatory, and "should" and "may" are permissive.
1.03.3 The word "yacht" shall be taken as fully interchangeable with the word "boat".
SECTION 2 - APPLICATION & GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
2.01 Categories of Events
      In many types of race, ranging from trans-oceanic sailed under adverse conditions to short-course day races sailed in protected waters, six categories are established, to provide for differences in the minimum standards of safety and accommodation required for such varying circumstances:
2.01.4 Category 3
      Races across open water, most of which is relatively protected or close to shorelines.
2.02 Inspection
      A yacht may be inspected at any time. If she does not comply with these Special Regulations her entry may be rejected, or she will be liable to disqualification or such other penalty as may be prescribed by the national authority or the race organizers.
2.03 General Requirements
2.03.1 All equipment required by Special Regulations shall:-
     
a) function properly
     
b) be regularly checked, cleaned and serviced
     
c) when not in use be stowed in conditions in which deterioration is minimised
     
d) be readily accessible
     
e) be of a type, size and capacity suitable and adequate for the intended use and size of the yacht.
2.03.2 Heavy items:
     
a) ballast, ballast tanks and associated equipment shall be permanently installed
     
b) heavy movable items including e.g. batteries, stoves, gas bottles, tanks, toolboxes and anchors and chain shall be securely fastened
     
c) heavy items for which fixing is not specified in Special Regulations shall be permanently installed or securely fastened, as appropriate
2.03.3 When to show navigation lights
     
a) navigation lights (OSR 3.27) shall be shown as required by the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea, (Part C and Technical Annex 1). All yachts shall exhibit sidelights and a sternlight at the required times.
SECTION 3 - STRUCTURAL FEATURES, STABILITY, FIXED EQUIPMENT
3.01 Strength of Build, Ballast and Rig
      Yachts shall be strongly built, watertight and, particularly with regard to hulls, decks and cabin trunks capable of withstanding solid water and knockdowns. They must be properly rigged and ballasted, be fully seaworthy and must meet the standards set forth herein. Shrouds shall never be disconnected.
3.02 Watertight Integrity of a Hull
3.02.1 A hull, including, deck, coach roof, windows, hatches and all other parts, shall form an integral, essentially watertight unit and any openings in it shall be capable of being immediately secured to maintain this integrity.
3.02.2 Centreboard and daggerboard trunks and the like shall not open into the interior of a hull except via a watertight inspection/maintenance hatch of which the opening shall be entirely above the waterline of the yacht floating level in normal trim.
3.02.3 A canting keel pivot shall be completely contained within a watertight enclosure which shall comply with OSR 3.02.2. Access points in the watertight enclosure for control and actuation systems or any other purpose shall comply with OSR 3.02.1.
3.02.4 Moveable ballast systems shall be fitted with a manual control and actuation secondary system which shall be capable of controlling the full sailing load of the keel in the event of failure of the primary system. Such failures would include electrical and hydraulic failure and mechanical failure of the components and the structure to which it mounts. The system must be capable of being operational quickly and shall be operable at any angle of heel. It would be desirable if this system was capable of securing the keel on the centreline.
3.05 Stability and Flotation - Multihulls
      Attention is drawn to ISO 12217-2.
3.05.1 Adequate watertight bulkheads and compartments (which may include permanently installed flotation material) in each hull shall be provided to ensure that a multihull is effectively unsinkable and capable of floating in a stable position with at least half the length of one hull flooded. (see OSR 3.13.2).
3.05.2 Multihulls built on or after 1/99 shall in every hull without accommodation be divided at intervals of not more than 4m (13ft 3") by one or more transverse watertight bulkheads
3.04.2 A yacht shall be designed and built to resist capsize.
3.07 Exits and Escape Hatches - Multihulls
3.07.1 Exits
     
a) In a multihull of 8m (26.2ft) LOA and greater, each hull which contains accommodation shall have at least two exits.
     
b) In a multihull of less than 8m (26.2ft) LOA each hull which contains accommodation shall have at least two exits.
3.07.2 Escape Hatches, Underside Clipping Points & Handholds
     
a) In a multihull of 12m (39.4ft) LOA and greater each hull which contains accommodation shall:-
     
       i have an escape hatch for access to and from the hull in the event of an inversion;
     
      ii when first launched on or after 1/03 have a minimum clearance diameter through each escape hatch of 450mm or when an escape hatch is not circular, sufficient clearance to allow a crew member to pass through fully clothed;
     
     iii when first launched prior to 1/03, if possible have each escape hatch in compliance with the dimensions in OSR 3.07.2(a)(ii);
     
      iv when the yacht is inverted have each escape hatch above the waterline;
     
       v when first launched on or after 1/01 have each escape hatch at or near the midships station;
     
      vi in a catamaran first launched on or after 1/03 have each escape hatch on the side nearest the vessel's central axis.
     
b) A trimaran of 12m (39.4ft) LOA and greater first launched on or after 1/03 shall have at least two escape hatches in compliance with the dimensions in OSR 3.07.2(a) (ii)
     
c) Each escape hatch must have been opened both from inside and outside within 6 months prior to an intended race
     
d) A multihull shall have on the underside appropriate handholds/clipping points sufficient for all crew (on a trimaran these shall be around the central hull).
     
e) A catamaran first launched on or after 1/03 with a central nacelle shall have on the underside around the central nacelle, handholds of sufficient capacity to enable all persons on board to hold on and/or clip on securely
     
f) In a catamaran with a central nacelle, it is recommended that each hull has an emergency refuge, accessible via a special hatch in the side of the hull nearest the vessel's central axis, which hatch may be opened and closed from the inside and outside
3.07.3 A multihull of less than 12m (39.4ft) LOA shall either have escape hatches in compliance with OSR 3.07.2 (a)(b) and (c)or shall comply with OSR 3.07.3 (a) and (b):
     
a) each hull which contains accommodation shall have, for the purpose of cutting an escape hatch, appropriate tools kept ready for instant use adjacent to the intended cutting site. Each tool shall be secured to the vessel by a line and a clip, and
     
b) in each hull at a station where an emergency hatch may be cut, the cutting line shall be clearly marked both inside and outside with an outline and the words ESCAPE CUT HERE
3.08 Hatches & Companionways
3.08.1 No hatch forward of the maximum beam station shall open in such a way that the lid or cover moves into the open position towards the interior of the hull (excepting ports having an area of less than 0.071m2 (110 sq in)).
3.08.2 A hatch shall be:
     
b) permanently attached
     
c) capable of being firmly shut immediately and remaining firmly shut in a 180 degree capsize (inversion)
3.08.3 A companionway hatch extending below the local sheerline, shall:
     
a) not be permitted in a yacht with a cockpit opening aft to the sea (OSR 3.09.6)
     
b) be capable of being blocked off up to the level of the local sheerline, provided that the companionway hatch shall continue to give access to the interior with the blocking devices (e.g. washboards) in place
3.08.4 A companionway hatch shall:
     
a) be fitted with a strong securing arrangement which shall be operable from the exterior and interior including when the yacht is inverted
     
b) have any blocking devices
     
       i capable of being retained in position with the hatch open or shut
     
      ii whether or not in position in the hatchway, secured to the yacht (e.g. by lanyard) for the duration of the race, to prevent their being lost overboard
     
     iii permit exit in the event of inversion
3.09 Cockpits - Attention is Drawn to ISO 11812
3.09.1 Cockpits shall be structurally strong, self-draining quickly by gravity at all angles of heel and permanently incorporated as an integral part of the hull.
3.09.2 Cockpits must be essentially watertight, that is, all openings to the hull must be capable of being strongly and rigidly secured
3.09.3 A bilge pump outlet pipe shall not be connected to a cockpit drain . See OSR 3.09.8 for cockpit drain minimum sizes
3.09.4 A cockpit sole shall be at least 2% LWL above LWL (or in IMS yachts first launched before 1/03, at least 2% L above LWL)
3.09.5 A bow, lateral, central or stern well shall be considered a cockpit for the purposes of OSR 3.09
3.09.6 In cockpits opening aft to the sea structural openings aft shall be not less in area than 50% maximum cockpit depth x maximum cockpit width.
3.09.7 Cockpit Volume
      TABLE 5
     
earliest of age or series date detail race category
before 4/92 the total volume of all cockpits below lowest coamings shall not exceed 6% (LWL x maximum beam x freeboard abreast the cockpit). MoMu0,1
before 4/92 the total volume of all cockpits below lowest coamings shall not exceed 9% (LWL x maximum beam x freeboard abreast the cockpit). MoMu2,3,4
4/92 and after as above for the appropriate category except that "lowest coamings" shall not include any aft of the FA station and no extension of a cockpit aft of the working deck shall be included in calculation of cockpit volume **
Note IMS-rated boats may instead of the terms LWL, maximum beam, freeboard abreast the cockpit, use the IMS terms L, B and FA. **
3.09.8 Cockpit Drains
      See OSR 3.09.1. Cockpit drain cross section area (after allowance for screens if fitted) shall be:-
     
a) in yachts with earliest of age or series date before 1/72 or in any yacht under 8.5m (28ft) LOA - at least that of 2 x 25mm diameter (one inch) unobstructed openings or equivalent
     
b) in yachts with earliest of age or series date 1/72 and later - at least that of 4 x 20mm diameter (3/4 inch) unobstructed openings or equivalent
      US SAILING prescribes that cockpit drains shall be accessible for cleaning
3.10 Sea Cocks or Valves
      Sea cocks or valves shall be permanently installed on all through-hull openings below LWL except integral deck scuppers, speed indicators, depth finders and the like, however a means of closing such openings shall be provided.
3.11 Sheet Winches
      Sheet winches shall be mounted in such a way that an operator is not required to be substantially below deck.
3.12 Mast Step
      The heel of a keel stepped mast shall be securely fastened to the mast step or adjoining structure.
3.13 Watertight Bulkheads
      see also OSR 3.05
3.13.1 A hull shall have either a watertight "crash" bulkhead within 15% of LOA from the bow and abaft the forward end of LWL, or permanently installed closed-cell foam buoyancy effectively filling the forward 30% LOA of the hull.
3.13.2 Any required watertight bulkhead shall be strongly built to take a full head of water pressure without allowing any leakage into the adjacent compartment.
3.14 Pulpits, Stanchions, Lifelines - Attention is Drawn to ISO 15085
3.14.1 When due to the particular design of a multihull it is impractical to precisely follow Special Regulations regarding pulpits, stanchions, lifelines, the regulations for monohulls shall be followed as closely as possible with the aim of minimising the risk of people falling overboard.
      US SAILING prescribes that all crew working areas shall be protected by lifelines or jackstays and safety harness attachment points. Lifelines or jackstays with or without safety harness attachment points may be substituted for pulpits
3.14.2 Lifelines required in Special Regulations shall be "taut".
     
a) As a guide, when a deflecting force of 50 N (5.1 kgf, 11.2 lbf) is applied to a lifeline midway between supports, the lifeline should not deflect more than 50 mm.
3.14.3 The following shall be provided:
     
c) lifelines (guardlines) supported on stanchions, which, with pulpits, shall form an effectively continuous barrier around a working deck for man-overboard prevention. Lifelines shall be permanently supported at intervals of not more than 2.20m (86.6") and shall not pass outboard of supporting stanchions
     
d) upper rails of pulpits at no less height above the working deck than the upper lifelines as in Table 7.
     
e) Openable upper rails in bow pulpits shall be secured shut whilst racing
     
f) Pulpits and stanchions shall be permanently installed. When there are sockets or studs, these shall be through-bolted, bonded or welded. The pulpit(s) and/or stanchions fitted to these shall be mechanically retained without the help of the life-lines. Without sockets or studs, pulpits and/or stanchions shall be through-bolted, bonded or welded.
     
g) The bases of pulpits and stanchions shall not be further inboard from the edge of the appropriate working deck than 5% of maximum beam or 150 mm (6 in), whichever is greater.
     
h) Stanchion bases shall not be situated outboard of a working deck. For the purpose of this rule a stanchion or pulpit base shall be taken to include a sleeve or socket into which a stanchion or pulpit tube is fitted but shall exclude a baseplate which carries fixings into the deck or hull.
     
i) Provided the complete lifeline enclosure is supported by stanchions and pulpit bases effectively within the working deck, lifeline terminals and support struts may be fixed to a hull aft of the working deck
     
j) Lifelines need not be fixed to a bow pulpit if they terminate at, or pass through, adequately braced stanchions set inside and overlapping the bow pulpit, provided that the gap between the upper lifeline and the bow pulpit does not exceed 150 mm (6 in).
     
k) Stanchions shall be straight and vertical except that:-
     
i) within the first 50 mm (2 in) from the deck, stanchions shall not be displaced horizontally from the point at which they emerge from the deck or stanchion base by more than 10 mm (3/8 in),and
     
ii) stanchions may be angled to not more than 10 degrees from vertical at any point above 50 mm (2 in) from the deck.
3.14.4 Special Requirements for Pulpits, Stanchions, Lifelines on Multihulls
      The following shall be provided:-
     
a) on a trimaran - a bow pulpit on the main hull, with lifelines around the main hull supported on stanchions. The lifelines may be interrupted where there are nets or crossbeam wings outboard of the main hull
     
b) on a trimaran - where a net joins the base of a bow pulpit on the main hull, an additional lifeline from the top of the pulpit to the forward crossbeam at or outboard of the crossbeam mid-point.
     
c) on a trimaran - at a main or emergency steering position on an outrigger with or without a cockpit, lifelines protecting an arc of 3 meters diameter centred on the steering position. (When measuring between lifelines their taut, undeflected positions shall be taken for this purpose).
     
d) on a catamaran - lifelines from bow to stern on each hull. A catamaran without a forward or aft crossbeam shall have transverse lifelines at the extremity of the net forward and aft. The transverse lifelines shall be attached to bow and stern pulpits or superstructure. A webbing, strop or rope (minimum diameter 6mm) shall be rove zig-zag between the transverse lifelines and the net.
3.14.5 Lifeline Height, Vertical Openings, Number of Lifelines
      TABLE 7
     
LOA earliest of age/seriesdate minimum requirements Category
under 8.5 m(28 ft) before1/92 taut single lifeline at a height of no less than 450 mm (18 in) above the working deck. No vertical opening shall exceed 560 mm (22 in). **
under 8.5 m(28 ft) 1/92and after as for under 8.5 m(28 ft) in table 7 above, except that when an intermediate lifeline is fitted no vertical opening shall exceed 380 mm (15 in). **
8.5 m (28 ft) and over before1/93 taut double lifeline with upper lifeline at a height of no less than 600 mm (24 in) above the working deck. No vertical opening shall exceed 560 mm (22 in) **
8.5 m (28 ft)and over 1/93 and after as 8.5 m (28 ft) and over in Table 7 above, except that no vertical opening shall exceed 380 mm (15 in). **
all all on yachts with intermediate lifelines the intermediate line shall be not less than 230 mm (9 in) above the working deck and shall be of the same construction and general arrangements as required for the upper. **
3.14.6 Lifeline Minimum Diameters, Required Materials, Specifications
     
a) All lifelines shall be stranded stainless steel wire of minimum diameter in table 8 below. Lifelines shall be uncoated and used without close-fitting sleeving.
      Notwithstanding 3.14.6 (a), temporary sleeving may be fitted provided it is regularly removed for inspection
     
b) Grade 316 stainless wire is recommended.
     
c) A taut lanyard of synthetic rope may be used to secure lifelines provided the gap it closes does not exceed 100 mm (4 in).
     
d) All wire, fittings, anchorage points, fixtures and lanyards shall comprise a lifeline enclosure system which has at all points at least the breaking strength of the required lifeline wire.
      TABLE 8
     
LOA minimum wire diameter
under 8.5 m (28ft) 3 mm (1/8 in)
8.5m - 13 m 4 mm (5/32 in)
over 13 m (43 ft) 5 mm (3/16 in)
3.14.7 Pulpits, Stanchions, Lifelines - Limitations on Materials
      TABLE 9
     
Earliest of Age or Series Date detail
before 1/87 carbon fibre is not recommended in stanchions pulpits and lifelines.
1/87 and after stanchions, pulpits and lifelines shall not be made of carbon fibre.
3.15 Multihull Nets or Trampolines
3.15.1 The word "net" is interchangeable with the word "trampoline"
      A net shall be:-
     
a) essentially horizontal
     
b) made from durable woven webbing, water permeable fabric, or mesh with openings not larger than 5.08cm (2 inches) in any dimension. Attachment points shall be planned to avoid chafe. The junction between a net and a yacht shall present no risk of foot trapping
     
c) solidly fixed at regular intervals on transverse and longitudinal support lines and shall be fine-stitched to a bolt rope
     
d) able to carry the full weight of the crew either in normal working conditions at sea or in case of capsize when the yacht is inverted.
     
e) It is recommended that lines used to tie the nets should be individually tied and not continuously connected to more than four attachment points per connecting line
3.15.2 Trimarans with Double Crossbeams
     
a) A trimaran with double crossbeams shall have nets on each side covering:-
     
b) the rectangles formed by the crossbeams, central hull and outriggers
     
c) the triangles formed by the aft end of the central pulpit, the mid-point of each forward crossbeam, and the intersection of the crossbeam and the central hull
     
d) the triangles formed by the aftermost part of the cockpit or steering position (whichever is furthest aft), the mid-point of each after crossbeam, and the intersection of the crossbeam and the central hull; except that:-
     
e) the requirement in OSR 3.15.2(d) shall not apply when cockpit coamings and/or lifelines are present which comply with the minimum height requirements in Table 7
3.15.3 Trimarans with Single Crossbeams
     
a) A trimaran with a single crossbeam shall have nets between the central hull and each outrigger:-
     
b) on each side between two straight lines from the intersection of the crossbeam and the outrigger, respectively to the aft end of the pulpit on the central hull, and to the aftermost point of the cockpit or steering position on the central hull (whichever is furthest aft)
3.16 Catamarans
     
a) On a catamaran the total net surface shall be limited:
     
b) laterally by the hulls
     
c) longitudinally by transverse stations through the forestay base, and the aftermost point of the boom lying fore and aft. However, a catamaran with a central nacelle (non-immersed) may satisfy the regulations for a trimaran
3.18 Toilet
3.19 Bunks
3.19.2 Bunks, permanently installed
3.20 Cooking Facilities
3.20.1 A cooking stove, permanently installed or securely fastened with safe accessible fuel shutoff control and capable of being safely operated in a seaway.
3.21 Drinking Water Tanks & Drinking Water
3.21.1 Drinking Water Tanks
     
a) A yacht shall have a permanently installed delivery pump and water tank(s):
3.21.3 Emergency Drinking Water
     
a) At least 9 litres (2 UK gallons, 2.4 US gallons) of drinking water for emergency use shall be provided in a dedicated and sealed container or container(s)
3.22 Hand Holds
      Adequate hand holds shall be fitted below deck so that crew members may move about safely at sea.
      A hand hold should be capable of withstanding without rupture a side force of 1500N - attention is drawn to ISO 15085.
3.23 Bilge Pumps and Buckets
3.23.1 No bilge pump may discharge into a cockpit unless that cockpit opens aft to the sea.
3.23.2 Bilge pumps shall not be connected to cockpit drains. (OSR 3.09)
3.23.3 Bilge pumps and strum boxes shall be readily accessible for maintenance and for clearing out debris
3.23.4 Unless permanently installed, each bilge pump handle shall be provided with a lanyard or catch or similar device to prevent accidental loss
3.23.5 The following shall be provided:
     
c) multihulls shall have provision to pump out all watertight compartments (except those filled with impermeable buoyancy).
     
f) two buckets of stout construction each with at least 9 litres (2 UK gallons, 2.4 US gallons) capacity. Each bucket to have a lanyard.
3.24 Compass
3.24.1 The following shall be provided:-
     
a) a marine magnetic compass, independent of any power supply, permanently installed and correctly adjusted with deviation card, and
     
b) a compass which may be hand-held
3.25 Halyards.
      No mast shall have less than two halyards, each capable of hoisting a sail.
      Boom Support. US SAILING prescribes that some means must exist to prevent the boom from dropping if support from the mainsail and/or halyard fails. Topping lifts or supporting vangs are acceptable for this purpose.
3.27 Navigation Lights (see OSR 2.03.3)
3.27.1 Navigation lights shall be mounted so that they will not be masked by sails or the heeling of the yacht.
3.27.2 Navigation lights shall not be mounted below deck level and should be at no less height than immediately under the upper lifeline.
3.27.3 Navigation light intensity
      TABLE 11
     
LOA Guide to required minimum power rating for an electric bulb in a navigation light
under 12 m (39.4 ft) 10 W
12 m (39.4 ft) and above 25 W
      US SAILING prescribes that in the US compliance with the recommendations of COLREGS shall suffice in satisfying these regulation, COLREGS requirements are as follows;
      TABLE 14
     
LOA Light Luminous Intensity Minimum Range
         of visibility
under 39.4 ft Side 0.9 candelas 1 mile
   Stern 4.3 candelas 2 miles
39.4 ft and above Side 4.3 candelas 2 miles
and less than 164 ft Stern 4.3 candelas 2 miles
3.27.4 Reserve navigation lights shall be carried having the same minimum specifications as the navigation lights above, with a separable power source, and wiring or supply system essentially separate from that used for the normal navigation lights
3.27.5 spare bulbs for navigation lights shall be carried, or for lights not dependent on bulbs, appropriate spares.
3.28 Engines, Generators, Fuel
3.28.2 A propulsion engine shall be provided, either in accordance with OSR 3.28.1 or in a multihull of less than 12.0m (39.4ft) LOA an outboard engine together with permanently installed fuel supply systems and fuel tank(s).
3.28.2 A propulsion engine shall be provided, EITHER as a securely covered inboard engine together with permanently installed exhaust and fuel supply systems and fuel tank(s) OR in a multihull of less than 12.0m (39.4ft) as an outboard engine with associated tanks and fuel supply systems, all securely fastened.
     
a) A separate generator for electricity is optional. However, when a separate generator is carried it shall be permanently installed, securely covered, and shall have permanently installed exhaust and fuel supply systems and fuel tank(s). A separate generator shall comply with OSR 3.28.3 (c) and (e)
3.28.3 A propulsion engine required by Special Regulations shall:-
     
a) provide a minimum speed in knots of (1.8 x square root of LWL in metres) or (square root of LWL in feet)
     
b) have a minimum amount of fuel which may be specified in the Notice of Race but if not, shall be sufficient to be able to meet charging requirements for the duration of the race and to motor at the above minimum speed for at least 8 hours
     
c) have adequate protection from the effects of heavy weather
     
d) when an electric starter is the only method for starting the engine, have a separate battery, the primary purpose of which is to start the engine
     
e) have each fuel tank provided with a shutoff valve. Except for permanently installed linings or liners, a flexible tank is not permitted as a fuel tank.
3.28.4 Batteries
     
b) It is recommended that consideration be given to the installation of sealed batteries, noting however that a special charging device may be specified by the battery manufacturers
3.29 Communications Equipment, EPFS (Electronic Position-Fixing System), Radar, AIS
      Provision of GMDSS and DSC is unlikely to be mandatory for small craft during the term of the present Special Regulations However it is recommended that persons in charge include these facilities when installi