NOR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Updated 6/12/12
Caution: nothing in these Q&A should be construed as a rule or amendment thereof.
“OSR” means 2012-2013 International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Offshore Special Regulations (OSR), Category 1, including US Sailing Prescriptions
TRAINING/SAFETY-AT-SEA SEMINAR
Also see Safety at Sea Seminar FAQ.
Q. Does the Bermuda Race require on-board training?
A. Yes. Prior to the start, the Captain and not less than 80% of the crew shall participate in on-board training covering MOB, storm sails, safety harnesses, life jackets, dismasting, and other topics. For example, all on board are required to don and adjust their life jacket and safety harness and tether, and then stow them where sailors have personal access while underway. In addition, before the race start 100% of the crew shall attend a safety meeting. (See NOR 6.04, below, for details.)
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6.01 |
TRAINING |
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BROC prescribes that: (1) the crew satisfying OSR 6.01 shall include the navigator or watch captain, and (2) training under OSR 6.03 is recommended but not required. |
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6.04 |
Routine Training Onboard |
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6.04.1 |
BROC prescribes that the Captain and not less than 80% of the crew of each yacht shall, prior to the start of the race, participate in on-board training, including man overboard practice, sailing with the storm trysail, use of the life raft, lifejackets, safety harnesses and main boom preventer, communications equipment, pyrotechnics, EPIRBs, fire prevention, fire fighting and the procedures for abandoning ship, dismasting and rudder/steering loss or failure. Participating crew shall sign the On Board Training Certificate printed from the online source. |
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6.04.2 |
BROC prescribes that yachts shall be able to demonstrate the ability to return to a man-overboard in reasonable time, to the satisfaction of the BROC. |
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6.04.3 |
BROC prescribes that the Captain and 100% of the crew shall attend a meeting aboard the yacht on the day of her start before her warning signal, during which meeting:
(a) The Captain or designee shall review safety topics he or she deems appropriate, including, at a minimum, a description of the yacht’s policy and applicable rules regarding the use of lifejackets, harnesses and tethers as required herein and by the OSR; and
(b) The entire yacht’s complement shall don lifejackets, harnesses, tethers and crotch straps; and then mark and stow the gear below decks where they will have individual access to it once underway.
The Captain shall certify compliance with this prescription on the Certificate of Compliance to be submitted at Bermuda Check-In (NOR 14.4). |
Q. I’m a Captain (aka “skipper”). Do I have to go to a safety at sea seminar?
A. Yes. All Captains in the Newport Bermuda Race shall/must have attended a sanctioned Safety at Sea Seminar within five years prior to June 15, 2012. See OSR 6.01.
Q. Do we have to do the hands-on, pool-type safety-at-sea seminar?
A. Not this year, but we recommend it. See NOR App. A, 6.01.
Q. We’re double-handers. Do both of us have to go to a safety at sea seminar?
A. Yes. See OSR 6.01 and the BROC Prescription to it in NOR App. A (including “watch captain”).
Q. Do the crew who satisfy the first-aid requirements of 6.05.2 also have to go to a safety-at-sea seminar under 6.01?
A. No, but it’s recommended. See NOR App. A, 6.05.2 (bottom of NOR p.16).
Q: Does the Red Cross First Aid Course at the March Safety at Sea seminar in Newport satisfy the requirements of the Senior First Aid Certificate?
A. Yes. Each person attending that track on Sunday March 18 will receive both a First Aid Card and a CPR Card. OSR 6.05.2 requires two Senior First Aid Certificates for Category 1 races. Senior First Aid Certificates include CPR. The US courses that meet that definition are listed at http://offshore.ussailing.org/SAS/Senior_First_Aid_Certification.htm
ELECTRONICS/COMMUNICATIONS
Q. Do I need a satellite phone?
A. Yes. You must have a satellite phone turned-on during the entire race (starting the day before the race), and it must be connected to the boat’s power and an external antenna. See NOR App. A, 3.29.1 (b) (includes network reliability standards).
Q. Do I need a “MOB button” at the helm(s)?
A. Yes! See OSR 4.28.3, “Man Overboard Alarm: A yacht shall be equipped with an EPFS (e.g., GPS) capable of immediately recording a man overboard position from each helm station.” This requirement may be met by installing a MOB button at each steering station and connecting it to a remote, functioning GPS. Alternatively, a hand-held GPS with a MOB button may be mounted at each helm station and either hardwired to the boat’s main battery or powered by batteries that will be changed as required to maintain full-time functionality.
Q. Do I need an SSB?
A. Not if you have short-wave receiver. But see NOR App. A, 3.29.1(f).
Q. Do I need an AIS?
A. Not for 2012, but we recommend it. See NOR App. A, 3.29.1(n) (middle of NOR p.15).
MISCELLANEOUS
Q: I've read Amendment 3 to the NOR and Amendment 2 to the SI. What should I do if I think someone broke a Part 2 rule?
A. You may protest according to the rules. The jury may impose suitable penalties other than disqualification, including time penalties, if it finds that a yacht broke a rule.
Q: What does NOR Amendment #2, dated April 9, 2012, do?
A: In plain language, this amendment:
1. Allows yachts that are larger than 100' to apply to the OA to enter the Open Division. (permission will be in the discretion of the OA)
2. Adds the Spirit of Tradition division for yachts under 100' that the OA feels cannot be fairly rated under ORR. The only entrant is the Spirit of Bermuda, and it will likely be scored on elapsed time only. The trophy is TBA.
Q. May I enter a dual scoring division with an ORR certificate for an asymmetrical spinnaker and an IRC certificate for a symmetrical spinnaker?
A. Yes. However, note that NOR 2.9 and 9.2 require that her configuration (including sails) complies with both ORR and IRC if she is entered to race under both ratings. In addition, ORR Rule 9.05.1 (b) would prohibit her from carrying a spinnaker pole if she is rated under ORR for asymmetrical spinnakers.
Q. Do we have to wear life-jackets at the start and finish?
A. You should, but they are only required between sunset and sunrise or when the mainsail is reefed. See NOR App. A, 5.02.
Q. Do we (captain and crew) have to get an ISAF Sailor ID?
A. Yes. Every person in the race must have a valid and current ISAF Sailor ID. See NOR 8, RRS 79, and ISAF Regulation 22.
Still have questions? Email DocsQuestions@bermudarace.com