ISAF Cat 3 Regs Question

[Ceirwan]

So I'm getting Oppertune up to spec to race in Cat 3 events, I've worked though the regs and made up a list.

Most the stuff is fairly self explanatory obvious stuff, but I have a query regarding section 4.22.

4.22 Crew Overboard Identification and Recovery
4.22.1 Locator Beacons
4.22.2 GPS Crew Overboard Position
** Within reach of the helmsman and ready for instant use:
** 4.22.3 a lifebuoy with a self-igniting light and a drogue
** 4.22.6 Each inflatable lifebuoy and any automatic device shall be tested and serviced at intervals in accordance with its
manufacturer’s instructions
** 4.22.7 A heaving line, no less than 6 mm (1/4")diameter, 15 - 25 m (50 - 75’) long, readily accessible to cockpit
MoMu0,1,2,3 4.22.8 A recovery sling which includes a:
MoMu0,1,2,3 a) buoyant line of length no less than the shorter of 4 times LH or 36m (120')
MoMu0,1,2,3 b) buoyancy section (horseshoe) with no less than 90 N (20#) buoyancy
MoMu0,1,2,3 c) minimum strength capable to hoist a crewmember aboard

I have a GPS with MOB button, but this is situated down at the chart table, all I have in the cockpit is a repeater, its not very clear in the wording if this is acceptable?

Locator Beacons, it doesn't elaborate at all, are these a requirement? Because fitting all lifejackets out with PLBs or AIS beacons would be pretty expensive, and also I think unnecessary for CAT3 races, no boat I know around here has them fitted.

How is everyone else managing these Reqs?

 

[Ingwe]

The way I read it is that your ok - if your unsure about the wording of any of the special regs go and look at the same section for Cat 0 and it normally becomes fairly obvious what they mean - in this case the "Locator Beacons" is just a heading that they haven't removed from the regs the same section from Cat 0 reads -

4.22.1 Locator Beacons
MoMu0 a) A PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) equipped with 406Mhz and 121.5Mhz for each crew member
MoMu0,1 b) An AIS personal crew overboard beacon for each crew member
MoMu0 c) A personal unit in addition to the PLB in OSR 4.22.1 b) if the location device carried by the boat in accordance with OSR 3.29.07 requires it;
MoMu0,1,2 d) Where possible every PLB shall be registered with the appropriate authority associated with the country code in the hexadecimal identification (15 Hex ID) of the beacon. A beacon can be registered online with the Cospas-Sarsat IBRD if the country does not provide a registration facility and the country has allowed direct registration in the IBRD.

So Cat 3 isn't mentioned under any of the requirements for carrying AIS locator beacons or PLB's.

 

[Ceirwan]

Great stuff, thanks. In hindsight I should have read the full version rather than the abridged ones.

So if I'm reading it right. I need a:
- Heaving line (Got that)
- Lifebuoy with self igniting light and drogue. (I have a Dan buoy attached to a horseshoe buoy, with light which I think covers this, just need to add a drogue.)
- In addition to all this. a recovery sling with another length of line that's strong enough to recover a MOB. Although reading the regs, the recovery sling could be in an easy to access place like the cockpit locker. (As with all this I'm running out of pushpit space)

 

[Martin_J]

Ceirwan - I've not got the regulations to hand and I'm writing from my phone but I think you'll find another section that says you have to have identification such as the boat name permanently marked on these items as well as solas grade retro-reflective tape on life rings as well. . Good luck with the rest of the list. It's all good stuff.