OST vs MCA coding

[PhillM]

So here I am in Las Palmas awaiting delivery of the boat I’m on for the ARC. I was idly looking at coding standards and it came to my attention that boats racing, even commercially, don’t need to be MCA coded provided they meet OSR regulations. I was suprised as I thought that every boat that sails commercially should be coded.

Comments / ideas?

 

[ylop]

s 28 of MGN280 covers special rules for race boats. It is important for those responsible to ensure they understand those exemptions thoroughly, and the limitations on those exemptions as if something goes wrong paperwork is the easiest thing to prove fault with.

 

[dunedin]

I think this was widely reported a few years back after an unfortunate incident returning from the ARC?
However, not sure that coding or otherwise would make a huge difference to the fundamentals of safety mid ocean.
It's the skipper, the boat, the condition of the boat - and how maintained.
What boat are you waiting for? Enjoy your trip.

 

[PhillM]

I think this was widely reported a few years back after an unfortunate incident returning from the ARC?
However, not sure that coding or otherwise would make a huge difference to the fundamentals of safety mid ocean.
It's the skipper, the boat, the condition of the boat - and how maintained.
What boat are you waiting for? Enjoy your trip.

Escaparo with sail racing academy. I’ve sailed on her for a day in Cowes week and she seemed well used but essentially OK. Tbh the coded / not coded thing is as you say irrelevant compared to the fundamentals. I am just killing time with a few courses (sea survival yesterday and today) and reading up to give me a better idea of what I will be doing when I come to do this on my own boat.

 

[dunedin]

Escaparo with sail racing academy. I’ve sailed on her for a day in Cowes week and she seemed well used but essentially OK. Tbh the coded / not coded thing is as you say irrelevant compared to the fundamentals. I am just killing time with a few courses (sea survival yesterday and today) and reading up to give me a better idea of what I will be doing when I come to do this on my own boat.

One thing I noticed from the ARC race boats was no bimimi to protect from sun. Suggest stock up on plenty of spare wide brimmed hats, as losing one could be dangerous. Plus lots of extra strength sun cream

 

[capnsensible]

Commercial operation on oceans requires a cat 0 certificate. This is very difficult to achieve, particularly the stability requirements. Generally requires specially built boats like those used in the Clipper race.

I was involved in attempting to get a code 0 for a Jenneau 45 and couldn't get the stability proven despite a couple of inclination tests. I was the very heavy weights mover......

So some commercial operators go across on the ARC ticket and class the return as a delivery. As noted, this has the potential to come unglued.