Inspections FAQs

Inspections questions?  Contact Ian McCurdy, Chief Inspector

Are Crotch Straps required for PFDs?

• No. Because of the limited availability in the U.S. and the fact that any modification to a PFD will void U.S.C.G Approval the BROC is supporting the U.S. Sailing Prescription allowing PFDs with or without crotch strap.

Is Dyneema rope a permitted material for use as lifelines?

• Under the NOR Appendix A, Race Requirements, #2, "lifelines shall be made of single stainless steel wire and follow the minimum dimensions as per OSR 3.14.6; Table 8.  This modifies OSR 3.14.6 on the use of Dyneema rope as a lifeline material."  Thus, Dyneema rope is not allowed as lifelines.

Are Grab Bags required for the Newport to Bermuda Race?

• Under the NOR Appendix A Grab Bags (abandon ship bag) are required to be carried onboard the yacht.  If a yacht has more than one life raft then a separate Grab Bag is required for each Liferaft.  The recommended contents for the Grab Bag are outlined in Newport Bermuda Race Recommendations, but should be modified to meet the particular requirements and any special needs of the crew.

My boat has an “open bow rail”.   How does the rule treat this type of pulpit configuration?

• Under ISAF 3.14.3 a bow pulpit should conform to Table 7.  Bow pulpits may be open but the opening between the pulpit and any part of the boat shall never be greater than 360mm (14.2”) (this requirement can be checked by presenting a 360mm (14.2”) circle inside the opening.  If the bow rail has greater than a 360mm (14.2”) opening then modifications will be necessary to make the bow pulpit conform to the requirements of 3.14.3.

Are white collision flares required for the 2010 Newport to Bermuda Race?

• Under 4.23.1 the only flares that are required are the following that conform to SOLAS LSA Code Chapter III not older than the stamped expiry date and not older than four years if no date is stamped:
  6-Red parachute flares LSA III 3.1
  4-Red hand flares LSA III 3.2
  2- Orange Smoke LSA III 3.3
• ISAF 4.23.2 requires that the following lights be provided and readily accessible for the purpose of collision avoidance (replacing the white flare requirement):
  a) 1-watertight torch (flashlight) with spare batteries and bulb.
  b) 1-watertight, high powered white spotlight (searchlight) with spare batteries and bulbs.

Why do I have to submit the “pre-inspection” documentation 4 days before the inspection date?

• The pre inspection documentation helps draw the Captain’s attention to some of the items that take more than a trip to the local ships chandlery to solve.  Drains can’t be re-plumbed, the life raft serviced, or the cockpit volume modified in an afternoon. It is meant to get the skippers to look at the Safety Regulations well ahead of time and solve any problems.  It also allows the paper work to be started on your boat before the inspector actually steps aboard and reminds each skipper to get the boat ready for the inspection.  Four days is about the shortest time that is manageable for this process.

How should I prepare the boat for the inspection?

• Have the Captain or another member of the crew who knows the boat and the location of all of the required gear be on hand.  They should lay out the gear if the inspector requires it, it save a lot of time. ISAF Offshore Regulations 2010-2011 Appendix “C” is a good guide to follow. The most important aspect is to make sure that all of the required gear is aboard and is in compliance with the ISAF Offshore Regulations 2010-2011 including the US Sailing Prescriptions and the NOR for the Race.  No inspector wants to have to re-inspect a boat.

How soon should I contact an inspector?

• Call an inspector today to schedule a date.  Inspectors are available to answer any questions you may have about the preparation of your boat.  They also will be able to help you understand regulations and how to comply for the race.  You will find the inspectors most helpful with any of your questions.

Do I need to have all of my rating certificates in order to get an inspection?

• No, the inspector is here to look at the boat and the safety gear.  But in order to race you must submit all of the rating documentation by the cut off date.

I am renting a life raft for the race. Does it need to be onboard for the inspection?

• No, but you will need to have a letter from the rental company stating that you are renting the raft and have a copy of the inspection certificate. The same policy would apply if you were renting a MOM, EPIRB or any other piece of safety gear.

I have a vacuum packed life raft in a valise; the manufacturer states that it does not need to be inspected and recertified for another 3 years. Do I need to have the raft inspected and recertified?

• Yes, under the Offshore Regulations 2010-2011, ISAF 4.20.5 any valise type of life raft needs to have an annual inspection and a certified copy of such an inspection shall be kept onboard the boat with another copy submitted to the race committee.

My lifelines are vinyl coated; can I enter the race with them?

• No, under ISAF regulation 3.14.6 lifelines shall be uncoated stranded stainless wire.

Can I have temporary covers on my lifelines? 

• Yes, as long the temporary covers are removed regularly for inspection.

I use the Fortress type of anchors and usually leave them disassembled in the bag; can I race with them disassembled?

• No, under ISAF 4.06.1 all anchors are to be ready for immediate use.

I have a MOBRI radar reflector; can I use it for this race?

• Only if it meets ISAF 4.10.2 with the US Sailing prescription of a documented equivalent echoing area of 6 sq. m.  Octahedral reflectors shall have a minimum diameter of 12 inches.

I won’t have 80% of my Bermuda Race crew aboard, till just before the start, to complete the ‘Onboard Training Certificate” as required in the NOR, Appendix A.  How can I get this completed in time and still compete in the race?

• You can conduct the actual drills the morning of the start and turn in the certificate after the finish in Bermuda.  If you do not turn in the Training Certificate by the Bermuda deadline you will not be scored in the race.

My crew is located all over the world; will the committee accept facsimile signatures on the requested documents?

• Yes.

My boat does not have a topping lift or vang: will my mainsail reefing lazy jacks qualify as a means of supporting the boom under ISAF 3.25 with the US Sailing Prescriptions?

• Yes, your mainsail lazy jacks qualify as topping lifts as long as they are able to support the weight of the boom and mainsail without failure.

I have all of my charts stored electronically on my boat’s computer and navigate from them; do I need to carry paper charts and the associated plotting gear

• Yes, under ISAF 4.11.1 Navigational charts (not solely electronic), light list and chart plotting equipment shall be provided.

My crew brings all of their own safety gear: harnesses and inflatable life jackets: do I need to have all of the safety harnesses and tethers onboard for my inspection?

• Yes, the inspector needs to see that all of the gear is aboard for the inspection; the only exception is for rental gear - life rafts, MOMS, EPIRBS and storm sails.

I looked at the ISAF web site and I can’t find a copy of any of the First AidManuals as listed in the ISAF 4.08.1 a), b) and c) they all seem to be European books. What other First Aid books are available that will meet the requirements of the race?

• US Sailing endorses the books as listed in 4.08.1 and additionally recommends the following manuals: “Advanced First Aid by Peter Eastman, M.D”, Cornell Marine Press and a “Comprehensive Guide to Marine Medicine by Eric A. Weiss, M.D. and Michael E Jacobs, M.D.” Adventure Medical Kits.

Special Regulations SECTION 3.27.4 covers reserve navigation lights. Comment on the meaning of: (1) separable power source; and (2) essentially separate wiring/supply systems. In your answer please discuss "flashlight battery type" portable emergency lights. Also address whether (on a yacht of less than 20 meters) the requirements of this Regulation are met by having the standard side and stern lights as one set, with a masthead tri-color providing the alternate set.

• Reserve navigation lights are required with the same power as the regular lights along with separate power and wiring. A practical way of meeting this requirement for yachts (under 20 meters) is to have a prominent tri-color mounted at the masthead as one set of lights and a bi-color light on the pulpit and a stern light on the pushpit as the reserve set. Wiring may be separate up to the battery selector switch and panel where it is usual to have a choice between house and engine batteries.
• Sometimes boats present reserve navigation lights in the form of "flashlight battery type" with disposable dry batteries, Cyalume-type chemical light sticks ( ideal emergency low-level lighting) in red and green. None of these is fit for the purpose of navigation lights due to their lack of output power.

I understand that the TSA has a policy regarding the transportation of PFD's with CO2 cylinders on airlines, do you know what those changes are?

• TSA policies are in a state of flux at the moment.  Sailors should check with the airlines directly to find out if the CO2 cylinder can be taken on board.
  

Still have questions? Contact Inspections@bermudarace.com