BLACKWATER YACHT RACING ASSOCIATION

MODIFIED PHRF STANDARDS March 11, 2000

During an Officers meeting on January 15th, 2000, it was suggested that the Handicap Committee obtain, and review, a copy of U. S. Sailing’s “Safety Recommendations for Offshore Sailing”. This publication includes the “ORC Special Regulations Governing Offshore Racing for Monohulls and Multihulls … Structural Features, Yacht Equipment and Personal Equipment”. The Committee was assigned the task of establishing BYRA’s “MODIFIED PHRF STANDARDS”.

Before wading into the meat of this issue, please consider the following:

BYLAWS: Article 1 - Organization and Purpose, Section 2.Purpose: The purpose of BYRA is to establish and maintain an entity dedicated to the enjoyment of sailboat racing on the waters of Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. BYRA shall strive to maintain the highest levels of safety, sportsmanship, and fellowship in all of its activities.

Article III Officers and Board of Directors, Section 1 D: The Handicap Committee shall annually review, establish and publish the PHRF ratings prior to the first race of the Spring Series. In the event that a member or regatta participant registers a yacht which is not presently rated, the Handicap Committee will be responsible for establishing the appropriate handicap.

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS: 6. Scoring and Awards: Races are handicapped according to a modified “PHRF” standard established by the BYRA Handicap Committee.

Note: Other than these references, the Committee found no other “guidelines” for BYRA’s use of PHRF Numbers.

NOTE

Unless otherwise indicated, it is assumed that U. S. Sailing’s “Safety Recommendations for Offshore Sailing”, 1998/99 Issue, for Structural Features, Stability and Fixed Equipment are inherently met through yacht design and manufacturing processes. Therefore, only certain items/issues have been selected for consideration.

It is assumed that the racing yacht has not been significantly altered from it’s original class design and equipment complement. If racing as a “One-Design Rig” (ODR), the yacht must be equipped according to their one-design class rule configuration.

It is assumed that The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries safety equipment requirements prevail over stated U.S.S. PHRF requirements. These guidelines are clearly defined in the “Virginia Watercraft Owners Guide”. This Guide covers Numbering and Registration, Equipment Regulations, Navigation Rules, and Safe Boating. Every boater in this state is mandated to meet these Requirements. (These booklets are available for review. Contact the Fleet Captain).

THE BLACKWATER YACHT RACING ASSOCIATION DOES NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY OF YACHTS AND CREWS THROUGH THE APPLICATION OF GUIDELINES PRESENTED HEREIN. RATHER, EACH OWNER AND/OR SKIPPER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR YACHT, CREW AND GUESTS. BY ENTERING AND PARTICIPATING IN ANY B.Y.R.A. EVENT, THEY WARRANT THAT THEIR YACHT IS SEAWORTHY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SOUNDNESS OF THE HULL, SPARS, RIGGING, AND ALL GEAR AND EQUIPMENT, AND THAT THE CREW IS EXPERIENCED AND IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION TO SAFELY AND PROPERLY PARTICIPATE IN THE EVENT IN ALL TYPES OF WEATHER.

THE DECISION TO PARTICIPATE LIES SOLELY WITH THE OWNER AND/OR SKIPPER.

Handicap Committee: Warren Ibaugh, Fleet Captain (Spin & Cruising) and Chair; Robert Bowles, Vice Commodore; Ken Bay, Cruising Fleet; Don Davis, Spinnaker Fleet, 2-12-‘00

B.Y.R.A.MODIFIED PHRF STANDARDS (Recommendations noted in blue print)

Distilled FROM THE 1998 - 1999 SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OFFSHORE YACHTS
U. S. Sailing Publication # 51011 _______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

p. 5 1998 - 1999 Special Regulations Governing Offshore Racing for Monohulls and Multihulls, with U. S. Sailing Prescriptions in bold italics.

This covers Fundamentals, General Requirements, Equipment and Safety Equipment.

p.7 Fundamentals and Definitions - Establish minimum equip. & accommodation standards.

p.8 Section 2 - APPLICATION & GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.01 Categories of Offshore Events

(a) Category 0: Trans-Ocean races, Yachts completely self-sufficient for very extended periods of time.

(b) Category 1: Races of long distance and well offshore.

(c) Category 2: U. S. sailing prescribes that Category 2 races are of extended duration along or not far removed from shorelines where a high degree of self- sufficiency is required of yachts but with the reasonable probability that outside assistance would be available for aid in the event of serious emergencies.

(d) Category 3: Races across open water, most of which is relatively protected or close to shorelines, including races for small yachts.

(e) Category 4: Short races, close to shore in relatively warm or protected waters normally held in daylight.

B.Y.R.A.: CATEGORY 4

p.9 2.03 General Requirements

Required by; All, Cat. 4

Yes____ No X

(d) Navigation lights shall be shown as required by the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea. All yachts shall exhibit sidelights and a sternlight at the required times.

Required by: All, Cat. 0 to 4

B.Y.R.A: VIRGINIA SATE REQUIREMENTS PREVAIL

p.9 Section 3 - STRUCTURAL FEATURES, STABILITY, FIXED EQUIPMENT
p.12 3.11 Lifelines, Stanchions and Pulpits. U. S. Sailing Prescription: “All

crew working areas shall be protected by lifelines or jackstays and

safety harness attachment points. Lifelines or jackstays with or

without harness attachment points may be substituted for pulpits”.

Required by: All Cat. 0 to 4

Yes____ No X

p.16 3.13(b) - Toilet, securely installed or fitted bucket.

Required by: All Cat. 3-4

Yes____ No X

Page 2 Distilled Safety Requirements

p.16 3.14(a) - Bunks, securely installed

Required by All Cat. 1 - 4

Yes____ No X

p.16 3.15(b) - Galley facilities

Required by: All Cat. 4

Yes____ No X

p.17 3.18(e) - Manual bilge pump

Required by: Monohull Cat.4

Yes____ No X RECOMMENDED

P.17 3.18(g) - Two Buckets of stout construction each with at least 9 liters (2.4 U. S. gallons capacity. Each with a lanyard.

Required by: All

Yes____ No X RECOMMENDED 1

p.17 3.19(a) - Compass, marine type, properly installed and adjusted.

Required by: All

Yes____ No X

p.17 3.20 - Halyards. No mast shall have less that two halyards, each capable of hoisting a sail.

Required by: All

Yes____ No X

p.17 3.20(b) - U. S. Sailing Prescription: Boom Support: 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.

Required by: All

Yes____ No X Recommended 1

p.17 3.23(a & b) Permanently installed engine. All 0-2. Propulsion engine. All 3

Propulsion, w/ sufficient fuel REQUIRED

p.18 3.24(b) Marine Radio: A VHF transceiver should include Channel 72( an international ship-ship channel which, by “common use” could become an accepted yacht-yacht channel for ocean racing yachts anywhere in the world). Required All 0-4. U. S. Sailing: Prescribes the above is not required for Cat. 4.

Accept U. S. Sailing Prescription Yes____ N0 X

3.24(c) An emergency antenna shall be provided when the regular antenna depends upon the mast. Required All 0-4 U. S. Sailing: Prescribes the above is not required in Cat. 4.

Accept U. S. Sailing Prescription Yes____ N0 X

p.18 3.23(d) Batteries: When an electric starter is the only provision for starting the engine, a separate battery shall be carried, the primary purpose of which is to start the engine. Required for all 0-4

Yes____ No X

3.24(e) Radio receiver capable of receiving weather bulletins.

Required by: All 0-4

Yes____ No X Recommended 1

Page 3 Distilled Safety Requirements
p.19 Section 4 PORTABLE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES for the YACHT 4.02 Soft wood plugs, tapered and of the appropriate size, to be attached or adjacent to the appropriate fitting for every through-hull opening.

Required by: All

Yes____ No X Recommended

p.20 4.04 Fire Extinguishers, at least two, readily accessible in suitable and different parts of the yacht.

Required by: All

B.Y.R.A.: VIRGINIA STATE REQUIREMENTS PREVAIL

p.20 4.06(b) Flashlight, watertight, with spare batteries and bulb.

Required by: All 4

Yes____ No X Recommended

p.20 4.07(b & c) First Aid Manuals and Kit U. S. Sailing Prescription: Endorsed 3 specific manuals for All, and an appropriate kit.

Mandate Specifics Yes____ No X

B.Y.R.A.: RECOMMEND MARINE FIRST AID KIT AND MANUAL

p.20 4.07(d) The ORC recommends that at least one member of the crew should be familiar with the management of medical emergencies that may occur at sea and radio communications operations for obtaining medical advice by radio and (if carried) by Satcom.

Required by: All

Yes____ No X Recommended

p.20 4.08 Foghorn. All B.Y.R.A.: VIRGINIA STATE REQUIREMENTS PREVAIL

p.20 4.09 Radar Reflector Required by: All Yes____ No X

p.20 4.10 Charts. U. S. Sailing: Prescribes the charts, light list and piloting equipment is not required for Category 4.

Accept U.S.S. Prescription Yes____ No X

p.20 4.12 Echo Sounder or lead line. All. Yes____ No X

p.21 4.14(b) Emergency Steering - Crews must be aware of alternative methods of steering the yacht in any sea condition in the event of rudder loss. At least one method must have been proven to work on board the yacht. An inspector may require that this method be demonstrated. Required by: All

Yes____ No X

p.21 4.15 Tools and Spare Parts, including adequate means to disconnect or sever the standing rigging from the hull in case of need. Required by: All

Yes____ No X

p.21 4.16 Yachts Name on miscellaneous buoyant equipment, such as lifejackets, oars, cushions, lifebuoys and lifeslings, etc. Required by: All

Yes____ No X

p.21 4.17 Marine Grade Retro-Reflective Material shall be fitted to life-buoys, life-slings, liferafts and lifejackets. Required by: All

Yes____ No___

B.Y.R.A: VIRGINIA STATE REQUIREMENTS PREVAIL

Page 4 Distilled Safety Regulations

p.22 4.21(a) Lifebuoys - with drogue OR Lifesling (without a drogue)equipped with a self-igniting light within easy reach of the helmsman and ready for instant use. U. S. Sailing: Prescription for Category 4, the lifebuoy must be inherently buoyant. Required by: All Yes____ No____

B.Y.R.A.: VIRGINIA STATE REQUIREMENTS PREVAIL

p.23 4.21(e) Lifebuoys - Every lifebuoy and lifesling shall be fitted with marine grade retro-reflective material (see 4.17). Required by: All

Yes____ No X

p.23 4.22 Pyrotechnic Signals Required by; All Yes____ No____

B.Y.R.A.: VIRGINIA STATE REQUIREMENTS PREVAIL

p.23 4.23(a) Heaving line (the throwing sock type) 15m - 25m (50 ft- 75ft) length readily accessible to cockpit. U. S. Sailing: Prescription that the heaving line be of 3/4 in. (6mm) minimum diameter, floating, UV-inhibited and readily accessible to the cockpit. Required by: All 0-4

Accept Gen’l reg. Yes____ No____; Accept USS Yes____ NO____

B.Y.R.A.: RECOMMENDED

p.23 4.24(d & e) Storm and Heavy Weather Sails, mandatory sails: (d) One heavy weather jib (or heavy weather sail in a yacht with no forstay) of area not greater than 13.5% height of the foretriangle squared and without reef points. The ORC recommends that the heavy-weather jib does not contain adromatic polyamids, carbon fibers and other high modulus fibers.
Required by: All Yes____ No X
(e) Either: a storm trysail (with stated attachment requirements in 4.24(b)); or, Mainsail reefing to reduce the luff by at least 40%.

Required by All 3-4 Yes____ No X

p.24 SECTION 5 - PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

Section 5.01 deals with Lifejackets. The Virginia Regulations cover this.

Accept Virginia Regulations Yes X No____ Yes__X__ No____

p.25 5.08 U. S. Sailing recommends Annual Man Overboard Practice with certificate signed by crew members.

All, Yes____ No X RECOMMENDED

p.25 5.09 U. S. Sailing recommends CPR Training for at least 2 crew members.

Yes____ No X RECOMMENDED

p.25 5.10 U. S. Sailing recommends that a preventer or boom restraining device should be rigged in such a manner that attachment can be easily and quickly made, with the boom fully extended (running), without leaving the deck or leaning overboard. A process and plan for its use should be part of the crew’s training and practice. Recommended for: All 0-4

Yes____ No X RECOMMENDED

B.Y.R.A. MODIFIED PHRF STANDARDS Document, Handicap Committee 2000, February 12, 2000
Messrs. Ibaugh, Bowles, Bay & Davis

ADOPTED by the Board of Directors March 11, 2000