Please check your vessels as soon as possible to ensure you are in compliance
Good morning everyone,
After the tragic loss of life of a crew member during the Ramsgate Regatta this year I feel now is an appropriate time to remind all owners and skippers of their duty towards every crew member whether cruising or racing. Below is a summary of the responsibility of the person in charge and to follow shortly will be a mandatory list of equipment etc. which every yacht must carry if they wish to race with the HCA . I realise some time may be needed to check your yacht and possibly acquire some of the equipment listed ( list to follow ) so this will come into force fully next year.
yours sincerely
Roman Purek
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PERSON IN CHARGE:
1. The safety of a yacht and her crew is the sole and inescapable responsibility of the Person in Charge, who must do his best to ensure that the yacht is fully found, thoroughly seaworthy and manned by an experienced crew who have undergone appropriate training and are physically fit to face bad weather. They must be satisfied as to the soundness of the hull, spars, rigging, sails and all gear. He must ensure that all safety equipment is properly maintained and stowed and that the crew know where it is kept and how it is to be used. He/she shall also nominate a person to take over the responsibilities of the Person in Charge in the event of his/her incapacitation.
- Neither the establishment of these Special Regulations, their use by race organisers, nor the inspection of a yacht under these regulations in any way limits or reduces the complete and unlimited responsibility of the Person in Charge.
- Decision to race – The responsibility for a yacht’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is theirs alone. RRS Fundamental Rule 4.
- All equipment required by Special Regulations shall function properly, be regularly checked, cleaned and serviced, when not in use be stowed in conditions in which deterioration is minimised, be readily accessible, be of a type, size and capacity suitable and adequate for the intended use and size of the yacht.