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Marion Bermuda Race Safety Requirements for Monohulls

May 10, 2023

Yachts competing in the 2023 Marion Bermuda Race must comply with the safety requirements specified in this document. Every yacht entered in the race is subject to inspection both before and after the race. Failure to be in compliance may result in invalidation of entry or a time penalty.

The Marion Bermuda Race Safety Requirements are a version of US Sailing's United States Safety Equipment Requirements ("USSER"), effective January 1, 2022, revision 2022.0 which can be found on the US Sailing website (ussailing.org). The numbering system used below conforms with the USSER, and the absence of sequential numbers in this document indicates provisions not applicable to the Marion Bermuda Race.

The USSER have been modified to make them more applicable to the Marion Bermuda Race by changing some requirements to recommendations and by changing and adding a few requirements. The changes or additions specific to the Marion Bermuda Race are indicated by the use of bold italic text. )

Requirement 2.5.2 is amended as of 2/24/23.

Requirement 3.2.4 is amended as of 4/13/2023.

Requirement 3.8.4 is amended as of 5/10/2023.

 OVERALL
1.1The Safety Equipment Requirements establish uniform minimum equipment and training standards for a variety of boats racing in differing conditions. These regulations do not replace, but rather supplement, the requirements of applicable local or national authority for boating, the Racing Rules of Sailing, the rules of Class Associations and any applicable rating rules.
1.2Responsibility: The safety of a boat and her crew is the sole and inescapable responsibility of the "person in charge", as per RRS 46, who shall ensure that the boat is seaworthy and manned by an experienced crew with sufficient ability and experience to face bad weather. S/he shall be satisfied as to the soundness of hull, spars, rigging, sails and all gear. S/he shall ensure that all safety equipment is at all times properly maintained and safely stowed and that the crew knows where it is kept and how it is to be used.
1.3Inspections: A boat may be inspected at any time by an equipment inspector or measurer appointed for the event. If she does not comply with these regulations, her entry may be rejected or she will be subject to a protest filed by the RC. A Violation of the Safety Equipment Requirements may result in a penalty other than disqualification.
1.4Equipment and Knowledge: All equipment required shall function properly, be regularly checked, cleaned and serviced, and be of a type, size and capacity suitable for the intended use and size of the boat and the size of the crew. This equipment shall be readily accessible while underway and, when not in use, stored in such a way that deterioration is minimized.
1.5Secure Storage: A boat's heavy items such as batteries, stoves, toolboxes, anchors, chain and internal ballast shall be secured.
1.6Strength of Build: A boat shall be strongly built, watertight and, particularly with regard to hulls, decks and cabin trunks, capable of withstanding solid water and knockdowns. A boat shall be properly rigged and ballasted, be fully seaworthy and shall meet the standards set forth herein. A boat's shrouds and at least one forestay shall remain attached at all times.
1.7Watertight Integrity: A boat's hull, including, deck, coach roof, windows, hatches and all other parts, shall form an integral watertight unit, and any openings in it shall be capable of being immediately secured to maintain this integrity.
 HULL AND STRUCTURE
2.1.1Hull Openings: A boat's companionway(s) shall be capable of being blocked off to main deck level (sheerline). The method of blocking should be solid, watertight, and rigidly secured, if not permanent.
2.1.2Hull Openings: A boat's hatch boards, whether or not in position in the hatchway, shall be secured in a way that prevents their being lost overboard.
2.1.3Cockpit: A boat's entire cockpit shall be solid, watertight, strongly fastened and/or sealed. Weather-tight seat hatches are acceptable only if capable of being secured when closed.
2.1.4Cockpit Drains: A boat's cockpit drains shall be capable of draining six inches of water in 5 minutes. One square inch (645mm2) of effective drain per eight square feet (0.743m2) of cockpit sole will meet this requirement.
2.1.6Through Hulls: A boat's through-hull openings below the waterline shall be equipped with sea cocks or valves, except for integral deck scuppers, speed transducers, depth finder transducers and the like; however a means of closing such openings shall be provided.
2.2.1Stability: The boat must have a stability index greater than or equal to 115, or meet the requirements of ISO 12217-2A
2.2.3Stability: A boat with moveable or variable ballast (water or canting keel) shall comply with the requirements of Appendix K.
2.2.4Stability: A boat with moveable or variable water ballast shall have a Knockdown Recovery Factor greater than or equal to 0.9.
2.3.1Head: A boat shall be equipped with a head or a fitted bucket.
2.3.2Bunks: A boat shall have bunks sufficient to accommodate the off watch crew.
2.3.3Stove: A boat shall have a stove with a fuel shutoff.
2.3.3.1Fire Blanket: A boat shall have a fire blanket adjacent to each stove.
2.3.4Water Storage: A boat shall have an installed water tank and delivery system and shall carry at the start of the race at least five (5) gallons of water per person. Care should be taken to ensure potable water is accessible to the crew in the event of a failure of the primary water delivery system.
2.3.5Hand Holds: A boat shall have adequate hand holds below decks.
2.4.1Lifelines: A boat's deck including the headstay shall be surrounded by a suitably strong enclosure, typically consisting of lifelines and pulpits, meeting the requirements in 2.4.2 to 2.4.8.
2.4.2Lifeline Stanchions: A boat's stanchion and pulpit bases shall be within the working deck.
2.4.3Bow Pulpit: Bow pulpits may be open, but the opening between the vertical portion of stanchion pulpit and any part of the boat shall not exceed 14.2" (360mm).
2.4.4Lifelines: Lifelines shall be uncoated stainless steel wire. A multipart-lashing segment not to exceed 4" per end termination for the purpose of attaching lifelines to pulpits is allowed. Lifelines shall be taut.
2.4.5Lifeline Stanchion Spacing: The maximum spacing between lifeline supports (e.g. stanchions and pulpits) shall be 87" (2.2m).
2.4.7Lifelines: Boats 30" and over (9.14m) shall have at least two lifelines with 24" (762mm) minimum height above deck, and a maximum vertical gap of 15" (381mm). The minimum diameter will be 5/32" (4mm) for boats to 43" (13.1m) and 3/16" (5mm) for boats over 43" (13.1m).
2.4.8Toe Rails: Toe rails shall be fitted around the foredeck from the base of the mast with a minimum height of 3/4" (18mm) for boats under 30" (9.14m) and 1" (25mm) for boats over 30". An additional installed lifeline that is 1-2" (25-51mm) above the deck will satisfy this requirement for boats without toerails.
2.5.1Dewatering pumps: A boat shall have a permanently installed manual bilge pump of at least a 10 GPM (37.8 liter per minute) capacity and which is operable from on deck with the cabin closed with the discharge not dependent on an open hatch. Unless permanently attached to the pump, the bilge pump handle shall be securely attached to the boat in its vicinity via a lanyard or catch. A bilge pump discharge shall not be connected to a cockpit drain. The bilge pump shall not discharge into a cockpit unless that cockpit opens aft to the sea.
2.5.2Dewatering pumps: A boat shall have a second manual bilge pump of at least 10 GPM (37.8 liter per minute) capacity, operable from below deck, meeting the same criteria as above. The pump may be mounted on a board.
2.6Mast and Rigging: A boat shall have the heel of a keel-stepped mast securely fastened to the mast step or adjoining structure.
2.7.1Mechanical Propulsion: A boat shall have a mechanical propulsion system that is quickly available and capable of driving the boat at a minimum speed in knots equivalent to the square root of LWL in feet (1.81 times the square root of the waterline in meters) for 10 hours.
2.7.1.1Mechanicaol Propulsion: A boat shall carry at the start of the race enough fuel to power for 10 hours.
2.7.3Mechanical Propulsion Installati: The boat's engine and generator installation (if so equipped) must conform to ABYC, ISO, or U.S. Coast Guard standards.
2.7.4Batteries: A boat's onboard rechargeable batteries shall be of the sealed type or be installed in such a way that electrolyte cannot escape in the event of inversion.
 SAFETY EQUIPMENT
3.1.1Lifejackets: Each crewmember shall have a life jacket that provides at least 33.7lbs (150N) of buoyancy, intended to be worn over the shoulders (no belt pack), meeting either U.S. Coast Guard or ISO specifications. Alternatively, each crewmember shall have an inherently buoyant off-shore life jacket that provides at least 22lbs (100N) of buoyancy meeting either U.S. Coast Guard or ISO specifications.
3.1.2Lifejacket Features: Life jackets shall be equipped with crotch or leg straps, a whistle, a waterproof light, be fitted with marine-grade retro-reflective material, and be clearly marked with the boat's or wearer's name, and be compatible with the wearer's safety harness. If the life jacket is inflatable, it shall be regularly checked for air retention.
3.1.4Harness: Each crewmember shall have a safety harness and compatible safety tether not more than 6'7" (2m) long with a minimum tensile strength of 4500 Ib. (20kN). The tether shall have a snap hook at its far end and a means to quickly disconnect the tether at the chest end.
3.2.1Jacklines: A boat shall carry jacklines with a breaking strength of at least 4500 lb. (20kN) which allow the crew to reach all points on deck, connected to similarly strong attachment points, in place while racing.
3.2.2Clipping Points: A boat shall have adequate clipping points or jacklines that allow the crew to clip on before coming on deck and unclip after going below.
3.2.4Deck Safety: It is strongly recommended that life jackets as described in 3.1.1 - 3.1.2 be worn at all times by all crew in the cockpit or on deck. It is strongly recommended that all crew in the cockpit or on deck shall be attached to the boat with a harness as described in 3.1.4 in any conditions where recovery might be difficult, for example from sunset to sunrise, during rough weather and when sails are being changed or reefed.
3.3.1Navigation Lights: A boat racing between sunset and sunrise shall carry navigation lights that meet U. S. Coast Guard or applicable government requirements mounted so that they will not be obscured by the sails nor be located below deck level.
3.3.2Navigation Lights: A boat shall have a second set of navigation lights that comply with US Coast Guard or applicable government requirements and which can be connected to a different power source than the primary lights.
3.4Fire Extinguishers: A boat shall carry fire extinguisher(s) that meets U.S. Coast Guard or applicable government requirements, when applicable.
3.5Sound Producing Equipment: A boat shall carry sound-making devices that meets U.S. Coast Guard or applicable government requirements, when applicable.
3.6.1Smoke Flares: A boat shall carry two SOLAS orange smoke flares not older than the expiration date.
3.6.1.1Visual Distress Signals: It is strongly recommended that a boat shall carry six SOLAS red parachute flares not older than the expiration date.
3.6.3Hand Flares: A boat shall carry four SOLAS red hand flares not older than the expiration date.
3.6.5Raft Flares: Boat flares stored inside of life rafts may not be used to satisfy the flare requirement.
3.7.1Crew Overboard Sling: A boat shall carry a Lifesling or equivalent man overboard rescue device equipped with a self igniting light stored on deck and ready for immediate use.
3.7.2Crew Overboard Equipment: A boat shall have a man overboard pole and flag, with a lifebuoy, a self-igniting light, a whistle, and a drogue attached. A self-inflating Man Overboard Module, Dan Buoy or similar device will satisfy this requirement. Self-inflating apparatus shall be tested and serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. These items shall be stored on deck, ready for immediate use, and affixed in a manner that allows for a "quick release".
3.7.3Throw Line: A boat shall have a throwing sock-type heaving line of 50" (15m) or greater of floating polypropylene line readily accessible to the cockpit.
3.7.4Throwable Device: A boat shall carry a Coast Guard or applicable government approved "throwable device". If the device carried under 3.7.1 or 3.7.2 satisfies this requirement, then no additional device is needed.
3.8.1Fixed Mount VHF: A boat shall have a permanently installed 25-watt VHF radio connected to a masthead antenna by a co-axial feeder cable with no more than a 40% power loss. Such radio shall have DSC capability, have an antenna of at least 15" (381mm) in length, be connected to or have an internal GPS, and have the assigned MMSI number (unique to the boat) programed into the VHF.
3.8.2Handheld VHF: A boat shall have a watertight handheld VHF radio or a handheld VHF radio with waterproof cover. This radio shall have DSC/GPS capability with an MMSI number properly registered to the vessel.
3.8.4VHF Emergency Antenna: A boat shall have an emergency VHF antenna with sufficient coax to reach the deck, and have a minimum antenna length of 9" (381mm). Low loss coax is recommended.
3.8.5Emergency Communications: A boat shall be equipped with VHF transceivers that are operational in International and USA channel mode.
3.9AIS: All boats shall have an AIS Transponder, sharing a masthead VHF antenna via a low loss AIS antenna splitter. An acceptable alternative is a dedicated AIS antenna that is a minimum of 0.9 meters long, mounted with its base at least 3 meters above the water, and fed with coax that has a maximum 40% power loss. AIS requirement for Coastal is effective January 1, 2024.
3.10.0Personal AIS Beacons: Each crewmember shall have a dedicated AIS personal crew overboard beacon. This shall be on the crewmember's person at all times while on deck.
3.11Emergency Communications: A boat shall carry a satellite voice and text communication system, with critical components in a waterproof container(s). The satellite voice and text communication system shall be operable from below decks (if needed via external antenna). The system shall be on, capable of receiving incoming communication for the duration of the race. Its number shall be recorded as part of the boat's registration.
3.12Emergency Communications: A boat shall carry a cellular phone in a waterproof container. Its number should be recorded as part of the boat's registration.
3.13Weather: A boat shall have a method of receiving weather information in addition to the fixed mount and hand held VHF radio.
3.14GPS: A boat shall carry a GPS receiver.
3.15Crew Overboard Button: A boat shall carry an electronic means to record the position of a man overboard within ten seconds. This may be the same instrument listed in 3.14.
3.16.1EPIRB: A boat shall carry a 406MHz EPIRB that is properly registered to the boat. This device shall be equipped with an internal GPS.
3.17Knot Meter: A boat shall have a knotmeter and/or distance-measuring instrument.
3.18Depth Sounder: A boat shall have a permanently installed depth sounder that can measure to depths of at least 200 ft. (61m).
3.19.1Compass: A boat shall have a permanently mounted magnetic compass independent of the boat's electrical system suitable for steering at sea.
3.19.2Second Compass: A boat shall have a second magnetic compass suitable for steering at sea which may be handheld.
3.20Charts: A boat shall have non-electronic charts that are appropriate for the race area.
3.21Alternate Sail Numbers: A boat shall have the ability to display sail numbers and letters of the size carried on the mainsail by an alternative means when none of the numbered sails is set.
3.22Plugs: A boat shall carry soft plugs of an appropriate material, tapered and of the appropriate size, attached or stowed adjacent to every through-hull opening.
3.23Anchor: A boat shall carry one anchor, meeting the anchor manufacturer's recommendations based on the yacht's size, with a suitable combination of chain and line.
3.23.1Anchoring: It is strongly recommended that a boat shall carry a second anchor, meeting the anchor manufacturer's recommendations based on the yacht's size, with suitable combination of chain and line.
3.24.1Searchlight: A boat shall carry a watertight, high-powered searchlight, suitable for searching for a person overboard at night or for collision avoidance.
3.24.2Flashlights: A boat shall carry a watertight flashlight for each crewmember with spare batteries in addition to the above.
3.25Medical Kits: A boat shall carry a first aid kit and first aid manual suitable for the likely conditions of the passage and the number of crew aboard.
3.26Radar Reflectors: A boat shall carry an 11.5" (292mm) diameter or greater octahedral radar reflector or one of equivalent performance.
3.27.1Buckets: A boat shall carry two sturdy buckets of at least two gallons (8 liters) capacity with lanyards attached.
3.28Safety Diagram: A boat shall post a durable, waterproof diagram or chart locating the principal items of safety equipment and through hulls in the main accommodation area where it can be easily seen.
3.29.1Emergency Tiller: A boat shall have an emergency tiller, capable of being fitted to the rudder stock.
3.30Spare Parts: A boat shall carry tools and spare parts, including an effective means to quickly disconnect or sever the standing rigging from the hull.
3.31Identification: All lifesaving equipment shall bear retro-reflective material and be marked with the yacht's or wearer's name. The exception would be for new equipment or rented equipment (e.g. life rafts) that would require the unpacking of sealed equipment in order to meet this requirement. The boat name shall be added during the first servicing of any new equipment.
3.32Cockpit Knife: A boat shall carry a strong, sharp knife, sheathed and securely restrained which is readily accessible from the deck and/or cockpit.
3.33.1Mainsail Reefing: A boat shall have a mainsail reefing capable of reducing the luff length by at least 10%.
3.33.2Trysail: A boat shall carry a trysail, with the boat's sail number displayed on both sides, which can be set independently of the main boom, has an area less than 17.5% of E x P, and which is capable of being attached to the mast. Storm sails manufactured after 01/01/2014 shall be constructed from a highly visible material. A mainsail with a reef of at least 50% of P is an acceptable substitute for a trysail.
3.33.3Heavy Weather Jib: A boat shall carry a heavy-weather jib (or heavy-weather sail in a yacht with no forestay) of area not greater than 13.5% height of the foretriangle squared.
3.33.4Storm Jib: A boat shall carry a storm jib not exceeding 5% of the yacht's I dimension squared, an equipped with an alternative means of attachment to the headstay in the event of a failure of the head foil. Storm sails manufactured after 01/01/2014 shall be constructed from a highly visible material.
3.35Halyards: A boat shall not be rigged with any halyard that requires a person to go aloft in order to lower a sail.
3.36Boom Support: A boat over 30' LOA (9.14m) shall have a means to prevent the boom from dropping if support from the mainsail or halyard fails.
3.36.1Boom Preventer: A yacht shall have a preventer or boom restraining device, shall practice rigging it and shall be prepared to demonstrate its use to the satisfaction of the MBR OA.
3.37Emergency Water: A boat shall carry 1 gallon (3.785 liters) per crewmember of emergency drinking water in sealed containers in addition to any other water carried aboard the boat and it shall be aboard after finishing.
3.38Food: A boat shall have sufficient provisions on board at the start of the race to feed the crew for at least 14 days.
3.39Life Rafts: A boat shall carry adequate inflatable life raft(s) designed for saving life at sea with designed capacity for containing the entire crew. The raft shall be SOLAS, ISAF, ISO 9650-1 or ORC approved. The raft shall be stored in such a way that it is capable of being launched within 15 seconds. Boats built after 01/06/2001 shall have the life raft stowed in a deck mounted rigid container or stowed in watertight or self-draining purpose built rigid compartment(s) opening adjacent to the cockpit or the working deck. Boats built prior to 01/06/2001 may alternatively stow the life raft in a valise not weighing over 88 lbs. securely below deck and adjacent to the companionway. The life raft(s) shall hold current certificate(s) of inspection.
3.40Life Rafts: A boat shall have a grab bag with a lanyard and clip for each life raft. The grab bag shall have inherent flotation and be of a bright fluorescent color containing at least an EPIRB, and a watertight handheld VHF radio. The VHF radio and EPIRB need not be in addition to the prior requirements.
 SKILLS
4.1.1Emergency Steering: A boat's crew shall be aware of multiple methods of steering the boat with the rudder disabled, and shall have chosen and practiced one method of steering the boat with the rudder disabled and be prepared to demonstrate said method of steering both upwind and downwind.
4.2Man Overboard Practice: Annually, two-thirds of the boat's racing crew shall practice man-overboard procedures appropriate for the boat's size and speed. The practice shall consist of marking and returning to a position on the water, and demonstrating a method of hoisting a crewmember back on deck, or other consistent means of reboarding the crewmember.
4.3.1Safety at Sea Training: At least 30% of those aboard the boat, but not fewer than two members of the crew, unless racing single-handed, including the person in charge, shall have a valid Offshore or International Offshore Certificate from US Sailing, or the equivalent from another national authority.
4.4Crew Training: As required in 1.2 above the person in charge shall ensure that all crew members know where all emergency equipment is located and how to operate the equipment. In addition, the person in charge and crew should discuss how to handle various emergency situations including Crew Overboard, Grounding, Loss of steering, Flooding, Fire, Dismasting, and Abandon Ship.
4.5CPR and First Aid: It is recommended that at least two crew members have current CPR and First Aid certifications.
 GEAR
5.1Other Required Equipment: A boat must carry docking equipment for use in Bermuda including at least 5 fenders, 4 dock lines and a marine power cord(s) totaling at least 50 feet long.
5.2Documents: The following documents are required to be on board: a federal VHF radio license, which is mandatory for international travel; a copy of the 2021-2024 Racing Rules of Sailing; a copy of the Marion Bermuda Race Safety Requirements; a copy of the International Regulations for Preventing Collicions at Sea 1972 (COLREGS).