The ARC Style Ocean-ready Boat

by Jeremy Wyatt/Sail-World Cruising on 25 Apr 2006 Every time there is a sailing tragedy, with rare exceptions, problems have been found later with either the yacht’s safety equipment, or with the crew training. Why couldn’t they get him back onboard? Why weren’t they keeping watch properly? Why didn’t he have a harness on? Why was no ‘May Day’ received?

Safety requirements are a vexed question for Sailing Clubs and Event Organisers worldwide, and there is no universally agreed answer to what, precisely, the ocean going yacht should take note of when preparing for a voyage.

The World Cruising Club must be one of the most experienced organisations in the world in the realm of ocean crossings. It has been, for the last 20 years, running what is now the largest annual rally in the world – the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, the famed ‘ARC’.

Every year more than 200 boats line up to join the ARC, which is now limited to 225 boats. Last year the ARC had ‘waiting list only’ places by October.

The ARC Organisers, the World Cruising Club, headed by Jeremy Wyatt and Andrew Bishop, have kindly agreed to let Sail-World publish their safety requirements.

No matter where in the world you are, and no matter the size of your boat or the length of your journey, if you are planning any ocean voyaging, it would be wise to consider the requirements of this very experienced organisation







WORLD CRUISING CLUB
SAFETY EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

Note:
All safety equipment carried must:
a. be of type, size and capacity commensurate with the size of yacht
b. function correctly
c. be easily accessible

Each crew member must be fully conversant with the operation of all safety equipment carried and know its stowage positions.


MANDATORY SAFETY EQUIPMENT:

It is mandatory that the following equipment be carried:

Liferaft:
A purpose made, self inflating, liferaft of sufficient places to carry all the crew shall be either:

i.) A SOLAS model, or

ii.) An 'ORC' model in compliance with ISAF Offshore Special Regulations Appendix A Part I provided that the liferaft was manufactured before 01/2003, or

iii.) An 'ISAF' model in compliance with ISAF Offshore Special Regulations Appendix A Part II, or

iv) An 'ISO Standard 9650' Type 1 Group A with service Pack 1 (>24 hours).

Each raft shall be capable of being got to the lifelines within 15 seconds. Each liferaft shall have a valid inspection certificate from the manufacturer or approved servicing agent, valid for the period of the Rally. The certificate, or a copy, shall be carried on the yacht.
(See ISAF website [www.sailing.org/rules/] for the full text of the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations).

VHF: A VHF radio transceiver having a rated output power of 25W and capable of working on all standard international channels must be fitted. An external cockpit extension speaker should also be fitted to the set. The radio shall have a masthead antenna and an emergency antenna shall also be carried.

Long Range Communications Equipment: each yacht will be required to report their position daily directly to worldcruising.net, via Inmarsat C, D+, or other system capable of sending an E-mail message whilst at sea.

EPIRB: An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. A Satellite EPIRB transmitting on 406MHz or an Inmarsat type 'E' EPIRB is required, correctly registered with the appropriate authority.

Radar Reflector: Permanently mounted in, or capable of being hoisted to, a position at least 5m (15 feet) above deck. Octahedral reflectors must have a minimum diagonal measurement of 18in (457mm). Any reflector other than octahedral, must have a documented RCS (radar cross-section) of not less than 10sq.m.

Flares: Flares stowed in a watertight container, with as a minimum:

6 red parachute flares 4 white hand held flares
4 red hand held flares 2 orange smoke

Lifebuoys, within reach of the helmsman for instant use:
1. One lifebuoy with a drogue, or a lifesling (without a drogue), with a self igniting light and whistle attached, and
2. One lifebuoy, or a MOB Module, equipped with a whistle, drogue, a self igniting light and a pole and flag (a danbuoy).

At least one lifebuoy shall either be a lifesling or have permanent (e.g. foam) buoyancy. Every inflatable lifebuoy shall be tested at intervals in accordance with its manufacturer’s instructions.
Each lifebuoy shall have the yachts’ name painted on them and must be fitted with marine grade retro-reflective material.

Bilge pumps: One manual bilge pump securely fitted, operable from on deck with companionways and hatches shut. (It is recommended that a second manual bilge pump, operable from below decks, is also fitted). Unless permanently fitted, bilge pump handles shall be provided with a lanyard, securely attached, and catch, or similar device, to prevent accidental loss.

Navigation lights: Navigation lights must be fitted so that the yacht shall, at all times, comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea. Two independent sets of navigation lights are required. For example, the primary set (bow and stern lights), the secondary set (masthead tricolour); flashlight/torch battery operated, handheld lights are not acceptable. Spare bulbs of correct wattage shall also be carried.

Harness: If separate from a combined lifejacket/harness, shall have a safety line not more than 2 metres long with a strap hook at each end. It is recommended that a second snap hook should be placed at the middle of the point line. Each harness shall have a crotch strap. There shall be a harness and safety line provided for each member of the crew.

Lifejacket/Combined Harness: Shall have a whistle, a light, yacht name, retro-reflective tape, a crotch strap and a safety line not more than 2 metres long with a snap hook at each end . It is recommended that a second snap hook should be placed at the middle point of the line. There shall be a lifejacket/combined harness provided for each member of the crew.

Heavy equipment: All heavy equipment (i.e. anchor, batteries, gas bottles and stoves) shall be firmly secured to prevent damage from possible knockdown or capsize.

The following equipment shall also be fitted/carried:

· Emergency grab bag (see Appendix 1)
· A recognised secondary or alternative method of navigation
· Securely fitted taut double lifelines around the entire deck
· Jackstays along port and starboard side decks
· Fire extinguishers (at least two)
· Fire blanket (secured near the galley)
· Companionway washboards to be capable of being secured shut and with lanyards to prevent accidental loss
· Softwood plugs – securely attached adjacent to each fitting to enable any through hull fitting to be closed off
· Throwing line 15m – 25m (50ft – 75ft) length, readily accessible to cockpit
· High powered search light
· Emergency tiller or secondary steering device
· Hacksaw and spare blades (Bolt croppers for yachts with rod rigging)
· First aid kit and manual
· Foghorn
· Buckets (at least two) of stout construction and fitted with lanyards; capacity to be at least 2 gallons (9 litres)
· Echo sounder and log


RECOMMENDED SAFETY EQUIPMENT


It is recommended that the following equipment be carried:

· Dinghy and oars
· Handheld VHF transceiver
· Nautical almanac
· Charts and pilots for the route taken by the Rally
· Sextant and tables
· Water resistant torch with spare bulb and batteries
· Storm jib
· Storm trysail or deep reef in mainsail
· A second manual bilge pump operable from below deck
· White parachute flares (to provide illumination for Search and Rescue)
· Maststep. The heel of a keel-stepped mast should be securely fastened to the maststep or adjoining structure
· Drogue or Sea Anchor. A drogue (for deployment over the stern), or alternatively a sea anchor, or parachute anchor (for deployment over the bow), is strongly recommended as a means to reduce the