Changes to the World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations (OSR) coming into effect on January 1 2022, will mean an additional requirement for yachts taking part in races of Category 0 to Category 3.
In 2022, Irish fixtures such as June's Round Ireland Race from Wicklow is Category 2 and the inaugural Inishtearaght Race from Kinsale next May is a Category 3 race.
The most significant change is the requirement for an out-of-the water structural inspection by a qualified person to ensure the soundness of the keel and its connection to the hull.
This follows a series of keel failures with, in some cases, loss of life.
The subject of examining keel bolts was taken up by Afloat's Tom MacSweeney in 2019 here.
The inspection will involve checking the keel bolts and the internal arrangement as well as examining the external joins for stressing and cracking. Evidence of the inspection must be available to the race organisers.
The full text of the OSR can be downloaded below in a PDF
The OSR also says under (2.01 Categories of Events) Organizing Authorities shall select from one of the following categories and may modify the OSR to suit local conditions
This may allow them to drop the requirement or modify it if they see fit. The view from insiders is that it's not a hugely onerous task if they are being lifted for a scrub before a Cat 2 race.
Others, however, have criticised the new rule calling it unnecessary and yet more regs for offshore skippers to comply with.
As far as the country's biggest offshore racing body is concerned, ISORA Chairman Peter Ryan told Afloat, "We are treating this as the responsibility of the skipper. We won’t be collecting forms".
The publication of the Notice of Race for both the Round Ireland Race and the Blasket Islands race from Kinsale is expected shortly and Irish offshore crews are waiting to see how the new rule is treated by Irish officials.
Download the OSR below
