Ocean Safety

ISAF Offshore Special Regulations for Race Category 2 Monohulls

Each boat entered in an offshore race must meet the requirements found in the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Special Regulations 2010/2011 edition, for a Category 2 Event, except as amended by the OYRA Minimum Equipment Requirements. Each entrant should obtain and read a current copy of these requirements. You can download the ISAF Category 2 Regulations directly from the ISAF website here.

OYRA Minimum Equipment Requirements

All Skippers participating in the OYRA series of races must comply with the OYRA Minimum Equipment Requirements. The Minimum Equipment Requirements have been revised beginning with the 2011 sailing season and can be downloaded here. Skippers no longer need to submit a signed Minimum Equipment List prior to their first OYRA Race.

EPIRBs

The YRA requires all vessels participating in an OYRA race carry either a 406 MHz EPIRB or PLB.

Crew/Boat Informaton and Statement of Compliance Sheets

OYRA Racers must complete a Crew/Boat Information and Statement of Compliance Sheet and submit it to the YRA office by 5:00pm the Thursday before each Ocean Race. We recommend you leave a copy at the dock too, and keep one with you while out racing. You can download the Crew/Boat Information and Statement of Compliance Sheet HERE. A Microsoft Word version of the form is available HERE.

Search & Rescue Information

It is extremely important that all OYRA racers inform the race committee immediately if you need to retire from a race. If you fail to notify the race committee that you have retired from a race, a USCG Search and Rescue Mission will be launched. To read more of what that entails, and the costs you may incur because of an unnecessary search, click here.

Weather Information

In April of 2006, the OYRA joined forces with NOAA at the Richmond Yacht Club and presented a five hour class on the basics of weather forcasting for the mariner. The Power Point Presentations utilized during the seminar as now available for all to see. Please note that these Microsoft Power Point Presentations are best viewed using the latest version of Internet Explorer.


NOAA has also added new features to it's website to help mariners get more accurate weather forecasts. Click here for more information.