Racing Rules: Personal Flotation

Print Page | Close Window

Personal Flotation

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Racing Rules
Forum Discription: Discuss the rules and your interpretations here
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13376
Printed Date: 25 Jun 25 at 4:34pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Personal Flotation

Posted By: laser193713
Subject: Personal Flotation
Date Posted: 07 Aug 19 at 11:57am

If the class rules of a keelboat class require the boat to carry 150N lifejackets and a boat is taking part in this class for class racing, does this mean they have to be worn when Y flag is displayed? On other classes 50N buoyancy appears to be satisfactory under Y flag.

My interpretation of the rule is that the 150N jackets must be carried but don't need to be worn, and that with Y flag displayed the 50N buoyancy aids are adequate.

Any thoughts?

Replies:

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 07 Aug 19 at 12:02pm

I think one would need to see all the relevant class rules and SIs.

However I very much doubt that would be the intention of the rule.

Posted By: Brass
Date Posted: 07 Aug 19 at 2:52pm

Better to look at what the rules say rather than speculate about their intention.

Unusual for Class Rules to specify things like PFD (although I remember that many years ago the Opti CR did so).

Specification of PFD would usually be called up through the https://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/WorldSailingOffshoreSpecialRegulations20182019v2-%5b24802%5d.pdf" rel="nofollow - Offshore Safety Regulation Reg 5.01, or equivalent national regulation.

The OSR certainly doesn't link up with Race Signals flag Y or rule 40, but if CR did specify 150N lifejackets, then they might well say that these, specifically, rather than 50N BV were required to be worn. If the CR didn't say so in as many words, then I would expect 50N BV to suffice.

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 07 Aug 19 at 3:45pm

The boat and venue is probably relevant too. The relevant standards say of 50N and 150N jackets (source http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais1.pdf)

BS EN 393:1994 Lifejackets and personal buoyancy aids:

Buoyancy aids: 50 N.
These have a buoyancy of no less than 50 Newtons for the average adult and are intended for use in sheltered waters when help is close at hand and the user is a swimmer; and in circumstances where more bulky or buoyant devices would impair the user’s activity or actually endanger them.
(my emphasis)

Lifejackets: 150 N.
These have a buoyancy of no less than 150 Newtons for the average adult and are intended for use in tidal waters or when foul weather clothing is being
used; and where the wearers may not be capable of helping themselves due to injury or exhaustion (or where there may be a delay in rescue).

Although its not in the standard I'd also note the difference between a dinghy with buoyancy that will just swamp and a keelboat that may sink if knocked down.