IRC YEARBOOK 2010
for certificates issued under their jurisdiction. Some or all of the 4.4 The IRC Policy Steering Group is responsible for the overall
dimensions of class production boats may be standardised. direction of IRC. The IRC Policy Steering Group comprises
2.8 IRC boats may be weighed. representatives appointed by RORC and UNCL, and a
2.9 Any exploitation of the inherent simplicity of the IRC Rule will be representative appointed by the International IRC Owners’
discouraged. The RORC Rating Office and UNCL therefore Association.
reserve the right to make adjustments or amendments to any part 4.5 Additionally there shall exist an International IRC Owners’
of IRC at any time in order to prevent undesirable or unforeseen Association comprising owners of boats holding current IRC
I
R
lines of development. certificates. The International IRC Owners’ Association shall
C
have international representation which reflects the distribution of
3 IMPORTANT NOTICE
certificated boats, and shall be a forum for owners to discuss and
R
3.1 The safety of a boat rated under IRC and its entire management
if agreed to make recommendations or suggestions to the IRC U
including insurance shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/
Technical Committee and the IRC Policy Steering Group.
L
competitor who must ensure that the boat is fully found, thoroughly E
seaworthy, and operated by a crew sufficient in number and
5 INTERPRETATIONS
2
experience who are physically fit to face bad weather. The owner/
5.1 Requests for interpretation of the IRC Rule shall be made in writing
0
competitor must be satisfied that:
through Rule Authorities to the Rating Authority who will consult
1
3.1.1 The hull, hull appendages, spars, rigging, sails and all
and communicate any decision to Rule Authorities.
0
gear are sound.
3.1.2 All safety equipment is properly maintained, stowed and
6 DISPENSATIONS
in date.
6.1 The Rating Authority may grant dispensations to the IRC Rule on an
3.1.3 The crew know where such equipment is kept and how it is
individual boat basis at its entire discretion. Any such dispensations
to be used.
shall be noted on a boat’s IRC certificate.
The ultimate decision on whether or not to race remains the
sole and inescapable responsibility of the owner or the owner’s
7 LANGUAGE AND RULE DEFINITIONS
representative.
7.1 The languages of IRC shall be English and French. In the event
3.2 None of the establishment of these Rules, their use by race
of any discrepancy, the English text shall prevail. The meaning of
organisers, the issue of a rating certificate under these Rules,
any word shall be by reference to the Oxford English Dictionary
nor any inspection of the boat under these Rules shall constitute
in the context in which it appears. The words ‘shall’ and ‘must’ are
any representation or warranty by the Rating Authority as to the
mandatory, the words ‘may’ and ‘can’ are permissive. The word
seaworthiness of any boat or the safety of any gear and shall not
‘should’ is advisory.
in any way limit the absolute responsibility of the owner/competitor
7.2 Any reference to the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) is defined as the
referred to in Rule 3.1. This notice shall be brought to the attention
current version of the Racing Rules of Sailing of the International
of any person who sails on a boat in respect of which a rating
Sailing Federation (ISAF). Reference to the Equipment Rules of
certificate has been issued under these Rules.
Sailing refers to the current version of the ISAF Equipment Rules of
3.3 Ratings issued under IRC are calculated in good faith from the data
Sailing (ERS). Reference to Special Regulations is defined as the
available. Neither the Rating Authority nor any Rule Authority shall
current version of ISAF Offshore Special Regulations of the ISAF
have any liability whatsoever for any error in the application of these
Oceanic & Offshore Committee.
Rules or the determination of any factor which may affect the rating
7.3 ERS shall apply except where deleted or amended by IRC Rules or
or the exercise of any judgement in the application of these Rules
Appendix 1.
or the issue of a certificate or for changes in these Rules.
7.4 Any dispute arising out of the administration of the IRC Rules by
3.4 The establishment of an IRC Crew Number in respect of any boat
the Rating Authority or a Rule Authority shall be referred to the IRC
does not constitute any representation or warranty as to the safety
Policy Steering Group referred to in Rule 4.4 – which shall allow the
of the boat when sailing with this or any other number of crew (see
applicant to be given a fair opportunity to make his case either in
Rule 3.1). When domestic law invokes any form of crew limitation
writing or in person (as the IRC Policy Steering Group may deter-
different from the IRC Crew Number, this limitation shall replace
mine). The decision of the IRC Policy Steering Group shall be final.
IRC Crew Number.
8 RATING CERTIFICATES
Part B GENERAL INFORMATION
8.1 All IRC ratings will be calculated by and rating certificates issued
by the Rating Authority. Rule Authorities may be authorised to print
rating certificates under licence.
4 ADMINISTRATION
8.2 A boat shall not hold more than one valid IRC rating certificate at
4.1 IRC is administered by Seahorse Rating Ltd (referred to in these
any time except as permitted by Rule 8.2.1.
Rules as the RORC Rating Office) and the UNCL Centre de Calcul
8.2.1 A boat may additionally hold a separate short-handed
(referred to as UNCL) only. The expression Rating Authority is
certificate. This short-handed certificate shall be valid only
defined as the RORC Rating Office and the UNCL Centre de Calcul
for racing in classes, or divisions of classes, for no more
acting jointly. The expression Rule Authority is defined as any other
than 2 crew, included in a Notice of Race. The short-
individual or body authorised by the Rating Authority to act for the
handed certificate will be clearly identified and shall only
Rating Authority on a local basis for the administration of IRC in a
vary from the primary certificate in respect of mainsail
defined geographical area.
widths, headsail dimensions, single furling headsail
4.2 In order to ensure the integrity of the secret elements of the IRC
allowance, the use of stored power, SPA, STL, spinnaker
Rule all details of the IRC Rule are the sole property of the RORC
pole/bowsprit, movable ballast and variable ballast.
Rating Office and UNCL who shall appoint an IRC Technical
8.2.2 Issue of any new rating certificate automatically invalidates
Committee comprised solely of those persons who have
the old one.
knowledge of the secret elements of the Rule. This committee shall
8.2.3 A copy of the current rating certificate(s) shall be kept on
be solely responsible for any changes in the Rule algorithms.
board the boat.
4.3 IRC TCCs are the copyright of RORC Rating Office and UNCL
8.3 An IRC certificate is valid for racing under Part C, IRC, advertising
jointly. Action may be taken against any third party using IRC
permitted and Part D, IRC, advertising not permitted.
derived handicaps, whether precise or amended, for the purpose
8.4 Rating certificates will be issued with the heading of the Rule
of race handicapping any boat without a current IRC certificate.
Authority and any sponsorship as appropriate. An owner may apply
Stability and Safety Screening numerals are RORC Rating Office
to the Rule Authority to have an IRC rating certificate ’Endorsed’.
copyright.
The Rule Authority will inform the boat of any measurement or other
41
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