IRC YEARBOOK 2009
OCEAN SAFETY IRC RULE 2009
EFFECTIVE 01 JANUARY 2009
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Copyright © Seahorse Rating Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this Rule may be reproduced, transmitted or recorded by any means
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without the prior permission of Seahorse Rating Ltd C

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IRC PREAMBLE
2.1 IRC is a system of measurement which classifies a broad range of
cruising and racing ballasted monohull keel boats for competition by
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IRC is a rating rule providing racing for two separate classes of boats.
providing ratings comprising single figure allowances based on time.
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Part 3 permits advertising in accordance with ISAF Regulation 20,
2.2 The IRC concept protects the existing IRC fleet.
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Advertising Code. Part 4 does not permit advertising. Organising
2.3 IRC encourages design innovation consistent with stability,
Authorities should specify in a Notice of Race either Part 3 or Part 4.
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rounded performance, seaworthiness and safety.
If neither is specified, then by default Part 3 shall apply.
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2.4 IRC discourages unnecessary expense at all levels. 0
2.5 The spirit of IRC requires that owners and designers shall not seek
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CONTENTS
means of artificially reducing the rating of a boat, e.g. increasing

Part 1 RULE POLICY
performance without a corresponding increase in rating.
1 Introduction
2.6 Calculation of IRC ratings is secret and contains subjective
2 Fundamental Policy
elements. Subjective judgement where exercised is the sole
3 Important Notice
responsibility of the Rating Authority (see Rule 5.1).
4 Spare
2.7 IRC ratings may rely on owner submitted data (but see rules
Part 2 GENERAL INFORMATION
9.4 and 19) but a Rule Authority (see Rule 5.1) may require that
5 Administration
boats be weighed and measured by an appointed measurer
6 Interpretations
for certificates issued under their jurisdiction. Some or all of the
7 Dispensations
dimensions of class production boats may be standardised.
8 Language and Rule Definitions
2.8 IRC boats may be weighed.
9 Rating Certificates
2.9 Any exploitation of the inherent simplicity of the IRC Rule will
10 Spare
be discouraged. The RORC Rating Office and UNCL therefore
11 Changes to Class Rules
reserve the right to make adjustments or amendments to any part
12 Units of Measurement
of IRC at any time in order to prevent undesirable or unforeseen
13 Sail Numbers
lines of development.
14 Manual Power
Part 3 IRC, advertising permitted
3 IMPORTANT NOTICE
15 Index of Abbreviation
3.1 The safety of a boat rated under IRC and its entire management
16 Spare
including insurance shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/
17 Measurement and Compliance
competitor who must ensure that the boat is fully found, thoroughly
18 Advertising
seaworthy, and operated by a crew sufficient in number and
19 Rating Review
experience who are physically fit to face bad weather. The owner/
20 Rating Protests
competitor must be satisfied that:
21 Spare
3.1.1 The hull, appendages, spars, rigging, sails and all gear
22 Empty Weight
are sound.
23 Length on Waterplane (LWP) and Draft
3.1.2 All safety equipment is properly maintained, stowed and
24 Keel, Centreboard and Rudder
in date.
25 Engine and Propeller
3.1.3 The crew know where such equipment is kept and how it is
to be used.
26 Rig and Sails
The ultimate decision on whether or not to race remains the
27 Equipment and Loading
sole and inescapable responsibility of the owner or the owner’s
28 Seaworthiness and Safety
representative.
29 Dayboats
3.2 None of the establishment of these Rules, their use by race
Part 4 IRC, advertising not permitted
organisers, the issue of a rating certificate under these Rules,
30 Rules
nor any inspection of the boat under these Rules shall constitute
31 Advertising
any representation or warranty by the Rating Authority as to the
Appendix 1 IRC Measurement Definitions
seaworthiness of any boat or the safety of any gear and shall not in
any way limit the absolute responsibility of the owner/competitor
Part 1 RULE POLICY
referred to in Rule 3.1. This notice shall be brought to the attention
of any person who sails on a boat in respect of which a rating
1 INTRODUCTION
certificate has been issued under these Rules.
1.1 IRC is the development of the Channel Handicap System (CHS).
3.3 Ratings issued under IRC are calculated in good faith from the
It continues and expands upon the essential ingredients of the
data available. Neither the Rating Authority nor any other IRC Rule
CHS and follows the basic principles of strict administration,
Authority (see Rule 5.1) shall have any liability whatsoever for any
user-friendliness and ease of application for administrators,
error in the application of these Rules or the determination of any
sailors and race organisers. It follows that the costs are
factor which may affect the rating or the exercise of any judgement
reasonable.
in the application of these Rules or the issue of a certificate or for
1.2 The Rule is in two parts, Part 3, IRC advertising permitted, and
changes in these Rules.
Part 4, IRC advertising not permitted. IRC is a rating rule based
3.4 The establishment of an IRC Crew Number in respect of any
upon owner-supplied information and will remain secret. The
boat does not constitute any representation or warranty as to
emphasis is on simplicity and concise rules.
the safety of the boat when sailing with this or any other number of
crew (See Rule 3.1). When domestic law invokes any form of crew
2 FUNDAMENTAL POLICY
different from the IRC Crew Number, this limitation shall replace IRC
Crew Number. 8
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IRC 09 Rules P33-43_bs.indd 33 1/12/08 09:10:42
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