PART 1


Part 1 – Fundamental Rules Rule 1 1.1


SAFETY Helping Those in Danger A boat or competitor shall give all possible help to any person or vessel in danger.


The racing rules are as much about safe navigation as tactical advantage, and it is entirely appropriate that sailing’s first Fundamental Rule should concern safety.


Help may be physical. It may also be oral, such as a hail or radio message warning that the recipient is standing into danger1


. If it is possible that a boat or competitor is in danger, then other boats should assume that this is the case. WS 20 says that a boat in position to help another boat that may be in danger is bound to do so.


The obligation to help is not negated by the fact that a protest committee later decides that there was no danger, or that help was not asked for2


. I think however that when a well-crewed race committee RIB on a radio net is already standing by an upturned centreboard boat in difficult conditions, it is reasonable for another competitor to assume that further help would be redundant, and possibly counter-productive.


Time taken in giving help is compensated by redress, often on the initiative of the race committee4 . . However,


the receiving of help may not be as blessed as its giving, since receiving some forms of help may result in penalization5


1.2 Life-Saving Equipment and Personal Flotation Devices


A boat shall carry adequate life-saving equipment for all persons on board, including one item ready for immediate use, unless her class rules make some other provision. Each competitor is individually responsible for wearing a personal flotation device adequate for the conditions.


As the rule foresees, most class rules are more specific as to what is to be carried and worn, and, the larger the boat, the more likely that adequate life-saving equipment will be more than just personal flotation devices, and will be prescribed in detail in safety regulations that rank as ‘other documents that govern the event’ by being referred to explicitly in the notice of race and sailing instructions6


.


Separately, rule 40, Personal Flotation Devices, allows the race committee to signal that personal flotation devices are to be worn, and sailing instructions often remove the need to make that signal, by changing rule 40 so as to require that such devices are to be worn at all times when afloat. Afloat7 and dry suits are not personal flotation devices.


, rule 40 also advises us that wet suits


. Even if another competitor is seen to be giving help, or a race committee vessel is nearby and capable of giving help, that does absolve other boats nearby from at least finding out whether more help is needed3


1 See RYA 1998/1 2 See also SC 24 3 SC 34 and SC 39 4 Rules 60.2(b), Right to Request Redress and 62.1(c), Redress 5 Rule 41, Outside Help 6 Definition Rule, Rules J1.1(3), Notice of Race Contents and J2.1(2), Sailing Instruction Contents 7 Under rule 40, flag Y displayed ashore has the same effect


20 RYA The Racing Rules Explained


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