The Advance Notice of Race is now available:
A term used in the sense stated in the definitions is printed in italics (for example Class).
A term used in the sense stated in the definitions is printed in italics (for example Class).
The Organising Authority is the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC).
| Date | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 13th January | Entry Opens | See – Entering the Race |
| Monday 27th October | Closing Date | |
| Friday 21st November | Rating Deadline | |
| Monday 24th November | Berthing requirement | Boats are required to be berthed in Puerto Calero Marina Lanzarote – Canary Islands |
| Thursday 27th November | Welcome Party | Puerto Calero Marina |
| Saturday 29th November | Start | Lanzarote, Canary Islands |
| Saturday 20th December | Prizegiving Party |
This Notice of Race, and the terms of the contract created by the acceptance of a yacht's entry in any race or event governed by this Notice of Race, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law. Any dispute which cannot be resolved under Part 5 of the Racing Rules of Sailing shall be referred to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.
The rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) 2013-2016.
(http://www.sailing.org/documents/racing-rules.php)
The prescriptions of the RYA will apply http://www.sailing.org/28524.php
The rules and regulations of appropriate One Design and/or class rules, IRC Rules Parts A, B & C, and MOCRA Rules.
The ISAF Offshore Special Regulations and RORC Prescriptions Category 1 plus Satellite Phone.
When details of Special Regulations cannot be met the Committee may accept an alternative.
Between the times of sunset and sunrise, RRS part 2 will be replaced with the right-of-way rules of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCAS) or by government right-of-way rules.
RRS 55 is deleted. All competitors are reminded of their obligations under MARPOL legislation, Merchant Shipping act 1998 (Prevention of Pollution by Garbage).
The Notice of Race and any amendments thereto.
Sailing Instructions will be issued to yachts which have met all of the entry requirements.
NOTE: Succeeding items in the above list shall take precedence.
Yachts may be required to display advertising chosen and supplied by the Organising Authority.
Yacht racing can be dangerous. The attention of Persons in Charge is drawn to RRS Fundamental Rule 4: "The responsibility for a boat's decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone" and to Special Regulation 1.02.1 which begins: "The safety of a yacht and her crew is the sole and inescapable responsibility of the Person in Charge...."
The RORC, its sponsors and other organising clubs, accept no responsibility or liability for loss of life or injury to members or others, or for the loss of, or damage to, any vessel or property.
The Person in Charge and crew will be held jointly responsible for the conduct of the yacht's crew before, during and after a race. Misconduct may result in both the Person in Charge and crew being excluded from future races and renders a yacht liable to disqualification.
The Race Committee will make starting signals unless in their opinion it is manifestly unsafe for any of the yachts entered to remain in the vicinity of the starting line. Each yacht shall exercise her responsibility under RRS Fundamental Rule 4 and decide whether or not to start or to continue to race.
No yacht will be accepted as an entry unless the Person in Charge has, before the start of the race, signed a declaration in the terms set out in NoR 16 below. The RORC reserves the right to require a signed declaration, in the terms set out in NoR 16 below, from each crewmember.
Crew members' attention is drawn to RRS 1.2 life-saving equipment:
"Each competitor is individually responsible for wearing personal buoyancy adequate for the conditions."
See also NoR 5.6.1 and Special Regulation 5.02.
The race is open to seaworthy yachts which comply with the rules and regulations described in the Notice of Race and which are manned by an adequate number of experienced crew who are physically fit to face bad weather. The minimum crew on any monohull shall be three apart from as allowed under NoR 5.3.1.3 – Two-Handed Class. However, no person may race contrary to the terms of a ban imposed by the RORC, a National Authority or ISAF.
There is no maximum size for yachts in the RORC Transatlantic Race.
The minimum size for monohulls is determined by their rating, and their SSS/STIX numbers. The minimum size for multihulls is 9.15 metres/30ft (LOA) with a minimum MOCRA rating of 1.200.
The committee may make exceptions on application.
IRC Rules Parts A, B and C shall apply, except as varied below or in the Sailing Instructions.
IRC Rule 22.4.2 is deleted and replaced by "The maximum number of crew that may sail aboard a yacht shall be the number shown on the certificate. There is no weight limit."
Automatic and wind-vane devices for steering may be carried but not used, except as in 5.3.1.3 Two-Handed Class. This amends IRC Rule 15.
A Two-Handed Class within IRC will be available in the RORC Transatlantic Race. Yachts will be eligible for both Two-Handed and IRC rating band class trophies. Automatic or wind-vane steering is permitted (changes RRS 52 and IRC Rule 15). Entries must satisfy the committee that they have suitable and adequate experience and that their yacht is appropriately prepared for two-handed sailing.
Offshore multihulls with endorsed MOCRA (Multihull Offshore Cruising and Racing Association) rating certificates may enter a multihull division of the race. For more information on MOCRA and to apply for a rating visit the MOCRA website (http://www.mocra-sailing.co.uk/). The minimum crew for multihulls is two. In two-handed multihulls automatic or wind-vane steering is permitted. This changes RRS 52.
When at least six yachts from a class, which in itself races "level" and is recognised by the RORC, take part in the race, a class result may be provided. With prior permission from the RORC, certain classes may be allowed to race under class rules within RORC racing (e.g. Class40).
| Class | TCC range | Class Flag |
|---|---|---|
| IRC Canting Keel* | 1.004 and greater | Pennant 9 |
| IRC Zero | 1.275 and greater | Pennant 0 |
| IRC One | 1.101 – 1.274 | Pennant 1 |
| IRC Two | 1.051 – 1.100 | Pennant 2 |
| IRC Three | 1.004 – 1.050 | Pennant 3 |
| Class40 | Level Rating | Class Flag |
| Multihull (MOCRA) | 1.200 and greater | Pennant 8 |
| *IRC Canting Keel is a separate class within IRC for yachts with canting keels | ||
When racing the appropriate class flag shall be prominently displayed from the backstay, or at the stern on a yacht with no backstay.
Boats shall hold valid rating/class certificate(s) on the Rating Deadline. Boats racing under IRC are not required to submit a copy of their certificate to the RORC. Boats holding other rating/class certificates shall submit a copy of their certificate(s) to the RORC by the Rating Deadline. Changes to ratings and class certificates will only be accepted after the Rating Deadline in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the RORC. Every boat racing shall have on board a current valid signed copy of the rating and/or class certificate for the Class or Classes in which she is racing.
The race is Category 1 including RORC Prescriptions plus NoR 5.6.3 Satellite Telephone.
The complete 2013 ISAF Offshore Special Regulations with RORC Prescriptions are available in the 2013 RORC Notice of Race - http://www.rorc.org/2013-notice-of-race/2013-notice-of-race.html
The OSR can also be found on the Documents Page where there are also extracts from the regulations which show what is required for a given Category.
OSR 5.01.5: A harness and lifejacket shall be worn on deck:
OSR 3.29.1(n) requires boats to carry an AIS Transponder in Category 1 races.
Competitors shall use their best endeavours to ensure that their AIS Transponder is switched on (transmitting and receiving) at all times during the race.
Competitors are required to carry a satellite telephone for the race. The telephone number shall be lodged with the RORC.
Responsibility for compliance rests with the Person in Charge of the yacht. However the RORC will endeavour to help Competitors to understand the OSR and reserves the right to conduct an OSR inspection on any competitor's yacht at any time.
Before the race, the Person in Charge shall complete an OSR Checklist to Category 1 (available on the Documents Page).
In accordance with OSR 3.04.3 the RORC uses minimum stability/buoyancy indices. For yachts competing under IRC either SSS or STIX and AVS indices are used depending on the series date of the yacht. Monohull yachts not racing under IRC shall satisfy the RORC that they meet an equivalent minimum stability requirement for the race.
In exceptional circumstances the RORC may accept other indicators as to the suitability of the yacht for the race.
Boats with a series date of 1995 and later will be categorised under STIX and AVS only.
Boats with a series date before 1995 may be categorised under either SSS or STIX and AVS.
| OSR Category | STIX min | AVS min | SSS min |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | 32 | 130 – 0.002*m | 35 |
| Where m is the boat’s Minimum Sailing Weight | |||
An Offshore Crewlist complete with full Emergency Contact details shall be supplied to the RORC by means of the RORC Crew Management System (RCMS). The Person in Charge shall invite the crew through the RCMS; those not already registered will be able to create an account, complete their details, including Emergency Contact, and accept the invite. The RORC will hold full details of each crew member and Emergency Contact for the race. In exceptional circumstances the RORC may accept receipt of the Offshore Crewlist by other means.
The RORC Transatlantic Race is not a race for novices. Every competitor must have experience of sailing a boat offshore and be prepared to encounter heavy weather. Competitors may be required to provide evidence of offshore experience.
The minimum experience requirements are 500 nautical miles of offshore racing or equivalent passage(s). The Experience requirement shall be completed on the boat entering into the race, completed by a minimum of 50% of the crew (but not less than 2) including the Person in Charge, and within 18 months of the start of the race. A Service Yacht may qualify similarly or submit written authority from her service establishment.
A proposal to meet the experience qualification shall be lodged for agreement by the RORC as soon as possible after entry.
At least 30% of the yacht's crew (but not less than 2), including the Person in Charge, shall have completed training to Section 6 of the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations and gained a certificate from an ISAF approved Offshore Personal Survival Training Course. Training shall have taken place within 5 years of the start of the race.
At least two members of the yacht's crew shall hold an in-date certificate of a First Aid Training Course. The course shall comply with OSR 6.05.2 and have been completed within 5 years of the start of the race. The qualifications of Doctors, Paramedics or similarly trained medical professionals will be accepted, provided they are familiar with the topics of OSR Appendix N.
Entry opens on Monday 13th January 2014.
A yacht shall enter the race using the REMUS online entry system and pay the appropriate entry fee before the Closing Date. In exceptional circumstance the RORC may accept an entry over the telephone. Submission of an Entry and payment of the fee will not guarantee a place in the race; all other entry requirements must be completed to the satisfaction of the RORC.
Before the Closing Date, Monday 27th October 2014, Payment shall be made by credit card (through the online entry system or by telephone). When the entry fee is greater than £1000, payment may be made by BACS transfer. To pay by BACS please contact the RORC for bank details.
In exceptional circumstances the RORC may accept other payment methods.
Cancellations before the Closing Date will be eligible for a full refund of the race entry fee.
Cancellations after the Closing Date will be eligible for a refund of 50% of the race entry fee.
If the Person in Charge fails to notify the RORC of cancellation as described above he/she shall pay the full fee without refund unless good reason can be shown.
Refunds will be sent to the credit card used for payment. For payments made by other means, refunds will be made against a written claim received by no later than Wednesday 30th September 2015.
| LH (LOA) (m) | RORC Transatlantic Race | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Members | Members (Discount) | ||
| Below 15.00 | 875 | 615 (260) | |
| 15.00 | 15.99 | 1175 | 825 (350) |
| 16.00 | 16.99 | 1555 | 1090 (465) |
| 17.00 | 17.99 | 2025 | 1420 (605) |
| 18.00 | 18.99 | 2730 | 1910 (820) |
| 19.00 | 19.99 | 2865 | 2005 (860) |
| 20.00 | 20.99 | 3005 | 2105 (900) |
| 21.00 | 21.99 | 3165 | 2215 (950) |
| 22.00 | 22.99 | 3300 | 2310 (990) |
| 23.00 | 23.99 | 3440 | 2410 (1030) |
| 24.00 | 24.99 | 3580 | 2505 (1075) |
| 25.00 | 25.99 | 3740 | 2620 (1120) |
| 26.00 | 26.99 | 3880 | 2715 (1165) |
| 27.00 | 27.99 | 4015 | 2810 (1205) |
| 28.00 | 28.99 | 4150 | 2905 (1245) |
| 29.00 | 29.99 | 4315 | 3020 (1295) |
| Yachts 30m LOA and above: | 144 per metre | 101 per metre | |
Entries after the Closing Date may be accepted on payment of an additional sum of half the standard entry fee.
All boats are required to be berthed in the Puerto Calero Marina from Monday 24th November 2014. Any boat that anticipates being unable to meet this requirement shall contact the Race Committee to request dispensation. Berthing is included in the entry fee from Monday 24th November until the start of the race. Boats requiring berthing prior to the 24th November must contact the marina directly where discounted berthing may be available to competitors of the race.
Berthing is provided for 48hrs after a boat finishes the race. Discounted berthing may be available for competitors after this period on request to the marina.
Lanzarote - Caribbean
Approximate Distance: 2700nm
It will be mandatory for boats to carry an Offshore Tracking Unit for the duration of the RORC Transatlantic Race. The units are standalone and will be provided by the RORC. A signature will be required against the value of the tracker. The entry fee includes tracking.
When a scoring penalty applies it will be as described in RRS 44.3.
Unless Sailing Instructions state that a scoring penalty applies, a yacht may take a Two Turns Penalty as permitted and described in RRS 44.2 for breaking a rule of RRS Part 2 or a right-of-way rule of IRPCAS, whichever applies at the time. When the right-of-way rules of IRPCAS apply, a penalty need not be taken until it is safe to do so. This adds to RRS 44.1.
Penalties for infringements of other rules will be detailed in the Sailing Instructions.
A boat may, without infringing RRS41, request and receive repetition of information broadcast by the Race Committee, or be told whether or not a broadcast has been made.
Rule 41(c) is replaced by:
A boat shall not receive help from any outside source, except (c) help in the form of information which is freely available to all boats, which shall include navigational, weather, tide or current information from any source which is available to all boats whether or not by payment of a fee or subscription, but shall not include information gathered or the subject of interpretation by, or any advice received from, any source not on board the boat and which is specific to the boat and her situation.
By way of an example and interpretation, downloading charts, weather and/or tidal GRIB files from subscription services, or having such information passed to the boat in its pure form, is permitted but receiving messages or information which is the result of interpretation as it applies to the boat is not permitted.
The scoring system will be the High Points System as detailed on the RORC Website:
http://www.rorc.org/miscellaneous-documents/rorc-offshore-scoring-system.html
RRS Appendix A is changed; paragraph A4 will not apply.
A boat that is penalised under RRS 30.2 or that takes a penalty under RRS 44.3(a) shall be scored points as provided in RRS 44.3(c).
The interpretation of the terms of award for all trophies and prizes will be made by the RORC Committee, whose decision is final. When no yacht qualifies to win a particular trophy the Race Committee may, at its discretion, award it otherwise.
Line Honours Monohull
Line Honours Multihull
IRC Overall
IRC Classes
IRC Two-Handed Class
Swan Transatlantic Challenge Trophy
MOCRA Multihull
The Club holds the winners of trophies responsible for all damage or loss and strongly recommend that winners take out adequate insurance. Winners are responsible to get the trophy suitably engraved, and are also liable for all return carriage costs. If a trophy is returned not engraved the RORC reserves the right to charge the cost of the engraving to the winner. Trophies will be returned to the Club when requested by the Race Office.
RORC medallions will be presented as prizes for each class and division.
The Person in Charge for each race shall agree to the terms of the declaration below using REMUS the online entry system. In exceptional circumstances the RORC may accept a signed printed declaration.
Race Entry Form Declaration to be signed by every Person in Charge
To the best of my knowledge the information I have given is accurate. I understand that yacht racing can be dangerous. I agree that the RORC, organising clubs, the Rolex SA, the Rolex UK, other sponsors and their agents, have no responsibility for loss of life or injury to members or others, or for the loss of, or damage to any vessel or property. I have paid particular attention to and agree to be bound by Special Regulation 1.02 and I have read and understand and where appropriate agree to be bound by RORC NoR 4 Responsibility. Before racing I will effect adequate and suitable insurance. Before racing I will ensure that my crew is aware of:
I agree to be bound by RRS, RYA Prescriptions, this Notice of Race, ISAF Offshore Special Regulations and other applicable rules. The yacht will be available for inspection. If any alteration likely to affect the handicap or rating is made, e.g. to sails, rig, mast, ballast, trim, engine or propeller, I will notify the Rating Authority and Race Committee immediately. I will ensure that no crew member races on my yacht contrary to the terms of any ban imposed by ISAF, or a National Authority or the RORC.
I understand and agree that the information given in this race entry and also the race entry lists and results will be maintained on the Club's computer to be used for all aspects of race organisation.
Yachts shall effect adequate and suitable insurance before racing.
20 St James's Place
London SW1A 1NN
Telephone: +44 (0) 207 518 3131
Fax: +44 (0) 207 493 5252
Racing Email: racing@rorc.org.uk
RORC Website: www.rorc.org
RORC Transatlantic Race Minisite: www.transatlantic.rorc.org
Edificio Antiguo Varadero, 2ª Planta
Urbanización Puerto Calero
35570 Yaiza
Lanzarote - Islas Canarias
Telephone Marina: +34 928 510 850
Race Office: TBC
Racing Email: racing@rorc.org.uk
Website: www.transatlantic.rorc.org
Telephone:TBC
Racing Email: racing@rorc.org.uk
Website: www.transatlantic.rorc.org
Seahorse Building
Bath Road
Lymington, Hampshire SO41 3SE
Telephone: +44 (0) 1590 677030
Fax: +44 (0) 1590 679478
Email: info@rorcrating.com
Website: www.rorcrating.com
Website: www.mocra-sailing.co.uk
Commodore and Rating Secretary – Simon Forbes (simonforbes3@gmail.com)
