Question about lifeline requirements for ocean races.
Hey SSS,
I am in the home stretch of bringing the Crane Wife up to the Northern California Offshore Racing Council’s Minimum Equipment Requirements for the Singlehanded Farallones next month. I am replacing my old coated lifelines with dyneema and ran into an issue. Crane Wife has a gate on either side in the lifelines that uses a pelican clip to close the top lifeline and no bottom lifeline. The lack of a lower lifeline in the gate area would seem to violate rule 2.4.7 which states, "Boats 30' and over (9.14m) shall have at least two lifelines with 24" (762mm) minimum height above deck, and a maximum vertical gap of 15" (381mm)..." When I replace the lifelines, should I run the new ones (upper and lower) straight through this gate or is it legal to have it open on the bottom? I figure that I will probably go with the conservative option and just run the lines all the way from bow to stern, but I thought I would ask. Thanks for the help!
Evan
1 Attachment(s)
NCORC 2017 allows HMPE lifelines
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BobJ
Don't throw away your wire lifelines (if they're in good shape and you can strip off the vinyl). The last I heard, NorCalORC/OYRA plans to require wire again effective 1/1/2018, as they try to stay close to what US Sailing is requiring. I can't speak for what SSS plans to require (except to state a general, non-targeted "I told you so.")
To answer your question, you'd need the lower lifelines in the gate areas as well.
Actually in the recent NCORC meeting, OYRA planned to follow USS. A productive discussion with a healthy advocacy from SSS (and assist from BAMA) led to a decision to not follow USS.
Some key points discussed and I followed up on some research:
The issue w HMPE is meltdown of lifeline under load by running rigging friction- more of an issue on big boats big conditions and wrong line. There is specific line sold for lifeline which has outer chafe guard layer. This line is also pre-stretched and set (by some polymer) and is difficult to splice by amateurs.
The failure of HMPE is often by DIY spectra (easy to splice) line splices coming undone and improper ferrels in stanchion (need rounded) causing chafing.
Addressed by education and periodic inspection- WIP
A key benefit identified of HMPE is a source of additional longlines in hawaii races for jury rig. A tipping point in the discussion.
http://norcalorc.org/gear
Attachment 2315
1 Attachment(s)
Check NOR/SI for requirements
Quote:
Originally Posted by
K38Bob
Actually in the recent NCORC meeting, OYRA planned to follow USS. A productive discussion with a healthy advocacy from SSS (and assist from BAMA) led to a decision to not follow USS.
Some key points discussed and I followed up on some research:
The issue w HMPE is meltdown of lifeline under load by running rigging friction- more of an issue on big boats big conditions and wrong line. There is specific line sold for lifeline which has outer chafe guard layer. This line is also pre-stretched and set (by some polymer) and is difficult to splice by amateurs.
The failure of HMPE is often by DIY spectra (easy to splice) line splices coming undone and improper ferrels in stanchion (need rounded) causing chafing.
Addressed by education and periodic inspection- WIP
A key benefit identified of HMPE is a source of additional longlines in hawaii races for jury rig. A tipping point in the discussion.
http://norcalorc.org/gear
Attachment 2315
PS as a/the key instigator (thorn in side, pebble in shoe) of this preface- Can't believe I didn't mention it. USS nor NCORC is a regulatory body/authority. The organizing authority (OA) for the race is the authority- see NOR SI for requirements that are linked to USCG Marine Event Permit (MEP)
Attachment 2322
http://norcalorc.org/gear