The NOR is UP!
Keep current with the latest LongPac announcements on the LongPac page
http://sfbaysss.org/main/longpac-2015/
Got my raft reserved; how about you?
The NOR is UP!
Keep current with the latest LongPac announcements on the LongPac page
http://sfbaysss.org/main/longpac-2015/
Got my raft reserved; how about you?
Just reserved my raft! thank you!
Minimum Equipment Requirements are UP!
Thank you, Bob.
Having just read this very closely and comparing it to past LongPac requirements I too share many of the same concerns as Bob. Many of these require me to change or repurchase certain products (such as my mainsail that I just ordered with a 2nd deep reef in lieu of the trisail). To some degree I expected a few changes but I look forward to a fruitful discussion that can address all of the issues Bob has pointed out.
Not to seem overly critical or unappreciative of the work of those running the LongPac, but...
The 2015 LongPac MER's look like a fairly superficial adaptation of the US Sailing Safety at Sea requirements. I think more thought should have gone into the modifications to the source requirements to meet the specific needs and goals of the SSS. I agree with most of BobJ's comments and some of the following duplicates his commentary. But here are my own thoughts on the matter:
2.3.3 Are stoves really necessary?
2.5.1 "...pump discharge shall not be connected to cockpit drain." What does this do to all the Moore 24's, Express 27's etc. that are constructed with the pump discharge into the cockpit drains?
2.5.2 Many, if not most, of the small boats do not have a second permanently installed bilge pump. My recollection is that in the past, a second, portable pump was adequate.
2.5.3 Completely redundant.
3.10 I really hate requirements for cell phones on boats. They are useless off shore (and sometimes in the bay) and are not an effective means of communicating in an emergency. The VHF and EPIRB should be adequate.
3.15 BobJ, you have to push it yourself before you fall overboard.
3.20 Are the self-printable NOAA booklet charts adequate? (They have been in the past.)
3.24 What constitutes a "searchlight?" How many lumens? At what point does a flash light become bright enough to serve as a search light? Will a search light powered by the vessel's 12v system be acceptable?
3.28 Definitely for crewed boats. And kind of silly even for DH'd boats. This kind of thing seems most useful for boats with large numbers of crew where some of the crew may be unfamiliar with the boat.
3.33.1 & 3.33.2 These seem like big changes from past requirements for mainsail area reduction capabilities.
3.33.3 & 3.33.4 These seem redundant. Would the storm jib (3.33.4) meet the requirement of the heavy weather jib (3.33.3)?
3.38 Stating "adequate food" should be enough. Explicitly listing "energy bars, and snacks" seems like a menu requirement. (Although, I suppose you could get some "snack bars" and satisfy both.)
4.1.1 As noted by others, this will likely eliminate more participants than any other rule in the MER's.
4.2 BobJ, you need to start practicing your SH'd MOB drills. NO excuses!
I hope the Safety/Rules committee will convene as BobJ mentioned and review things.
Last edited by JohnS; 01-29-2015 at 01:25 PM.
This is new. The SSS has always made our own rules and the LongPac and SHTP have gone through many years of thoughtful modifications.The 2015 LongPac MER's look like the fairly superficial adaptation of the US Sailing Safety at Sea requirements.
Copy/Paste of other safety orgs regs with a few mods aren't a good idea for the organization and don't cut it in my book.
The posted MELs are a complete mess compared to the SSS's long standing Longpac rules as noted with many redundant and rules that have never been used by the SSS.
What happened to the separate SSS Safety Committee who reviews and makes rule changes..... they obviously didn't make these rules.
Last edited by solosailor; 01-29-2015 at 11:50 AM.
The 2015 LongPac MER is based upon the 2013 LongPac "Rules and Conditions." Please read the 2013 LongPac "Rules and Conditions" and compare those requirements with the 2015 LongPac MER. A close comparison should show that almost all the rules are the same or similar, but in a more ordered format. The 2013 LongPac Rules and Conditions" are available on the SSS website: <sfbaysss.org>
The USSER format has been adapted for the 2015 LongPac MER. The USSER is a flexible format designed to be modified by users; there are no absolute USSA requirements. The entire document is adaptable. It is organized into Sections ("Overall" "Hull" "Safety Equipment" etc. - left hand column), making it easier to find a requirement.
It is also a format which will become familiar to ocean racers. The USSER format is being used, as modified, by OYRA and will be used for other coastal ocean races starting in 2015. 2016 PacCup racers will also find it familiar.
The history of the USSER traces back to the NORC MER which traces back to the SSS Rules and Conditions. The SSS had direct representation when the NORC MER were written. Many of the USSER requirements are word for word, or very similarly worded, to the 2013 LongPac and 1014 SHPT "Race Rules and Conditions." The organizational format is different, divided into sections as explained above.
The SSS uses USSA's "The Racing Rules of Sailing" in much the same way, modifying those Rules which affect shorthanded sailing as the SSS defines it. Two common examples of SSS modifications to the RRS are allowing auto steering and twin headsails.
I'm informed that at least three board members do know about the committee, and also that Chris Christie may be available shortly to chair it.
Last edited by BobJ; 01-29-2015 at 10:42 PM.