Aahhh, it's not that balck and white Steward. We have two competing organisations here in NL and ofcourse the goverment and counties. Not as clear cut as your Aus organisation.
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<br>Our club will loose it's permit when a fatality occurs. The NFB, the organisation to which my club belongs requires all crews to have safety equipment on board (and PBA's being worn at all times) when sailing in event organised under their flag which very often includes the local clubraces. However if I were to get a private permit from the goverment than I'm not bound by the NFB rules and only by the class rules when I would organize a race. Luckily the catsailor who were boycotted by the other organisationin the past have organised themselfs and are very keen on enforcing safety issues.
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<br>Kirt also indicated that sometimes the rules are open for multiple interpretation. Like having lifejackets on board but not having to wear them. Redefining them in the class rule would help preventing this.
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<br>I totally agree with you on your court remark and so I rather be boring by repeating safety rules than sorry afterwards.
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<br>And yes, we probably could so without in most countries because of local laws, it's redundant but wise to keep it in the rules just for those exceptions to the common rule.
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<br>Wouter<br><br>