As Mike mentioned, there are some ways around the US Sailing requirement - an International Event which is defined in the ISAF Regulations as, "an event open to entries other than those from the national authority of the venue or any event organized in more than one country." If you expect competitors from Canada or Puerto Rico (we're talking an event in North America), the following language needs to be in the NOR under the "rules" section:



But you're not done yet. Some class rules (Hobie Class) also require PFDs to be approved in the country of origin or jurisdiction - which means USCG in the US. So in addition to the above statement (which gets repeated in the SIs), you need the following language in the "Protests" section of the SIs:

Often, the judges will have an issue with this, but since the RC drafts the SIs (not the judges), they will have to live with it - and you need to convince them to stay out of the issue (because they can still protest a boat). I did it with Means, and even he (Mr. Risk Management) was OK with it.

Of course, if you get pulled over for an inspection by the USCG and don't have a USCG approved PFD, you're going to get a ticket, no matter what the SIs say. One way around (most) everything is to wear what you like and stash a USCG PFD somewhere on the boat where it's out of the way.

Back to the original OP's question, though - there are some unique requirements in Australia (did ya notice where he's from?) that may exclude a some of our favorite vests, including that they be a bright color (red).

Unless you're talking about a different Mike, it wasn't me that mentioned the work-arounds, because I don't believe in them.

I personally think that US Sailing should not be in the business of doing anything but supporting whatever the current USCG regs require, period. The USCG reg already handles sailors from outside of the country, there is absolutely no reason to make additional changes (such as deleting the prescription). They should simply direct sailors to the reg in question.

I think all of these changes make the entire thing more difficult for people to accept, and OAs to enforce.

Don't take this as a vote for PFDs that suck. I'd rather see efforts be made to work with the USCG to fix this, as they are the actual authority in this area.

Mike

I have been present when the RC was compelled by a competitor to file protest on a sailor wearing a CE vest. The RC thought they had it covered by making that rule non-protestable by a competitor. They didn't. The RC protested within the time limit on the last day and it was upheld. Because the SIs indicated that the penalty could be something other than a DSQ, the sailor received a percentage penalty that robbed her of the 1st place position at the regatta, rewarding the sailor who made the issue who had been in 2nd.

Like Karl said, you have to accept the possible outcome if you choose to break a rule. I wear a Zhik PFD to all events except the Alter Cup. I know what I could be in for. I'm pretty sure that the Alter Cup is the only event where people will do just about anything, including protesting a PFD to win.

What's the problem with sticking a USCG certified inflatable vest or cheap orange horseshoe vest in the hull to cover your bases and wear your CE vest. That meets USCG regs. Wearing it is usually a race rule not a coast guard rule, unless your under age (13?).

edit: Just saw Matt already addressed this.

According to Mike Krantz the process to be CG approved is lengthy, meticulous and EXPENSIVE. maybe he'll explain it here.

Todd, that MAY save you from getting a ticket, although you can still be cited if the PFD isn't "readily accessible," but always carefully check the SIs on this issue: US SAILING frequently requires the USCG PFD be "worn" and not just "carried."

I'd like to know how a competitor "compelled" the RC to protest. The RC may (permissive) protest a boat (60.2) and only shall (must) protest a boat when they "receive a report required by rule 43.1(c)(clothing weight) or 78.3 (class rule compliance)" (RRS 60.2)

Offline chat... beer SHALL be required.

Beer is good.

You guys just made my point. Every time US Sailing (or some well-intentioned OA or RC) decides that they are smarter than the RRS or USCG, it becomes hell for everyone involved.

I can think of some scenarios where the RC would feel pressured to file, but would love to hear this too, so I can watch out for similar nonsense.

Mike

Oh come on guys.... read between the lines.

The final result matters (probably to parents more then kids) ... so, you play the game using all of the rules on the books and count on the ref to make you a winner. Sailing is now just like any other sport. Working the ref is part of the gamesmanship in the game. The ethos of call your own foul has morphed into call protest and let the ref decide.... So... it is even better when you can shame the OA and PRO into calling the foul for you rather then be accused of violating safety rules.

Sailors have found a way around the "only RC may protest a breach of rule X" clause. Instead of protesting under rule X, they protest under rule 2, alleging that the protestee committed unsportsmanlike conduct by knowingly breaking a rule. Once the protest hearing is open, then PC must apply rule X.

There is a way around rule 88.2 (which would allow SI's to change rule 40), but I hesitate to give the details.

A practical, although unpalatable solution is to change the penalty (anything from "no penalty", or a "warning", to a discretionary penalty). Another option would be to "exonerate" a boat for breaking rule 40 if a CE vest were worn instead of a USCG vest.

If, however, you really want to wear a CE vest in the USA, then you should carry a "readily accessible" USCG vest on board as well. That way, you follow the law and the rules.

Regards,
Eric

Good grief Mark you can be a bit dramatic, you never bore me.

First off the ethics of the game haven't changed in the 43 years I've been playing it and if anything they have improved in my opinion. You and I are looking at and playing the same game and seeing it very differently and this is coming from a guy that as a rule doesn't like people.

As for this situation with rule 40 the rules are clear and are being used correctly. The Alter Cup inciedent was many years ago and a lesson was learned and as Matt has demonstrated (even with oldtimers I can remember who writes what Matt) if you put in the proper wording to the required documents using the rules as written it's a non issue.

That cat is long out of the bag.

The longer I do this, the more I appreciate the advice of several of my mentors (two IROs, an IJ and an IU): stop changing rules with the SIs. You can only make things worse.

Mike

Mike
As Jake noted...a CE vest makes it easier to get under the boom.... This is an advantage... The US Sailing Prescriptions (part of the RRS we must honor) require CG approved vests to comply with federal and state law.
CE vests have less buoyancy then CG vests.

Do you expect the competitors to honor the rule?
Do you expect competitors to enforce with a protest?
Do you expect the RC to protest?
Do you expect the OA to attempt to manage the issue and change the rules with the SIs?
Do you expect the OA to be smart about it and not mandate wearing a CG life vest in the SIs.. (So.. you can just have one on the boat)
Do you expect the OA's to take on responsibility by over ruling the USCG safety rule and finding a way around?
Do you expect the manufacturer to push a change in safety standards through USCG (less flotation).
Do you expect Dave and or Todd to bark at unamed individuals to fall in line with the majority in the fleet?
Do you expect clubs to embarass sailors who are not following the rules by calling them out individually but not protesting?

My view is that I can honor the rule by stuffing an orange CG vest in my hull and wear what I want... a CE vest. I count on the OA not taking away my responsiblity as a skipper by requiring a LJ at all times or worse... a CG approved LJ at all times. So... to the extent that as a PRO you don't fly the Life Jacket required flag OR put LJ requirements in the SIs... I agree... We have a work around.. It is a PIA to pull that orange POS jacket out of the hull to dry.... but I choose my poison.

US Sailing feels that as the standard bearer... they must set the example and so they require wearing CG vests at all of their named events at all times... (could be a keel boat J22 drifter and the gals are still wearing vests).

Most events ignore their lead thankfully!

Mark, if no one futzes with the rules in the SIs, your solution works...

Mike

Um-kay... Get the bright orange USCG pfd, fold it in half and velcro it to your boom... right about where you'd bonk your head in a chinese gybe situation.

Take care of two issues simultaneously - an approved vest in an "readily accessable" location AND not getting your brains knocked out by the boom...

Now, if you attach 50' of 3mm spectra to that pfd, does it also qualify as "throwable"?

John - remember the discussion we had with Dave during breakfast, in Houston in '09? Was that not right after the ISAF Youth Qualifier at ABYC?

Chuck Hawley has acquired multihull safety recommendations from around the country to include in a re-write of the OSR. I do know that the Gulf Yachting Association is in alignment with the Bay Area Multihull Association. Mark Hansen has played a role in this. The MHC Safety Comm you created has not been asleep.
If you, Matt, Dave, Mark,Hansen, and Mike Levesque would like to pursue this, let me know, and I will send you the stuff from Chuck.
The prescription to rule 40 is outside the lifelines of fairness and rarely enforced...BTW - Several competitors were in violation of said prescription during the previous Alter Cup and Means, nor Fairlie, said a word, even though, it was obvious. They did hire Liz to assist in a porch-side talk regarding respect for the Race Committee, which was out on the water that day, ready to race, while the competitors elected to remain ashore until it 'warmed up.' That WAS a Risk Management move, if I ever saw one.

What the he!! has happened to us and when did we get so freaking delicate!?