MEASUREMENT AND EQUIPMENT INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES Issued - 2011 Page 1
EQUIPMENT INSPECTION IS REQUIRED AT ALL PREMIER EVENTS. The IMCA requires either: o o a two part inspection process - pre-event and during the event inspection or o Pre-racing limitation control and daily post racing equipment inspection. The Event Organisers shall liaise with the IMCA with regard to the equipment inspection format required and the number of personnel needed. Details of inspection requirements and personnel needed shall be confirmed with the IMCA not less than 6 months before the event. The organiser s attention is drawn to RRS 78. INSPECTION FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT TO BE SUPPLIED BY THE EVENT ORGANISERS: Undercover/ weather protected area for weighing It is essential that boat weight be completed out of wind and weather for an accurate result. If post racing inspections are to be carried out, then most of the boat work will be done alongside a pontoon and under the launching/recovery crane. Clean flat undercover area for sail inspection and registration. This will be needed for limitation control and for post racing measurement of sails. Trestles for rig checks. These will not be needed for post racing inspection. Designated areas for boat inspection. Tapes, registration stamps and waterproof ink and marker pens. Calibrated weighing scales in the range 790kg-830kg with a valid certificate. Insurance cover for the cranes and any lifting gear. Access to a supply of lead if needed for extra corrector weights. Page 2
MEASURERS AND EQUIPMENT INSPECTIORS: INTERNATIONAL MEASURER: ISAF Regulations require an ISAF International Class Measurer to be present at World and Continental Championships. The Class International Measurer will be appointed by the IMCA. The Event Organisers shall be responsible for all the costs of the Class International Measurer, including time and all travel, accommodation and subsistence. The International Measurer will work with the Event Chief Equipment Inspector, to bring the specialised knowledge of the Melges 24 Class and be able to liaise with the Jury and others on rule queries. The International Measurer shall be given access to the Internet when needed. EVENT CHIEF EQUIPMENT INSPECTOR: An Event Chief Equipment Inspector shall be appointed by the Event Organisers. He will be part of the Organising Committees and able to oversee the planning for the equipment inspection requirements of the event. He will be responsible for the organisation of the equipment inspection and oversee its application. The Event Chief Equipment Inspector shall be approved by the IMCA. He will need to be an experienced, but not necessarily a Melges 24 Class measurer. EQUIPMENT INSPECTORS: Equipment Inspectors will be required to undertake the inspection work. Pre-event inspection: Suggested numbers: control Boat weight and foil station 3-4 people. Sail registration station 3-4 people. Needed for pre-racing limitation Boat equipment checks 2-3 people. The majority of these people will only be needed for pre-event inspection and will not be needed if post racing inspection is used.. During event inspection and post racing inspection will be carried out by The Event Chief Equipment Inspector and the Class International Measurer. Two assistants may be required. Page 3
It is important that all Inspectors have been briefed in the relevant areas and that current class rules are available for reference. Ensure that a copy of the current ISAF Equipment Rules of Sailing are available in the Race Office. PRE EVENT MEASUREMENT: Major events can expect between 70 and 150 boats. At least 40% of boats arriving at the Regatta should be selected for weight and foil inspection procedure. Final numbers and details should be confirmed with the IMCA and the International Measurer. The boats to be measured may be selected at random. To ensure a fair coverage there shall be input from the IMCA. Selected boats shall be informed at registration and on arrival if possible. All boats shall be inspected for equipment etc and all boats shall register their sails. WEIGHT: Boats must be dry when weighed. The owner or his representative shall position and fix the lifting slings etc. Weighing must be carried out undercover as the wind can make the results inaccurate. If a boat is found to be underweight, additional weights shall be positioned as required in the Class Rules. The boat's number and the owner's name should be referred to the IMCA. The equipment inspector shall check the number and position of existing weights against the boat certificate. If new weights are added these must be recorded by the Class International measurer and the form returned (by the owner) to the Certificate Issuing Authority after the event. If a boat is found to be overweight, no action shall be taken to remove weight. FOILS: This should be done immediately prior to final launching. It is often safer to place the boat in the water, lower the keel and fit the rudder and lift the boat again for measurement. Great care must be taken to not damage the foils and the responsibility should be left to the owner. Page 4
SAILS: This applies to all boats. All sails must be presented for registration with the registration form already filled in. This declares the sails that will be used in the event. A specific event stamp with waterproof ink shall be used to mark every registered sail. It shall be possible to fully check measure a number of sails. This will be decided by the Class International Measurer and the IMCA. All sails should arrive already measured. There is no guarantee that time will be available, and no Melges 24 Class measurer is under any obligation to measure sails, which, have arrived unmeasured. If they do a substantial charge shall be made for this service. Only an approved Melges Class measurer may measure new sails. Sails should have all been pre-measured before arriving at the event and will have the measurer s signature and official IMCA Measures stamp with individual number or the ISAF IHC sticker. Every sail shall carry the IMCA royalty label stitched in place. Measured Sail: A sail, which has been pre-measured to the class rules by an official International Melges 24 Class measurer or IHC Loft official. Event Stamped Sail: A sail which having gone through the above procedure is accepted for use in the Event by the application of an Event stamp and the registering on the sail form. It does not presume class legality, only limitation of use in that particular event. BOAT & EQUIPMENT MEASUREMENT: This can be completed with the boats either afloat or ashore. All boats shall be checked. Equipment These items shall always be checked with particular note taken of the deflection of the hiking and gate lines and the weights of the anchor and its lines. Page 5
Boat Some discretion will be needed with regard to life-jackets/buoyancy PFD s as these are often personal items carried on and off the boat in crew bags. They should be checked at a later date if not present at first inspection. Buckets should be substantial. Note should be taken of the engine and particularly the fuel can content. The boat checks listed on the form are easy to complete with a steel tape measure. They are important to check, as it is possible for these things to be changed easily. ISAF Plaque The ISAF Plaque shall be permanently displayed on the starboard side aft face of the transom. The plaque was introduced to the class at approximately sail number 360. There will be no plaque for sail numbers less than this. DURING EVENT MESUREMENT: Spot checks shall be made by the Event Chief Equipment Inspector and Class International Measurer on a sample of boats after each race. It is anticipated that 3-6 boats will be selected per race. These checks may be varied from one item to a full check of safety equipment and measurement of sails and other items ashore. The selection of the finishing positions to be checked can often be left to the jury. A pre-selected set of finishing positions prevents any arguments. The equipment check affords an ideal opportunity for the measurer to visually check for anything unusual in the boat. Boats should be checked as soon as they cross the finish line. If it is necessary to do checks ashore, then the boat must be escorted back to the harbour to ensure nothing is changed or modified. PRE-RACING LIMITATION CONTROL AND POST RACING INSPECTION: This system reduces the time needed for equipment control before the racing starts and reduces the number of people needed to help with inspection tasks. Page 6
PRE-RACING The only control needed before racing starts is sail limitation. The standard form should be used to record label numbers and each sail stamped into the regatta. No checks should be carried out on any sail. The method of marking each sail is optional, although it must clearly show for the duration of the regatta. Stamps must use waterproof inks. POST-RACING Following racing each day, a number of boats will be selected for equipment inspection. Between 5 and 10 boats should be checked each day. The Jury will usually be happy to give finishing positions and a method of ensuring that the same boat is not checked every day. Not every boat needs to be checked for the same things. For example 3 boats may be lifted for keel position checks whilst the other 7 may have sails and safety equipment checked Items to be check will be decided by the International Measurer and the Chief Equipment Inspector Boat weight can be checked with the application of common sense. If a wet boat is on the minimum weight then there is likely to be a problem and the boat should be left ashore to dry and be re-checked either later that evening or first think the following morning. Sails should be checked but spinnakers may need to be dried before accurate measurements can be taken. When something is found which does not comply wit the class rules, the matter is immediately referred on in writing - to the Race Committee who shall protest the boat.. There is not other course of action and the boat is not allowed to correct things before the hearing with the Jury. Basic paperwork should be ready to be quickly filled in. Because the inspection process will take time it is essential that the Jury is kept informed and that there is time to submit protests. The work will need to be done as quickly as possible to try and keep within the protest time limit and before the event starts discussion must be had with the jury to give the equipment inspection teams enough time to complete their work before the close of protest time. If a problems is found which will almost certainly result in a protest, it is better to immediately inform the jury that a protest is due as soon as the details have been recorded and that it might be lodged a little late. Page 7
SAIL REGISTRATION FORM XXX EVENT (ALL BOATS) Sail Number: Owner/Helmsman: * Type: Sail Loft Year Measured 1 MAINSAIL IMCA Sail Sticker No. IMCA Sail Measurer's Name or number if readable. For use by Organiser Sail Stamped - Tick 2 JIB 3 SPINNAKER 1 4 SPINNAKER 2 COMMENTS: Declaration made by: Owner/helmsman: Date: Organisers Signature Only measured sails may be used. Spot checks will be made. If sails are not measured or not listed on this form the yacht may be disqualified from the race/regatta. Page 10
- HULL and SAFETY INSPECTION - BOW NUMBER : Official Hull Identification Number : XXXXXX CHAMPIONSHIP - 20XX - Bow Numbers? Yes or No Event Advertising displayed? All Yacht Advertising within the limits? Hiking lines conform in installation, material and tension? HULL: Rear Gate tight enough? Permanent Band on Mast & Boom? Sail Track Stop on Mast & Boom? Copy of Certificate on board? Amount of Corrector Weights shown on Certificate: (75mm max) Kg Corrector Weights actually found on Board : Fwd: Kg Aft: Kg BOWSPRIT : Fully retractable? No shockcord or similar? ENGINE : 2 Stroke 4 Stroke SAFETY GEAR : Engine and Bracket stored below cockpit sole? Engine tray under engine? Separate container with 3 litres of fuel? MOORING : Anchor : (min 3.1Kg) Mooring Wharp : (min= 40m, dia=8mm) Combined Weight : (min=5kg) OTHERS : Manual Bilges Pump? Bucket with 1m laniard? Number of personal flotation vests? Two main companionway Hatches to enable the cabin to be closed off? For information only : VHF on board? Inspector's Name : REMARKS : Date : Registration Card Stamped? YES
SAIL INSPECTION BOW NUMBER : XXXX CHAMPIONSHIP - 20XX SPINNAKER 1 Sail Maker: SAIL NUMBER : Sticker Number : Min G.5.1 Authorized Material 2.c1.3 Window below Half Height Actual (If not correct) Max.75 m! Luff Length 11285mm 11585mm Leech Length 10000mm 11078mm Foot Median 12000mm Foot Length 6000mm 6300mm Three-quarter Width 3700mm Half Width 5860mm 40g/m! G.2.3.b Weight of the Body of the Sail marked at Head Approved Declared Material of Body of Sail: Owner's Signature: SPINNAKER 2 Sail Maker: Sticker Number : Min G.5.1 Authorized Material 2.c1.3 Window below Half Height Actual (If not correct) Max.75 m! Luff Length 11285mm 11585mm Leech Length 10000mm 11078mm Foot Median 12000mm Foot Length 6000mm 6300mm Three-quarter Width 3700mm Half Width 5860mm 40g/m! G.2.3.b Measurer: Date: Weight of the Body of the Sail marked Approved Declared Material of Body of Sail: Owner's Signature: Signature: YES Registration Card Stamped?
- WEIGHING and APPENDAGE INSPECTION - BOW NUMBER : Hull Identification Number : XXXX CHAMPIONSHIP - 20XX Min C.6.1. Hull Weight: C.6.2. Amount of Corrector Weights shown on the Certificate: Actual Max 809kg Aft Fwd Corrector Weigths actually found on the boat : C.8.2.a HDP to intersection of fin Trailing edge and hull : 3482mm 3494mm C.8.2.a HDP to intersection of Bulb Top and Fin Aft Edge: 3784mm 3823mm C.8.2.a Underside of Hull to top of bulb: 1215mm C.8.3.a HDP to Trailing Edge of Rudder Tip: 1220mm C.7.1.e Are the Delrins clearly visible? 1400mm E.3.4.a.1 Kelp Cutter in place? C.8.3.b.1 Rudder Head parallel to transom (+/- 2mm): C.9.5.b. Bowsprit extension: D.6.1.a.7 Four Stanchions & Aft Pulpits in Stainless Steel? TEMPLATING: KEEL: Pass? RUDDER : Pass? REMARKS : Inspector's Name : Date : YES Registration Card Stamped?