Regulations

Global Solo Challenge 2023-2024 and 2027-2028 Regulations

History of amendments

• Version1.0 issued 07/01/2021
• Version1.1 issued 19/01/2021
• Version2.0 issued 10/03/2021

Preamble

Compiling a list of additional recommendations for Boats participating in the Global Solo Challenge would have been impossible without referring to the cornerstone reference work done by World Sailing. The text below is therefore heavily inspired by the Offshore Special Regulations Monohull Category Zero, but has been reviewed and adapted for the Event. We still consider it due and necessary to recognise full copyright © ORC Ltd. 2002, amendments 2003-2020 © World Sailing Limited, but please refer to www.sailing.org/specialregs for further information and for all original text

1 Definitions, abbreviations, word usage

1.01 Definitions of Terms used in this document

Event specific definitions

• • Event: The Global Solo Challenge 2023-2024 or The Global Solo Challenge 2027-2028
  • Event Website: http://globalsolochallenge.com
  • Organiser: Marco Nannini LTD, 3rd floor, 166 College Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 1BH, UK
  • Skipper: the skipper of a Boat entered in the Event
  • Boat: A Boat entered in the Event
  • Boat Owner: any legal or beneficial owner(s) of a Boat;
  • Regulations: These regulations

Other definitions and abbreviations

1.01.1 The words “shall” and “must” are mandatory, and “should” and “may” are permissive.

2. Application

The Global Solo Challenge passes through areas in which air or sea temperatures are likely to be less than 5°C other than temporarily, where Boats must be completely self-sufficient for very extended periods of time, capable of withstanding heavy storms and prepared to meet serious emergencies without the expectation of outside assistance

2.01 A Boat may be inspected at any time

2.02 General requirement

2.02.1 All equipment shall:

a) function properly

b) be regularly checked, cleaned and serviced

c) if it has an expiry date, it will not have exceeded its expiry date during the Event

d) when not in use be stowed in conditions in which deterioration is minimised

e) be readily accessible

f) be of a type size and capacity suitable and adequate for the intended use and size of the Boat

2.02.2 Heavy items shall be permanently installed or securely fastened. The Organiser may require such items to have a seal attached to show that they have remained in situ during the course of the Event. Skippers must make provision for such seals to be placed

3 Structural features, stability, fixed equipment

A Boat shall be/have:

3.01 Strength of build and rig

3.01.1 Properly rigged, fully seaworthy

3.01.2 Equipped with shrouds and at least one forestay that shall remain connected to the mast and the Boat during the Event

3.02 Watertight and Structural Integrity of a Boat

3.02.1 Essentially watertight and all openings shall be capable of being immediately secured. Centreboard, dagger board trunks and the like shall not open into the interior of a hull except via a watertight maintenance hatch with the opening entirely above the Waterline

3.02.2 Written evidence of a structural inspection within 24 months of the start of the Event or after a grounding whichever is the later. The inspection to be conducted by a qualified person externally with the Boat out of the water. The inspection should include consulting any owners manual and / or any other appropriate source of information for any instructions for keel bolt checking and re-tightening. The inspector should check that there are no visible stress cracks particularly around the keel, hull/keel attachment, hull appendages and other stress points, inside the hull, backing plates, bolting arrangements and keel floors.

3.03 Hull Construction Standards (Scantlings)

3.03.1 A monohull with a Primary Launch after 2009 shall be designed, built and maintained in accordance with the requirements of ISO 12215 Category A

3.03.2 A monohull with Primary Launch between 1987 and 2010 shall have been designed, built, maintained, modified or repaired in accordance with the requirements of:

a) the ABS Guide for Building and Classing Offshore Yachts and have on board either an ABS certificate of plan approval, or written statements signed by the designer and builder confirming that they have respectively designed and built the boat in accordance with the ABS Guide

b) the EC Recreational Craft Directive for Category A having obtained the CE mark

c) ISO 12215 Category A, with written statements signed by the designer and builder confirming that they have respectively designed and built the boat in accordance with the ISO standard, except

d) that the Organiser may accept, when that described in a), b) or c) above is not available, the signed statement by a naval architect or other person familiar with the standards listed above that the boat fulfils these requirements

3.04 Stability – Monohulls

3.04.1 Able to demonstrate compliance with ISO 12217-2* design category A or higher, either by EC Recreational Craft Directive certification having obtained the CE mark or the designer’s declaration

*The latest effective version of ISO 12217-2 should be used unless the Boat was already designed to a previous version

3.04.2 Where compliance in accordance with 3.04.1 cannot be demonstrated, able to demonstrate either:

a)

i) a STIX value not less than 32, and

ii) AVS not less than 130 – 0.002*m, but always >= 100°, (where “m” is the mass of the Boat in the minimum operating condition as defined by ISO 12217- 2), and

iii) a minimum righting energy m*AGZ>172000 (where AGZ is the positive area under the righting lever curve in the minimum operating condition, expressed in kg metre degrees from upright to AVS)

b) the Stability Index in ORC Rating System of not less than 120

c) IRC SSS Base value of not less than 35

3.04.3 Boats must be Capable of self-righting from an inverted position with or without reasonable intervention from the Skipper and independent of the condition of the rig

3.05 Exits – Monohulls

3.05.1 At least two exits if with a Primary Launch after 1994. One exit shall be located forward of the foremost mast except where structural features prevent its installation

3.05.2 The following minimum clear hatch openings if First Launch after 2013:

a) a circular hatch with diameter 450 mm; or

b) any other shape with minimum dimension of 380 mm and minimum area of 0.18 m²

3.06 Hatches & Companionways

3.06.1 Hatch covers forward of the maximum beam station shall not open toward the interior of the Boat, except hatches in the side of a coachroof or ports having an area of less than 0.071 m²

3.06.2 A hatch, including a hatch over a locker shall be:

a) permanently attached and capable of being firmly shut immediately and remaining firmly shut in a 180° capsize

b) above the water when the Boat is heeled 90°

A Boat may have a maximum of two hatches on each side of centerline that do not conform to the requirement in b), provided that the opening of each is less than 0.071² m

3.06.3 Hatches not conforming with 3.06.1 and 3.06.2 shall be clearly labelled and used in accordance with the following instruction “NOT TO BE OPENED AT SEA”

3.06.4 Companionway hatches:

a) fitted with a strong securing arrangement which shall be operable from the exterior and interior even when the Boat is inverted

b) blocking devices:

i capable of being retained in position with the hatch open or shut

ii secured to the Boat (e.g. by lanyard) for the duration of the Event

iii permit exit in the event of inversion

3.06.5 if a monohull with Open Cockpit(s):

a) a companionway sill that does not extend below the local sheerline; or

b) a companionway in full compliance with ISO 11812 category A

3.06.6 If a monohull with Contained Cockpit(s) where the companionway extends below the local sheerline, panels capable of blocking the companionway up to the level of the local sheerline whilst giving access to the interior

3.06.7 It is strongly recommended that a boat carries replacement storm hatches with a means of rapid installation for any hatches forward of the main mast and at least 50 % of all other hatches and windows in the coach roof and/or hull

3.07 Cockpits

3.07.1 Cockpits that self-drain quickly by gravity at all angles of heel and are permanently incorporated as an integral part of the Boat

3.07.2 A cockpit sole at least 2% LWL above the waterline (or in IMS Boats with First Launch before 2003, at least 2% L above the waterline)

3.07.3 A bow, lateral, central or stern well is a cockpit for the purposes of Point 3.07

3.07.4 Cockpit Volume

The maximum combined volume below lowest coamings of all contained cockpits shall be:

a) primary launch before April 1992: 6% (LWL x maximum beam x freeboard abreast the cockpit)

b) primary launch after March 1992 as above for the appropriate category except that ”lowest coamings” shall not include any aft of the FA station and no extension of a cockpit aft of the working deck shall be included in calculation of cockpit volume

3.07.5 Cockpit Drains

Cockpit drain cross section area of unobstructed openings (after allowance for screens if fitted) shall be at least 4 x 20 mm  diameter or equivalent

3.08 Sea Cocks or Valves

3.08.1 Permanently installed sea cocks or valves on all through-hull openings below the waterline except for integral deck scuppers and instrument through-hulls

3.09 Sheet Winches

3.09.1 Sheet winches mounted in such a way that an operator is not required to be substantially below deck

3.10 Mast Step

3.10.1 The heel of a keel stepped mast securely fastened to the mast step or adjoining structure

3.11 Watertight Bulkheads

3.11.1 Either a watertight “crash” bulkhead within 15% of LH from the bow and abaft the forward end of LWL, or permanently installed closed-cell foam buoyancy effectively filling the forward 30% LH of the hull

3.11.2 It is strongly recommended that a boat is fitted with a watertight bulkhead within 15% of LH from the stern. The watertight sub-section should include the rudder stock(s) through-hull(s) if fitted within 15% of LH from stern

3.11.3 Any required watertight bulkhead to be strongly built to take a full head of water pressure without allowing any leakage into the adjacent compartment

3.11.4 At least two watertight transverse bulkheads in addition to any bulkheads positioned within the forward and aft 15% of LH

3.11.5 Outside deck access for inspection and pumping shall be provided to every watertight compartment terminated by a hull section bulkhead, except that deck access to extreme end “crash” compartments is not required

3.11.6 An access hatch in every required watertight bulkhead (except a “crash” bulkhead). The access hatch shall have means of watertight closure permanently attached to the main panel, or lid, or cover of the hatch. The closure shall not require tools to operate

3.11.7 In the absence of compliance with 3.11.1 to 3.11.6 inclusive a Skipper shall submit to the Organiser by the 30th of April 2023 for the Global Solo Challenge 2023-2024 or the 30th April 2027 for the Global Solo Challenge 2027-2028 or earlier a written statement in a form acceptable to the Organiser confirming:

a) the Skipper has made alternative provisions for watertight bulkheads to divide the Boat in watertight sub-sections that are of a sufficient standard quantity and volume and are equal to or exceed the protection against sinking or flooding that compliance with 3.11.1 to 3.11.6 would provide

b) the Skipper has consulted with a marine architect or other suitably qualified person who has confirmed that such alternative provisions are of sufficient standard quantity and volume and are equal to or exceed the protection against sinking or flooding that compliance with 3.11.1 to 3.11.6 would provide

3.11.8 The statement shall be accompanied by details of the alternative provision that has been made

3.11.9 The Organiser reserves the right to require the Skipper to produce written confirmation from the marine architect or other suitably qualified person consulted in accordance with 3.11.7 b)

3.11.10 The Organiser shall be under no obligation to accept such a statement in lieu of compliance with 3.11.1 to 3.11.6 inclusive. Whether to accept or reject such a statement shall be at the sole and final discretion of the Organiser

3.11.11 If such a statement is accepted by the Organiser doing so shall not in any way be interpreted as an assurance or confirmation that a Boat is suitable to take part in th