Yachting New Zealand Safety Regulations
Yachting New Zealand’s safety recommendations have been established to prevent manageable emergency situations turning into full-scale disaster by ensuring that yachties are properly equipped to cope. If help is required, there are also means to obtain that help (VHF, flares etc).
Racing Safety Categories
Yacht races are classified as either Category 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 in the Sailing Instructions or Notices of Race.
Category 4 or 5 is, in general, "round the bouys" type or short course racing in sheltered or warm waters. Compliance is self regulated and requires only a skippers declaration. Skippers should be aware that in the event of a spot check, failure to comply may result in disqualification. Category 3, 2 or 1 classifications refer to offshore and ocean races with different categories specified depending on the distance, duration and location of the race. Skippers must be able to present a current Safety Inspection Certificate seven days prior to the start of a Category 3, 2 or 1 race.
Category 1 Safety Certificates are also required by yachts leaving New Zealand on ocean or open water passages. Yachts also need to be registered on the Maritime New Zealand Register of Ships, see the Maritime New Zealand website.
The Yachting New Zealand Safety Regulations 2009-2012
The Yachting New Zealand Safety Regulations of Sailing 2009-2012 have been published. Considerable work has gone into reviewing the book including important changes from the 2005-2008 edition. The book is now more user-friendly and for the first time, the Racing Rules of Sailing and the Safety Regulations of Sailing have been split into two separate publications.
The regulations came into effect on 1 January 2009.
The YNZ Safety Regulations of Sailing 2009-2012 are available from yacht clubs, marine chandlers and Yachting New Zealand. To order your copy of the regulations from Yachting New Zealand download and fill in the order form then return it to mail@yachtingnz.org.nz, fax it to (09) 360 2246 or mail it to Yachting New Zealand, PO Box 91 209, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142.
The YNZ Safety Regulations of Sailing 2009-2012 can be downloaded in pdf format by clicking here (to save the file to your computer, right click the link and choose "Save Target As...").
Ammendments
May 2009
December 2009 (Includes Appendix 7)
For more information contact Yachting New Zealand on (09) 361 1471.
YNZ Safety Regulations of Sailing 2009-2012 Order Form