Safety Categories in CYCA Races

• Category 1 (Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and Ponant Sydney Noumea Yacht Race)
• Category 2 (Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore Series and Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race)
• Category 4 (Minimum required for Offshore Racing ie. SOPS, OPS, SHPS and CYCA Trophy)
• Category 5 (External regattas ie Sail Port Stephens / Hamilton Island Race Week)
• Category 6 (Required for Trailable yachts in the Winter Series)
• Category 7 (Minimum required for inshore races, Charity Regattas, Twilight Racing and Winter Series)

Equipment Auditing

To book an inspection, please contact the Sailing Office on 8292 7804. CYCA Auditors are available Monday to Friday 10:00am to 3:00pm. Equipment Audit forms can be found here under “Other Documentation”.

The CYCA requires some additions to the Special Regulations. Please to refer to the General Conditions of Racing in the CYCA Summer Program or relevant series Sailing Instructions for these.

Presentation of a Boat for Inspection process.

1. Boat owners should obtain an Equipment Compliance form from their club (or download above) prior to the inspection.
2. The owner or his representative should carry out an initial inspection and tick/sign the appropriate box – making sure to check expiry dates and quality of equipment, as well as identifying the location of equipment that may be asked to be presented during the inspection.
3. Boat owners should make a firm appointment for an audit and they should be punctual.
4. Necessary equipment should be laid out ready for inspection, including copies of service certificates and any additional safety documentation; i.e. stowage plans, EPIRB registration, Life Raft Service Certificates, PFD Service Certificates. (Cat 1 and 2 inspections – owners should have a copy of these certificates on hand to submit to the auditor as a part of the inspection paperwork.)
5. The skipper and knowledgeable crew member should be on board during the inspection.
6. The owner’s Australian Sailing number and vessel registration details shall be made available to the Auditor or the Equipment Compliance form cannot be completed.

Equipment Layout for Inspection

All items required for safety inspection should be laid out prior to the Auditor coming on board. Prior preparation will significantly reduce the time taken to complete the inspection.

1. Storm boards ready to be put in place.
2. Sea cocks and plugs exposed, not hidden by equipment.
3. Know the water and fuel capacity of your tanks
4. Fire extinguishers taken from brackets so date tags can be sighted.
5. First Aid kits open and items with use by dates on the top so that expiry date can be checked.
6. Publications and charts on chart table.
7. Emergency navigation lights with batteries fitted.
8. PFD’s, harnesses, tethers and flares laid out.
9. Radio installation inspection certificate.
10. Life Raft Certificate
11. Jackstays rigged.
12. Lifelines tightened.

After the Inspection

It is the owners responsibility to ensure that the boat continues to comply in every respect with the category the boat is competing in. Owners should remain familiar with the Australian Sailing Special regulations and ensure that all equipment remains on the boat, is kept in good working order and that equipment is replaced or repaired as necessary.

The onus is NOT on the Organising Authority, the Club or the Equipment Auditors to perform ongoing checks or to confirm compliance. The responsibility remains with the boat owner – the audit only verifies that the equipment is on board at the time of the inspection.

Fire extinguisher service

Price for a fire extinguisher service:

• Service for CYCA Members – FREE
• Service for non-Members – $30
• Disposal – $25

If a fire extinguisher does not pass service, a $25 fee will be applied to a Member’s account for each disposal.

Flare disposal

Prices for flare disposal:

• Hand/parachute flare – $10
• Man Overboard flare – $55
• Day/night flare – $17