2021 Transat Pre NOR

[hull113]

As a matter of safety, we're required to carry an AIS transmitter.  But, we're not allowed to see other boats (receive their position), and consequently, can't set an alarm.  We're singlehanding.  Anything that can help us see other boats (especially at night) seems like a good idea.  The effect of this is that-

1) I'm putting my safety in the hands of other vessels.  Not other 5.80s, but other large ships that might or might not choose to miss me.  If you've ever been offshore and met another boat (especially commercial vessels) you know that they don't really bother getting out of your way, and usually don't bother to acknowledge your existence.  Other boats seeing you on AIS generally has little effect.

2) I am carrying a piece of safety equipment that is basically not useful to me, but I have to provide power for it, maintain it, and am penalized for not having it.

I don't understand.  Don, can you help me understand?

Thanks,
Jack
Hull 113

[Admin]

Hi...In 5.1.5 SPECIAL EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS...o8) Full Function AIS set to the entrants yacht using a duplexer......this is mandatory and everything you need..you can see everyone, you know who they are..they can see you and they know who you are...so full AIS safety cover.

3.1.3.3...Is designed to STOP you being given other entrants positions from the Race tracker...and "AIS Marine Traffic" is a website that gives the position of all transmitting AIS signals received by satelite anywhere in the world 24hrs a day... so same as our Race tracker....you do not need to know where the other entrants are and should not have them from those two sources...also if all your GPS systems onboard fail...and instead you have someone seek your position form either of those two sources..that is direct OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE..so your bad planning should see you penalised in the race...the other guys with GPS keep sailing ...so it is all about Planning, Preparation and Execution to win the race ...good luck !!

[hull113]

3.1.7 in the 2021 Transat NOR says that electronic wind instruments, electronic logs are banned. Can you clarify that? We have to have an electronic depth gauge which usually come with temperature sensors. A knotmeter/log added to that seems pretty standard equipment, especially when we're already using GPS.

Thanks,
Jack

[Admin]

Hi....There are a few reasons for no electronic log that hark back to an earlier time...first with GPS you don't really need it...second just like not sailing with electronic wind...if you decide to not look at your GPS speed over the ground...you can actually do very well estimating your speed just by looking at the water go by...and be very accurate a cool skill and important if you lose your electrical...so we decided no impellor needed and one less thing to go wrong and usually one less hull hole as an echo sounder is inherently safe as it is it's own plug....so?? be it ..all part of the fun and some people cannot determine distance off by looking as they always look at their GPS but it is a skill that is good to have...so try it out...you may be surprised...I did it for 4000 miles in a 7mtr boat and was deadly accurate...fun to be had ...so no electronic log ..all the best...