RULES REGARDING EXTERNAL HELP

In the first three days about 15% of the race boats have entered port for repairs. Read the rules to understand what penalties they incur and how it works...

  • EXTERNAL HELP (This modifies RRS 41 and 45)
  • 20.1 All navigational systems are allowed, including routing systems (modified RRS 41) except interdiction by the class rules.
  • 20.2 Boats must carry out the entire race independently and must not deliberately sail together or arrange for any support. During the race the boat can not have physical contact with another vessel or aircraft. It can not be refueled in any way whatsoever.
  • 20.3 During the race, a boat can moor or anchor and receive assistance only under the following conditions:
  • - The skipper must make a request to Race Direction (VHF, Inmarsat C, M, phone).
  • - The agreement of the Race Director for the place of stopping, the repairs to the equipment and any possible change, the boat may be towed or the engine to engaged to enter and / or leave a port or anchorage as agreed by the Race Direction for an agreed distance provided it can be proved that the result of such towing or running the engine has not promoted the progress of the boat toward the finish line.
  • - Only when the boat is under tow or engine, and only at that time, can people board.
  • - When the boat is at anchor or moored to a buoy or alongside an anchored vessel or docked in the port or place agreed with Race Direction, repairs can be made and the boat can be refuelled and the boat’s spare equipment used as per agreement with Race Direction. The skipper may land.
  • - When the boat has finished repairs and is ready to resume racing, it can be towed or moved under engine or on course pre agreed by Race Direction if it can be proved that the overall distance and overall result of such towing or running the engine has not promoted the progress of the boat toward the finish line. As soon as the boat returns to racing , only the skipper may be on board.
  • - Any technical stopover duration in a port, or moored to a mooring buoy, or long side a ship moored or docked or in shelter cannot be shorter than 4 hours. (This does not apply in the port of Saint- Malo)