Question about lifeline requirements for ocean races.

[EvanLyons]

Hey SSS,
I am in the home stretch of bringing the Crane Wife up to the Northern California Offshore Racing Council’s Minimum Equipment Requirements for the Singlehanded Farallones next month. I am replacing my old coated lifelines with dyneema and ran into an issue. Crane Wife has a gate on either side in the lifelines that uses a pelican clip to close the top lifeline and no bottom lifeline. The lack of a lower lifeline in the gate area would seem to violate rule 2.4.7 which states, "Boats 30' and over (9.14m) shall have at least two lifelines with 24" (762mm) minimum height above deck, and a maximum vertical gap of 15" (381mm)..." When I replace the lifelines, should I run the new ones (upper and lower) straight through this gate or is it legal to have it open on the bottom? I figure that I will probably go with the conservative option and just run the lines all the way from bow to stern, but I thought I would ask. Thanks for the help!

Evan

 

[BobJ]

Don't throw away your wire lifelines (if they're in good shape and you can strip off the vinyl). The last I heard, NorCalORC/OYRA plans to require wire again effective 1/1/2018, as they try to stay close to what US Sailing is requiring. I can't speak for what SSS plans to require.

To answer your question, you'd need the lower lifelines in the gate areas as well.

 

[sleddog]

Hi Evan,

As you surmise, the intention is having continuous upper and lower lifelines around the working deck, no gaps to possibly fall through such as a gate opening... Running dyneema through the stanchions at the gate is one possibility...or clove hitch the lower lifeline to the stanchions at the gate position. Two additional thoughts you've likely considered: Dyneema through some variety of stanchion holes may be subject to chafe. Attention to chafe at the stanchions is paramount. Also, it sounds like you are eliminating the pelican hooks, which to my way of thinking is a good thing. I've seen too many lifeline pelican hooks accidentally open.

 

[K38Bob]

NCORC 2017 allows HMPE lifelines

Don't throw away your wire lifelines (if they're in good shape and you can strip off the vinyl). The last I heard, NorCalORC/OYRA plans to require wire again effective 1/1/2018, as they try to stay close to what US Sailing is requiring. I can't speak for what SSS plans to require (except to state a general, non-targeted "I told you so.")

To answer your question, you'd need the lower lifelines in the gate areas as well.

Actually in the recent NCORC meeting, OYRA planned to follow USS. A productive discussion with a healthy advocacy from SSS (and assist from BAMA) led to a decision to not follow USS.

Some key points discussed and I followed up on some research:
The issue w HMPE is meltdown of lifeline under load by running rigging friction- more of an issue on big boats big conditions and wrong line. There is specific line sold for lifeline which has outer chafe guard layer. This line is also pre-stretched and set (by some polymer) and is difficult to splice by amateurs.
The failure of HMPE is often by DIY spectra (easy to splice) line splices coming undone and improper ferrels in stanchion (need rounded) causing chafing.

Addressed by education and periodic inspection- WIP

A key benefit identified of HMPE is a source of additional longlines in hawaii races for jury rig. A tipping point in the discussion.

http://norcalorc.org/gear

 

[Steevee]

I too have replaced all my lifelines with Dyneema. All the terminals are spliced and stitched. I also ran vinyl tubing through the stantions for chafe prevention. I hope I didn't nump the gun as far as the wire requirements​. That would suck.

 

[Steevee]

I did use proper barrels at the terminals as well. The lines are continuous. I hope this meets requirements.

 

[DaveH]

I think you are OK on the spectra vs wire requirement, at least for now. [see K38Bob's post above]
And the chafe protection on the stantions looks good. Bear in mind this will become out of alignment over time as the lines are stretched.

here's the but...

I am not a fan of the eyes splice through the terminals... This looks like stretching the rope over a hard corner and under tension at that.
The preferred methodology for spectra (and wire) lifelines is multilayered lashings no longer then 4" at one end [usually the stern end].
given the tang on your bow pulpit, I would have preferred to see a decently sized shackle to attach the eye-splice to, then lashings at the stern end to apply tension.

DH

 

[Steevee]

I am not a fan of the eyes splice through the terminals... This looks like stretching the rope over a hard corner and under tension at that.

I agree. It's hard to tell from the photo, but the barrel fittings are nicely rounded(no sharp edges) aluminum specific for Dyneema.

 

[BobJ]

Actually in the recent NCORC meeting, OYRA planned to follow USS. A productive discussion with a healthy advocacy from SSS (and assist from BAMA) led to a decision to not follow USS.

I know that was the decision for this season but as of February, OYRA had voted to ban HMPE lifelines starting next season. I've sent Andy an e-mail to clarify.

 

[K38Bob]

Check NOR/SI for requirements

Actually in the recent NCORC meeting, OYRA planned to follow USS. A productive discussion with a healthy advocacy from SSS (and assist from BAMA) led to a decision to not follow USS.

Some key points discussed and I followed up on some research:
The issue w HMPE is meltdown of lifeline under load by running rigging friction- more of an issue on big boats big conditions and wrong line. There is specific line sold for lifeline which has outer chafe guard layer. This line is also pre-stretched and set (by some polymer) and is difficult to splice by amateurs.
The failure of HMPE is often by DIY spectra (easy to splice) line splices coming undone and improper ferrels in stanchion (need rounded) causing chafing.

Addressed by education and periodic inspection- WIP

A key benefit identified of HMPE is a source of additional longlines in hawaii races for jury rig. A tipping point in the discussion.

http://norcalorc.org/gear
View attachment 2315

PS as a/the key instigator (thorn in side, pebble in shoe) of this preface- Can't believe I didn't mention it. USS nor NCORC is a regulatory body/authority. The organizing authority (OA) for the race is the authority- see NOR SI for requirements that are linked to USCG Marine Event Permit (MEP)

http://norcalorc.org/gear

 

[K38Bob]

I know that was the decision for this season but as of February, OYRA had voted to ban HMPE lifelines starting next season. I've sent Andy an e-mail to clarify.

That was Andy's report in the later NCORC meeting which was not adopted.
OYRA follows NCORC per SI and YRA http://yra.org/yra-racing/ocean-safety/
Andy authored the subsequent NCORC list- link above and again http://norcalorc.org/gear
Check with Redsky too...

And of course check the NOR SI which is the reference document
https://www.jibeset.net/show.php?RR=YRA_T004241016&DOC=nr&TYP=pdf

 

[BobJ]

Not to fuss but where does it state the HMPE allowance is permanent? There is ongoing pressure to conform to the USSER, plus we're not going to change out our lifelines every race based on which OA is running it. I'll report back with what Andy says.

 

[Steevee]

Well, bottom line is the SSS race committee is the authority. I would like to offer a gesture of appreciation to those hard working members of the race committee and send you all a gift less than the amount $ of replacing my lifelines with wire
Have a nice day!

 

[BobJ]

This board, this year. Lifelines are too big a project to keep changing back and forth.

 

[K38Bob]

PS as a/the key instigator (thorn in side, pebble in shoe) of this preface- Can't believe I didn't mention it. USS nor NCORC is a regulatory body/authority. The organizing authority (OA) for the race is the authority- see NOR SI for requirements that are linked to USCG Marine Event Permit (MEP)
View attachment 2322
http://norcalorc.org/gear

Here's a handy list on SAS. Scroll down http://yra.org/yra-racing/safety-at-sea-courses/
Which training do I need?

Each race organizer selects the level of training required for their races

The BAMA Double Handed Farallones race (3/18/17) recommends SAS training which may apply to their own training requirement for all crew defined in Notice of Race. Skipper meeting offered.

The IYC Double Handed Lightship race (4/8/17) requires that the skipper have at least a Coastal SAS certificate.
OYRA (9 race series, first race 4/22/17) requires that the skipper and 30% of the crew have at least a Coastal SAS certificate.

SSS (first offshore race 5/20/17) requires that the skipper have at least a Coastal SAS certificate.

The SFYC/MPYC Spinnaker Cup (5/26/17) requires that the skipper and 30% of the crew have at least an Offshore SAS certificate.

The EYC Coastal Cup (5/29/17) requires that the skipper and 30% of the crew have at least an Offshore SAS certificate.

The SoCal 300 required in 2016 that the skipper and 30% of the crew have at least a Coastal SAS certificate. Please refer to NOR for 2017.

Transpac 2017 (first start 7/3/17) requires that the skipper and 30% of the crew have at least an Offshore SAS certificate, Offshore with Hands-on is recommended for 2017 and will be required in 2019.

Pac Cup 2018 will require that the skipper and 30% of the crew have an Offshore with Hands-on certificate for 2018.

 

[EvanLyons]

Great information and discussion. Thanks! I'll be running dyneema through some nylon bushings inserted into the stanchion holes to help with the chafing. The major benefit that I see with dyneema is the ability to easily make repairs at sea. The ability to do-it-myself (assuming that I do it properly) is a plus as well. I don't think I'll miss the gates. The bigger pain in my ass is actually having to add a stanchion just ahead of the shrouds to meet the 78" requirement. There's no ambiguity in that rule so I just have to suck it up and do it.

 

[BobJ]

I know that was the decision for this season but as of February, OYRA had voted to ban HMPE lifelines starting next season. I've sent Andy an e-mail to clarify.

Andy's reply (today)

"The decision was for the 2017 season. We did not commit either way after that. World Sailing and US Sailing both ban HMPE."

So like I wrote originally, if you switch to HMPE lifelines (and plan to do any of the local ocean races), don't toss your old wire ones.

 

[Critter]

Unless they're vinyl coated.

 

[Steevee]

So like I wrote originally, if you switch to HMPE lifelines (and plan to do any of the local ocean races), don't toss your old wire ones.

Does this apply to the SHTP 2018? ...or is it too soon to say?

 

[BobJ]

See 4.07.1:

http://sfbaysss.org/resource/shtp2016/2016RRC_Final_111315.pdf

I may live to eat my words, but the SHTP rules have tended to be more stable than the local rules.