Following recommendation from the Special Regulations Sub-Committee, the Oceanic and Offshore Committee unanimously approved changes to design requirements of storm sails, aiming to clarify the primary role as essential safety equipment.
Matt Allen, Chair of the Oceanic and Offshore Committee, said, “The use of staysails has increased and the use of storm and heavy weather sails as staysails has become common practice. This helps reduce the number of sails carried on board, but while a staysail increases performance it is not as effective in storms or heavy weather.
“Without a clear definition of the conditions for which storm and heavy weather sails should be designed and manufactured, it is possible for a boat to carry such sails that meet the wording of the current rules but that are not capable of fulfilling their role in storm or heavy weather conditions.
“Approval of this proposal defines the standard for storm sails to be designed and manufactured, ensuring that the equipment fulfils safety requirements first and foremost and keep sailors safe at sea.”
The following urgent change, that is the addition of OSR 4.27.1 f) will be effective from 16 December 2024:
OSR 4.27.1 Design
a) the material of the body of a storm sail purchased after 2013 shall have a highly visible colour (e.g. dayglo pink, orange or yellow),
b) aromatic polyamides, carbon and similar fibres shall not be used in a trysail or storm jib, but HMPE and similar materials are permitted, c) sheeting positions on deck for each storm and heavy-weather sail, d) sheeting positions for the trysail independent of the boom, and
e) the maximum area of storm and heavy weather sails shall be lesser of the areas below or as specified by the boat designer or sailmaker.
f) the primary purpose of any storm sail or heavy weather sail shall be to provide propulsion and steerage in storm & heavy weather conditions, and they shall be designed, manufactured and maintained as such. Storm sails shall be designed to provide propulsion and steerage in Beaufort scale 8 and on all points of sail. Heavy weather sails shall be designed to provide propulsion and steerage in Beaufort scale 6 and on all points of sail.
The submission was approved as an urgent change as possible under regulation 30.1.2.
Image: RORC