Seaworthy Vessels

The rally is an event for seaworthy cruising yachts sailed by competent crew. The rally organisers will not undertake safety inspections nor certify a vessel is fit for participation in the rally. Those new to bluewater cruising may seek advice from rally organisers, who may choose to provide it without any implied liability or certification. We strongly recommend that yachts comply with the Yachting Australia’s Safety Category One.

The rally organiser went on his first overseas trip with the Darwin to Ambon yacht race almost twenty years ago and understands the need for guidance and advice for those new to overseas/offshore cruising, just ask!

Safety Equipment

The full detailed safety equipment list is available as part of the skippers declaration, which is sent to entrants.
Having said the above (that rally organisers will not in any way certify that a yacht is suitable for the event), we do reserve the right to refuse an entry up until the day of customs clearance (with full refunds of unexpended fees paid). Such a refusal would be on the grounds that the organisers have concerns regarding the safety of the vessel or competence of the crew (which could inconvenience or put at risk other participants).

The minimum requirements for yachts and their equipment is that (items marked with a P apply to power boats as well):

• The yacht must be essentially watertight and over 30 feet in length (32 for multihulls) (P).
• Queensland transport minimum requirements for offshore are required (P).
• A 406 EPIRB must be carried (P).
• A liferaft or lifeboat must be carried. Liferafts must be in survey. Lifeboats may be a hard dinghy or inflatable ready for immediate use and fitted with safety gear as per the requirements for a liferaft in AYF survey (P).
• Flares (at least 2 red, 2 orange smoke and 2 parachute) are carried (P).
• A grab bag containing safety equipment is readily accessible  (P).
• Lifejackets with whistle and reflective tape are onboard, lifesling style lifebuoy carried on stern rail and a lifebuoy with drogue, light and dan buoy accessible from helm carried. A heaving line is kept near the cockpit/deckhouse(P).
• A VHF radio is mandatory. An HF Radio or Satellite phone is required. An HF radio is preferred and will allow briefings and radio schedules. Yachts without an HF radio but with a satphone will be responsible for all call costs to/from the rally organisers and must call in for each radio sked during passages. A radio capable of receiving HF weather forecasts is required (P).
• The design and construction of the yacht and its rigging must be suitable for offshore sailing (P). The vessel must resist capsize (P), be self righting (for monos) and for cats must have watertight bulkheads and or flotation. Cockpits must have adequate drains and hatches and companionways must be watertight (P).
• The yacht must be capable of being handled by the crew.
• The yacht must have sufficient motoring capacity and fuel to motor into a 15 knot headwind in offshore conditions for 300 miles (P, 750 miles).
• The yacht must have adequate reefing gear and/or storm sails. The must be one storm sail which is not the primary main/genoa (even if these can be reefed), a staysail is acceptable if it can be reefed to storm size, but a separate storm jib is required for sloops and ketches and is highly recommended for cutter rigged vessels.
• The yacht must have an all chain primary anchor (size of anchor and chain sufficient for the yacht as per Yachting Australia) and a substantial secondary anchor readily deployed (P).
• The yacht must have lifelines and jackstays and carry harnesses sufficient for all crew (P).
• At least one high volume manual bilge pump is fitted and operable from the cockpit, two strong buckets with lanyards are stowed ready for use for bailing (P).
• The electrical system provides for separate engine starting and “house” circuits. Batteries are sealed or gel type (recommended). A separate radio battery is fitted (recommended). There are at least two ways to charge batteries (e.g. engine alternator and solar panels (P)).
• 2, 10BE fire extinguishers are carried (we also recommend a fire blanket in galley and an extinguisher near each galley, switch board and internal combustion engine). LPG installation has been certified. No petrol is carried below decks (P).
• The yacht must have a water capacity in drums or tanks of at least 50 litres per person on board (P).
• The yacht must be Australian (or other nationality) Registered. If you have an Ozzie yacht and it isn’t Australian Registered, allow time to get it organised (we can advise on how) (P).
• The skipper and owner(s) must declare that the vessel is fit for the voyage and has the required equipment aboard (P).

Radio

In the past Rallies we have had lots of vessels with radio problems, we require that you have a check by a qualified radio technician, this can be arranged at Yorkeys in early September, or bring a certificate with you. Make sure you have used the HF, to talk long range and whilst sailing..(check for autopilot interference). Other issues are the continued operation of the autopilot when on the radio (many boats get interference, causing autopilot malfunction) and also getting the radio sufficient voltage.

AIS

Automatic Identification System (AIS) appears to be really good gear.. we encourage you to fit it and learn to use it!

Multihulls & Parachute Anchors

We want all multi’s to have a parachute anchor, if the weather turns nasty its a reasonably proven survival technique. If you haven’t got one ask us where to get one. You need a bridle and have thought through attachment points and chafe protection.
These are good for monohulls as well!!! (But essential for cats!).

Drogue

All boats must have some form of emergency steering and a mechanism to slow down if running before a storm.. a drogue seems to be the best option.

Safety Seminar

We have a safety seminar planned for 14 September, this will include First Aid/Resuscitation, life raft briefing, safety at sea aspects and, weather info etc. A must for skippers and first mates (if not all crew!). In past year AMSA has sent an officer from Canberra, we hope they will again.

Qualifying Voyage

We require that at least two of the crew have completed a 150 nautical mile passage together (including overnight) on board the yacht prior to entering the rally. As part of this passage or as a separate trip, we require at least the skipper and one crew to have sailed 50 nautical miles to windward (non-stop) in more than 15 knots of wind. This will identify the problems that vessels may have in such conditions (which you will otherwise discover amidst the Coral Sea!).

Single Handers

Given the need to maintain a lookout on the passages, particularly given the major shipping route through the Coral Sea/Jomard Passage and the other Rally yachts on the water the Rally is not open to single handers.

Double Handers

Double handers are welcome. For couples who have not done a ocean passage before we do suggest you take on an extra crew (perhaps just for the outer passage, then do the last half of the rally and return passage on your own).

Navigation

Whilst most boats will have chart plotters or a laptop with a charting program, paper charts must still be carried, all yachts must have AUS charts 830, 4621, 4620, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, (625 is recommended for emergencies). NOTE Beware older non-metric charts of the Louisiades, not suitable for plotting GPS positions!

NOTE: In many places in the Louisiades GPS positions do not plot directly onto the chart (and this goes also for chart plotters and laptop programs) coastal navigation skills, lots of caution and commonsense are required. Scientists describe coral as a symbiotic relationship between an invertebrate and an algae with the algae’s photosynthesis feeding both, but remember, CORAL ALSO LIKES TO EAT YACHTS.

Good POLAROID sun glasses make reef navigation a bit easier. Sunnies don’t get better with cost, no matter what the brand is, if it aint proper POLAROID you cant see the reefs as easily. We buy ours from the Yorkeys Knob IGA $20 a pair!

NOTE: With poor charts, some weather conditions prohibit seeing reefs (late afternoon, calm cloudy conditions) a prudent approach may be required, stay where you are or go to an easier anchorage.

EPIRB

We want you to have a 406 EPIRB, ensure you have logged the MMSI number with AMSA.

Medical Kit

A thorough first aid/medical kit is recommended. In particular antibiotics and painkillers are suggested as local hospitals do not have supplies and there are no pharmacies. Malaria has been known to be in the Louisiades but it is understood that it is not as prevalent as it is elsewhere in PNG. There are various strategies regarding malaria, from prophylactics to “cures” (if you get it). Prevention through insect repellent and anchoring out from the shore is also advisable. One of our yachties did contract malaria in 2008.
We will provide a recommended list for your medical kit..you cannot have too many dressings, oral and injectable antibiotics etc.