Question details:

How large can the sail maker label be on sails? Or the manufacturer label on other items of equipment? The class rules do not restrict this?

Answer:

The relevant rules are contrained in the World Sailing Advertising Code, also known as Regulation 20.

Clause 20.7.1 states that the display of manufacturer's and sailmaker's marks is permitted at all times as detailed in Table 2 but not in areas that area reserved for Event Advertising. For radio controlled boats the area reserved for Event Advertising is 40% of the hull length on each side of the hull from the foremost point on the hull. No Event Advertising is permitted on the boom(s), backstay or sails.

20.7.2 tells us a manufacturer's mark may include the name, logo or other identification marks of the designer or manufacturer of the equipment.

20.7.3 tells us that a sailmaker's mark may include the name, logo or other identification marks of a sailmaker or of the sail cloth manufacturer or the pattern or model of the sail.

Table 2 – Manufacturer’s and Sailmaker’s Marks

Radio-controlled boat

Hull  - On each side of the hull, and may include the name or mark of the designer or builder - One mark to fit within a rectangle measuring 15% of hull length x 150mm                     

Spars and Equipment - On each side of spars and on each side of other equipment - One mark not exceeding 50mm length                    

Sails - On each side of sails and kites - One mark to fit within a 50mm diameter circle

Answer:

In other words, do you have a particular skill or experience that can help with the operation of the IRSA?

The IRSA is an association that serves over 30 National Organisations that maintain and promote Radio Controlled Sailing in their countries. Through these national bodies, the IRSA also serves the RC community as a whole, particularly being focused on the Internationally Recognised classes (10R, Marblehead, A-Class and IOM) and assisting emerging international classes. IOM sailors are served by their own international class association (ICA) called IOMICA, which is affiliated to the IRSA under a contract.

So you want to help?

There are many different aspects of the IRSA work that needs keen, skilled and enthusiastic people.

1. Treasury and finance. 
2. Interpretation and changes to the Racing Rules of Sailing. 
3. Supporting the logistics of running World and Continental events
4. Interpretation and changes to the class rules and measurement procedures.
5. Development of international classes for those classes that are spread across the globe and can be indentified as being truely international.
6. Organisation of the IRSA structure, in terms of ongoing analysis of the constitution and the various rules and regulations that direct the operations.
7. And, there are other ongoing and sporadic needs.

Speaking of the Executive, the IRSA is divided into distinct working groups.

1. The Executive Committee. This group are nominated and elected by the national bodies and IOMICA every two years. Each has their own job, so to speak, and often come together to discuss and sometimes vote on matters on the Executive Forum.
2. The Committees. These assist in the development of various rules, interpretations and advice as matters turn up. They are invaluable to help the committee chairmen (who sit on the Executive) to bring quality and well thought through matters to the Executive for ratification or revision.

So where could a keen volunteer fit in?

If you wish to be part of the Executive, you will have to wait until the next General Assembly in April 2018. Apply to your national organisation to be nominated to the position you feel you can bring some solid expertise to.

If you wish to be part of a committee in the areas outlined in 1-6 above, and feel you have the experience and background to bring quality advice to these committees, then please don’t hesitate.... apply to your national body to be nominated. ​

The nomination does not mean you will automatically be involved. The nomination will be reviewed by the Committee Chairman and then the Executive and you will be required to supply information like sailing background and experience in the area you are applying for. There is no limit to the number of committee members, but you are required to be very proactive when the need arrives.

Please note.

IRSA does not take nominations directly from individuals, only the member national bodies. So all applications need to be forwarded through the national member of your country. Also, there is a limit of two volunteers per committee per country.

Looking forward to you joining a dedicated group wanting to put back into this beautiful sport and continue the considerable momentum already built up.  

Answer:

Starting in around February 2015, class rule changes were introduced and discussed within the IRSA Technical Committee. The proposed rule changes were circulated to IRSA Designated National Members (DNMs) around December 2015 and January 2016. A number of DNMs responded with comments, and these were addressed by the TC Chairman. The proposed revised class rules were then brought to the Executive Committee by the TC Chairman in March 2016, which the EC formally voted on and approved. The rules, and an explanation of the changes, were published in April 2016, and came into effect in July 2016 after minor errors were found and edits made. This is the process which has been used in the previous decades of rule changes by the IMYRU, ISAF-RSD, and now IRSA.  

Question details:

At what point, on change of ownership, does the certificate become invalid?

Answer:

The certificate becomes invalid upon a change of ownership. The change of ownership is the important criterion – not the signing of the certificate by the new owner – not the issue of the new certificate in the new owner’s name.

However, while the concept of ownership is normally well understood between any two people it may be that the law of the land becomes relevant in particular cases and this may vary depending on the contract involved and where the ‘transaction’ takes place.

The view is that IRSA class rules are not intended to, nor do they, shed any light on ownership or when it changes hands.

Question details:

What is the difference between a Q&A and a Class Rules Interpretation?

Answer:

An interpretation is requested when it is not clear (to a designer, builder, measurer, class association or certification authority) how a class rule shall be interpreted. When an interpretation is issued it should be kept in mind that the interpretation is valid until the class rules are changed or for two years maximum only. The purpose of this last rule is that two years gives sufficient time to consider if the effect of the interpretation is a) desirable or b) undesirable. Depending on the decision or choice (a or b, by the IRSA TC or the class depending on whether there is an independent class organisation or not) the class rules can be revised accordingly.

Thus, when drafting any interpretation, it should be kept in mind how the class rules should/could be revised to make the original interpretation request redundant.

It follows that, if no revised class rule can be written, there is no need to issue an interpretation. Where no interpretation is required, but only an explanation of the effect of the class rules, it follows that it would be appropriate to deal with the original request by issuing a Q&A to be published on the IRSA website and elsewhere as appropriate.

This is the guiding principle used by the IRSA Technical Committee when considering any question about the class rules whether it is a formal request for an interpretation or not.

Answer:

The ERS is a document maintained by World Sailing which is revised on the same 4 year cycle as the Racing Rules of Sailing. The current version may be found on the World Sailing website and there are several versions in translation listed there too.

https://www.sailing.org/inside-world-sailing/rules-regulations/equipment-rules-of-sailing/