2024-2025 Offshore Special Regulations published

Amendments to the OSR have been made after careful consideration by the Special Regulations Sub-Committee and the Oceanic and Offshore Committee.

In 2022, the Special Regulations Sub-committee conducted a survey to which there were over 120 responses including MNA’s and offshore sailors. This feedback has been integral in informing the work to make the document more user friendly and better serve the sport.

“Several years ago, the ‘Recommendations’ were removed from the OSRs and continued modifications through submissions rendered the document inconsistent in wording and format. This made the OSRs challenging to understand and to translate,” explained Sally Honey, Chair of the Special Regulations Sub-Committee.

“The Refinement Working Party has spent the last year scrutinising the entire document to improve clarity without changing any meaning. The 2024-25 OSRs are much improved, but the Working Party will continue its refinement efforts as required.”

Changes (highlighted in red in the document) include:

• OSR 3.03.1 regarding hull construction standards
• OSR 3.04.2 regarding stability – monohulls
• OSR 3.14.1 regarding pulpits, stanchions, lifelines
• OSR 3.14.3 regarding lifeline specifications
• OSR 3.17.1 regarding toe rails or foot-stops
• OSR 3.21.1 regarding drinking water tanks
• OSR 3.21.3 regarding emergency drinking water
• OSR 3.29 regarding communications equipment, GPS, radar, AIS
• OSR 4.07 regarding flashlights and searchlights
• OSR 4.11 regarding navigation equipment
• OSR 4.21 regarding grab bags
• OSR 4.22.2 regarding GPS crew overboard position
• OSR 4.26 regarding storm and heavy weather sail inventory
• OSR 4.27.3 regarding heavy weather jibs
• OSR 6.01.5 regarding training
• OSR 6.05 regarding medical training
• Appendix H regarding medical training
• Appendix J regarding hypothermia
• The addition of Appendix M regarding optional wording for Organising Authorities’ NORs or SIs

The regulations featuring changes since the last edition are marked in red in the document, which is available to download here.

A study version which highlights the changes is also available.