The SYC boat safety and audits compliance requirements are set by Australian Sailing (AS) in the “Racing Rules of Sailing” (Blue Book), together with any updates available on the AS website. Some races run by the SYC are considered “plus”, which means there may be some additional items needed. These are all clearly laid out in the Notice of Race. For people new to SYC Club Racing the Special Regulations can appear overwhelming, but there is plenty of assistance and advice available to owners via the SYC Website. For owners renewing, the process should be a lot easier the second time.
A safety audit is an inspection conducted by an accredited National Equipment Auditor (NEA) who represents SYC. This must be done prior to competing in any SYC club racing. It does not remove or replace the owner’s ultimate responsibility for safety, nor does it cover crew training/experience or an assessment of hull structure, stability or integrity. The audit is simply an independent assessment that the owner has complied with Yachting Australia Special Regulations and it is valid until the end of June each year. For that reason the owner must self-audit prior to each race to ensure compliance.
SYC Auditors
Auditors | Accredited to | Auditors | Accredited to |
Andrew Lee | Cat 3 – Cat 7 | Graeme Mills | Cat 3 – Cat 7 |
Andrew Warner | Cat 3 – Cat 7 | Jason Harrigan | Cat 3 – Cat 7 |
Bruce Reidy | Cat 3 – Cat 7 | Lowa Paszko | Cat 3 – Cat 7 |
Clay Williams | Cat 3 – Cat 7 | Marrissa McManus | Cat 1 – Cat 7 |
Garry McCarten | Cat 3 – Cat 7 | Michael Blair | Cat 1 – Cat 7 |
For the Boat Owner
- SYC Preparing for an Audit
- Keelboat Safety Manual
- Person Overboard Declaration (online form)
- Person Overboard Declaration (downloadable form)
- Maritime Safety Victoria Skippers Manual
- AS Preparation for an Audit
- Additional items to be reviewed & discussed during Boat Safety audits
- SYC Emergency Reference Card
- Boat Safety Operating Manual Template (Port Phillip)
- Boat Safety Operating Manual Template (Off-shore)
- By-Laws: refer Policy 26 – Marine VHF Radio
- By-Law: refer Policy 27 – Lifejacket
- VHF Radio Licence
- VHF Radio Frequencies Chart
- Victorian Recreational Boating Safety Handbook
- Marine Safety Victoria Website