The Offshore Racing Council (ORC) recommendations cover monohulls and multihulls in five groups: Category 4 is for short, daylight races in protected water, Category 3 are on open water, Category 2 are longer races, Category 1 are long and well offshore, and Category 0 races are trans-oceanic. The Offshore Special Recommendations require progressively more gear for each category.Since the majority of regattas require Category 4 compliance, here’s a basic list of the portable safety equipment requirements for sailboats a Category 4 race:
- 2 buckets of 9 liters each
- A non-electric, magnetic compass
- Spare bulbs or parts for all navigation lights
- A softwood plug attached to each thru-hull
- Two fire extinguishers
- 1 anchor
- 1 watertight flashlight with spare batteries and bulb
- First aid manual and first aid kit
- Foghorn
- Radar reflector
- Non-electronic chart(s), light list and plotting tools
- Durable stowage chart showing location of all safety gear
- Echo sounder OR lead line
- Tools and spare parts with a quick way to disconnect or sever rigging
- Lifebuoy with light, reflective tape and drogue OR Lifesling with light and reflective tape
- 4 red handheld, 4 white handheld and 2 orange smoke SOLAS-grade flares
- Heaving line
- Storm trysail OR a mainsail reefable to 40% of normal luff
- Lifejacket with reflective material, whistle, and yacht name for each crew
