1 The rally is neither a race nor a regatta and engines may be used and decided by each skipper.
2 English will be the language for all the communications during the rally.
3 Private messages between the yachts, not affecting the rally, may be sent in another language, but not on the rally channel.
4 Every yacht must complete the Entry form, Crew list and Equipment list.
5 Registration must be completed by December 1st 2010 (incl. entry fee) on an Entry form, Crew list and Equipment list. All the forms must be completely filled out.
6 Payment should be in Euros.
7 There will be not refund of fees is, except urgent reasons and after a written request. After join the start refund of fees is impossible. Because the bad internet connections during the Rally, the organization will return the payment after finish the rally.
8 There are no limitations to the maximum number of crew per yacht; however the minimum number of crew at any time is two. At least one member must be an experienced skipper. There is no limitation on type of yachts but the maximum size is 18 meters L.O.A. due the limited anchoring space and running a well organized convoy. There is a limit on number of yachts participating. According to our experience in the past 4 rallies we know there will be some cancellation, therefore if you are registered and find that you must cancel, please do this as soon as possible.
9 This rally is open only to amateur sailing yachts, but not chartered yachts or yachts with paying guests/ passengers on board. A private paid captain/crew on a private yacht is acceptable.
10 The rally committee has the right to reject an entry without obligation to give reasons for its rejection.
11 Participants are bound by the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at sea, laws and Regulations of the countries to be visit, the present rally rules, and committee sailing instructions.
12 The safety of each yacht and her entire management, including insurance, remains the responsibility of the owner or the skipper. Salalah port authorities give a fine of 50 RO (ca 150 US) for yachts up to 19 Net tonnage without insurance. Also Suez Canal authorities ask for Insurance papers.
13 Yacht owners/skippers and their crew, are participating in the rally of their own free will and their own risk. Each owner/skipper is responsible for the sea worthiness and safe navigation of his/her yacht. The decision of whether to start, continue, or retire in consideration of the meteorological conditions present or forecast, piracy or other conditions lies entirely with the skipper from each yacht. The organization informed twice a day UKMTO in Dubai about our position and stay in close contact with authorities. Every member of the rally is become know about the dangerous situation in the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Southern Red Sea about piracy and follow strict the instructions given by the rally leader.
14If retiring or delaying departure from any port or anchorage, the yacht must report her action to the rally organization. The owner/skipper shall draw the attention of their crew before starting. There will be no refund of cost sharing fees under such circumstances.
15 Each yacht must display the National flag of the country of registration, a courtesy flag of the country to be visited on the main mast starboard cross tree. rally burgees, and the rally number. The national flag is always lower than the courtesy flag.
16 Each yacht must be equipped with a built- in diesel engine in good-working condition, incl. spare parts like fuel and oil filters, belts, oil etc. The engine must be capable of maintaining the minimum speed of 5 knots in the Suez Canal and in the convoy.
17 A ready-to-float life raft or dinghy, lifejackets and life-lines for each crewmember and flares.
18 Each yacht must have a built-in VHF radio 25 Watt, a radar reflector and navigation lights. A HF (SSB) radio is not essential but very useful. Also a Class B AIS transponder and EPIRB will be advised.
19 All yachts must use the correct navigation lights between the hours of sunset and sunrise. During the convoy yachts have to use lower navigation lights, Red/Green on the bow and white on the stern. If necessarily the convoy leader will ask also to use the steaming light.
20 Every yacht participating in the Vasco da Gama Yacht Rally is sailing under the sole responsibility of the owner/skipper and her crew.
21 The rally organization, group leaders, sponsors and supporters, coastguard, navy, management of marinas, port authorities, Suez canal authorities in the countries to be visit or any other person connected with the organization of this rally, bear no responsibility for any loss, damage, injury or inconvenience to any yacht, to crewmembers, to third parties or other yachts howsoever arising directly or indirectly from their rules, policy, courses or rulings during the rally or related activities.
22 Participants are bound by the present rally committee instructions. Except in the piracy effected zones yachts can sail on their own conditions between the Harbors of Ports. The Organization may also dismiss any yacht from the rally if breach the rally rules or misbe’haviour against the rally committee or authorities. For such action there will be not refund of costs of sharing fee.
23 During the convoy, a 24 hours watch have to be on deck, VHF radio always standby on the required channel on low power, which can not be used for private talks. The convoy will be lead by the organizer, sailing with his yacht Mistral on the head of the convoy. For the safety of yachts and crew following the instructions is very important and a must. Depend the situation the leader can change the route or speed. Before the start there will be a meeting and discussion about the convoy. Remember sailing in convoy with a group of yachts will be not easy. Due the increasing number of piracy attacks someone less as 200 NM of the Indian coast, the route will be decide short before the start and not be published on the website. The rally will be registered by the UKMTO in Dubai.
CAPTAINS AND CREWS AGREE TO THESE RULES BY READING THEM AND WILL ACCEPT ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE RALLYLEADER.