has been safety at sea and the construction of well-found yachts.

Yachts must have a valid US IMS certificate and must possess strict skipper, crew design and equipment qualifications.

Only seaworthy yachts above a minimum size which have been screened for stability and construction are accepted. Additional special requirements include radio transceivers and state of the art EPIRB equipment.

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons are transmitters that send 406 MHz radio signals locating a specific aviator or mariner in trouble.

"Their use is limited to Mayday-type distress situations, where a yacht is in danger of sinking or has a life threatening problem, such as a medical emergency or man overboard which canot be resolved with on-board rescources,'' says the Cruising Club of America's Ron Trossbach.

It is estimated that more than 6,000 lives have been saved by this system. The signal emitted registers through an international satellite tracking system, which is linked to Rescue Co-ordination Centres. Tests show that this chain of events takes less than four minutes.

The adequacy and condition of the yachts is checked during safety inspections before and after the race. They must have boom preventers rigging removal kits and an appropriate offshore medical kit. The captain and crew must have demonstrated recent competency in offshore races and received specialised training in man overboard, abandon ship and dismasting problems.

Each yacht is required to have at least two recent graduates of Safety at Sea seminars, sanctioned by the Safety at Sea Institute. Yachts must also have sufficient fuel to provide a cruising range under power of at least 100 miles.

Inspection for this year's race was completed on June 14.

"The inspection process is meant to be a courtesy inspection to help new participants bring their boas into compliance with the rules and to remind more experienced hands of the gear they need for this race,'' said the CCA's Ernie Messer.

A new safety feature was added this year with Rainbow , a 17-foot motor vessel, which will serve a link between the fleet and the shore. Although not a rescue vessel, in the event of an emergency involving a vessel or crew member, Rainbow would be in immediate contact.

A new rule that appears to have met with welcome arms is one that requires all crew to wear lifejackets at the start and finish of a race.

Most have the common sense to wear them all the time, particularly in rough seas, but wearing them near specators is meant to portray the safety aspect.