Page 64 - Misconduct a Reference for Race Officials

RACING RULES GUIDANCE

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND TRASH DISPOSAL

Introduction

The Basic Principle, Environmental Responsibility, states that participants are encouraged to
minimise any adverse environmental impact of the sport of sailing. Fortunately, sailing has
inherently fewer environmental impacts than many other sports, and the word 'minimise'
recognises that few human activities are without environmental consequences.

‘Environmental impact’ is a wider issue than not polluting the water. 'Participants' are a
wider group than just competitors.

This Basic Principle is not a rule, but it should be taken into account from the outset of any
activity related to sailing - for instance, in the design, location and operation of facilities
ashore. Environmental Responsibility is a core principle of the RYA, which is the joint owner
of The Green Blue Project which provides much valuable information and guidance – see
www.thegreenblue.org.uk.

Rule 55, Trash Disposal, states that a competitor shall not intentionally put trash in the
water. So this creates an enforceable rule out of one aspect of environmental responsibility.
This rule applies at all times when boats are on the water. In addition, competitors
should comply with all international, national, regional and local requirements for the
prevention of marine pollution.

There is no definition of ’trash’ in the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS). It is a word to be 'used
in the sense ordinarily understood in nautical or general use' (see the Introduction to the
RRS; Terminology). One dictionary definition of trash is 'unwanted matter which has been
discarded'. It is synonymous with 'rubbish' and ‘garbage’.

Annex V of the MARPOL Convention, to which the UK is a signatory, prohibits the disposal
of garbage from ships at sea. Garbage is defined under MARPOL as ‘all kinds of victual,
domestic and operational waste generated during the normal operation of the ship ‘with the
term ‘ship’ being defined as ‘a vessel of any type whatsoever operating in the marine
environment’. It would therefore not be appropriate for notices of race or sailing instructions
to permit the disposal of any garbage at sea that would be in breach of MARPOL. There are
a number of exceptions to Annex V of MARPOL, the most notable of which relates to
securing the safety of the ship and those on board, or saving a life.

World Sailing Q&As

Note should be taken of the World Sailing Q&As N001 (2013-004) published 18 February
2013, N002 (2013-028) published 17 June 2013 and N003 (2013-029) published 5 August
2013 (revised 15 January 2014):

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