Notes for 2016 IRC Certificates

The following notes will help you get the most from your 2016 IRC rating.

Please note the following layout changes to the IRC certificate for 2016 (listed from the top of the certificate):

• SSS Base Value is now called SSS Number to be consistent with the information in the Yearbook (p.60).

• Calculated Crew Weight has been added next to Crew No. for your convenience.

• Bulb Weight is now printed where applicable, under Draft.

• Headsail and spinnaker abbreviations (nomenclature) have been updated. See Yearbook p.52 and IRC Definitions.  Those affected are:  LLmax = HLUmax,  LL = HLU,  LP = HLP,  SF = SFL.

• The number of pairs of spreaders and jumpers has been combined.

• A security date watermark is printed on all valid IRC certificates issued from 19 May 2016.  

This makes it quick and easy to identify a valid certificate (or copy certificate) issued by RORC or UNCL.   Current certificates issued before 19 May 2016 are still valid and will not be reprinted.

Endorsement:  A reminder that this is denoted by the ‘ENDORSED’ stamp at the bottom right of the certificate.  

Non-endorsed certificates will just have the red IRC Rating Authority stamp. If you need Endorsement for an event you are entering, please contact the Rating Office as soon as possible for advice.

Seahorse Magazine free issues!   We are pleased to say that the extra value for your certification continues for 2016:  All IRC certificate holders have an automatic subscription to every other issue of Seahorse Magazine in digital format.   Activate it by clicking on the link on www.ircrating.org and use your certificate number and passcode (as it appears at the bottom your IRC certificate) to login.

Please wait 2-3 days before accessing the offer to allow the database to be updated. 

• Validity dates are shown at the bottom of the certificate. When your certificate expires you will receive an invitation to renew it, please make sure your contact details are kept up to date by emailing us with any changes to your postal or email address.

• Please check the data and details on the certificate.  

If there is anything you think is incorrect please contact us; however for production designs remember some standard data may have been used which differs from that submitted (usually hull data).

• Ratings may go up, down or stay the same from year to year, depending on changes and developments in the maths behind the rating calculation.  This is developed on an annual basis and is generic for certain design characteristics.

• Age Allowance is automatically applied to boats over 3 years old, but it is a small part of the calculation. (It cannot be assumed that the rating will reduce each year because of age allowance).

• Crew limitations IRC Crew Number is not variable by a boat and has no effect on TCC (see also p.31 of the Yearbook).

CERTIFICATE ADMINISTRATION

Amended or Trial certificates:   We cannot accept data by telephone.  

Please make sure you complete the ‘Source of Information’ to avoid any delays, thank you.

Note that there are limits to the number of trial certificates that are allowed, you can find details on the IRC website. http://www.ircrating.org/technical-a-certification/certificates-extra-info. 

We reserve the right to refuse to amend a certificate if we believe its purpose is to take advantage of a forecast eg. reducing sail for a race that is forecast to be windy.

If you have an Endorsed certificate, remember that any amendments to rated data will require official measurement, please refer to our website especially regarding sail data and talk to your Rule Authority for advice if necessary.

Change of Ownership:  If you sell your boat and the new owner wishes to race it, or if you buy a boat with a current IRC certificate, then Re-Registration is required.  

Short-handed certificates:  If you do short-handed (1 or 2 people) racing, and your boat is in a different configuration for this, you can apply for a separate Short-Handed certificate, see IRC Rule 8.2.1.   

STIX and AVS Stability data :  If you are planning to enter an event that is OSR Cat 3 or over you may need to have STIX & AVS (stability) data on your IRC certificate. Please check the specific events you are entering, to see if it is required. Information about STIX & AVS can be found on the IRC website:  http://www.ircrating.org/technical-a-certification/sssn-a-stix.

Once obtained, the information will be added to your certificate free of charge as long as there are no other changes.